"Michael Horowitz" wrote in message
Oh, it's a way of cutting their losses. When they pay out for a less
than totaled a/c, they loose 100%, but if they total the a/c, they at
least get 30-40% back. Thanks

Think you may find they get more than that. It's pretty much the same with
the auto insurance industry. I personally know of situations where the
insurance company totaled the car; paid the insured (MINUS the deductible,
of course) and parted the car out, and actually retreived close to 85% of
the payout. The insured is ALWAYS the one who takes the big hit, either by
the insurance company totaling "short" or by big premium increases, or both.
If you think you can win with insurance, you're living in a fools paradox.

Best bet is whole life insurance, bought early in life. Of course, the only
way to collect is... sigh

GWK