Insurance

[[email protected]]

New glider owner - looking to purchase insurance- companies - cost? Value sailplane + trailer = $32,000

[Dan Marotta]

Take a look at Starr Aviation Insurance.

On 5/5/2019 10:53 AM, wrote:
> New glider owner - looking to purchase insurance- companies - cost? Value sailplane + trailer = $32,000

--
Dan, 5J

[John Foster]

On Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 10:53:28 AM UTC-6, wrote:
> New glider owner - looking to purchase insurance- companies - cost? Value sailplane + trailer = $32,000

Costello usually offers some of the best rates available, especially if you are an SSA member, and you can get an additional reduction for being an AOPA member as well. There are other options out there as well. Don't know much about them though.

[Paul Agnew]

I'm with LLJohns right now. They were the best bang for the buck when I got quotes. However, I'm up for renewal and will be getting fresh quotes.

PA

[Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)]

The little I have looked, Costello/SSA is easy (they know what we do) and is pretty good. Other insurers may have little clue about sailplanes, so......either charge a lot or are a PITA "if" you have a claim.
Pays to really read the fine print.....

[Mike C]

On Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 10:53:28 AM UTC-6, wrote:
> New glider owner - looking to purchase insurance- companies - cost? Value sailplane + trailer = $32,000

When I owned a Phoebus C, my head hit and broke the canopy when towed through a 20 knot Moriarty thermal. I was insured with LLJohns and the claim was handled quickly and without a hassle. Both LLJohns and Costello are excellent. I ended up with Costello because LLJohns would not insure my RS-15, because it was a home built glider, and Costello would. Premiums are about the same. If you do not fly during the winter months, you can save on premiums with Costello.

Mike

[[email protected]]

To all who responded, thanks a bunch as your info will allow me to do serious comparisons.
Sailplane is an LS3a, 1979, completely refinished. Trailer is an older Comet, that needs a little tlc.

[[email protected]]

Check with Avemco, a little more than costello, but will defend a claim when they are suing for everything forever. I have seen them in action and was sold. probably a 100 bucks mire percyear but worth it in my opinion.

[AS]

On Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 7:32:08 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> Check with Avemco, a little more than costello, but will defend a claim when they are suing for everything forever. I have seen them in action and was sold. probably a 100 bucks mire percyear but worth it in my opinion.

I had my H301 insured through AVEMCO for a very long time. Never had a claim and I couldn't say anything bad about them. However, after I sold the H301, they declined to insure my new (to me) high-performance two-seater despite it being in the standard category. I am now insured through LLJohns. Their rates are very competitive and they are very responsive.

Uli
'AS'

[JS[_5_]]

On Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 4:32:08 PM UTC-7, wrote:
> Check with Avemco, a little more than costello, but will defend a claim when they are suing for everything forever. I have seen them in action and was sold. probably a 100 bucks mire percyear but worth it in my opinion.

+1 for Avemco.
Their policy will cover a rated pilot for rentals of not just glider but also SEL.
Jim

[ripacheco1967]

Wait!... You saying a glider labeled "Experimental" is hard to insure?
( I am new to gliders )

On Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 6:55:22 PM UTC-5, AS wrote:
> On Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 7:32:08 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> > Check with Avemco, a little more than costello, but will defend a claim when they are suing for everything forever. I have seen them in action and was sold. probably a 100 bucks mire percyear but worth it in my opinion.
>
> I had my H301 insured through AVEMCO for a very long time. Never had a claim and I couldn't say anything bad about them. However, after I sold the H301, they declined to insure my new (to me) high-performance two-seater despite it being in the standard category. I am now insured through LLJohns. Their rates are very competitive and they are very responsive.
>
> Uli
> 'AS'

[[email protected]]

On Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 8:53:28 AM UTC-8, wrote:
> New glider owner - looking to purchase insurance- companies - cost? Value sailplane + trailer = $32,000

I've been happy w AVEMCO They are a direct writer and don't have to shop underwriters.

[AS]

On Monday, May 6, 2019 at 12:22:21 PM UTC-4, ripacheco1967 wrote:
> Wait!... You saying a glider labeled "Experimental" is hard to insure?
> ( I am new to gliders )
>

No - i am not saying that! I was commenting on the fact that AVEMCO declined to insure my glider despite it being in the Standard category. It may have been simply the fact that the person handling my application was not familiar with it or simply had not the right information about it or felt it was too 'exotic'. ;-)

Uli
'AS'

[[email protected]]

I've been with Costello for two gliders now.

