There are a couple things to look for and do to reduce the risk of a crash while training.

Some clubs may have "club trainers". These are donated planes used for intros and training, and are maintained by the instructors. I am a keeper of one such plane for my club. i prefer to teach using my own plane rather than risk a students plane. First few flights on a plane are about 10 times more likly to end in a crash than a seasoned plane, especially when it was built by a beginner. Add in the chalanges of unfamiliar equipment, and the things first time pilots do to try to kill a plane... makes it pretty tough for an instructor. Go easy on him.

Secondly spend some time on a computer simulator. Not quite the same thing as real RC, but pretty close. it usually takes 4 - 8 months to solo depending on how fast your hand/eye coordination developes (it is far more dificult than most people imagine) the simulator will save you a couple planes and reduce the learning cycle a lot. Some of them are expensive - just under 200$, but the value in saved planes and the enjoyment of getting out of those awkward first stages quiclkly, makes them well worth it.