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Naming a Pilot

Jcummins

Member
As Shanna Linton had previously posted in the article mentioned below, when letting another pilot fly your plane you may be unintentionally voiding your insurance policy. The previous post quickly went in a different direction, Ha ha ha! Although those were all good questions and topics, the main idea we were trying to convey is that you should always read your policy or check with your broker before allowing another pilot to fly your aircraft.

Here is some more information regarding naming a pilot to your policy:

When you have a 'named pilots only' policy, it is intended for just that. When you request to have a pilot added to your policy the underwriter may require a check out or a specified amount of dual hours to be completed with a CFI. If this check out or dual is completed in your insured aircraft, this pilot and the CFI must be named pilots on your policy prior to receiving this training. You must notify your broker to make this addition, and they will have the underwriter add these pilots to your insurance policy (there may be an additional fee, depending on the pilot). If the training is completed in another aircraft, then you must follow the guidelines of that policy.

If you proceed with training and do not name these pilots on your insurance policy, any potential loss may not be covered. We would hate for something unfortunate to happen and have no way to help you.

Previous post thread-
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=137231&highlight=voiding+insurance+policy



Jennifer Cummins
Leah Ringeisen
Shanna Linton
 
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Jenny,
Perhaps you should also add that "open pilot" clauses generally protect the airplane owner, but not the pilot in question.
 
Yes the owner of the aircraft is protected if someone is flying under the open pilot warranty. However if the pilot wants to be protected for liability that could incur in the aircraft that pilot should be named even under an Open Pilot Warranty policy.
 
Yes the owner of the aircraft is protected if someone is flying under the open pilot warranty. However if the pilot wants to be protected for liability that could incur in the aircraft that pilot should be named even under an Open Pilot Warranty policy.

Going back 20 years in the memory bank of Aviation Law class I recall something called subrogation?

If someone is flying under the open pilot clause I understand they are liable for the liability part. But under subrogation can't they also be responsible for the hull value of the aircraft too? The insurance company pays out the owner, but then comes back to sue the pilot for the payout, liability, and hull?

Do I have this correct? If so, should a pilot flying something under the open pilot clause consider themselves completely un-insured unless they have their own policy? What kind of policy would cover this pilot?

Thanks
Mark
 
Going back 20 years in the memory bank of Aviation Law class I recall something called subrogation?

If someone is flying under the open pilot clause I understand they are liable for the liability part. But under subrogation can't they also be responsible for the hull value of the aircraft too? The insurance company pays out the owner, but then comes back to sue the pilot for the payout, liability, and hull?

Do I have this correct? If so, should a pilot flying something under the open pilot clause consider themselves completely un-insured unless they have their own policy? What kind of policy would cover this pilot?

Thanks
Mark

Yes, this is correct. Not only that, most policies require the owner to assist, or at least do nothing to hinder, the insurance company in suing the owner's friend, the pilot. Just as "friends don't let friends drive drunk", you should carefully consider if you want to loan your plane to a friend who is not specifically listed as a "named insured", lest you be placed in a very uncomfortable position should something go wrong.
 
There are an infinite number of ways that these things can play out, but the safest bet for someone flying your aircraft is for them to have their own non-owned policy. If they own an aircraft, many times their aircraft insurance policy has non-owned coverage built in.

The policy is really designed to protect the policy owner/named insured. If the non-owned pilot does something dumb, there is a potential that the insurance company and/or the owner could come back and subrogate.
 
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Also, there may be an additional fee to add a pilot. Some carriers charge a flat fully earned fee, meaning you will pay that fee to add a pilot weather they fly 1 time or the rest of the policy period. Some carriers will charge a fee, just due to the fact the pilot is lower time.

Each situation is different and each carrier is different. Remember, please contact your broker for any information regarding adding a pilot to your policy.
 
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