The SAMAA committee continues to investigate new possibilities to add value to SAMAA membership, and at the end of October 2000, our insurance policy was upgraded to provide cover of R10m, double that of which members had before. This obviously resulted in an increased premium, but in real terms the cost to each member has remained the same, since the membership numbers have increased dramatically to well over 2600. Steve Filby, a seasoned aeromodeller, has negotiated the new policy with Specialist Risk Underwriters as the insurers. Members are reminded of the basics of our policy:
• The SAMAA's policy is a public liability (section 13) insurance policy, for the insured sum of R10 000 000 maximum.
• All paid up members of the SAMAA, flying from SAMAA registered fields and using SAMAA approved frequencies are covered.
•The policy protects against claims that may arise from personal liability for damage or injury to third parties and their property (a third party is any person other than the insured himself and his dependants).
• Member-to-member cover is also included in the policy (If you should accidentally crash into another SAMAA member, his aircraft or his motor vehicle, you will be covered for claims that may arise from such an incident).
• Members enjoy statutory defence costs resulting from an accident to a maximum of R100 000, and members are covered for wrongful arrest, for R100 000, and cases of defamation, to the same amount.
• Personal accidents to oneself are not covered, but again, the insurers have been instructed to look at optional cover for this.
• SAMAA members participating in special events that do not take place on SAMAA-registered flying sites (jet fly-ins, float fly's, cross-county events, demo’s, displays, etc.) will also enjoy cover. However, organisers of these events must obtain permission from the SAMAA secretary or chairman, giving in writing, all the details of the event, dates, location, flying areas, safety precautions, participants, etc.
• The policy does not cover members against damage to full-sized aircraft.
• For radio control aircraft, operations only on SAMAA-approved frequencies are covered. Those fliers who operate on illegal frequencies and who claim to have their own insurance, will find that their cover is of no use, because they are breaking the law.
• No insurance claim will be entertained where there is evidence of blatant negligent behaviour. This includes flying aircraft while under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance, or where reckless flying of an aircraft is involved.
• The first amount payable (excess) will be 1% of the claim with a
minimum of R5 000.
Member to member cover is subject to an excess of R10 000.
These amounts are in line with current short-term insurance practice and have
been introduced to stop frivolous claims that will almost certainly result in
an increase in our premium.
It must be stressed that insurance is there to cover members for accidents and
incidents of catastrophic proportions.
• In the case of an accident, the member responsible is obliged to report the accident. Do not expect or rely on anyone else to do this, as it is your responsibility. The following procedure should be followed:
See Claim Form