By Herb Cunningham, COPA Insurance Committee Chairman
Our new COPA Aviation Insurance Plan, administered by Marsh
Canada, is off to a good start with a lot more policies being written because of
our improved coverage and low rates. However, I want to point out a few things
to save everyone some time.
Hang gliders, balloons and other excluded types
COPA has no coverage at all available for hang gliders, paragliders, balloons,
dirigibles and airships.
Gliders
COPA Silver Wings third party legal liability, passenger hazard liability and
not-in-motion hull coverage is available for gliders and powered gliders but the
Gold Wings in-motion hull coverage is not.
Ultralights
COPA Silver Wings third party liability (excluding passengers) and not-in-motion
hull insurance is available for both basic and advanced ultralights. Passenger
legal liability is not available for basic ultralights. Passenger insurance is
available for advanced ultralights provided the pilot is licensed to carry
passengers – a Recreational Pilot Permit or higher licence is currently
required. COPA Gold Wings in-motion hull coverage is not available for basic or
advanced ultralights.
Helicopters
There is no coverage of any type available for student pilots flying
helicopters.
Aerobatics
Coverage is not available as of March 18 for aerobatic competitions although
recreational aerobatics are covered. The lack of coverage for aerobatic
competitions is presently being discussed with our underwriters. No airshow
coverage is available under the COPA plan.
Residency and geographical limits
To be eligible for our insurance, you must be a resident of Canada. The
geographical limits of the coverage include Canada and the Continental United
States, Alaska, the Bahamas, Mexico, and the French islands of St-Pierre et
Miquelon, south of Newfoundland.
Hire and reward flying
There is a condition in our policy stating that the aircraft usage must not be
for hire and reward. This does not mean that you cannot recover expenses from
passengers based on the Transport Canada definitions in the Canadian Air
Regulations. However, if you are an aircraft broker who buys and sells aircraft,
your coverage could be in jeopardy. Please contact Marsh Canada for more
information and a ruling.
Out-of-country medical expenses
This is another reminder that many insurance companies that provide this
coverage have an exclusion that denies coverage for flying yourself. Read the
“exclusions” part of your policy. Considering the high cost of medical care
abroad, you should have coverage that protects you if you were injured in an
aircraft accident. Such coverage is available through local insurance brokers.
Read your policy carefully and if you have any questions, call Marsh Canada,
Tel.: 800-362-1625. It’s always better to get the answers before the accident
than after. Remember, COPA insurance requires a current COPA membership
throughout the policy year. The expiry date of your COPA membership appears on
your COPA Membership Card and on the mailing label with this newspaper, or call
the COPA office, Tel.: 613-236-4901. For more insurance information, see the
COPA Web site: www.copanational.org. Click on “About COPA,” then “Membership
Benefits,” and then “COPA Insurance Programs.” A hard copy of the COPA insurance
booklet is available from COPA or Marsh Canada.