Insurance always does.

right, so then the point is: can you get your insurance for a cheaper rate than the premium that you are seeking to maintain while accounting for other pressures affecting the present value of that premium?

You've changed your argument from the idea that there is no value because of the efficient market to the point that you need to comparison shop. Ok.

or could it be that you misunderstood my argument, j? i wasn't trying to be confusing. i certainly haven't changed my initial point. perhaps i was unclear.

Perhaps.

and maybe we were looking at the issue from different perspectives/points of view.