The Ultimate Aviation Insurance Directory

January 21, 2008 - just advised this morning theat former Stewart Smith (Canada) president, Jean Maria Dube passed away in Montreal this past weekend. Dube will be well remembered for his good humour and fun disposition.

November 20, 2007 - As per the attached letter, the Aviation Insurance Clauses Group (AICG) have recently published the following new clauses:
      AIRLINE FINANCE/LEASE CONTRACT ENDORSEMENT, AVN67C,
      AIRLINE FINANCE/LEASE CONTRACT ENDORSEMENT (HULL WAR), AVN67C (Hull War)
      AIRLINE FINANCE/LEASE CONTRACT - CONTINUING LIABILITY ENDORSEMENT,      AVN99
See Email from Marsh in total
Attachments:
TAIL COVER TERMINATION NOTICE
TAIL COVER ENDORSEMENT AVN 99 2.8.07
LMBC AVN67C Comments 9 November 07
AVN 67C SEMINAR AGENDA
AVN 67C EXPLANATORY NOTE
AVN67C TERMINATION NOTICE
AVN67C - HULL WAR 17.10.07
AVN67-C 2.8.07
AICG AVN 67C Letter 02 November 2007

November 8, 2006 - Richard Rosenau - latest news. After leaving HSBC and joining Colin Reen at Alexander Forbes we find that today Alexander Forbes has been taken over by Lockton Companies creating an independent insurance brokerage powerhouse with $600 million in revenues and locations on four continents.

October 7, 2006 - Craig Dobbin the founder and long term pwer of Canadian Helicopters, the world's largest helicopter firm passed away today. See Obituary here.

September 8, 2006 - Lionel Cook gone - His Obituary
August 18, 2006 - Lionel Cook - one of the characters - in serious condition. Read a brief report in PDF. If you wnt to call or want more information please email this site using the main email button above right.

July 20,2006 - Art Parry - well known and liked by all, Shell rep and aviation enthusiest passes away. See Oubit - PDF

October 28, 2005 - Bernie Stanton, long time aviation insurance broker passed away today. Apparently while recovering from a heart attack, he went in his sleep. See Obit here. While a generalist in his early days, Bernie gravitated to aviation in the 1970's at Edmonton's Commercial Insurance, then MacRae Stanton and then Reed Stenhouse. Bernie was the broker responsible for the handling of the Wardair Canada account and worked closely with the late Bob Pincott on the JALIP regional airline package. Always highly visable at all ATAC and other conventions. Our sympathies to Bernie's family and friends.

October 11. 2005 - "Please note that the consultation process for AVN48C and related clauses has now started (see attachments below). Under the AICG Terms of Reference, interested parties have until 2 November 2005 to provide any comments on the draft for consideration by the AICG.
      Marsh's Aviation and Aerospace Practice will be submitting comments
      to AICG. The opportuntity is available, and it would be welcomed by
      the AICG, for clients to submit their views and suggestions on
      reducing the WMD restrictions imposed by these clauses either
      directly or via their industry associations.
      (See attached files - all of which are MSWord and should be downloaded:
      Letter to J Palmer-Brown LMBC Aviation War Clauses Oct 2005.doc
       AVN48C 18.5.04.doc
       AVN 51(A) Working Draft 07.3.03.doc
       AVN 52X - Working Draft -06.3.03.doc
       AVN 52Y 18.9.03.doc

May 18th or 19th, 2005 - An aviation insurance pioneer, an old friend and a great character, Wally Corbett passed away at home in Surrey. Wally retired some years ago but was the main character for the establishment of the AIG in London away back when after a career with BAIC. His was the era Graham Willett, Geoffrey Elliot and George Humphries. Them were the days!

February 14, 2005 - Special bulletins (all in PDF) from Marsh following the Conference on the Moderization of the Rome Convention. Special Bulletin - Gates and Partners Notes - Information papers - Key Papers 1 -- Key Papers 2 - Key Papers 3

May 25, 2004 - Jardines sends new EU liability limits table. Click here to see in PDF.

