"Geez SollyLama, for a new guy, you sure sound like you have been around a lot. You make great points"

Thanks. I've been a member of many organizations in racing motocross and worked closely with a track owner. I know who gets sued- and it is almost always the property owner. I've seen good organizations and ones that mis-spend money and have silly requirements.
R/C flying stands alone in it's restrictive nature of paying AMA or not flying. At the amatuer level, and on a sanctioned field, there should be no reason to demand supplimental insurance.
Part of the problem is local clubs demanding it (even though thier own insurance is far more likely to have to pay out than the AMA) in addition to thier own outrageous fees.
Like I said, if I got memberships this year, I'd lay out close to $200. That's ridiculous. I barely spent that in practice fees for two years at a supercross track. Which I dare say needs more expensive equipment and insurance!
I don't even complain about the price of the equipment. Hey, pay it or don't. But I chafe at dropping a couple C-notes just to play with a toy I already dopped hundreds on.
I have known people that were turned off to flying almost singlehandedly when told to add a couple hundred (or even another $58) to the hobby bill just to participate.