"john smith" wrote in message
...
My $30k of hull is enough to cover the owners deductible.

Nope! Your rental contract likely makes you liable to the owner for his
deductible and other related expenses, but it does not end there! Here is the
way subrogation works:

1) The owner's insurance company pays the claim to the owner of the airplane,
who hopefully walks away happy.
2) The insurance company sues the responsible party for its loss (most likely,
the renter pilot...You)

There are two things that can protect you from the threat of subrogation:
1) Your flight school/FBO paid extra for a "waiver of subrogation" clause to
protect their customers. (I understand this is rare these days.)
2) Your vulnerable assets are small enough that the insurance company does not
bother suing you (In practice, this probably happens a lot.)

Liability does not apply. Liability pays for bodily injury and things you break
other than the airframe you are renting.

I am not a lawyer (and don't play one on the Internet) so if I am wrong about
this, please show me something to convince me.

Vaughn