insurance/saftey

[wildblue 7]

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The only problem that I see with not renewing is that you would not be allowed to jump at many DZ's and boogies..

I thought about that... and I wondered how close they look at the expiration date on the card ;)
I dunno... I don't really like being forced to join an organization to participate in this sport, but, if no one was forced I'll bet they'd lose a majority of their members. That'd be an interesting poll.... "If it wasn't required, would you join/renew the USPA" ... do you think they've earned your money?
Tiga - what I meant by non-bias was kinda what Phreezone said. Skydiving mag covers all things skydiving. Parachutist covers all things good USPA.
Then, I saw these two guys swoopin across the pond, and I was like 'weeeeeee!!!!'

[Jumperpaula 0]

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Anyone know if you can get life insurance ,while being a skydiver

Im an Insurance Agent, Licensed for Life Insurance for 12 years. Having worked for two of the big ones, State Farm and Allstate, most of these carriers will take you, but with a 'RATING' (extra charge) to cover your hazard. Generally, If the application does not ask if you skydiving (ie: "Do you, have you ever or do you current plan to engage is activities including scuba, skin or skydiving, rock or mountain climbing ...) then you should check the policy EXCLUSIONS very carefully. Both carriers wanted 70-100 monthly to cover me for skydiving. Allstate had me fill out a 4 page questionaire about skydiving including my USPA NUMBER, number of jumps, frequency , DROP ZONE etc. BEFORE they would give me a price.
I found that my current employers GROUP COVERAGE does not ask or exclude skydiving. I just bought an extra lump sum through the company group plan.
Good Luck!
Paula
Fly Your Slot !

[jfields 0]

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life insurance ,while being a skydiver

I worked on this for a long time before I ended up making my decisions. When I looked into insurance, lots of fellow skydivers gave me the "We all die sometime, so who needs it?" line. Since I'm married and now have a child on the way, the answer is "me". If I can't afford some level of skydiving-inclusive life insurance, I don't belong in the sport.
First off, contact the USPA. You automatically have $50,000 in coverage through them. They also have some info on additional insurance. I picked up $100,000 worth of Accidental Death & Dismemberment through their recommendation. It cost $240 per year. It does cover skydiving.
Next, I bought some term life from First Colony, which is a GE subsidiary. They charged me $2.50 per thousand of coverage as a skydiving surcharge on top of the standard cost of the insurance. That is actually pretty low, from what I found in my research. On my $250,000 policy, I pay an extra $625 per year for it to include skydiving. I got a 30-year policy, and if I notify them in writing that I no longer jump, they drop the $625 per year charge. Of course, you lose the jump coverage. But at least you aren't locked into paying it if you get out of the sport for some reason. I went through PNC Bank to get it. They were easy to deal with. 1-877-762-4000
I also have some insurance that my parents started for me when I was about 15, so it is in effect and pre-dates my skydiving. From what I understand, they have to pay in the event of a skydiving fatality since the policy was in effect when I was a minor (not skydiving) and it has been in force with paid premiums ever since. You can buy "Guaranteed Insurability" riders and such for kids' insurance. I plan to get some for my child so they can jump with me when they are old enough and have at least some insurance.
I also have regular insurance, which probably won't pay if I burn in. But I weighed the cost of the increased premiums on it and decided not to have it include skydiving. I didn't feel irresponsible doing this because of all the other insurance I arranged that does cover skydiving.
If I die skydiving, my wife won't get as much as if I die some other way, but she will have a fair amount. There would be enough to pay off the house completely with about a quarter million to spare. When I get another raise, I might see about adding a little more. But even as it stands now, my wife and child wouldn't be out in the cold.
This is an imporant issue that too many married/parent skydivers are in denial about, in my opinion.
Justin
My Homepage

[PhillyKev 0]

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First off, contact the USPA. You automatically have $50,000 in coverage through them.

That's not life insurance, that's liablility insurance. It's to cover others if you bounce on their property, car, etc. And it's only in effect when jumping at a USPA DZ during a normal (non demo) jump.
Direct from their website under member benefits:
"Liability Insurance protection and eligibility to purchase other types of insurance "
cielos azules y cerveza fría
-Kevin

[jfields 0]

Whoops. My bad. Thanks for the correction.
Justin
My Homepage

[chopchop 0]

As a principal in my business, the business had to have life insurance on my partner and I to buy out the other's family in the event of a death. I had to get $1.5 million on each of us. My partner has high cholesterol and I skydive. By pitting 2 companies against each other, I was able to get standard policies for both of us. At first, they wanted to make him a Table 5 and add an expensive skydiving rider to mine. Basically, if you work them, you can get a good rate and get the skydiving rider waived. Oh, one last thing - before getting the rider waived, it was about 50% cheaper because I am a USPA member. As American Express says "Membership has its benefits."
chopchop
PD makes canopies all day long, you only have one life, when in doubt, cut away...

[Aviatrr 0]

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I thought about that... and I wondered how close they look at the expiration date on the card ;)

In my experience, many places keep close track of it, and others just don't care.. I've gone to a DZ after being away for a while, and had 'em ask me for my new USPA card because the computer flagged me as having an expired membership..
Mike

[skymedic 0]

Mike...gotta be sebastian?
Marc
Because I fly, I envy no man on earth

[freeflir29 0]

"the computer flagged me as having an expired membership"
Yep...Jen was hassling me about my repack card at Skydive Atlanta a while back. It makes me feel good that they are watching out for the crowd though. She laughed when I was making "DZ Nazi" jokes and standing at attention as she checked my card......This is my repack card. There are many like it but this one is mine.........
"The sky resembles a back lit canopy...with holes punched through it"- Incubus
Clay

[Aviatrr 0]

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Mike...gotta be sebastian?

Actually, it was ZHills..
Mike