Q

Recently our client's garage was destroyed by fire. An “ultra-light” aircraft, valued at $14,000 was also destroyed in the fire.

In checking with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), we find that the government does not consider this to be an aircraft, but rather a recreational vehicle. The insurer is denying the claim, based on the exclusion of aircraft.

Michigan Subscriber

A

Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines aircraft as “a weight-carrying structure for navigation of the air that is supported either by its own buoyancy or by the dynamic action of the air against its surfaces.” Based on this definition, an ultra-light is an aircraft; it carries weight (the pilot) and is used to navigate the air.

The FAA's classification of the ultra-light as a “recreational vehicle” is immaterial for insurance purposes. They have classified it this way for their own purposes of regulation—or, in this case, non-regulation.