Insurance Woes (?)

[VWGhiaBob]

Recently, I got a flat tire in my Cirrus on landing...no big deal...was able to taxi. In the process of jacking and towing my plane, Airport Operations punched a hole in the composite under the wing. The repair tab: $43,000, all covered by insurance, and 5 months of downtime.

Because I didn't do the damage, my insurance company is filing a claim with the airport's insurance. When all is said and done, it's likely my insurance company will be reimbursed.

Question for other owners...has anyone else experienced non-moving costly damage caused by someone else like this, and were you able to get insured the following year? Did rates go up? Any suggestions when I apply?

 

[midwestpa24]

This is why my Airport Operations department is prohibited from touching airplanes. If an aircraft must be moved, it is the responsibility of the owner/operator and the FBO.

 

[VWGhiaBob]

I'm sure this is a lesson learned for them. But they did it...water under the bridge...and they broke it. Towing a Cirrus is very different from other planes and they didn't know that.

 

[NoHeat]

Can't answer the question about insurance, but I'm wondering if you thought about compensation for loss of use.

By the way, a Cirrus owner can diminish the risk of the jack damage by carrying a special jack adapter from aviation vibes. Just insert that adapter onto the wheel, then use an ordinary hydraulic floor jack to lift the plane. Nothing comes close to touching the wing.

 

[VWGhiaBob]

Can't answer the question about insurance, but I'm wondering if you thought about compensation for loss of use.

By the way, a Cirrus owner can diminish the risk of the jack damage by carrying a special jack adapter from aviation vibes. Just insert that adapter onto the wheel, then use an ordinary hydraulic floor jack to lift the plane. Nothing comes close to touching the wing.

Yep...I know this now.

Yes I have thought about loss of use and loss of airframe value. However, upon discussing with an aviation attorney, at $375 for attorney time, it's a losing proposition. Also, you can make a case for loss of airframe value, but only if you sell the plane.

 

[JCranford]

Forty three THOUSAND dollars!!? Geeezuss! Take it to a fiberglass boat repair shop!

 

[DesertNomad]

What is different about the Cirrus and jacking it up that risks punching holes in the wings?

 

[SkyDog58]

I'm sure this is a lesson learned for them. But they did it...water under the bridge...and they broke it. Towing a Cirrus is very different from other planes and they didn't know that.

How is it different?

 

[Fearless Tower]

What is different about the Cirrus and jacking it up that risks punching holes in the wings?

Nothing. It could happen to any low wing airplane.

But when the jacks pop through an aluminum skin wing, it’s much cheaper and easier to repair the aluminum skin vs composite.

 

[Fearless Tower]

Towing a Cirrus is very different from other planes and they didn't know that.

What’s towing got to do with jacking?

 

[VWGhiaBob]

Forty three THOUSAND dollars!!? Geeezuss! Take it to a fiberglass boat repair shop!

As long as you bring all long a Cirrus engineer and FAA to sign off. Oh wait. It's the wing.

 

[VWGhiaBob]

What’s towing got to do with jacking?

To tow a Cirrus, you have to first jack up one of the wheels. The jacking requires a special tool very few have or even know about. The guys at the airport..."we got this"...then crack, pop! $43K!

 

[GRG55]

Forty three THOUSAND dollars!!? Geeezuss! ...

Each of my first two planes didn't cost that much.

And I can see it now. The next Cirrus innovation; Generation 7 with run-flat tires.

 

[GRG55]

Recently, I got a flat tire in my Cirrus on landing...no big deal...was able to taxi. In the process of jacking and towing my plane, Airport Operations punched a hole in the composite under the wing. The repair tab: $43,000, all covered by insurance, and 5 months of downtime.

Because I didn't do the damage, my insurance company is filing a claim with the airport's insurance. When all is said and done, it's likely my insurance company will be reimbursed.

Question for other owners...has anyone else experienced non-moving costly damage caused by someone else like this, and were you able to get insured the following year? Did rates go up? Any suggestions when I apply?

Should not. The ability to recover from others should keep your premium down.