They are really customer service oriented and seem to be focused on gliders with their association with SSA.

Their trailer insurance (included in your glider policy) has more coverage than other trailer policies I've looked at.

Lou

[ripacheco1967]

Totally saving this thread for when I buy my glider ... very different considerations than on other GA aircraft

[Ron Gleason]

On Monday, 6 May 2019 19:15:27 UTC-6, ripacheco1967 wrote:
> Totally saving this thread for when I buy my glider ... very different considerations than on other GA aircraft

Not heard this mentioned yet; Costello allows for a period of 'no flying' that will get you a rebate. There is a minimum number of months etc (cannot remember the details)

LL John, when I used them, did not have this capability

[JS[_5_]]

On Monday, May 6, 2019 at 6:25:54 PM UTC-7, Ron Gleason wrote:
> On Monday, 6 May 2019 19:15:27 UTC-6, ripacheco1967 wrote:
> > Totally saving this thread for when I buy my glider ... very different considerations than on other GA aircraft
>
> Not heard this mentioned yet; Costello allows for a period of 'no flying' that will get you a rebate. There is a minimum number of months etc (cannot remember the details)
>
> LL John, when I used them, did not have this capability

Costello will do a layup of 90 days or more. In that time you're out of currency, so for a hundred dollars or so it hardly seems worth it. Unless you live where the winter is crap.
Believe Avemco will do a layup with a minimum of 30-days.
With any carrier, you lose included renters insurance during the layup.
Jim

[Tom (TK)]

I have Costello and I have had a claim. They were excellent in getting the glider repair accepted, and paid. They know gliders, have excellent customer service and they have my highest recommendation.

[Dan Marotta]

Who cares about "currency" when you fly a single seat ship?Â* Do the
carriers require a dual flight with a CFI before flying your ship again?

On 5/6/2019 8:44 PM, JS wrote:
> On Monday, May 6, 2019 at 6:25:54 PM UTC-7, Ron Gleason wrote:
>> On Monday, 6 May 2019 19:15:27 UTC-6, ripacheco1967 wrote:
>>> Totally saving this thread for when I buy my glider ... very different considerations than on other GA aircraft
>> Not heard this mentioned yet; Costello allows for a period of 'no flying' that will get you a rebate. There is a minimum number of months etc (cannot remember the details)
>>
>> LL John, when I used them, did not have this capability
> Costello will do a layup of 90 days or more. In that time you're out of currency, so for a hundred dollars or so it hardly seems worth it. Unless you live where the winter is crap.
> Believe Avemco will do a layup with a minimum of 30-days.
> With any carrier, you lose included renters insurance during the layup.
> Jim

--
Dan, 5J

[Tom BravoMike]

On Monday, May 6, 2019 at 8:25:54 PM UTC-5, Ron Gleason wrote:
> On Monday, 6 May 2019 19:15:27 UTC-6, ripacheco1967 wrote:
> > Totally saving this thread for when I buy my glider ... very different considerations than on other GA aircraft
>
> Not heard this mentioned yet; Costello allows for a period of 'no flying' that will get you a rebate. There is a minimum number of months etc (cannot remember the details)
>
> LL John, when I used them, did not have this capability

It's good to know that with Costello you are still covered for ground towing your trailer/glider during the winter layup period.

[[email protected]]

On Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 9:53:28 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> New glider owner - looking to purchase insurance- companies - cost? Value sailplane + trailer = $32,000

Prior sailplane owner had both glider and trailer insured with same company.. are there advantages or disadvantages to separating both? In other words can I insure my trailer with the same company that I insure my cars with? It seems to me it would be easier and perhaps cheaper.
feedback welcomed.

[son_of_flubber]

> On Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 9:53:28 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> > New glider owner - looking to purchase insurance- companies - cost? Value sailplane + trailer = $32,000

I suggest that you talk to your agent about how 'declared value' works, and if your policy declares a value for the glider, and independently declares a value for the trailer, how does the insurance pay out in various scenarios? And will the proceeds 'make you whole'?

Say the glider is damaged in an off-airport landing accident. Say the repair cost exceeds the declared value of the glider, so the insurance company buys the glider from you for the full 'declared' value. Do you still own the trailer? Can you buy a comparable used glider plus trailer for the declared value of your wrecked glider? Can you buy a used glider without a used trailer? Can you sell your old trailer?

