Forgive me for posting from my other ID but I am away again. (I really must find out my password) !
I think that both sides have a point, however if you were running a for profit organsiation and someone such as yourself who had paid a lot of money into the company in the past, is it wrong to offer them some free flying (I know I would)? Yes it might save the company some money, but these things usually find a way of having someone fly them for free, why should it not be you.
If you are paying for your hour building towards your FI and someone offers you free flying, take it particularly turbine time, it can do you no harm in the future.
The insurance situation is certainly worth confirming before you go, but if the operator is the one paying the bills the insurance company will often approve what is requested.
Gary S.
AKA VeeAny