17 Dec Helicopter Pilot Liability

From my experience as an insurance Field Underwriter specializing in aviation, I get to review people’s policies to determine whether they have the coverage they need.  Aviation coverage can be confusing, to say the least.  And if you don’t have actual ownership in the hull it gets even more confusing.  There is a lengthy list of questions that we ask to determine exactly what coverage a pilot or owner needs to protect themselves from lawsuits, damages, loss of craft and/or life.  More often than not we find that there are gaps no matter how good the insurance is.  A lot of companies cover the standard basics, but fall short when it comes to personal liability.  The good thing in the aviation industry is that with the high dollar cost of aircraft, and the potential for damages, most people are very aware of how much not being covered could potentially cost them if they are personally named in a lawsuit.  The bad thing is that with the high media exposure with each accident there is a high public awareness of what damage was done, the cost and who was at fault.  The biggest thing that I tell people is to know exactly what your insurance covers and know in what areas you are potentially exposed.  Get out your current policy and read it carefully!  If you have questions, ask someone who really knows.  This is an area where you don’t want someone who doesn’t know this industry putting your assets at risk.  Ask a lot of questions… then ask them again!  I have a hard time believing that there is any better resource out there when it comes to helicopter pilot liability insurance.  If you have questions about your coverage, we can help and are more than happy to do it. The most important thing you can do right next to continued training is take some time and make sure you’re covered.  A little peace of mind can go a long way.