Insurance $100k per seat limit

jlk · #1 08-13-2011, 02:43 PM

I have been getting quotes for insurance on an RV-6a I am planning on purchasing. I have not been able to find a product that gives me the liability coverage that I will feel comfortable with. I have had discussions with Falcon and Nationair about the $100,000 a seat limit and if there was a product to fill the gap to $1,000,000. They both say no product exists. This then also prevents umbrella coverage for extended liablility.

Does anyone have a work around or company that will write the $1,000,000 smooth coverage? I had it on my Bonanza.

jlk · #2 08-14-2011, 07:17 AM

Takes the fun out of flying when you know your passenger or their family can take all the money you thought you had.

Ron Lee · #3 08-14-2011, 08:15 AM

I have $1,000,000 million liability but I am guessing that it is for outside the aircraft. If you are looking for one million for the passenger and that is not available, then I suspect that you will fly solo.

rocketbob · #4 08-14-2011, 09:07 AM

I would think that having a pax sign a liability waiver be very helpful in a court case but I'm not an attorney...would love to hear from one how practical this is.

Geico266 · #5 08-14-2011, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketbob

I would think that having a pax sign a liability waiver be very helpful in a court case but I'm not an attorney...would love to hear from one how practical this is.

Not an attorney, but waivers are near worthless in court. Only makes people think they are covered.

This is why I stopped taking people for rides, including Young Eagles. There is no protection from EAA or waivers that cannot be thrown out in court, and the lawer bills are not covered even if you prevailed in court. You could win, but loose everything to legal costs. Being Mr. Nice guy could cost you everything you own, and that is not a position I will out my family in. No good deed goes unpunished.

Jmho.

jlk · #6 08-14-2011, 10:56 AM

the only possible use for the waiver is to make the passenger think they cannot take legal action.

My wife is an attorney and one of her fellow partners is an aviation attorney, he says the waivers are worthless. I am working on getting someone to write the gap coverage from the $100,000 per seat limits to the full million.

It seems many experimental plane owners are not aware that their passenger liability coverage is almost non-existant with our present lawsuit judgements.

If you are interested in getting this coverage for your liability (you must be flying an RV-3 if you are not) call or email Nationair, they are the broker for the Van's aircraft program. The info for the program manager is below. Let her know you want this coverage and are willing to pay a reasonable amount to get it.

If enough of us call we may be able to show that there is enough interest to provide it.

You can also do the same for Falcon who is the preferred insurance broker for the EAA.

Jenny Estes
Account Executive
Van’s ProgramManager
877.648.8267
jestes@nationair.com

jlk · #7 08-14-2011, 11:07 AM

I am not an insurance person and if I state something wrong any insurance people out there please correct me.

The product we are looking for is called $1,000,000 smooth liability coverage. Smooth coverage pays out the money no matter who or what the damage is in the incident. There would be no $100,000 per seat limit. I was also told that some companies are also writing $100,000 per person limits on policies which is even worse! That would mean that if you hurt someone outside of your airplane, you would only be covered for $100,000. The smooth coverage is available to certificated aircraft that are not antique or have other issues.

Read your policy, know your liability, it might save you or your widow wife from being very poor!

Brantel · #8 08-14-2011, 11:19 AM

Waivers were recently debated on another thread.

Just GOOGLE "Are Liability Waivers Enforceable" and read till your heart is content on the subject....

Here is one that I thought was interesting:

jlk · #9 08-14-2011, 08:28 PM

An interesting table Brantel. Something to always remember if you end up in court. Just because it looks obvious to you that the logical thing to happen is that you should win, even a slam dunk, this is usually far from reality in court. The latitude judges have and the sympathy, in spite of the real law, a jury will show will often reverse any and all real logic in the situation.

The only true defense you have is good liability insurance or a very deep pocket with the willingness to spend your money.

When we fly our experimental planes, we will invariably be found at fault for the incident, and that translates into a judgement against us if someone was injured or killed.

My next email will be to the EAA asking why they do not have a program to fill the gap in this insurance chasm.

pierre smith · #10 08-15-2011, 04:34 AM

Jordan, I've been in the ag business for 41 years now and carry lethal loads of pesticides that can kill fish and or animals and sometimes humans.

I also have an RV-10 in which I haul passengers and friends.

With the foregoing in mind, it behooves us to fly even safer and take no chances with passengers aboard and consequently, no worries...life is too short for over-concern.

No formation flying...no aerobatics or high-speed low passes or flight into lousy weather with passengers. Try to be your own best insurance.

Best,