March 10, 2004 - Yesterday morning a C-182 crashed into the new hangar at Hare Field while taking off. Aircraft a write-off and hangar (doors) badly damaged along with an Aztec inside the hangar that was hit by the 182 engine and prop that broke free. Pilot O.K.(no passengers). COPA (Marsh/LLoyds)insurer.

January 12, 2004 - More Heath Lambert - rumour has it that Jardine paid 9.5 million pounds for the HLA biz.
Also wondering about Charley Engel (HLA North America) and Phil Gingell - he only moved over September, 2002.
Heath Lambert on the Move! A correspondent advises; "Heath Lambert Aviation are moving to Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) in London . I understand JLT are getting the entire 60 (sixty) aviation employee workforce of Heath Lambert Aviation and their entire aviation book of business (which JLT are buying). Hopefully their newsletter will continue under the Jardine (JLT) flag. It's amazing what people will do to avoid being part of the Marsh "empire" "
We hope the newsletter continues too as a main feature of the monthly news on this site. We also think of good guys like Dave Binks and hope that this change suits them. This writer goes back to C. E. Heath and Company when they were the reinsurance brokers for BAIC (the hands on guy was a VERY heavy drinker but a yachtsman, so OK, who was the son of Captain Lampaugh - a founding underwriter of BAIC - a bit of an incest appointment, I guessed). Those were the days of John Mikami when Ron Marsh was a slip boy and Heath was the aviation power of the market. Now it would all seem to be disappearing unless Jardines tuck Heath into their name. We shall see.

Robert Hungerford - well known aviation insurance lawyer - forms new firm. Out of the ashes of Campney, Murphy a boutique practice with low overhead. Read the Vancouver Sun article in PDF format.

November 5, 2003 - Jim Redwood Dies - We have just been advised that former Manager for Canada of British Aviation Insurance Company, Jim Redwood passed away at age 82 - we understand in Florida. Jim became manager of BAIC in 1956 and stayed until his retirement about 1986. He was a nice guy back when some underwriters looked at the risk instead of the market.

November 5, 2003 - NEW Time-Cost saving way to do certificates of insurance.
Aero Consulting, LLC is excited to announce the deployment of AeroCerts.com a web based certificate of insurance delivery, storage and tracking site dedicated to the aviation underwriting and brokerage communities.

The site can deliver any currently used or customized certificate format in less than 30 seconds via e-mail! With the passage of "Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act", we now have a federal law giving electronic signatures the same legal weight as a formal signature handwritten on a paper document. Every certificate issued will bear an approved signature.
Read a short detailed release about it here which includes directions for a free tour of a demonstration site. See Aero Certs Letter

October 23, 2003 - Al Kapty passes away
Always a good friend to everyone in need and just a plain nice guy died today in Whitehorse. Al Kapty, General Manager, Trans North Helicopters, member of the ATAC Board and past Chairman, passed away at 9:15 (MST) October 23, 2003. He put up a valiant fight against the cancer that took his life. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. While Al was never in the aviation insurance business he was an honest and caring client to any broker who had the priveldge of serving the account over the past 25 or more years. Farewell, good friend.

October 20, 2003 - Some COPA Inssurance news
We received an email that said," COPA has just (October 17, 2003) announced that they have a new underwriter for the Silver and Gold Wings program. (Lloyds of London) No details on either the duration of the agreement or rates have been published. [our comments - since the underwriter for the Tryg, John Woodrow, has been hired by a Lloyd's syndicate, we suspect it is the same person involved again for Marsh. Maybe he knows a way to do it now that is more profitable for his backers. If not,?]

