Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Insuring $outhpaws

About 10% of the population is left-handed, which is itself interesting because, just on the basis of common sense, one would think that the percentage would be closer to fifty. Apparently, it's a recessive trait, so lefties are left in the minority.

Which is nice, but what does this have to do with insurance?

Well, according to the Wall Street Journal, "[l]eft-handedness appears to be associated with a greater risk for a number of psychiatric and developmental disorders," which is not to say that southpaws are necessarily crazier than the rest of us normal people righties.

After almost 30 years in the insurance business, though, I can tell you that I have never seen the question "are you right- or left-handed?" on any application, and my P&C colleagues assure me that they haven't, either. But the Journal had an interesting article yesterday about the increased health risks that go along with being a lefty.

Frankly, I'm unconvinced that there's any reason for underwriters to be concerned. Still, it's interesting to contemplate, as this video explains:


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