AVEMCO tries again.
I have an RV7A, 350 hours, private instrument pilot with 2400+/- TT, (only) 80+ in the last year, and the plane is hangared. One prior hail damage claim to a C150 about 7 years ago when that airplane was tied-out at an airport in Maryland, which I assume is irrelevant to underwriting. I've been happily insured by Falcon Insurance for several years of Cessnas and the 3 year life of the RV.
Just for kicks, when I submitted my insurance renewal info this January, I also submitted an application to AVEMCO. Of course, both applications had the same plane, hangar storage, and pilot experience data, and same coverage levels sought. I submitted to AVEMCO via their website, using the experimental aircraft link (I think there were three categories from which to choose). The salesguy still had in the computer a previous 2003 or 2004 unaccepted AVEMCO bid for a C182 that I sold in 2004, but no new application for 2012. He had a few questions and requested that I resubmit by fax the forms I had submitted electronically. Strike 1, or at least one half a strike.
Over a week later, I received a postal mail envelope with an additional one page (admittedly no big deal) form specifically for homebuilts. Took about 2 minutes to complete. I faxed it too. Seems that they could have collected this info on the original link that was specifically for experimentals. Now we definitely have strike 1, cumulatively speaking.
About a week later, I got a proposal/bid by email from AVEMCO. It had the C182, model year 1959, and N-number from that plane - and listed 4 seats, which we know affects premiums. Strike 2. I emailed back, asking them to check the 2012 application for the correct aircraft type, N#, and pilot/aircraft info.
About an hour later, another AVEMCO guy calls back, very professional, all apologetic, to state that this was an admin error on the cover page describing the plane, but that the rate/coverage info was correct. But then, he quizzes me on Wings program and any logged training in the last year, and proceeds to apply the advertised 10% discount. Bottom line: Annual premium $2,034, with $1,000 deductibles on the hull coverage. Yes. Strike 3. AVEMCO claims the following benefits to their policy:
- 10% credit for WINGS program participation (though it was not on the application and was quizzed in the course of correcting their error)
- $5,000 coverage for legal fees in an FAA enforcement action
- no family sublimits
---- FYI: AVEMCO also offers four installments. First installment or full payment must be made before coverage begins.
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About the same time as the AVEMCO online application, I submitted the RENEWAL app with Falcon Insurance in Texas, using their 2 page form, via mail. Within 2 weeks (don't remember, but it was before AVEMCO bid on the C182 that I don't own), I got a call back from Falcon with three bids, all pretty close together, and I renewed the Global policy via Falcon. 10 minutes later I had a binder by email. Three days later, the full paperwork package a and a bill. Coverage begins seamlessly coverage, without requiring a rush payment. Oh yeah, the premium is $1204 with no deductible on hull.
Hard decision, huh?