The Underappreciated Insurance Industry

Imagine a world without insurance. You pay out-of-pocket the full cost for every car accident. You replace—out-of-pocket—the full cost of rebuilding your home following a fire, a tornado or other natural disaster. Following the death of a spouse, you pay—out-of-pocket—for the medical expenses, the funeral, the residual debt, and any taxes due. We know that insurance can help us personally, but what do we know about the insurance industry? It’s an industry that at best is taken for granted, and at worst, often maligned or misunderstood. However, when you take a closer look, what you see is an industry that provides an important service and contributes directly to the success of the American economy. What are insurance companies’ contributions to the American economy?