Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Are Private Jet Passengers Eligible For Insurance?

Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, died in a plane crash on Wednesday. His aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune.

The NCP chief was travelling in a Learjet 45 chartered from Mumbai to campaign for local elections. The plane caught fire upon landing and exploded, killing all five people, on board.

This incident raises a question: Do passengers travelling in private planes have insurance coverage?

Are Private Plane Passengers Insured?

Passengers travelling in private planes are generally covered by insurance, although the specifics depend on the policy purchased by the aircraft owner or operator. Coverage can vary widely and is often customised for each flight.

• Private plane insurance typically includes Passenger Liability Insurance, covering accidental death or injury.
• Many policies provide compensation for permanent disability or medical expenses resulting from an accident.
• The insurance generally covers all passengers on board, along with the aircraft and crew.
• Coverage amounts differ depending on the policy, with high-profile or VIP flights often having larger limits.
• Passengers may also opt for additional personal travel or accident insurance for extra protection.

Coverage For Every Passenger

Not every passenger receives full coverage. Private plane policies vary widely. Some provide a limited sum for passengers, while high-profile or VIP flights may carry specially arranged, larger insurance amounts. Passengers are often advised to take other travel or accident insurance for extra protection.

Compensation Amounts

The compensation a passenger can receive depends entirely on the terms of the policy. In some cases, it may amount to a few lakh rupees, while specialised policies for VIPs or high-profile travellers can cover several crore rupees. The payout is determined by the policy limits and the specific circumstances of the accident.

Claim Process

After an accident, the first step is an official investigation to determine the cause. Once the report is ready, the insurance company is provided with the FIR, medical reports, policy documents, and nominee details.

The insurer then processes the claim and pays compensation according to the policy terms.

How To Claim Insurance On Private Plane

• The nominee or family of the passenger submits the FIR, medical or post-mortem reports, policy documents, and nominee details to the insurance company.
• The insurance company verifies the documents and ensures the claim meets the policy terms and coverage limits.
• Once the verification is complete, the insurer pays the compensation as per the policy.