Government Legislation & Slave Insurance: How Laws Unlocked America's Hidden Slavery Insurance Archives
Insurance Vs History
Ever wondered how insurance intersects with slavery in America? My latest episode of Insurance vs History dives into the world of life insurance and American slavery. I’ll reveal how life insurance on enslaved people helped historians and genealogists uncover stories that few textbooks ever mention. From lost documents to innovative legislation, we’ll explore the surprising ways insurance records have brought new transparency to America’s past. And check out my other episodes on insurance history, including CEO pay in the insurance industry, pollution, and other historical...
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Insurance Festivus: Real Grievances, 23 and Me Updates, and Tesla Turmoil
Insurance Vs History
Insurance Festivus: Real Grievances, 23 and Me Updates, and Tesla Turmoil Happy Festivus—it's time to air all our insurance grievances! Featuring real listener comments, updates on the 23andMe bankruptcy (cyber insurers, anyone?), and the wild world of Tesla Insurance, this is a great way to close out the year. Selected References: Hire me to speak at your meeting! I can talk about the topic of your choice, or I can talk about the history of insurance and why insurance matters. Reach out for booking info or just to connect at meredith@insurancevshistory.com Help keep independent...
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Insurance CEO Pay: What’s Fair, What’s History, and What’s Next
Insurance Vs History
Insurance CEO Pay: What’s Fair, What’s History, and What’s Next? I started trying to answer one question: is Insurance CEO pay fair? and ended up with a massive project. In this episode, I dig into the history of executive pay, share eye-opening stats from AIG, and ask for your help with figuring out who gets paid what and how that’s changed over time. Plus, submit your insurance grievance for inclusion in my holiday Festivus episode! Selected References: 1. https://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/mag-features/2025/06/16/827459.htm ...
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Is Your DNA Safe? Inside 23andMe’s Bankruptcy and Insurance Challenges
Insurance Vs History
Is Your DNA Safe? Inside 23andMe’s Bankruptcy and Insurance Challenges What happens when a company owns your DNA data—and then goes bankrupt? In this episode, I dive into the complicated story of 23andMe, exploring its insurance challenges, genetic data risks, privacy concerns, and the ongoing impact for consumers in today’s health and insurance landscape. If you have data with 23andMe or any other consumer focused genetic data company, I strongly suggest you listen. Selected References: 23andMe, Antonio Regalado, MIT Technology Review, Volume 119, No. 4 (Bankruptcy Documents) Hire...
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Tesla’s Insurance Gamble: Why Cheaper Isn’t Always Better (& What History Teaches Us)
Insurance Vs History
Tesla’s Insurance Gamble: Why Cheaper Isn’t Always Better (& What History Teaches Us) Why would Tesla get into the insurance business, and is it really a new idea? In this episode, I explore Tesla’s foray into insurance, the bumps they've hit along the way, and why history shows automakers rarely succeed with insurance. Selected References: 1. 2. 3. 4. ...
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When Insurance Meets Scandal: The Boy Scouts Abuse Crisis Explained
Insurance Vs History
When Insurance Meets Scandal: The Boy Scouts Abuse Crisis Explained How did insurance influence the Boy Scouts of America’s response to decades of sexual abuse allegations? In this episode, I dig into the organization’s troubled history, insurance involvement, bankruptcy, survivor compensation, institutional accountability, and my personal reflection on how insurance both helped and hindered justice for victims. References: On My Honor: The Secret History of the Boy Scouts of America, by Kim Christensen: Morally Straight: How the Fight for LGBTQ+ Inclusion Changed the Boy...
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Noncompete Agreements: How the FTC’s Rule Change Impacts Insurance, Employees, and History
Insurance Vs History
Noncompete Agreements: How the FTC’s Rule Change Impacts Insurance, Employees, and History Do you know the history behind noncompete agreements — and how they impact the insurance industry today? On the latest Insurance vs History Podcast, I take a quick look at the FTC’s shifting stance on noncompete agreements, industry implications, and their surprising 15th-century origins. Reference Articles: Hire me to speak at your meeting! I can talk about the topic of your choice, or I can talk about the history of insurance and why insurance matters. Reach out for booking info or just...
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When Did Pollution Happen? Unpacking Montrose, DDT, and Liability Insurance
Insurance Vs History
When Did Pollution Happen? Unpacking Montrose, DDT, and Liability Insurance Imagine a pollution disaster so messy that it’s taken over 40 years to work out the insurance payments. In this episode of Insurance vs History, I dive into the story of Montrose Chemical and DDT, a discussion spanning WWII, Superfund lawsuits, and barrels of toxic waste leaking off California’s coast. Join me to discuss the reason why it’s taken 40 years to resolve, what the heck Montrose wording even means, and why it matters. Hire me to speak at your meeting! I can talk about the topic of...
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Trailer: Insurance vs History
Insurance Vs History
Insurance vs History is a show doing for insurance what Freakanomics did for economics. Don't understand insurance? Can't imagine why anyone should care about a global industry that impacts your daily life in ways you don't even realize? Host Meredith Brasher shines a light on both the good and bad stories of insurance, explaining it along the way. Season Five starts in September 2025 with new episodes twice a month.
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Taking the summer off!
Insurance Vs History
info_outlineIs Double Indemnity the best insurance movie ever? Is double indemnity even a real thing?
Welcome to the Insurance vs History Podcast! In this episode, I discuss the movie Double Indemnity starring Fred McMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, and Edward G Robinson, and the concept of double indemnity in the insurance industry.
Sources and Links:
- Double Indemnity - Wikipedia
- 10 Fascinating Facts About Double Indemnity | Mental Floss
- Double Indemnity movie review (1944) | Roger Ebert
- Ruth Snyder - Wikipedia
- The 1927 Murder That Became a Media Circus—And a Famous Movie - HISTORY
- Thompson v. Prudential Ins. c. of America, 84 Ga. App. 214 | Casetext Search + Citator
- Limitation of Risk in Double Indemnity Clause, Columbia Law Review, Vol 31, No 8 (Dec 1931), pp. 1368-1369
- Interpretation of “Accidental Means” in Double Indemnity Clause, Michigan Law Review, Vol 50, No 6 (April 1952), pp. 942-944
Books:
Movies:
Music Credits:
- Boulangerie by Jeremy Sherman, courtesy of NeoSounds: Boulangerie, LynneMusic | NeoSounds music library
Contact Me:
- insurancevshistory@gmail.com
- Website: https://insurancevshistory.libsyn.com
- Twitter: @insurancevshist
- Instagram: @ insurancevshistory
- Facebook: Insurance vs History | Facebook