September 26, 2003 - Buttonville Accident - report by email - Seneca College C 172 landing at Buttonville lost control and collides with 3 aircraft on ramp (C185 amphib, Aerostar, Baron). Pilots of 172 O.K. but damage to aircraft extensive. Global Aerospace insurer of Seneca.
September 4, 2003 - Tryg Enters Runoff (What happens to the COPA plan and many of Marsh Aviation placements? - see scramble to come.)
Tryg have decided to cease underwriting aviation insurance, with immediate effect, in both London and Denmark. Disussions are still ongoing with employees about requirements to handle the runoff.
From the Tryg Vesta web site:
TBi (UK) to discontinue trading 04-09-2003
In connection with the Tryg Vesta Group's efforts to consolidate its activities, the Group has decided to discontinue the business in Tryg-Baltica international (UK) Ltd. (TBi UK) and focus on Nordic insurance business and international reinsurance.
TBi (UK) primarily writes aviation, marine and personal accident/health insurance in the London market. These activities will be put into run-off with immediate effect. The run-off is expected to last for some years, and every effort will be made to ensure that it takes place in an orderly fashion. TBi (UK) will change its name to Chevanstell Ltd. In connection with the discontinuation of business, the ownership will be transferred to Tryg Forsikring A/S.
ALSO
Deutsche Luftpool to cease operations ? (Sad after so long a stable factor in biz)
It has been reported in the German press that the Deutsche Luftpool will likely cease operations with effect from January 1st. The decision on the future of the insurance pool led by Allianz, Germany's largest insurer, is likely to be made at an extraordinary meeting in Munich on September 10th.
The meeting and potential decision looks to have been prompted by new EU rules under which companies will be barred from participation in insurance pools in more than one country.
The Munich Re are reported to have withdrawn from the pool already in light of competition concerns.
The Luftpool premium income in 2002 was EUR 439 m, of which then half ceded into R/I markets. Lufthansa has 60% of its risks insured at the Luftpool.

Augu st 19, 2003 - People Moves!
Global Canda has recently announced the hiring of Martin Digby to the position of Senior Underwriter .We understand Martin is due to commence his duties at Global Sept 1/03. Martin was previously Aon Toronto and prior to that Willis London.

Paul Hamilton (formerly of Stewart Smith, then J &H then Marsh) to PSA Toronto to replace Phil Bettinson who has teamed up with Dulude,Taylor Inc.

Michel St Onge of Marsh Quebec City has recently left Marsh. Michel was previously co-owner of MDM Insurance Agency before selling out to Sedgwick in 1995.

Phil Jacques (formerly WAIG London then Aon,Toronto then Willis,Toronto) has joined Marsh Toronto to replace Hamilton.

August 5, 2003 - BRIT INSURANCE HOLDINGS PLC Extracts of Press Release
With effect from 4th August Brit will cease underwriting direct aviation risks, including airlines, general aviation and aviation product risks.
Aviation Reinsurance, Aviation War and Space business will be unaffected.
Brit will manage the run off of all existing accounts to conclusion.
Dane Douetil, Chief Executive of Brit's underwriting, said "Despite opportunities, we do not feel that the aviation market has been able to sufficiently re-structure its product offering to give us sufficient comfort that the account will provide a suitable return on capital employed over the medium and long term".
He added:
"The vertical and sideways exposures that are typical, particularly in airline accounts, mean that the market is overly reliant on reinsurance, this is not consistent with our prudent approach to counterparty risk. Fundamentally, while we believe that our account is currently profitable, the risk to reward balance that this account represents does not fit with our portfolio".

July 15, 2003 - Aviation Risk Consulting, Inc. has opened a second office at 6106 Colwyn Ct., Greensboro, NC 27455 Ph: 336-644-9313/Fx: 336-644-9358
AND their main Illinois office has moved to 2021 Midwest Rd., Suite 200, Oak Brook, IL 60523 Ph: 630-705-5030/Fx: 630-705-5031
Nice to see some one expanding!

