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Thread: Insurance for ultralights

  1. #11

  2. #12
    dewi8095's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan View Post
    I've had USUA's third-party liability policy for nearly three years. I consider a liability policy to be essential, especially if my aircraft is going to be anywhere near other planes or any people.

    The comments about determining hull value are moot since this is a liability only policy. I have the policy in case my Legal Eagle is somehow connected with a hangar fire, somebody walks into the spinning prop, the plane impacts another aircraft on the ground (hand-propping gone very bad???), or some other scenario where damage occurs as a result of my plane damaging/injuring another plane or person.

    I would not base my UL on an airport without the insurance even if the airport allowed it (most won't). To put my family's entire assets at risk over a $10,000 aircraft is unconscionable for me when insurance is readily available. The policy offers $1,000,000 liability coverage plus a personal injury payment. The USUA policy was the only one I could find for a non N-numbered aircraft. Applications are available online.

    http://www.firstflightinsurance.com/.../airsports.asp

    I don't leave home without it. $400/year well-spent.
    Thanks responders for the info and opinions. I don't have an ultralight, but am looking at one as a possibility and agree with Sam for all the reasons he mentioned. Looks like there is at least one option available.

    Don

  3. #13

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    Great deal here on an MXL with lots of mods.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quicksilver-...64ee1e&vxp=mtr

  4. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan View Post
    The policy offers $1,000,000 liability coverage plus a personal injury payment.
    Sam-

    What is the amount of the personal injury payment on the policy?

    -Buzz

  5. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan View Post
    I consider a liability policy to be essential, especially if my aircraft is going to be anywhere near other planes or any people. I have the policy in case my Legal Eagle is somehow connected with a hangar fire, somebody walks into the spinning prop, the plane impacts another aircraft on the ground (hand-propping gone very bad???), or some other scenario where damage occurs as a result of my plane damaging/injuring another plane or person.
    One creates liability when someone is injured or property damaged to the degree that the damage is clearly by my negligence. Personally, I can't imagine a case where a hangar fire would be caused by some act of negligence with my ultralight. [I'm thinking a policy on my ultralight isn't going to pay off if I leave oil soaked rags in a corner that spontaneously combust.]

    It is, indeed, negligent to not clear the prop area when starting my aircraft, leaving a running aircraft unattended so someone can walk into the prop, etc. However, because someone walks into my propeller doesn't necessarily make me liable for their injury. Aircraft operate on airports. Not taking due caution while walking around an airport and walking into a propeller is negligence.

    As for not properly chocking an aircraft when hand-propping it or taking precautions so it does not get away from you, yes that would be negligent.

    Quote Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan View Post
    I would not base my UL on an airport without the insurance even if the airport allowed it (most won't).
    If Avemco only sold 400 policies, it stands to reason very few ultralights at the peak had insurance. It's not possible most airports require ultralights to have liability insurance when so few ultralight owners ever bought insurance. That would mean only the few insured ultralights ever operated from airports, which is not accurate.

    Quote Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan View Post
    To put my family's entire assets at risk over a $10,000 aircraft is unconscionable for me when insurance is readily available.
    The most expensive act of negligence is one that injures another. I believe the chance of me injuring someone through an act of negligence with my single seat ultralight if I take proper precautions is remote.

    However, I would like to find out how much personal injury insurance the $400 a year is buying, as there is no information on their application as to the amount of personal injury coverage one is buying.

    If one is operating on an airport where there are a lot of million dollar jets taxing around and you are afraid of running into one with your ultralight and causing a $250,000 ding, I guess you need $1,000,000 of property liability to protect all your family's assets. Again, I'm trying to figure out where I could so something negligent with my ultralight that would make me liable for $1,000,000 of property damage.

    The real focus should be how much personal injury coverage of others the $400 is buying.

    [By the way, anyone concerned about protecting their family should check their life insurance policies carefully. My term life insurance through Transamerica is worthless if I am killed flying an ultralight. It's an exclusion in the policy.]

    My thoughts

    -Buzz
    Last edited by Buzz; 09-18-2013 at 10:36 PM.

  6. #16
    Sam Buchanan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Buzz View Post
    One creates liability when someone is injured or property damaged to the degree that the damage is clearly by my negligence.
    If you live in a world where you are incapable of making a mistake, or nobody is capable of falsely accusing you of negligence, and defending yourself against a non-valid lawsuit won't cost you anything, then sure, skip the liability insurance if you wish.

    It is a personal choice. I choose to be insured.

    And if I taxi into your plane and damage it, you will be glad I was insured.
    Last edited by Sam Buchanan; 09-19-2013 at 04:05 AM.
    Sam Buchanan
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