Flight Instruction Liability.

[Flyingfanatic]

What do you think is the liability for flight instructors, realistically?

I am thinking about getting back into flight instructing and I am looking at CFI insurance, however, it's pretty expensive.

How often have you seen where a CFI was sued for an incident involving a current or former student?

I understand I may need renter's insurance, but I am not sure about CFI liability.

How many of you carry legal defense plans like what AOPA offers?

[Denny of Oakland]

I happen to work in California where there is a lot of flight instructing going on. I am very surprised to find out very few CFI’s carry insurance (cost). I haven’t heard of a CFI being sued YET, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t settled out of court to keep it quire.

In today’s world I would suggest you get some sort of insurance to protect your family incase you are sued by a student.

AOPA is the place I would shop, just one man's opinion.

[bonanza.guy]

Most young CFI's dont have any $$. Live in an apartment and make payments on an old Honda. The are almost suit proof. If one of their students has a problem and wants to sue, they wil be far down the list and not worth the effort. However, if they have deep pockets....look out!

[Flyingfanatic]

I completely understand the big pockets theory. I certainly don't have deep pockets, but I also wouldn't want to be sued for what little I have.

I'll have to research it a little more. I was curious how many instructors carry it. Judging by cost, I'd guess not many.

How many of you carry the AOPA legal plan?

Anyone had to use it?

I have a similar legal plan for my job, but we pay much more and it is a thorough plan.

It just seems that you wouldn't get a lot for $29 a year.

[wbtchr]

I had it, dropped it, and now am getting it again. While I agree you probably won't get much for that money, at least it's a start. I also have renters insurance. I also bought renters insurance for my 17yr old son who just got his private -helicopter. When the policy arrived, it excludes helicopters. Must have missed that on the online form.