Insurance for 2014

[Marklincs]

So Insurance for 2014

So whos going for what ?

We have:
RCHA
http://www.store.rcha-uk.com/product.php?productid=17523&cat=0&featured=Y

FPVUK
http://www.fpvuk.org/become-a-member/

BMFA
http://www.bmfa.org/Membership/Insurance/tabid/134/Default.aspx


I';ll be going RCHA again to be honest although I think it will mean my BMFA Certificates will lapse.

I must admit I';m happy to see the BMFA seemed to have become more FPV friendly after there last CAA meet a year ago. but its not enough for me to go back to them.

[flybywire]

Mark,  currently with bmfa, but have had fpvuk.org before, and will go with them again, as i don';t feel bmfa are relevant to me at the mo.

Andy

[Biffa]

FPV is the best choice I think for the casual, non club flyer.

[Marklincs]

I';m still not convinced yet the BMFA is 100% behind FPV but they have made strides to make up for last time. its a strange one for sure I remember last year it was BMFA trying to keep the buddy lead as a must and tryed to say that they and only they should represent all Model flyers.

RCHA and FPVUK were originally the ones who got the weights upped and I';m glad to see this time BMFA and FPVUK were the ones who got the extra height and weights upped. RCHA rep couldn';t go due to family commitments.

I know RCHA are working on a multi copter achievement scheme and FPV one as well
just time getting it all into place

[Big A]

I';m not convinced yet the BMFA is 100% behind FPV

its a strange one for sure I remember last year it was BMFA trying to keep the buddy lead as a must and tryed to say that they and only they should represent all Model flyers.

RCHA and FPVUK were originally the ones who got the weights upped and I';m glad to see this time BMFA and FPVUK were the ones who got the extra height and weights upped. RCHA rep couldn';t go due to family commitments.

I know RCHA are working on a multi copter achievement scheme and FPV one as well
just time getting it all into place

The BMFA were not in anyway trying to keep the buddy lead, they/we were trying to get the same "benefits" for all model flyers not a small minority. Certainly didn';t try to say that only the BMFA should represent all model flyers either, the BMFA has worked with other associations for years. The recent upping of the weights and heights are as a direct result of the feedback to the CAA from the BMFA special interest group for FPV, Multi-rotors and emerging technologies.  The minutes from the caa meeting are available at http://www.bmfa.org/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/Download.aspx?Command=Core_Download&EntryId=100&PortalId=0&TabId=316

As far as insurance goes (obvously I';m biased) BMFA membership gives gives the best insurance cover and the best support if and when you need it. Whether as a club or a non club member 1/3rd of members are not clubs members, me included.

[doofer]

Does anyone have actual experience of any of these Insurance Co.';s in the event of an actual claim? In my experience Insurance Co.';s are eager to take the premium but will use anything they can to weasel their way out of paying in the event of a claim. Purely due to this train of thought I am completely undecided as to whether I should actually take out additional Insurance cover or not. At the moment I';m just letting the ';Extra'; Legal whatnot I get with my Car Insurance take care of it if anything happens and hope for the best. And while I probably already know this won';t cover it, I also know they';ll try and weasel out of it anyway.

I also really don';t want to join any sort of Club or Organisation as I';m an anti-Social barsteward at the best of times and I loathe giving personal details to anyone unless I am Lawfully required to do so.

[Marklincs]

Is it not better to be covered than take the risk of not being covered?

50p a week for RCHA insurance suits me

[dazza22]

I will go with BMFA again.
The main reason been if a visit a model club I know the insurance will be
accepted.
But it is good they choice .

[FlyinMarty]

BMFA for me, purely as it';s recognised by my flying club - which is also registered with the BMFA, so double insurance.

[nub]

actually whats the point of having insurance when most of ya';s are flying illegally anwyays?

[tony]

I';ll be going RCHA again to be honest although I think it will mean my BMFA Certificates will lapse.

I must admit I';m happy to see the BMFA seemed to have become more FPV friendly after there last CAA meet a year ago. but its not enough for me to go back to them.

only thing that puts me off rcha is the accesses its going to cost you 250  quid if the unthinkable happens  and rcha could drop there prices by about a 5 quid if they kept there wellcome pack and just sent paperwork
who wants a cheep pen stickers tx strap (string with plastic bits)

for me bmfa no access and you can use there buy and sell board which is great

[Marklincs]

only thing that puts me off rcha is the accesses its going to cost you 250  quid if the unthinkable happens  and rcha could drop there prices by about a 5 quid if they kept there wellcome pack and just sent paperwork
who wants a cheep pen stickers tx strap (string with plastic bits)

for me bmfa no access and you can use there buy and sell board which is great

yea didn';t spot that 

[guest325]

BMFA for me again, I like the level of support they offer plus I intend to participate in their achievement scheme.

[Friskle]

actually whats the point of having insurance when most of ya';s are flying illegally anwyays?

Been my argument for years, to many think because they have insurance, your covered, not at all, if "any" of the guidelines are not adhered to, your simply not covered, the guidelines may be only advisory, but when it comes to an accident, and legal proceedings,  if they deem you to be flying anything outside any of those advisory guidelines, your cover will be void.

so cover or no cover, if flying outside what they advise you to do, your up the creek without a paddle, and lets be honest, how many can actually say that they fly within all constraints of what their cover is based on ?

[Big A]

Been my argument for years, to many think because they have insurance, your covered, not at all, if "any" of the guidelines are not adhered to, your simply not covered, the guidelines may be only advisory, but when it comes to an accident, and legal proceedings,  if they deem you to be flying anything outside any of those advisory guidelines, your cover will be void.

so cover or no cover, if flying outside what they advise you to do, your up the creek without a paddle, and lets be honest, how many can actually say that they fly within all constraints of what their cover is based on ?

Sorry you are wrong. Very wrong!

Certainly BMFA insurance covers you for all BMFA recognised activities, you do not have to be following the guidelines laid down in the handbook. The insurance will not cover you against any criminal liability, no insurance will.

[nub]

so they';re still going to pay out even though your breaking the law?

i doubt that very much, they will try to wiggle out a claim just like any other insurance company, would be interesting to know exactly how many claims, what for, and if they were successful, have been made over the years.

[Jimbodiddly]

Watching this thread with interest :)

[Big A]

so they';re still going to pay out even though your breaking the law?

Friskle didn';t mention breaking the law, he said they wouldn';t payout if you werent following guidelines because your cover will be void. Simply not the case. Remember it is civil liability insurance, you actually have to be at fault somehow, hence liable, for there to be a payout. The BMFA insurers have indicated  that if a civil liability arose alongside a criminal action the insurance would generally respond.

i doubt that very much, they will try to wiggle out a claim just like any other insurance company, would be interesting to know exactly how many claims, what for, and if they were successful, have been made over the years.

Insurers don';t like paying out granted, however when the insured has a civil liability they pay out, when they don';t why should they. Last year there were I believe 24 civil liability payouts under the BMFA insurance, it';s usually about that number, usually damage to vehicles too.

[nub]

wonder if something was to happen that involved serious injuring to a person or group of people, if your aircraft or the remains of your aircraft would be scrutinized at any point and what would they do if they found a 250mw VTx on there?

[flybywire]

I';m starting to waiver a little now!  I like Big A';s answers to members questions, and also the word ';support'; is comforting.  I was unfortunate enough to be in a liability claim situation in a previous life (whilst being self employed), and believe you me, you need a company that will just ';get on with it'; and take the worry off of your back for you.  Fortunately for me, I did.