My thoughts: Would Dark Souls be as good a game if it was easy and had zero penalty for death? Similar with any other game.
Penalties for death add risk, flavour and excitement. That shave where you escaped with 1% hull, or that time you docked with 4 seconds of oxygen left wouldn't be as thrilling or awesome without the weight of the risk behind it.
I'd also note that loans do increase with rank although not that much especially when insurance goes over the 2mil bracket. I think the game assumes with X hours in you'll learn rule number 1 of Elite and arguably you should...
Penalties for death add risk, flavour and excitement. That shave where you escaped with 1% hull, or that time you docked with 4 seconds of oxygen left wouldn't be as thrilling or awesome without the weight of the risk behind it.
I'd also note that loans do increase with rank although not that much especially when insurance goes over the 2mil bracket. I think the game assumes with X hours in you'll learn rule number 1 of Elite and arguably you should...