On the community backed insurance idea, this is something that has been around for a long time, called mutual insurance in the UK. It's still a feature of some aspects of the market but much less than in the past. I think 100% this is the model that will first be integrated to blockchain in a big way. Think family, friends, co workers contributing to share medical bills, car insurance etc..
There are different models for traditional insurance, the pay as you go type, which you describe, where you don't take a fee depends on the demographics of the people in the group. Are there enough people to cover a large claim?
The other main way to collect money is to collect it upfront through fees and premiums then pay out as claims arise.
The tech will not be what holds these back from being integrated to blockchain but regulation. Regulators will need to be gotten on board before any of these applications will be allowed to operate.
In the US what you are describing as mutual insurance are called mutual aid societies. Often you’ll find mutual aid societies in risky professions or religious groups.
Mutual insurance (in the US) is a company in which the policy holders are also the owners of the company. So the net profits of the insurance business are paid back to the policy holders as a dividend.
Thanks, I have not a lot of experience with insurance companies other than being screwed over a couple times. I do know of the mutuals but, they seem more alive in idea than practice now as most appear to be much more 'regular' than community. But again, I am unsure.
Regulators are always going to be the issue I think until a system is built that cuts them out of the conversation.
What if it is a percentage of the tax system itself rather than being separated out?
A solution is a long way off it seems at this point but, it is interesting to think about for potential future applications to move towards in some way.