Feds And Google Push Self-Driving Cars - Insurance Companies Say Not So Fast

Google Inc. sees self-driving cars being available to consumers in three to five years. Regulators and the insurance industry aren’t so sure it can happen that quickly.

Software and electronic sensors couldn’t fail and would have to anticipate and react like a human. States may have to decide how to license machines rather than people. Insurance companies have to reassess how to assign fault after accidents. Safety standards have to be rewritten to focus on electronics along with mechanics.

Chicago Auto Show Photo Gallery

PLAY - 2/8/2013 1:42:49 PM

+2 Boost

Because if the cars are safer, they have to charge less for insurance. They are worried about this hurting their bottom line. They need time to figure out how they can make money off of improved safety.

CarCrazedinCali - 2/8/2013 2:31:10 PM

+1 Boost

amen!

quizz - 2/11/2013 4:49:57 PM

+1 Boost

Grandma can take a nap and wake up 20 minutes later in front of the supermarket without killing anybody - I'd say insurance companies can benefit from that.