Has anyone actually flown in IAC competition in a Citabria?

It would then go back to your application Bob, that is part of the overall package. If you declared it or didn't obscure it, then you'd be good. It might have been a yes/no question about aerobatics or contests or a spot where you listed uses. I'm not 100% sure but that's generally how policies work and I'm sorry to have caused you to go read your policy word for word!
 
No - I do that yearly anyway. They sneak stuff in there, and if it is deadly I get an e-mail clarification. How many of you need a “medical exam” annually, per your policy? You need a definition of “medical exam” if you are running BasicMed.

Avemco policies are “coded” but if you carefully read and mark each coded item you will see that none are deadly.
 
Same here. My policy says nothing about not covering contests or aerobatics.

I'd ask the broker to show me the exclusionary language.

Three things I never try to do: cut my own hair, fix my own teeth, or give myself legal advice. BUT in my opinion, if the policy does not explicitly exclude coverage for an activity, and that activity does not violate the FAR or the aircraft operating limitations, then the burden would be on the underwriter to justify a denial of coverage. You might have to sue them to resolve it, of course.

I don't agree with the premise that anything we don't explicitly describe in your application is not covered. I did not say anything about airplane camping or fly-ins on my application. Does that mean I can't go to Oshkosh?

Not beating you up or shooting the messenger, Bart. My ire is directed at the brokers. I think in cases like this they tend to give the lazy and safe response rather than digging into the issue to get an accurate answer that is legally justified.
 
I was licensed to sell health/life insurance in NJ for a couple of years back when I was navigating the ups and downs of an airline career. The application is part of the policy in that your representation of use helps to determine exclusions. If they didn't ask though, you didn't omit.
 
Again all they usually ask is "business and pleasure" and they will tell you that flight instruction is commercial, just like renting your airplane to others, and not covered. That's generally it, except for geographical limits and occasionally prohibition against off-airport operations.
 
Bartman said:
If they didn't ask though, you didn't omit.
Click to expand...

I think we are saying the same thing, then. But the burden is still on the insurance company to establish coverage limits and identify exclusionary conditions through a combination of policy clauses and application language. Nowhere on my application does it say "describe all the things you are going to use this airplane for".

Here are the questions on my application. All responses are Yes/No:
  • A. Does the aircraft have other than a standard airworthiness certificate in full effect?
  • B. Are there any other aircraft owned by the Applicant?
  • C. Has aircraft been equipped with any modifications not provided by manufacturer?
  • D. Do you anticipate aircraft to be operated outside the continental United States?
  • E. Will aircraft be normally operated from other than paved public airports?
  • F. Will aircraft be used for student or pilot instruction other than for recurrent training of pilots listed in Pilot Section on reverse?
  • G. Will other than the Applicant and pilots listed in Pilots Section on reverse have use of aircraft?
  • H. Will aircraft be used for any purpose(s) for which a charge is made?
  • I. Is there any unrepaired damage to aircraft?
  • J. Has Applicant had any aircraft/aviation losses, claims, accidents or incidents?
  • K. Has any insurer canceled, declined or refused to renew any aviation insurance for Applicant?
  • L. Do any pilots named on reverse have any physical impairments, waivers or statement of demonstrated ability (other than for corrective lenses), limitation or conditions attached to their medical certificate?
  • M. Has any pilot named above had any conviction, suspensions, or revocations for: FAR violations, use or possession of drugs, or reckless or drunk driving?
  • N. Has any pilot named above ever been involved in any accident or incident?
  • O. Has Applicant or any pilot named above ever been convicted of a felony?
 
I spent a some time in the insurance industry, though I have no specific experience with individual GA coverage, other than those policies I have purchased over the years. I think Big Ed has hit the nail on the head.
 
I have never been quizzed like that. Of course, I have only dealt with maybe four underwriters, but they include AIG, Starr, and Avemco. They do ask if I have had any violations and if I am current (medical, flight review). They do not ask about flight instruction - they state that the aircraft can only be used for business and pleasure, which does not include flight instruction.
 
Another aspect of this worth considering, if you don't survive an accident at a contest, will your spouse be able to collect the benefit from your aircraft coverage and/or your life insurance?

We had an EAA member whose life insurance wouldn't cover flight in his recently completed homebuilt so he had to sell it. It sucks, no doubt about it, but the insurers call the shots so it's worth it to inquire about new things you might be doing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top