Passenger Bodily Injury Sublimit

[Parker_Woodruff]

I'm not a big "let's push an upsell all the time" kind of guy.  But there's a point where I think we should evaluate the adequacy of what what's commonly presented to experienced pilots.

The "baseline" coverage when it comes to personal aircraft insurance is $1,000,000 Combined Single Limit for Bodily Injury and Property Damage limited to $100,000 each passenger bodily injury.  Yes, coverage is available lower at lower levels.  And coverage at higher levels is usually available.  But the measuring stick really begins at $1MM/$100K.

I want to make you all aware that increasing that passenger bodily injury sublimit to $200K is often available for Mooney owners and the cost to do so is normally between around $70-$200 annual additional premium for experienced Mooney pilots.  Not expensive at all.

One thing to remember is that the definition of "passenger" in most aircraft policies will include third party crewmembers.  So the CFI providing your flight review or other training will also be subject to this sublimit.

Getting $1MM for Bodily Injury and Property Damage Including Passengers, without a passenger sublimit (often referred to as "Smooth") coverage may have to be looked at differently as more companies evaluate the age of aircraft in whether or not they'll offer this coverage. But it's still available for most Mooneys from several companies.  The insurers with high quality policies typically have this coverage level available to owner pilots that have logged 300-1000 hours total time.

If you'd like to evaluate a higher coverage level, keep in mind that you don't have to wait for renewal.  Insurance companies offering higher limits can endorse this coverage change onto an existing policy on a prorated basis.

 

[201er]

20 minutes ago, Parker_Woodruff said:

I want to make you all aware that increasing that passenger bodily injury sublimit to $200K is often available for Mooney owners and the cost to do so is normally between around $70-$200 annual additional premium for experienced Mooney pilots.  Not expensive at all.

Getting $1MM for Bodily Injury and Property Damage Including Passengers, without a passenger sublimit (often referred to as "Smooth") coverage may have to be looked at differently as more companies evaluate the age of aircraft in whether or not they'll offer this coverage. But it's still available for most Mooneys from several companies.  The insurers with high quality policies typically have this coverage level available to owner pilots that have logged 300-1000 hours total time.

How often is it that insurance companies are paying anything but the max limit for passenger death or injury?

 

21 minutes ago, Parker_Woodruff said:

One thing to remember is that the definition of "passenger" in most aircraft policies will include third party crewmembers.  So the CFI providing your flight review or other training will also be subject to this sublimit.

What about spouse, kids, parents, relatives? Are they all covered as passengers? Is the pilot-owner a passenger if someone else is acting as PIC under the open pilot clause with the owner on board?

[midlifeflyer]

 

14 minutes ago, 201er said:

What about spouse, kids, parents, relatives? Are they all covered as passengers? Is the pilot-owner a passenger if someone else is acting as PIC under the open pilot clause with the owner on board?

What does your policy say? 

There is no always.

[Parker_Woodruff]

27 minutes ago, 201er said:

How often is it that insurance companies are paying anything but the max limit for passenger death or injury?

I don't have the statistics on this.

 

27 minutes ago, 201er said:

What about spouse, kids, parents, relatives?

The short answer is it depends on who can make a demand against you and/or bring suit against you.  It's legal liability coverage.  Once you know this then see policy language.

27 minutes ago, 201er said:

Is the pilot-owner a passenger if someone else is acting as PIC under the open pilot clause with the owner on board?

Each policy is different.  See liability losses not covered.  It may also be useful to evaluate any severability clauses if the policy has them.

[MikeOH]

Passenger sub-limits, even $200K, are why I do NOT fly with any non-family passengers except a CFI. (I'm okay with family suing me since they're in the will anyway)

That measly $100K or $200K limit is going to be reached pretty easily in all but an injury free accident. THEN the plaintiff is coming after MY assets!  And, while I have a decent umbrella policy, it specifically EXCLUDES GA flying!  I have NOT been able to find an umbrella policy that will cover private flying.