@Beaker thanks for your considered reply.
It's really good to see you giving so much thought to the process. If only everyone did so. Each of us has to do what we are comfortable with, that can never be wrong. Please don't think I am trying to talk you in to doing something you don't want to do, nothing could be further from the truth. What I am doing is trying to help you consider all factors and not make decisions based on myth.
There are many, many benefits fo being in a syndicate. Equally it is not difficult to make a case against them. I would argue non payment on a third party claim is low on the list of reason not to join any particular syndicate.
I'll make one more comment on your reply and then I'll leave the thread alone.
Beaker wrote:[However, the thing that would concern me is the possibility of a syndicate member having an accident whilst going against the terms and conditions of the policy and myself being liable for something that I had nothing to do with. I personally would ensure I remain within whatever terms and conditions are imposed by any policy, but I'm sure some people take risks that they really shouldn't such as "for hire" flights without the appropriate certifications, licences etc.
There is much misinformation about insurance companies declining a third party payment due to non compliance with policy Ts&Cs. It is very often said that they will decline a payment at the drop of a hat. It comes up regularly. Indeed I seem to recall someone making that assertion on the forum in the last couple of weeks? In response another forumite asked for one example of where an insurance payment to a third party was refused. I don't recall anyone being able to provide a single example from the history of syndicates.
Personally I consider the liklihood to be as close to zero as to be zero. IE not worth worrying about.
You clearly have to make your own decisions and not base them solely on information on an internet forum, including mine.
It would be a real shame though if you based a decsion on misinformation and missed out on the benefits of syndicate flying (assuming all other aspects tiked the box).
Here's a link to a post about liability which I believe is more relevant than worrying about a non payment. It applies whether a single owner, or a syndicate member and equally can be problematic for someone who has fully complied with all Ts&Cs to the letter. It could 'easily' catch out the most careful of us.
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Misc.