JRJohn,
To your knowledge, has there ever been an rc airplane related claim to an insurance company other than the AMA when the AMA was not the secondary carrier?
Wouldn't it be an uphill battle to convince and educate them about the law and rc airplanes and how that applies to coverage after the fact? As the secondary wouldn't the AMA handle that aspect of the case for you saving you possible legal fees in fighting your carrier for coverage. I may not be as experienced as you in insurance but I've had a lot of experience with high liability businesses and a company that specializes in a particular field will serve you much better.
I think it's a heck of a lot easier to just join the AMA and I don't believe they are looking to deny coverage.
Basin Bum, I'm not totally sure I understand your question. Your asking if there has ever been a claim to an insurance company when the AMA was not involved? Then you ask if it won't be hard to educate "them" meaning the insurance company of and RC flier)about RC law?. First of all, the answer is yes, a buddy of mine had a midair collision then hit a power wire about 4 years ago at a flyinn. The wire fell across the highway and stopped traffic. He told the CD at the field and was treated like he had the SARS virus. He was told to contact his own insurance company. He did (State Farm) They handled the claim, no questions asked, there was NO AMA involvment to his
knowledge.
Second, I'm not sure there is "RC Law" per say. If you hurt somebody, with a golf club, golf cart, tennis raquet, bike, RC plane, hockey stick, gun, bow and arrow, riding lawn mower, weed wacker, chainsaw, or what ever is your choice, the law reads the same, Depending on your degree of negligence you may be held responsible for injuries, loss of income, pain and suffering ect... There is no trick to handeling a Liability claim Insurance companies do it everyday. If need be they hire lawyers or seek professional adivce from experts. I'm not sure what you mean about an uphill battle.
It might be better if you ask, "how many claims are settled by modelers personal liability without the involvment of the AMA". I'm guessing the AMA doens't even see most claims. Why would they if the AMA coverage was secondary?
Why would you fight your carier for coverage you already have? Trust me on the following. NO INSURANCE COMPANY WILL WANT TO DENY A CLAIM FOR SOMETHING THEIR POLICY COVERS. This is called "bad faith" on the Insurance companies part, and they will be punished beyond belief for trying.
I have a better question and comment. why would anybody insure their entire house and personal belongings with a company that they feel won't pay them if there is a loss? If you don't trust them to pay a liability claim done with a model airplane, get rid of them and find somebody you do trust! What if your house burns down, can you trust them then? You think a fire claim is easy to handle? They are a nightmare.
Believe me, the liability for personal injury or property damage done by a modeler is the least of the insurance companies worries. Insurance companies handle all kinds of weird liability claims on a daily basis, My policy spacifically includes coverage for model airplane liability. Check your policy, or better yet call your agent. Hint..... look in the exclusions part of your liability, it may say "aircraft are excluded, except for models". (they don't want any liability for full scale aircraft carrying passengers!)
let me know what you find
John