@Mika E. (Ipstenu) - Absolutely, 110% agree with you on this one. The host's primary concern is making the server functional again, so that your files can run on it. Consider yourself lucky if they happen to restore your site too, especially in a the timeframe in which you want it restored.

A big problem, in my opinion, with WordPress including native backup functionality (besides the inherent complexities with making it work on a myriad of server environments) is that it wouldn't be able to put the backups anywhere but on the server, alongside the running files. If the server tanks, there go the backups. At best, it's a security blanket to make site owners feel better at night, when really they should be almost as scared as they were without backups. The one plus is that, should they do something to mess up their site, they can restore from that backup. But that's still minimal comfort to me.

To the concern about "services charging outrageous rates for plugins and or services" - if your backups are so important to you that you're writing this comment, you SHOULD be paying for backups. Data protection is a booming business, for a reason. People want to back up their important data. If your site makes you money or is important to you in any way, invest in it. Granted, there are many free options out there as well, including the roll-your-own database dump and zip, combined with a remote FTP server (get it off-site, people!).

The most expensive backup is the one you don't make. Sorry, had to say it.