[dragonwriter]

> I'm a safe driver. Why should I have to pay for auto insurance?

AFAIK, at least in California and I think this is true more generally, you don't. In order to drive legally on public roads, you must demonstrate the ability to meet a certain minimum amount of financial liability in the event that you are responsible for a collision either by posting a bond or by demonstrating that you have adequate liability insurance.

Most people choose to meet that requirement through insurance, because it has a lower up-front cost (though likely higher lifetime cost), and because they also want other coverage besides the required liability coverage along with it.

> ... And actually, I completely reject your characterization of it as a wealth transfer. It's insurance.

It is insurance, but rules like the "no exclusions for pre-existing conditions" and controls on what factors can be used in rate setting also make it a wealth transfer. (At least part of the idea of making it a wealth transfer is to improve overall access to insurance and, through that, preventive care, to make the overall system more effective for everyone.)