Yes exactly so and they do use it as a filter.
I also bet if they liked your flying they would excercise their discretion, unless they have been left with none by their insurers.
It would be interesting to know the difference (if any) between the cost of insurance with or without an IR in the States - I will ask the question and let you know the reply.
Gear is a non event - except of course on those types where either the warnings are inadequate, or it doesnt go down having exhausted all the options. The last time that happened to me the designers had cleverly contrived to link the lights to the rheostat so they never illuminated. Fortunately on that occasion the gear proved to be down and locked.
I suppose on the Cirrus if it is an integral part of the BPS, which I suspect may be the case, then I guess pulling the chute could be coupled with automatically deploying the u/c - now there is a bit of lateral thinking late in the afternoon.