The Museum of Insurance

September 22, 2011 10:22 AM

There's some fascinating engraving and illustration to be seen at the Museum of Insurance. (Better than watching paint dry. Seriously)
posted by OmieWise (9 comments total)

Better than watching paint dry.

That's a ringing endorsement if I've ever seen one!

(Seriously though, looks pretty cool. Even if, unsurprisingly, it's hosted by an insurance company.)
posted by kmz at 10:36 AM on September 22, 2011

Museum of Insurance

I know what each of those words means, but I don't think I've ever seen them in that order before.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 10:39 AM on September 22, 2011 [1 favorite]

I can't take much of this stuff without some strong, fortifying James Lileks snark.
posted by theodolite at 10:40 AM on September 22, 2011 [1 favorite]

Better than watching paint dry.

yeah insurance can be pretty boring, but personally I've always found the Lloyd's of London origin story pretty interesting.
posted by Hoopo at 10:55 AM on September 22, 2011

You know, insurance folks are typically quite interested in history; insurance companies tend to have a strong sense of history; and at least until 50 years ago (and maybe still today, I don't know) there was a strong sense of fraternity among insurance professionals like actuaries. Partly that may be because insurance people think about long cycles — things like, what's your life expectancy, what are the odds of this building burning down, where's the 100-year flood zone, what's the 500-year earthquake risk? To understand a lot of those things you have to dig into historical data. And, insurance companies tend to keep very long-term records. That's because sometimes, your ability to make a claim can far outlive the premium period, especially under umbrella liability coverage.
posted by beagle at 12:35 PM on September 22, 2011

Yes, I was making a not very good joke. I actually think it's a fascinating site, or I would not have posted it.
posted by OmieWise at 12:44 PM on September 22, 2011

Great, now I've got the Crimson Permanent Assurance bit running through my head.
posted by xedrik at 1:02 PM on September 22, 2011 [1 favorite]

Watching paint dry - it's actually fascinating.

And the Lileks snark? It's lovingly done.
posted by chavenet at 1:36 PM on September 22, 2011

beagle - absolutely. If any wants some further links check out RSA300.com which was setup to celebrate the 300th anniverary of the Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company here in the UK. Underwriting since 1710!

ps I am not an RSA employee - infact they are a competitor - but I am a history appreciating Underwriter.
posted by numberstation at 1:41 PM on September 22, 2011