AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2013 - 104

NEWS & NOTES
INSURANCE FILE

AOPA INSURANCE SERVICES-AVIATION

BY JANET C. BRESSLER

President, AOPA Insurance Services

A LOT HAS HAPPENED THIS YEAR
ARE YOUR INSURANCE policies overdue for their annual inspection? This past year has been eventful and, as it comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to review your insurance policies. Your coverage needs may have changed. You may even find that it’s time to shop around for better rates, as insurance prices are decreasing. Every pilot is unique. From life insurance underwriting to claims service, we know that there’s much more to you than can be captured by numbers on a chart. AOPA offers great rates on term life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, aircraft insurance, and more. And since they are AOPA certified, you won’t have to pay higher rates just for being a pilot. Make sure when you take your first flight of 2013, you can relax and enjoy the flight knowing that you’re covered by AOPA Insurance Services.
WEB www.aopainsurance.org

Aftermath of Sandy’s wrath
MANY AOPA MEMBERS are still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. Damage was suffered by airports and aircraft throughout the superstorm’s path. All the aviation insurers have worked hard to handle the hundreds of reported claims of aircraft damage and destruction to airport property. And some have done so in the midst of experiencing damage to their offices and computer systems. Sandy, like other major disasters, has brought out the best in people. We received reports of damage from airport personnel and aircraft maintenance providers on behalf of some of our policyholders that could not reach the airport to inspect their aircraft, and provided the needed detail for the owner to file a claim. Several posts on the AOPA forum by pilots asked how to safely transport gasoline in their aircraft to try and get resources to those in need. Others used their aircraft to survey shoreline areas of New Jersey and Long Island for damage and posted aerial photos and videos online.

As a former resident of both Long Island (Port Jefferson for you locals) and Philadelphia—with many summers spent on the shore in Jersey—I was horrified to see the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in the especially hard-hit areas. It is heartwarming to see the aviation community reaching out to help one another. Following a major natural disaster the first question we receive once the claims begin to subside is, “Will insurance rates go up?” To date, nearly all reports are indicating that the insurers and reinsurers should be able to manage the impact without significant rate changes. It is early, though, and the ultimate cost of Sandy to the insurance industry is still unknown. If you suffered an aviation-related loss at the hands of Sandy, let your policy do its job for you now—and let us do our job for you at renewal time. Best wishes for 2013 to everyone.
Janet C. Bressler, a private pilot, is an aviation insurance professional with more than 17 years of experience.

CONTACT AOPA
AOPA FOUNDATION ADDRESS CHANGE?

Send your new address and AOPA membership number to AOPA: 421 Aviation Way Frederick, Maryland 21701-4798 Fax: 301-695-2375 www.aopa.org/coa-form.html
TOLL-FREE PILOT INFORMATION CENTER

800-955-9115 www.aopafoundation.org
AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE

AOPA AIRCRAFT INSURANCE

800-622-AOPA (622-2672) www.aopainsurance.org
AOPA AIRCRAFT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

800-638-3101 www.airsafetyinstitute.org
AOPA CREDIT CARD PROGRAM

800-622-AOPA (622-2672) www.aopa.org/aircraftpartnership
AOPA PILOT PROTECTION SERVICES

800-523-7666 www.aopa.org/info/cc 800-627-5263 www.aopa.org/loans

800-USA-AOPA (872-2672) www.aopa.org/pps
AOPA RENTAL CAR PROGRAM

800-USA-AOPA (872-2672) www.aopa.org

AOPA AIRCRAFT FINANCING

866-315-9155 www.aopa.org/cars

Now you can enjoy a whole new level of access to the team of aviation experts in our Pilot Information Center with our convenient extended weekday hours. The Pilot Information Center is now available until 8 p.m. Eastern time every weekday. Call 800-USA-AOPA (872-2672) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. Eastern time, with your questions and our staff will be happy to assist you.
WEB Visit the website (www.aopa.org/aopaplus) to learn about upgrading to the AOPA Plus membership.

NEW EXTENDED PILOT INFORMATION CENTER HOURS

104 | AOPA PILOT January 2013

http://www.aopainsurance.org http://www.aopafoundation.org http://www.aopainsurance.org http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org http://www.aopa.org/aircraftpartnership http://www.aopa.org/coa-form.html http://www.aopa.org/info/cc http://www.aopa.org/pps http://www.aopa.org http://www.aopa.org/loans http://www.aopa.org/cars http://www.aopa.org/aopaplus

AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2013