IFR just 5.4% of the time

I'd have to disagree with at least part of this. I don't deny that a
single station may be IFR only 5% of the time, but I've often
overflown KIOW en route to Des Moines, and have found that weather can
be fine VFR at both ends, while there is often uncomfortable cloud
cover around the Mississippi River. I've had similar experiences
flying up to Michigan - good VFR at both ends, but a choice between
1500 AGL and 10,000 en route to stay clear of clouds.

In addition, I've flown over Lake Michigan in VFR weather but had to
use instruments for lack of any visible horizon only 5 mi offshore.

Flying into Chicago VFR, flight following is almost always terminated
just when you need it most, while under IFR you can receive traffic
advisories in a very active airspace.

What the rating provides is comfort, knowing that in the absence of
Tstorm activity and icing, I don't have to sweat about clouds.