Glide testing. Critique my test plan.

[Dugaru]

There was one short sentence, buried in the middle of the policy, which they contend excluded catastrophic engine failures. It was an interpretative position on their part and they basically said, "get a lawyer if you want to fight it". Due to potential cost, timing and personal issues, we decided not to pursue it; instead, we parted what was left of the airplane.

Lesson learned. Know every line of your policy.

I think knowing that line would have helped you out, as I strongly suspect it excluded coverage for the failed engine itself, but not for *airframe damage caused by* an engine failure. But I could be wrong. What year and what insurance company?

 

[rocketman1988]

I think knowing that line would have helped you out, as I strongly suspect it excluded coverage for the failed engine itself, but not for *airframe damage caused by* an engine failure. But I could be wrong. What year and what insurance company?

If that was the case, why did they pay ZERO?

As far as the year, it was around 2003-2004, and I don't even remember the company.

Let me ask you, do you know every line in your policy? I strongly suspect the answer is "No".

Considering we had five airplanes insured at the time, ranging from a Cub to a C-421, it was hundreds of pages of legalese. Did I learn a lesson? You betcha.

So I pass my misfortune on to the masses. Know your policy and realize that the insurance companies DO NOT have your best interests in mind.

 

[Dugaru]

If that was the case, why did they pay ZERO?

Two possibilities. (1) Either the policy actually excluded airframe damage caused by an engine malfunction (which would be unusual in my experience, but I can't rule it out), and they therefore had every right to deny coverage, or (2) they unscrupulously put one over on you. Without the policy, or their correspondence denying coverage, we really can't know the answer.

Let me ask you, do you know every line in your policy? I strongly suspect the answer is "No".

You would be incorrect. I mean, I can't recite it from memory, but I know what it does and doesn't cover.

Know your policy and realize that the insurance companies DO NOT have your best interests in mind.

Wholeheartedly agree on both.

 

[rocketman1988]

Two possibilities. (1) Either the policy actually excluded airframe damage caused by an engine malfunction (which would be unusual in my experience, but I can't rule it out), and they therefore had every right to deny coverage, or (2) they unscrupulously put one over on you. Without the policy, or their correspondence denying coverage, we really can't know the answer.


You would be incorrect. I mean, I can't recite it from memory, but I know what it does and doesn't cover.


Wholeheartedly agree on both.

I'm going to go with #2.

One thing that is absolutely certain is that they are in it for the money; if they can find a way to avoid paying a claim, you can bet they will.