Correct Insurance for Hour Building in the States

[Venkman]

Just wondering if anyone who has been hour building in the states can help me out with an insurer that offers the correct level of insurance for flying?

I have tried a few over the phone, but I get the feeling that they don't really know what I'm talking about :ugh:

Thanks

[FlyingForFun]

Surprised not to see any responses to this, as there are several. Best bet is to do a search on these forums, or to look in the back of a flying magazine.

I seem to remember that the company I used several years ago was Traffords, but it's too long ago for me to still have any contact details (or even know if they still offer it). At the time, they were very helpful. I applied for their standard insurance, but to include cover for acting as a crew member of an aircraft, and they did exactly what I asked them. When I got the paperwork and read the small-print, I discovered that they did not cover me for aerobatics. Since I'd planned on doing some aerobatics, I phoned them up, they charged me a small surcharge, and the new paperwork was in the post the same day.

FFF
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[Venkman]

Thanks very much, anyone else have any ideas?

[Happy Wanderer]

It's a bit of a minefield this, and depends on the type of insurance cover you're looking for. From my experience (I'm heading out to San Diego shortly for a month's hour building) the following applies:

- a multi-trip travel policy - includes normal travel/holiday benefits and personal accident cover, and specifically includes flying (which most insurers avoid like the plague). Death benefit though is usually very small (typically £5000) - for that you need a separate...

- life policy, ie addtional to the travel policy. Cover typically costs a few £s per £1000 sum insured. To cover mortgage and other borrowings (ie most normal life policies won't cover you for flying as it's considered a hazardous activity, so worth checking out any existing cover you have.

- renter's insurance - these policies do not cover foreign nationals flying solo in the USA (but ok for flying instruction), leaving any hour-builders potentially exposed when it comes to aircraft leased or hired. There was an article about this in a recent edition of Pilot magazine. Nothing else seems to be available - insurers here in the UK aren't interested.

Just make sure you don't crash your aircraft :eek:

I've approached Traffords (details in all the flying mags) for the travel and PA insurance.

Hope this helps.

HW

[wangus]

I also used Trafford's. Small extra premium covered you for any medical costs etc. incurred in a "incident / accident " in training aircraft, while solo or under instruction. Was first company I spoke to who offered this. Also offer an excess damage waiver. Think I paid around £110 last year.

[RoosterBooster]

Hi ya all,

This might sound a bit silly, BUT exactly what does "renters insurance" cover?

Cheers.

RB