Thanks for the clarification @SecondRow . I find these policies very hard to parse.
So, from descriptions on YORF, it was 4" PVC powered by a 3 E cluster (who knows how many lit). If that's correct, no way was it a "Model Rocket" by definition.
For advocacy if nothing else, I'm a NAR member. I do low power only, and usually fly with a small local club. I am concerned by the limits and deductibles described, plus the fact that typical use cases don't result in good descriptions of how things work in the event of a claim.
These parts specifically:
Each Occurrence: 1 Million
Fire Damage (any one person) : 100,000
Medical Expense (any one person: 5,000
Deductible per bodily injury & property damage claim 5,000
OK, so we're covered up to a $1M limit for "Something happening"
Let's say rocket goes up, comes down pointy side down, impales leg of person watching nearby. It's not clear that it covers injuries to that non-NAR bystander.
The limit of $5000 medical expenses is laughable. Just showing up at the ER is likely at least $4k, before they actually do anything (I've been to the ER with my family for a variety of things in the last 5 years, probably 10 visits, so I know where from I speak).
So let's say they "cover" the bystander. But only $5k, and the deductible is listed as $5k, so that means no coverage at all really, as I read it. If there's more than a set of stitches or something, let's say an XRAY, an MRI, various doctor services, and a night of observation before discharge, probably ~$15-25k. If they have health insurance (presumably through their work or a private policy), that insurance company is going to come after the rocketeer who caused the accident for every penny the insurance company pays the hospital. And the person's lawyer recovering out of pocket costs of the injured person (their deductible, copay). Then there's the general liability involved (person injured misses work, needs to hire someone to look after kids, has pain and suffering, etc...). Presumably that falls within the $1M occurrence coverage, and claims would vary widely state to state.
Bottom line is that the insurance sounds helpful when negotiating with landowners for field access, but in terms of medical expenses it appears to be of limited value either by definition ($5k minus $5k deductible = $0 for medical expenses) or in practice ($5k payout likely pales compared to even a small ER visit). I hope I'm wrong and welcome those more knowledgeable than I to correct me.
You are wrong. You’re mixing coverages.
The $5000 deductible refers to the bodily injury and property damage coverage.
Medical Expense is separate and has no deductible. Your condemnation of it as “laughable” rankles me. Most medical claims fall within it.
Thanks for the clarification; I freely admit ignorance on how all this works. Didn't mean to rankle you.
I still think it would be helpful if they would post some reasonable examples of things that could happen and how exactly it would play out.
I think that’s a great suggestion. I need to write my column for the Tripoli Report anyway and I’ve always been dissatisfied with the explanations of Tripoli Insurance. I’ll see what I can do.
About 4 years or so ago. An adult, at a launch with scouts. A "Large Model Rocket" (clustered D motors IIRC), where the builder did not use a recovery system. The person killed was the builder, it hit him in the head. Gregory Eberly thinks that was funny.I don't know about official records but about 10 years ago a scout died due to a low power rocket hitting him and causing fatal wounds.
About 4 years or so ago. An adult, at a launch with scouts. A "Large Model Rocket" (clustered D motors IIRC), where the builder did not use a recovery system. The person killed was the builder, it hit him in the head. Gregory Eberly thinks that was funny.
See that is one of the things. I dutifully paid my dues to the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) for 30 years. They proclaimed themselves to be a 'powerful lobbying agency' looking after our interests. But along came drones which allowed virtually anyone to be able to fly, and a lot of idiots did a lot of stupid things. Next thing you know the government is requiring folks to 'register' their models and other intrusive legislation. The AMA proved to be powerless. Ruined the RC aircraft hobby for me and left a rather sour taste in my mouth!
See that is one of the things. I dutifully paid my dues to the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) for 30 years. They proclaimed themselves to be a 'powerful lobbying agency' looking after our interests. But along came drones which allowed virtually anyone to be able to fly, and a lot of idiots did a lot of stupid things. Next thing you know the government is requiring folks to 'register' their models and other intrusive legislation. The AMA proved to be powerless. Ruined the RC aircraft hobby for me and left a rather sour taste in my mouth!
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