I thought the exact same, but fortunately as I understand it it's a completely in-game type of thing (no real money involved). I guess it'd be similar to MechWarrior only instead of getting your ruined hulk of a mech horribly needing repairs, you just insure your ship against destruction. Elite has a similar concept, and it makes sense considering your ship could be stolen, blown up, lost forever, etc.
Think of it like X3, only there's no loading save games to backtrack. As I understand it everyone (at least backers) will always at least have a basic ship, or worst case scenario can play as additional crew or marines for other players.
But then again, I think buying fuel would be pretty neat too assuming it lasted for a looong time. Taxes be damned, I'll go to hell and die before I pay them in real life AND a game