I don't think the lady at the car insurance office understood how wrong her industry is. Wrong as in broken and predatory.

I started driving 45 years ago and played the game with insurance, start high go low over time..

I had full insurance in Spain for 9 years. 4 years ago I sold my car and been walking ever since. But now I need a van.

I asked for a quote, information. She required my driving license. When she asked about the vehicle I showed her an option online. She required the registration number.

I was literally dumbstruck. Wtf. It's not my vehicle. I want info not a signed up policy. She would not continue without it.

After all that the cheapest quote for basic insurance was €700.

The justification was that I did not have an active car insurance policy therefore there was no claims to reference, back to the start. I couldn't speak, it was like a sucker punch. 41 of the last 45 years playing the game just wiped away. What?

2 years with no claims and it will start to go down, she said, completely oblivious to what 700€ actually means in a country where 1000 a month is OK money for the majority. I asked why it wouldn't be cheaper next year and she dropped the next bombshell.

Cost of living rises will put the lower price back up to €700. Just like that, broad grinned acceptance that inflation will make sure I never benefit from driving safe.

This is the matrix, the fricking crazy world where I'm the rude person asking her to justify the racket.