brianjwilson Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 How many of you out there purchased insurance during flight training? It seems that the flight schools insurance is only designed to cover certain things, but if you are found at fault for some kind of accident, you are left to pay for the mistake. Wayne Moore at Hillsboro Aviation wouldn't tell me I need it, but would say I don't need it either. This is just the impression that I've got, but I'd like to hear some input and hear what you all did/do. I'm still trying to get a 'good' estimate of what everything will cost me, to get a realistic idea of what I'll have to borrow, and I have no idea what I'd have to pay to insurance a helicopter while I'm flying it.Thanks for your insight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gs7251 Posted March 31, 2005 Report Share Posted March 31, 2005 I'm looking into flight training as well, very interested in any responses out there, thanks! -1B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgorS Posted March 31, 2005 Report Share Posted March 31, 2005 If you search the forums, you'll find other threads on this topic. Basically, it comes down to this: the ship is covered by the flight school's insurance, minus a deductible. You could be liable for the deductible if you destroy the aircraft. Some schools come right out and say that you will not be pursued for the deductible. Ive heard that some schools' carriers have add-on policies that you can buy to cover yourself. Others don't. There is no private renters insurance available for helicopter pilots a la AOPA insurance for airplane renters--at least not for hull coverage ("hull" is the aircraft insurance term for the ship itself -- aircraft insurance is modeled on marine insurance). I've found some renter's liability coverage, but only for 300+ hour pilots. About liability: even if your school lets you off the hook after you crash the aircraft, you are still liable for any property damages or injuries that you caused. The only time you're really exposed to this risk is during your solos, when you're pilot-in-command. If you crash while receiving dual instruction, the NTSB invariably finds "inadequate supervision" and blames the CFI no matter what knucklehead thing you did to cause the mishap. The main thing that protects most student pilots is the fact that they're young and poor, not even worth a threatening letter to the average attorney. Finally, an advantage to being poor! As for myself, I'm older, I've got a house and a 401(k). I'm nuts for exposing myself to this risk. But I just can't help myself, the darn things have got me hooked. Heli-crack, someone called it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gs7251 Posted March 31, 2005 Report Share Posted March 31, 2005 Thanks IgorS! -1B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerouslyclosetoavolcano Posted March 31, 2005 Report Share Posted March 31, 2005 Nobody wants to put their foot in their mouth legally, this is likely why wayne would not give you a clear answer. If you crash and told your lawyer that the school said that you didn't need insurance etc etc you know where thats going and it just gets ugly. IgorS is correct in regard to the insurance, if it were available they would be offering it to you as more than likely the school will make money on it somewhere! As for the required wedge for training, I would budget for $55k. That will see you through comfortably up to CFII with hopefully a little to spare. Unless you are a very slow learner! You don't need to buy any extra insurance etc as unless you intentionally flew into a building/expensive something you will not have to foot the bill other than maybe the deductable if your lawyer can't peg the blame to shoddy maintenance. As the old saying goes " Yer pays yer money, yer takes yer chances!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOG Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 Hey Igor, I would really like to know where you found this renter insurance for people with 300+ hours. I thought that no renter insurance at all was available.Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgorS Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 LOG, The insurance I found was liability only. I have been trying all morning to find that guy again, I threw his phone number away. I'll let you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOG Posted April 2, 2005 Report Share Posted April 2, 2005 Thanks a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidris769 Posted November 27, 2005 Report Share Posted November 27, 2005 Regarding helicopter renter's insurance, the FAQ at the AOPA insurance website (www.aopaia.com) has this to say: Does the AOPA Insurance Agency offer any type of insurance for rotorcraft or multi-engine aircraft? Non-owned coverage is available for multi-engine and rotorwing aircraft, however, it is not available through the website. Please call the AOPA Insurance Agency for more information about these products at 1-800-622-2672. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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