Health Insurance: Why does the government require car insurance but not health insurance

Why does the government require car insurance but not health insurance?
Why is it that they care more about making sure the other person's property gets fixed and not about the health of the people involved? This is a random thought driving home today from work.

What do you think. Should health insurance be required instead of car insurance? My car insurance has only covered damage to my car when the other people hit my car. They had no car insurance. I should have had health insurance.
Law & Ethics - 13 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Car insurance is required to protect OTHER people's property--not your own. Unless we're worried about untreated pneumonia being passed around by poor folks, that's not going to be an issue. ********************************* Goes to show you what good it does to "require" people to have insurance. BTW, I think you either need better car insurance or a lucky rabbit's foot.
2 :
Because if I don't take care of my body and die, you lose nothing - but if I don't insure my car when I crash into you - you lose!
3 :
Car insurance that is required covers the party's injuries, not usually the property. You are required to have insurance to cover the damage you do to others with your car, but if you don't insure your own health why should anyone else care? Good Luck
4 :
MA just started a law requiring health insurance, or get fined on your taxes.
5 :
It's about liablility... not protecting ourself.
6 :
not having car insurance affects others not having health insurance affects yourself. no i dont think health insurance should be required.
7 :
Car insurance isn't for YOU, it's for the other party. Health insurance is totally up to you, just like your optional car insurance (collision and comprehensive)
8 :
You don't need auto insurance if you operate your car, truck, suv, etc... on your own property. You are required to have it when you go into the public. The purpose is to protect the public from damage you cause.
9 :
The government has the jurisdiction over the roads and putting into law what conditions have to be met in order to use them. They don't have that jurisdiction over one's health. Also, even if the law didn't require insurance, the bank financing your loan would until it's paid off. One is not legally required to own a car, the insurance premium one pays is only required of them because they have a car. If one gets sick, they don't have to see the doctor, if they're insured or not. Car insurance is to protect other people who may incur damages from your driving. If someone doesn't want to insure themselves medically, that's their business.
10 :
The required automobile insurance you are referring to is called "Automobile Liability Insurance". This is insurance that provides property and medical coverage to someone else if you are involved in an accident and it is determined you are at fault. (Collision Automobile Insurance, which is extra coverage on the same policy, covers property damage to your car and is covered if you are at fault or even slid into something - anything that is not the fault of the other party - if the other party was at fault, your property would be covered by THEIR liability insurance) Collision insurance is only required if you have an outstanding loan on your car through a financial institution (this is called a lien). This is because whoever (the morgagor) loaned you (the mortgagee) money for the car needs to make sure that the insurance will pay for damages (so they will be paid) in the event you negligently wreck your car. Heath insurance is optional because the only person that is covered is you (not the PUBLIC at LARGE). Further, your own policy most likely also has personal protection that includes medical expenses for you to in the event of an accident - depends on the policy. Health insurance is for accidental injury, illness, doctor's visits - usually not directly associated with a car accident - and this, again, depends on the insurance policy, circumstances, etc. I know this is a lot, but thought I'd give you a good understanding of it.
11 :
i guess cause other people care more about you damaging their car and you not paying for it than themselves getting injured and not be able to afford it. Whats more likely to happen? myself getting injured or some jackbutt hitting my car?
12 :
Its much simpler than the other answers. The state can deny you the privilege of driving you car on the road if you do not have auto insurance. They do not have the power to deny you the right to live if you do not have health insurance. If they could figure out a way they would make you have health insurance. Where they require health insurance, what are they going to do if you can not afford an insurance policy. Someone with a severe preexisting condition could have a good job and still not afford a policy.
13 :
Your insurance with cover repairs for YOUR car if someone wrecks into you but they do not have insurance. The purpose of the law is that everyone had car insurance, if someone hit your car, their insurance would have to pay and your insurance would not raise your principle. I am sure that if you read your insurance policy closely, it will say it only covers damage to other cars... unless you have a compehecive (sp?) policy in which case it will cover both cars. Massachusetts is considering or has already passed a law requiring everyone to have health insurance.

Read more discussions :

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Why does the government require car insurance but not health insurance