The following was posted on RC Universe. I may be behind the times here as I was away all weekend in Indiana, competing, possibly uninsured. Why it was posted there and not here I do not know. If I need enlightening then please feel free to do so.

Ed S

FYI - from MAAC SW Zone director at MAAC SW Zone
quote:

Southwest Zone Members
May 18,2005



I do not take lightly making this report to you. I have given a lot of consideration as to what action to take, and I’ve sought counsel from members in the zone whose opinions I greatly respect. In the end I have realized that, as a Director of MAAC, it is my responsibility to inform my zone members when there is a situation that may place them at risk, or otherwise have a direct negative impact on them.

On May 11, 2005 I was informed by Chuck Smith that, due to wording in our insurance policy, MAAC members are only covered under the insurance policy for their activities “at events sanctioned by the association”. This deficiency of coverage has existed for the last 4 ½ months, and applies to most of our activities (sport flying).

This information was forwarded to the President of MAAC. What follows is an excerpt from our insurance chair, Richard Barlow, to the board on May 15.
“Chuck did find problems with the policies, especially one clause that could be interpreted as restricting our coverage to sanctioned events. I would like to go on record as thanking him for his diligence and giving full credit to him for his efforts.”

This error in our policy is being taken seriously, and Richard further reported:
“Carl has issued a sanction for all modelling activity in the interim, and Paul Baldwin [MAAC’s insuarance agent] has promised to get the relevant wording changed and the other discrepancies investigated”

As you can see, there is a problem with the wording of the policy. President Carl Layden has attempted a stopgap measure by declaring all member activities to be “sanctioned”. However, although well intentioned, I have serious concerns on whether or not this is a valid action that will extend blanket coverage to non-sanctioned events (sport flying).

Also, since we cannot provide sanctions for activities outside of Canada, MAAC members do not have insurance outside of Canada. This will especially effect anyone traveling to the US or abroad.

Other wording in the Policy indicates that coverage for volunteer activities and demonstration flights with buddy boxes may have reduced coverage, or may not be covered at all.
In closing my belief is that, until a written endorsement is received from the insurance carrier, MAAC members are not covered by insurance for their sport flying and related activities.

Until this matter is completely resolved, please consider this information when and if you decide to fly.


Gerry Shaw

Southwest Zone Director.

Posted 19 May 2005.
H. Barr.

[nony]

There is a thread on it somewhere here. The general concensus is that the sky is not falling.........

[Donovan Dow]

Same insurance rules as last year. This Gerry Shaw is up to something that I can't figure out. Kind of sick I guess.

[Donovan Dow]

The following statement is being posted to the MAAC website:


To All MAAC Members,

It has come to our attention that there are letters circulating that indicate a deficiency in our insurance coverage. The letters and notices on discussion forums do not (did not) have board approval and do not represent the opinions of our insurance broker, insurance company or insurance chairman.

There was recently a wording correction made to our policy. The wording change was the result of our insurer rewording our policy for grammatical reasons. There was no intent to limit or change our coverage.

Upon further discussion with our insurance broker he issued the following statement, "..at no time was there any lapse of coverage under your [MAAC's] Liability Policy.".

In short, the insurance coverage you receive as a MAAC member is the same this year as it was last year. If you have further questions about this please contact your zone director, our insurance Chairman, Richard Barlow, or any member of the MAAC executive. Fly Safe and have Fun.


Carl Layden
President
Model Aeronautics Association of Canada

Richard Barlow
VP & Insurance Chairman
Model Aeronautics Association of Canada

[Donovan Dow]

Please, please can someone explain the thought process that is going on in the Ontario SW MAAC zone?

Who is chuck smith?

I gather that this gerry shaw is their zone director?

[4*60]

Originally Posted by Donovan Dow

Same insurance rules as last year. This Gerry Shaw is up to something that I can't figure out. Kind of sick I guess.

Now that was productive. He posted on the zone site and someone copied it. He didn't post it on RCUniverse.

I for one am glad there has been clarification and things have been resolved?

[4*60]

Originally Posted by Donovan Dow

Please, please can someone explain the thought process that is going on in the Ontario SW MAAC zone?

Who is chuck smith?

I gather that this gerry shaw is their zone director?

Chuck Smith appears to be on the Insurance Committee, so maybe that is why this was originally considered important.

[Randy Brown]

Donovan, Gerry Shaw was not up to anything.. he is just covering his butt. The policy wording was not wrote up right and luckly Chuck Smith had noticed it.

I talk to Carl on Thursday night and we are covered and the wording is being or has been corrected by the agent

I feel better myself if I saw it in writing myself

Randy

Originally Posted by Donovan Dow

Same insurance rules as last year. This Gerry Shaw is up to something that I can't figure out. Kind of sick I guess.

[Jabba]

One I hope thing are FIXED.

Chuck is on the insurance committee.

He is the person that found the errors in the insurance and pointed them out to the directors.

Now that Carl and Richard have STATED that the insurance is the same as LAST YEARS... I sure hope they are right because it will fall on them if it is NOT!!!

Just so you know Chuck Smith WAS a insurance broker for 15 years.

[AJCoholic]

What I dont understand is why some figure one person's word is the one and only "truth"... without getting it from the top. Even a few guys at our field were scared to fly this weekend since they figured the rumours of being not covered were true.

I wouldnt bother to believe too much of what is being posted at RCU regarding MAAC issues, much of it is simply personal opinion posing as factual.