December 22, 2002
No more single pilot turbo props? This email relating to the USAIG but which may/probably will move to CAIM is a great year gift to thousands of aircraft owners:
"USAIG is presently requiring turboprop aircraft to be operated with two crewmembers regardless of use. Therefore, USAIG clients who operate their aircraft under either Part 135 or 91 regulations are subjected to the same standard. It is our belief that two pilot operations are best, and it is our desire that the practice become standard.
You are hereby required to operate your aircraft using two appropriately trained pilots effective immediately. Refusal to comply with this requirement voids your insurance policy..."
Merry Christmas
November 29, 2002
Heaths send advice on latest US terrorism Act. Word document from Nigel Weyman is a covering letter on the matter for clarity. Then a PDF document with more detail on the affects.

November 15, 2002
Rob Burchard, having left Marsh in August, has started his own aviation shop: Aviation Risk Consulting, Inc., based in Chicago and is now officially open for business. Anyone wishing to reach him can call him at 630-784-9749 or email him at rburchard@avrisk.com

October 31, 2002 - Musical chairs in Chicago
Scott Bulger, who headed up Willis' aviation shop in Chicago has left to fill the vacancy at Marsh (Chicago) after Rob Burchard left to start his own firm. Frank Clavelli, formerly the Branch Manager for ACE-USA in Chicago and was part-timing at Near North after ACE-USA just down their aviation office has moved over to fill Scott Bulger's spot at Willis.

October 24, 2002 - PROLINK anounce new newsletter as follows:
"Welcome to the inaugural issue of PROLINK Preflight, a free eNewsletter brought to you by PROLINK Aviation Inc, Insurance and Financial advisors to the Canadian Aviator.
PROLINK PreFlight is a monthly publication, a culmination of - what we hope you'll find to be - interesting Aviation facts, trivia and of course, a bit of humour.
Feature articles include Aircraft Values, Chuckles, Interesting Links, Aircraft Trivia and more.
One tip: For maximum viewing pleasure, click 'View', then 'Full Screen' and utilize the forward/backward arrows on the bar below the newsletter.
We hope you'll enjoy this - perhaps even pass it along to a fellow Aviator.
Regards,
Phil Nelson"
Aviation Insurance Advisor
If you'd like to share an experience/photo with us or would like to see certain topics discussed in a future issues,
or
if you wish to be unsubscribed at any time please email elizabeth@lms.ca"

September 26, 2002
Chairs Still Moving on the Titanic?
Now we hear - Mike Smith going back to Aon to take Gingell's old job plus seat on the board. Seems to be an Aon characteristic..leaving,only to return(with enhanced package) shortly thereafter.The grass is not always greener..
Not sure where this leaves Gingell..."high and dry" comes to mind.

September 16, 2002 - Heath 3, Aon 0
Word is out that Phil Gingell and Mike Smith have left Aon in London and joined Heath's. Even more startling, Charlie Engel has left his very big job with Aon USA and joined Heaths. Actually re-joined would be a better phrase as Charlie was a C.E. Heath boy back in the '60's. What goes around, comes around, they say.

September 10, 2002 - Avemco Call it Quits
It is now confirmed that Avemco are closing down in Canada with effect October 31. All policies wil be allowed to lapse.
Once again a market who thought they could go at it with low prices and lack of knowledge of the Canadian scene packs it in. We are told that one underwriting group approached Houston Casualty sometime ago with a cash and benefits offer to take over the Canadian Avemco thereby saving some of the staff and making the transition for policyholders somewhat easier. Although discussions took place, HC in the end just went ahead and pulled the plug. Too bad.
Some of the past players at the Canadian scene can be followed in the entertaining monthly Quiz at the AIM Underwriting site. Go AIM

July 27, 2002 -Andrew Pell on the move -
He is moving to Seattle to join Caledonian Insurance group.
He is not selling up in Canada and will commute back and forth, for now. His wife, Elizabeth, is not quiting her job at Air Canada.

