City officials acknowledge that the open air cable cars, which ply only eight miles of track, produce a disproportionate amount of accident-related costs.

NPR: San Francisco Cable Car Accidents Costs Millions

The phones would capture whatever happened in an accident and cut costs for insurers by letting damage claims be adjudicated quickly and accurately, without the need for extensive legal fees.

FORBES: Businesses Need to Look Good Naked

But neither the federal government nor any state requires all households to protect themselves from the potentially catastrophic costs of a serious accident or illness.

NEWYORKER: Unpopular Mandate

Tepco has been crippled by compensation payments and other costs as a result of the accident.

ECONOMIST: Politics this week | The

People who make an economic decision to forego health insurance do not opt out of the health care market, but instead shift their costs to others when they become ill or are involved in an accident and cannot pay.

WHITEHOUSE: Our Top Stories

Well, it costs us in higher premiums each and every time somebody without health insurance gets in a car accident, gets sick, and has to go to the emergency room for treatment.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing