Is Your Home Covered For Plane Crashes?

Is Your Home Covered For Plane Crashes?

A private plane crashed into a residential neighborhood in South Bend, Indiana on Sunday, March 17, 2013. The plane which appeared to suffer mechanical malfunction clipped two (2) houses before crashing into a third home.  At last report no deaths were attributed to this disaster.

I learned of this disaster yesterday evening when a client, whose home lies in one of the flight and landing paths for JFK airport called.

Meet The Worrywarts

"Greaves! Am I covered if a plane crashes into my house? Am I covered, or what?"

My immediate response was, "Huh? What happened? Who calling, please?"

So he, calling to his wife yells out, "Honey, Greaves say we don't have coverage if a plane crash into the house."

"What?! Oh Lord, what we going to do then?"

When I realized I was talking to Mr. and Mrs. Worrywarts, I asked them if a plane crashed into their home. They confirmed their lovely home was still in one piece, and I calmed them down. When I asked them why in the world they were worrying now, after living in their home for several years, about plane crashes, they told me about the tragic accident in Indiana.

You should have heard their joint sighs of relief when I told them "Yes, your home is covered," should an airplane crash into their home. Of course they asked me if I was sure about that. So I asked them to take out their homeowners insurance policy and turn, in this case, to pages five (5) and six (6) for a list of Specific Perils covered by their Homeowners 3 -Special Form policy. And yes, they keep it handy in their waterproof, fireproof, everything proof portable safety box.

Covered Peril number five (5) of fourteen (14) concerns "Aircraft, including self-propelled missiles and spacecraft." So if little Rupert next door, who fancies himself a future rocket scientist, fires a model rocket through your window, and the subsequent fire burns your home, rental, coop or condo to the ground, you're covered.

They were happy to hear that. Turns out they do have a little rocket scientist living next door. Kid's name is Philbert.

Now I'm the one who's worried.