A COPA member recently had his aircraft broken
into. They pulled a new GPS/Comm radio out of the instrument panel and also
stole some headsets, a portable GPS and a handheld radio. He also had some
clothing and other personal gear stolen.
Luckily the owner had COPA Gold Wings Insurance on the aircraft, which covered
some of the loss, but not everything.
Understanding what is covered and why, in cases like this is important for
aircraft owners.
The “hull insurance” portion of the Gold Wings policy covers the airplane itself
against theft and other losses. The aircraft includes all the installed
equipment that is permanently part of the aircraft and is entered on the
aircraft equipment list and weight and balance.
The panel-mounted GPS/Comm that was stolen was covered by this coverage, subject
to the hull deductible, of course. This same coverage applies to owners who have
the Silver Wings Not-in-Motion Hull coverage as well.
Gold Wings insurance covers “baggage liability”, as well. The owner wanted to
know if he could claim the loose equipment and clothing as “baggage” under this
part of the policy. The “baggage liability” coverage (with its $100 deductible)
covers the aircraft owner’s liability for loss or damage to the baggage of
passengers that fly with him. It is “liability coverage” only and does not cover
loss or damage to baggage owned by the insured.
This all adds up to the fact that aircraft owners have no insurance coverage for
items that are owned by them and not permanently installed in the aircraft. This
would include handheld GPSs, radios, headsets, survival equipment, maps,
flashlights, clothing, food and any other loose items in the aircraft. None of
the aviation items such as the handheld GPS and radio and headsets can be
permanently installed since there is no STC for their installation. TC allows
them to be used in the aircraft without an STC strictly on the understanding
that they are not aircraft equipment and are not permanently installed in the
aircraft.
Some loose items, like clothing and sleeping bags may be covered under the
aircraft owner’s home owner’s policy. Those policies often cover personal items
that are outside the house temporarily. Chances are that they specifically
exclude aviation equipment like GPSs, radios and headsets, however. It is worth
checking your individual home owner’s policy to be sure.
So what can you do to protect those aviation loose items that we all use in
aircraft, like GPSs, radios and headsets?
Perhaps the best solution is to not leave them in the aircraft when it is
parked. Either lock them up in your hangar or take them home with you, to
prevent someone else from taking them home.