Editor's Note: John Gregory Service is an attorney and Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit and County Court mediator. He has been involved in mediation and arbitration as alternative methods of dispute resolution for more than 20 years.

Insurance companies are businesses and, as such, seek to operate so that they are able to make a profit. So too are oil companies, for example. In the latter case, the company provides a product essential to the functioning of a modern industrial economy, whereas the former also provides something essential to the modern economy.

Unfortunately, many businesses and individuals may not recognize what is provided by insurers. Neither of these industries is generally held in very high esteem by the public, although without them the public and business would find day-to-day life much more challenging. Just think about trying to deliver products in a horse-drawn wagon, for instance.