>>By assurance, not that I get a payout, but rather the company has sufficient QA to avoid a payout. > They also have sufficient insurance that a payout doesn't tank their company. I don't think their risk avoidance translates into your risk avoidance.

The insurance company doesnt want a payout though -- they will ensure certain certifications. Also, insurance companies will not payout (and hence bankrupt the company) in cases of fraud or gross negligence.

The system is not perfect, but it exists to align interests.

The insurance company doesnt want a payout though -- they will ensure certain certifications.

Those certifications aren't worth as much as I thought they were. I just took apart a UL-certified power strip with scorched plastic, which is a significant fire hazard. It had an LED that was fed from the 120V line through a 15K 0.5-watt resistor.