Say you have a lowish declared value for the trailer, and your empty trailer is destroyed by high winds while you're aloft. Estimated repair of the trailer exceeds the declared value, so insurance company totals it. Can you buy a trailer for what the insurance paid you for your old trailer? Are there any used glider trailers for sale in the USA, or do you have to import a new one from Europe?

Ask your agent whether the declared value of your trailer, plus the declared value of your glider can exceed what you paid for both of them at time of purchase in the 'package deal' (assuming both were used). Also note how little the premium increases to cover increased declared values.

[[email protected]]

On Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 10:34:30 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
> > On Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 9:53:28 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> > > New glider owner - looking to purchase insurance- companies - cost? Value sailplane + trailer = $32,000
>
> I suggest that you talk to your agent about how 'declared value' works, and if your policy declares a value for the glider, and independently declares a value for the trailer, how does the insurance pay out in various scenarios? And will the proceeds 'make you whole'?
>
> Say the glider is damaged in an off-airport landing accident. Say the repair cost exceeds the declared value of the glider, so the insurance company buys the glider from you for the full 'declared' value. Do you still own the trailer? Can you buy a comparable used glider plus trailer for the declared value of your wrecked glider? Can you buy a used glider without a used trailer? Can you sell your old trailer?
>
> Say you have a lowish declared value for the trailer, and your empty trailer is destroyed by high winds while you're aloft. Estimated repair of the trailer exceeds the declared value, so insurance company totals it. Can you buy a trailer for what the insurance paid you for your old trailer? Are there any used glider trailers for sale in the USA, or do you have to import a new one from Europe?
>
> Ask your agent whether the declared value of your trailer, plus the declared value of your glider can exceed what you paid for both of them at time of purchase in the 'package deal' (assuming both were used). Also note how little the premium increases to cover increased declared values.

Quite a number of years ago I decided to skip on insurance for the trailer although mine is only 4 years old and would take >$18k to replace. My reasons
The trailer is on the road for about a week or two each year, otherwise in a hangar or tied down on an airport
- Roads travelled are mostly interstate or similar
- I don't do over 70-75 mph
- I limit myself to around 12 hours of driving
- Small damage from low speed accidents can be repaired, cost is acceptable

Herb

[Nick Kennedy[_3_]]

I have my insurance through Costello.
Last season I put in for a 10k repair claim.
Service was impeccable.
I just got my renewal and my yearly rate remained the same.
Whats not to love about that?

[2G]

On Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 6:42:17 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> On Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 10:34:30 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
> > > On Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 9:53:28 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> > > > New glider owner - looking to purchase insurance- companies - cost? Value sailplane + trailer = $32,000
> >
> > I suggest that you talk to your agent about how 'declared value' works, and if your policy declares a value for the glider, and independently declares a value for the trailer, how does the insurance pay out in various scenarios? And will the proceeds 'make you whole'?
> >
> > Say the glider is damaged in an off-airport landing accident. Say the repair cost exceeds the declared value of the glider, so the insurance company buys the glider from you for the full 'declared' value. Do you still own the trailer? Can you buy a comparable used glider plus trailer for the declared value of your wrecked glider? Can you buy a used glider without a used trailer? Can you sell your old trailer?
> >
> > Say you have a lowish declared value for the trailer, and your empty trailer is destroyed by high winds while you're aloft. Estimated repair of the trailer exceeds the declared value, so insurance company totals it. Can you buy a trailer for what the insurance paid you for your old trailer? Are there any used glider trailers for sale in the USA, or do you have to import a new one from Europe?
> >
> > Ask your agent whether the declared value of your trailer, plus the declared value of your glider can exceed what you paid for both of them at time of purchase in the 'package deal' (assuming both were used). Also note how little the premium increases to cover increased declared values.
>
> Quite a number of years ago I decided to skip on insurance for the trailer although mine is only 4 years old and would take >$18k to replace. My reasons
> The trailer is on the road for about a week or two each year, otherwise in a hangar or tied down on an airport
> - Roads travelled are mostly interstate or similar
> - I don't do over 70-75 mph
> - I limit myself to around 12 hours of driving
> - Small damage from low speed accidents can be repaired, cost is acceptable
>
> Herb

Trailer insurance is cheap and new trailers are expensive. Furthermore, trailers take the brunt of the damage in even minor accidents. We had two trailering accidents at the Parowan meet last year. Cobra aluminum top trailers are built with single-piece aluminum sheets; same with the other major components. Do you really want a trailer that looks like a quilt?

Tom