It's true that many/most AMA members don't actually need the insurance, but isn't it worth $58 a year so you don't have to jump through hoops every time you go fly? Homeowner's insurance is billed on a less-than-annual basis (i.e. monthly, quartlery, biannually), and it can be cancelled at any time for any reason. There are many reasons why homeowners can suddenly find themselves uninsured on a moment's notice. You'd need a full-time insurance agent to patrol the flying field making sure everyone's policy was up to date, in effect, and covered R/C airplane flying. Imagine the mess at an event. Instead of flashing your current AMA card, which guarantees that you're at least covered by the AMA for the entire calendar year with no possibility of the coverage being canceled, you have to produce your homeowner's policy. Your policy then has to be reviewed by the club insurance experts to make sure it covers R/C flying, and your insurance company must be contacted by phone to make sure you're in good standing. UGH!

You just can't take a chance that anyone involved isn't properly insured these days. Accidents are unlikely, but not impossible.