25th May 2002 - China Airlines Crash,
A China Airlines of Taiwan Boeing 747-200 has crashed into the Taiwan Strait with the loss of all 206 passengers and 19 crew, apparently following an in-flight break-up.
Saturday 25th May, the aircraft was cruising at 35,000 feet, approximately 40 minutes into its flight from Taipei to Hong Kong, when it 'disappeared' from radar screens at about 3.30 pm local time. There are no records of a distress call having been made.
The aircraft, registration mark B-18255 (msn 21843), was delivered in 1979. Hull value is $20,000,000. The London Broker is AON and London Lead GAUM.
2002 has been a very poor year for safety in Asia, having already witnessed the loss of the Air China Boeing 767 at Pusan on 15 April and the China Northern Airlines MD-82 which crashed into the sea on approach to Dalian on 7 May.

May 8, 2002 - Application Forms For new war faciltiy.
These are in .html format and so you copy/print as a normal web page.
Application for Operators           Application for Non-Aviation

May 2, 2002 - Heath advise of new War Facility - .pdf document - click here

April 18, 2002 - Plane crashes into Pirelli offices in Milan
By Insurance Times Reporter
A small tourist plane has hit a skyscraper in central Milan setting the top floors of the 30-storey building on fire.
The crash by a Piper tourist plane into the 26th floor occurred at 5.50pm (14.50 GMT), according to reports.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion from the Pirelli building, which also houses the administrative headquarters of the local Lombardy region and is located next to the city's central train station.
It is unclear whether the crash was an accident or a terrorist attack.

April 3, 2002 - Cox Clarifies Postion on Aviation
Click Here to read and then use back button

March 29, 2002 -Lloyd's Cox to Drop Commercial Lines, Focus on Auto
AM Best - March 22, 2002 5:22pm
LONDON (BestWire) - Cox Insurance Holdings plc, a managing agency at
Lloyd's, said it would stop taking commercial risks and focus on its retail business, primarily automobile insurance.
Cox, which has estimated its losses from Sept. 11 could reach 125 million pounds ($1 = 0.70 pounds), said it would stop writing most commercial lines immediately and would assume nuclear and aviation risk only for the remainder of this year. Starting in 2003, Cox said it would either act as an underwriting
agency for third-party capital providers in those lines of business or sell them altogether.
The remaining commercial business will be isolated in the existing corporate Lloyd's members owned by Cox, and the company will seek to raise equity capital for a new corporate member to carry on the retail business. The company said its restructuring had been approved by Lloyd's, and it stressed that all of its corporate members are solvent and projected to remain so.
Cox manages three Lloyd's syndicates and had underwriting capacity of 456.9
million pounds in 2001, ranking it ninth among Lloyd's managing agencies. The company said that its "Equity Red Star" auto syndicate No. 218 has been profitable for 42 consecutive years and had tripled its gross premiums written in the past four years.
(By Brendan Noonan, international editor: noonanb@ambest.com) BN-NJ-03-22-2002 1647 ET #48631
Copyright � 2002 A.M. Best Company, Inc.
March 21. 2002 - Mutual Marine Quit Aviation
We have been advised that with effect from 1st April 2002 Mutual Marine Office (MMO) will no longer be writing Aviation business. This will be a sad loss the Aviation Market where Mutual Marine Office have provided a share of some 2.5% for many years.
After 17 years in the business, MMO�s Holding Company, Nymagic, said it has concluded that direct aviation insurance doesn�t offer the same degree of sustainable profit opportunity as its other businesses, and the withdrawal will enable it to redeploy both financial and underwriting resources.
They will be reviewing this decision on a regular basis, however, and will be continuing with their marine book.

March 16, 2002 - AvInDirect Re-launch
After 6 months of some frustration, AvInDirect is changed into a low maintenance mode. New posting are only made when someone sends something in or the spirit moves the webmaster.
Nevertheless, most of the features which, according to email received, were so uselful have been maintained.