Thread: RCHA So far

So it's been how long, a year or more since the RCHA inception at a guess, maybe two?

In the time since it started and pilots started buying the insurance, a couple of curious questions spring to mind....

1. How many insured members does the association have to date?
   
2. How many uninsured members does the association have to date?
   
3. Has the insurance policy dealt with any claims so far, and if so, what was the nature of the claims and were they resolved satisfactorily as far as the inusred was concerned?

With reference to the last question, if there has been, and the insured is a forum user, their input might be very useful.

Hi Steve

Quite simply we have over 100 combined members 98% are Heli Pilots 2% are fixed wing. I can drill down into how many do FAI / Sport / 3D and Scale as well as do they fly flybarless.

We knew from the BMFA claims data that the claims were more fixed winged baised, thank fully NO claims in 2010 as expected TBH (Touches Wood).

Originally Posted by Stuart

Hi Steve

Quite simply we have over 100 combined members 98% are Heli Pilots 2% are fixed wing. I can drill down into how many do FAI / Sport / 3D and Scale as well as do they fly flybarless.

We knew from the BMFA claims data that the claims were more fixed winged baised, thank fully NO claims in 2010 as expected TBH (Touches Wood).

I think you've just given away a vital statistic - No claims from Helis !!!

You would have thought the BMFA might have done more to keep us.

Thanks for the information. It's good to know it's readily available.

I will be renewing my RCHA insurance without a doubt. Will I join BMFA? ONLY IF I MUST!

I am looking into RCHA more and more recently. Interestingly enough I am looking around for Insurance for commercial AP work, which the BMFA don't do. Stuart is looking into the possibilities of it for me, which if he can do I will almost certainly be supporting them.
My only snag Is that i'm part of a BMFA affiliated club, hopefully there will be some way around this in the near future.

If RCHA gets a few Clubs signed up and they have say 30-50 members then there's a good chance it'll grow, but until there are Clubs going to totally switch I think RCHA will have its work cut out.

Originally Posted by Stuart

Hi Steve

Quite simply we have over 100 combined members 98% are Heli Pilots 2% are fixed wing. I can drill down into how many do FAI / Sport / 3D and Scale as well as do they fly flybarless.

We knew from the BMFA claims data that the claims were more fixed winged baised, thank fully NO claims in 2010 as expected TBH (Touches Wood).

Stuart, did you mean that with RCHA there were no claims in 2010, and i wonder if BMFA had many claims, that would be interesting to know, if like RCHA they had no claims for heli's, should'nt that mean that the cost for there insurance should go down in price ?? I.E. like a no claims bonus .....

Originally Posted by gazza131

Stuart, did you mean that with RCHA there were no claims in 2010, and i wonder if BMFA had many claims, that would be interesting to know, if like RCHA they had no claims for heli's, should'nt that mean that the cost for there insurance should go down in price ?? I.E. like a no claims bonus .....

Yes that's right we have no claims under RCHA policy in 2010. Well theres a point and you would think that as well if you can prove a very low risk then yes you should be in a stronger position to drive the price downwards.

The idea that you can get another £5m cover for £1 per member when you have 37k members = £37k extra not being spent on the hobby but feeding an insurance broker is madness.

Hence yes as the RCHA expands we will be looking to make sure we get the best value for money and will always give our broker the last shout to meet the best market terms at the time.

When I originally looked into insurance for a totally different idea - I asked the question to the BMFA out of the 30+ claims in a year - how many where heli related - answer - dunno.

Its seems absolutely insane that any association that represents so many cannot.

1. Tell you the mix of its members
2. There favoured disciplines
3. When inc such items like insurance - not be in a position to fully track the risks and identify the best value for money.

This is why we do track all of this - because we need to make sure we have the interests of our members first and you can only do this by understanding these key elements.

Originally Posted by Disc

If RCHA gets a few Clubs signed up and they have say 30-50 members then there's a good chance it'll grow, but until there are Clubs going to totally switch I think RCHA will have its work cut out.

Your right Mark, its the clubs that have an opportunity sitting right infront of them to change the landscape of the hobby for in my view a much more focused and driven vision.

There are a milllion and one things to continue doing and we showed this year with raising money for charity a full size air ambulance etc that we can make a difference you'll not find one person who didn't enjoy that weekend or have some fun.

I've on my desk an application for the Royal Navy Black Cats to attend our 2012 event - letters for serious corporate sponsors from commercial companies to F1 companies and others.

We aren't standing still, we want to take our hobby to the public massively and it will happen. There is absolutely nothing wrong with our insurance cover even more so at £10m its better. Our Personal accident cover is even more better, its pays out much more...

I can only do so much - the members asked for this opportunity - I've built it so its there shout - I will continue to drive it forward because its 110% worth it but as you say Mark its up to the clubs.

Hi Stuart

How many prospective members for 2011 do you have so far (broken down by Country vs Full)

My local club is BMFA affiliated and I need to take that insurance if I wish to fly there, but am considering country membership. However, it's not a stretch to take full if there are only a few more required to make it happen

I'm sure there are others who feel the same and I hope we can help out

stuart,
i dont know how to word this but here goes

is it not illegal for a business to stop another company from offering the same service ?
monoplys commision might be interested, after all your insurance is as (if not better than bmfa's) good as theres, and there refuseing to allow you to offer your services by saying they wont reconise your insureance at any events ??

I am a laymen and dont really know -- but it does seem so unfair

I think this has been answered before somewhere, I can't remember where, but the bmfa don't have a monopoly on the insurance, just can't remember the reasoning behind why.