Medical Insurance in the event of an aviation accident

SixPapaCharlie

SixPapaCharlie

May the force be with you
Joined
Aug 8, 2013
Messages
16,415
Display Name
Display name:
Sixer
In my medical insurance policy it states that I am not covered should I be injured as a result of a plane crash.

The salesman joked that "if you crash, make sure you finish dying." That got me wondering.

If I die in a plane crash, my life insurance still pays. Lets say I crash my plane and I am unable to finish the job, does the coverage in my aircraft policy cover medical bills? I recall it has coverage at some dollar figure for hull and also for injuries.

Either way, I have a backup plan. When they ask I can just say "I heard my plane crashed in that field so I sprinted there as fast as I could but when I got there, I tripped and fell and broke all my bones."

Does the insurance we have on our planes cover medical expenses as a result of an incident?
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
In my medical insurance policy it states that I am not covered should I be injured as a result of a plane crash...
Click to expand...

Any plane crash? Commercial, corporate charter too? Or just private GA, or just one in which you are PIC?

Mine is very specific to the latter only.
 
GRG55 said:
Any plane crash? Commercial, corporate charter too? Or just private GA, or just one in which you are PIC?

Mine is very specific to the latter only.
Click to expand...
I think its just the latter.
 
A lot of life insurance policies don't cover plane crashes either if you are pilot or crew.
 
Wow, I knew some life insurance excluded flying from policy coverage, but I never knew medical insurance did that. Is this a group policy from an employer? I guess I should read all that fine print...
 
My medical insurance at my last job specifically excluded aviation activities. Naturally it was a flying job, but as the only one there who flew for fun, I got the same “who cares?” that I got about other issues.
 
ColoPilot said:
Wow, I knew some life insurance excluded flying from policy coverage, but I never knew medical insurance did that. Is this a group policy from an employer? I guess I should read all that fine print...
Click to expand...

Not through an employer, We got it on our own through a 3rd party.
 
I wonder what a-hole at the insurance company decided that aviation activities needed to be an exclusion for medical coverage. Do they also exclude riding motorcycles or bull riding?
 
SoonerAviator said:
I wonder what a-hole at the insurance company decided that aviation activities needed to be an exclusion for medical coverage. Do they also exclude riding motorcycles or bull riding?
Click to expand...
It excludes high risk activities, Flying, Skydiving, etc. Not sure about motorcycles. Aside from the exclusions, it is a better cheaper plan than either of our employers offer.
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
It excludes high risk activities, Flying, Skydiving, etc. Not sure about motorcycles. Aside from the exclusions, it is a better cheaper plan than either of our employers offer.
Click to expand...

I just don't understand the actuarial difference between flying GA and riding a motorcycle, statistically. It seems odd to have GA as an exclusion unless they have a really high rate of high-expense incidents related to it. I understand the exclusion on many life insurance policies since a large portion of GA flying incidents result in death, but how many times is a health insurance carrier dealing with injuries resulting from a C172?!
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
Does the insurance we have on our planes cover medical expenses as a result of an incident?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure, but I would assume it's like the medical limits in your car policy, it doesn't cover you, just the people you injure (liability).
 
Quite a few life and group AD&D policies exclude aviation.

And most aircraft policies have incredibly (unrealistically) low medical coverages, usually limited “per seat”, not to mention unbelievably low liability coverages.

Main medical policies are a mixed bag but mostly cover, just watch out for doing anything “commercial” in aviation on those.

But... they’re cheap! :)

Kinda like that “State minimum” car insurance that’ll leave you completely exposed and then cancelled with any claims. Oh... you have assets and don’t carry an umbrella liability rider? Bummer.

Fine print... fine print...

Often you can ask to change any of the above. Usually via manual underwriting.

Vast majority of agents / salespeople have zero interest to do that at the big companies — if it isn’t in the computer they’re not in the mood to do the paperwork.

More effort / time than they’ll make in commissions I guess.

Pretty easy to fix, but you have to push a wet rope uphill.

Ask for specific coverages you want and get them in writing, standard insurance company dealings...
 
Here are the exclusions on an international traveler's plan (supplemental as they require a primary policy issued in the US):

Loss arising from
a.participating in any intercollegiate/interscholastic sport, contest or competition;
b.participating in any intramural sport competition, contest or competition;
c.participating in any club sport competition, contest or competition;
d.participating in any professional sport, contest or competition;e.while participating in any practice or condition program for such sport, contest or competition;
f.Racing or speed contests;g.sky diving, mountaineering (where ropesor climbing gearare customarily used), ultra-lightaircraft, parasailing, sailplaning, hang gliding, bungee cord jumping, spelunking, or extreme skiing.
53.Claims arising from loss due to riding in any aircraft except one licensed for the transportation of passengers (charter or common carrier).

There is also a limitation of $25,000 after the deductible for: "Benefits for claims resulting from downhill (alpine) skiing and scuba diving (certification by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) required or diving under the supervision of a certified instructor)"

And that's just a supplemental plan.
 
wsuffa said:
Here are the exclusions on an international traveler's plan (supplemental as they require a primary policy issued in the US):

Loss arising from
a.participating in any intercollegiate/interscholastic sport, contest or competition;
b.participating in any intramural sport competition, contest or competition;
c.participating in any club sport competition, contest or competition;
d.participating in any professional sport, contest or competition;e.while participating in any practice or condition program for such sport, contest or competition;
f.Racing or speed contests;g.sky diving, mountaineering (where ropesor climbing gearare customarily used), ultra-lightaircraft, parasailing, sailplaning, hang gliding, bungee cord jumping, spelunking, or extreme skiing.
53.Claims arising from loss due to riding in any aircraft except one licensed for the transportation of passengers (charter or common carrier).

