X-Message-Number: 1209
Date: Sat, 19 Sep 92 22:46:58 CDT
From: Brian Wowk <>
Subject: CRYONICS: Self-insurance

Carlos Mondragon:
 
>     Keeping in mind that we can't (legally) institute any fees which are 
> based on actuarial considerations, the problem is rather sticky.  I've 
> heard several interesting suggestions, but they all had one or another 
> fatal flaw.  
 
        From time to time I've heard it suggested that Alcor become 
self-insuring.  In other words, instead of life insurance companies 
selling policies to cover cryonic suspension, Alcor could collect 
premiums from members and itself insure cryonic suspension.
 
        I realize this would put Alcor in the insurance business, and 
all sorts of regulatory requirements would have to be fulfilled.  New 
staff would have to be hired, and/or expensive consultants retained.
 
        On the other hand, it seems to me that a lot money could be 
made this way.  Considering the extent to which most Alcor members are 
preoccuppied with staying alive, they should be (actuarially speaking) 
a better risk than the public at large.  A life insurance company 
selling policies at standard rates to Alcor members is probably doing 
quite well for itself.  Why shouldn't Alcor be that company?
 
        Could someone out there offer any comment on the costs and 
risks involved in this proposal?  If we are not yet big enough, how 
much bigger would we have to be for self-insurance to become practical?
 
                                                --- Brian Wowk

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