This is a tremendous paradox of just about everything in life. For example: How many people sit around and say: “I’ll get a new roof WHEN hail destroys the old one” versus “I’ll get a new roof IF hail destroys the old one”? How many fail to maintain their health (if it is within their control) and then ask the doctor to prescribe medication for the ailment when they are diagnosed? If they did everything in their power to maintain their health, the likelihood of needing medication would diminish substantially. Oddly enough, this is why insurance companies rate people based on their propensity to file claims.
The person who says “when” appears to be expecting something to happen, whereas the person who says “if” is implying it could happen, but it will be beyond their control. IF people did everything in their power to prevent losses, everyone’s rates would likely be much lower than they are today. Insurance isn’t supposed to be about covering the PROBABLE…it’s suppsoed to be about covering the UNEXPECTED. Ultimately, it’s the apathy of a few who cost the rest of the population a greater percentage of their income.