There is also a limitation of $25,000 after the deductible for: "Benefits for claims resulting from downhill (alpine) skiing and scuba diving (certification by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) required or diving under the supervision of a certified instructor)"

And that's just a supplemental plan.
Click to expand...

I noticed that free climbing isn't excluded. Using safety gear = bad. Using no safety gear = OK.
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
It excludes high risk activities, Flying, Skydiving, etc. Not sure about motorcycles. Aside from the exclusions, it is a better cheaper plan than either of our employers offer.
Click to expand...

Who is your carrier? I've seen life insurance restrictions, but had never seen this for medical insurance ... haven't been specifically looking for it though.

Am in the medical field and insurance company profits are about 10x higher than before, but I get paid $19 to $36 for breast ultrasound exams (used to be lowest was $250 prior to the 2008-2016 administration - also my employee coverage used to be $1200 per year and is now near $12000 per year:eek::confused: they're making money hand over fist).
 
SoonerAviator said:
I just don't understand the actuarial difference between flying GA and riding a motorcycle, statistically. It seems odd to have GA as an exclusion unless they have a really high rate of high-expense incidents related to it. I understand the exclusion on many life insurance policies since a large portion of GA flying incidents result in death, but how many times is a health insurance carrier dealing with injuries resulting from a C172?!
Click to expand...
Probably more due to the size of the populations making one worth an actuary’s time but not the other.
 
jsstevens said:
It's medical coverage. Using safety gear+fall = injured. No safety gear + fall = dead. :)
Click to expand...

True, but that also depends how far you fall. If I fall from 30' up, probably still gonna survive. :D
 
danhagan said:
Who is your carrier? I've seen life insurance restrictions, but had never seen this for medical insurance ... haven't been specifically looking for it though.
Click to expand...
I had exactly the same question. Aviation exclusions are common in life, disability, homeowners, and umbrella coverages. Doesn't mean it can't exist, but I have never heard of one in a "standard" medical insurance plan from one of the "majors" - the Blues, UHC, Humana, CIGNA, AETNA, etc.
upload_2020-10-14_15-28-55.png
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
does the coverage in my aircraft policy cover medical bills?
Click to expand...
You have to read it to know the answer, but generally speaking, other than hull coverage, which covers the airplane, and medical expense coverage, which is typically pretty small even if it does cover the crew, aircraft policies are liability policies to cover injuries you might cause to someone else.
 
I have Banner Life and they DON'T have an aviation exception on my life insurance policy.
 
midlifeflyer said:
I had exactly the same question. Aviation exclusions are common in life, disability, homeowners, and umbrella coverages. Doesn't mean it can't exist, but I have never heard of one in a "standard" medical insurance plan from one of the "majors" - the Blues, UHC, Humana, CIGNA, AETNA, etc.
Click to expand...
Apparently you can cheap out and not get the coverage...ours was Blue Cross.
 
danhagan said:
Who is your carrier? I've seen life insurance restrictions, but had never seen this for medical insurance ... haven't been specifically looking for it though.

Am in the medical field and insurance company profits are about 10x higher than before, but I get paid $19 to $36 for breast ultrasound exams (used to be lowest was $250 prior to the 2008-2016 administration - also my employee coverage used to be $1200 per year and is now near $12000 per year:eek::confused: they're making money hand over fist).
Click to expand...
Its called Philadelphia American Life
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
It excludes high risk activities, Flying, Skydiving, etc. Not sure about motorcycles. Aside from the exclusions, it is a better cheaper plan than either of our employers offer.
Click to expand...

I would assume the long term cost of medical treatments for an injured pilot vs a motorcycle rider would be less on average. I'm thinking of medical conditions arising from an injury that would require $$$ care for the remiander of the injured person's life.

Just because a pilot getting an injury requiring lifelong care would not last as long as a motorcycle rider getting a similar injury, as the average age of pilots is usually much higher than the average motorcycle rider? When a 22 year old kid crashes with his motorcycle, he might require care for the upcoming 60+ years, but a pilot being 60 years old might require only 25 years of care (on average).
 
midlifeflyer said:
You sure you have a medical policy? One that negotiates rates with providers, you pay a co-pay for certain services, in network vs out if network providers, etc.?
Click to expand...
I only see GAP insurance and indemnity policies listed on the website.
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
Its called Philadelphia American Life
Click to expand...

midlifeflyer said:
You sure you have a medical policy? One that negotiates rates with providers, you pay a co-pay for certain services, in network vs out if network providers, etc.?
Click to expand...

Brad Z said:
Contrary to the thread title, that's not medical insurance.
Click to expand...

I think it is a hybrid type plan like Medishare ... I have the option of doing a Humana plan that will reduce my employee rate *IF* they fill out a FULL medical history and insurance prices are based on their coverage and medical history (i.e. skating past pre-existing condition, charging the unhealthy ones higher)
 
That’s why everyone should read, understand and know their policies of insurance. I think it fair to say exclusions and limitations on coverage are growing in every type of policy issued as insurers seek to limit their risks. An watch in particular when your insurance company issues a change o your policy. Actually read the dang thing so you know what change they are making. As a former general counsel of an energy company, I would annually have to review insurance policies with our risk management group. Many times, we had to actually draw diagrams to figure out coverage and identify gaps under common scenarios, and frankly the ever growing list of limitations and exclusions from coverage was mind boggling. Even in those states that have mandated the “plain English” or “easily understood” requirements for insurance policies, some of those policies are not as clear or as straightforward as they should be. Consequently if you have questions, get answers to your questions, preferably in writing in at least the form of an e-mail and save it. And the time to discover where you may have a gap in coverage is now - not when you need the coverage. You don’t need to take a coverage risk.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top