Terrible as it was, we learned another interesting lesson. My dad obtained one of those over the phone insurance policies. The face of the policy talks about an RV4 as a two seat aircraft with certain liabilities per accident and coverage to the occupants. I challenge anyone who reads this to look at his or her policy and if you do not believe what I am about to say, ask your agent or ask an attorney. What it says and what it means are two different things. The attorney claims that case law states something very different than the face of the policy.
The policy states occupants. That is plural. In a two place aircraft, that should mean two. But the pilot does not count as an occupant. Therefore, even though he was not an owner of the aircraft, and even though Bob was clearly listed as an additional insured, his estate (mom) was not entitled to the life insurance portion of the policy. This was an Avemco policy not unlike every policy advertised in countless aviation magazines. So if you believe your wife or kids will benefit from the insurance premium you are paying for, or worse, if you loan you aircraft to someone, that someone?s wife or kids will not collect anything from your policy in case of death. The passenger will collect, but the pilot will not. Trust me, I read, re-read, and solicited the advice of top EAA attorney?s, business attorney?s, and they all explain what it says is not what it means. Go figure.
An accident and loss of loved ones is never expected or prepared for. We always blame ourselves for what we should have done different. Bob deserved and had every right and credential to fly an RV4 safely. I hope this story can stimulate just one dad, just one builder, just one proud owner to take just one minute and think about how this accident happened. Convince yourself that it will never happen to you. Pull out you policy. Read it. Then pick up the phone and call your agent. By all means, register your aircraft as an LLC.
Imagine a phone call to the family of the deceased to inform them of something bad happened on such a beautiful day and why.
It pays to take a moment and convince yourself: This would not happen to me.
Ned Bowers
Skybolt
The policy states occupants. That is plural. In a two place aircraft, that should mean two. But the pilot does not count as an occupant. Therefore, even though he was not an owner of the aircraft, and even though Bob was clearly listed as an additional insured, his estate (mom) was not entitled to the life insurance portion of the policy. This was an Avemco policy not unlike every policy advertised in countless aviation magazines. So if you believe your wife or kids will benefit from the insurance premium you are paying for, or worse, if you loan you aircraft to someone, that someone?s wife or kids will not collect anything from your policy in case of death. The passenger will collect, but the pilot will not. Trust me, I read, re-read, and solicited the advice of top EAA attorney?s, business attorney?s, and they all explain what it says is not what it means. Go figure.
An accident and loss of loved ones is never expected or prepared for. We always blame ourselves for what we should have done different. Bob deserved and had every right and credential to fly an RV4 safely. I hope this story can stimulate just one dad, just one builder, just one proud owner to take just one minute and think about how this accident happened. Convince yourself that it will never happen to you. Pull out you policy. Read it. Then pick up the phone and call your agent. By all means, register your aircraft as an LLC.
Imagine a phone call to the family of the deceased to inform them of something bad happened on such a beautiful day and why.
It pays to take a moment and convince yourself: This would not happen to me.
Ned Bowers
Skybolt