Starship Insurance?

[dayriff]

Would you allow PCs to purchase insurance on their starship? Would you go so far as to suggest it as part of the standard ship-purchasing package?

If so, what rate would be charged and what conditions would it pay out under? The concept of insurance has been around a long time, and getting some security on the biggest investment a PC will likely ever make seems like a good idea.

Just wondering if anyone had any interesting thoughts on the matter.

 

[GJD]

Sure. Add it to the monthly running costs. I'd probably restrict insurance on a sector by sector basis, meaning that travel beyond one sector requires you to get a new quote, simply because of the ammount of time claims would take to resolve using the Xboat network.

Base it on a yearly figure of 8-12% of the value of the ship (that's the percentage we use for maintenance in my company) and refer to a real world vehicle insurance policy for examples of the kind of "get out" clauses - which I bet will specifically preclude most types of activities that result in players losing their ships.

G.

 

[lastbesthope]

YEah, standard insurance categories in the UK are personal use, + commuting, + business, each costing more.

Also bike insurance costs more if you want to carry a pillion, so add a premium if they're carrying passengers.

LBH

 

[kristof65]

You know, an entire book with Traveller Starship economics rules could probably be written. A sizable chapter could be done Insurance alone - there could even be an adventure based around dealing with the insurance company after filing a loss claim.

 

[Sturn]

I don't think you would have to limit yourself to sector-wide insurance only. Megacorporations could easily offer insurance. You could make a claim from the closest office. The only delay might be if you had just purchased your insurance a short period of time before your "accident". A.i. the policy hadn't arrived to each of the corporation's satellite offices yet.

I would think that there would be varying types of insurance, just as with car and house insurance. Insurance for accidents, piracy, acts of sabotage, etc. If your ship engaged in piracy or illegal activities itself, I would think there would be a clause to void your claim.

Rates would probably go up also once you began submitting claims.

 

[rust]

Just wondering if anyone had any interesting thoughts on the matter.

GURPS Traveller - Far Trader deals with the Third Imperium's economy,
including starship and cargo insurance.

Basically, the most important insurance underwriter for the kind of ships
used by player characters is the Travellers' Aid Society. There are infor-
mations on what is covered by the insurance, who has to pay for the in-
surance depending on the terms of shipping, and so on.

If you are interested in this kind of stuff, I would recommend that book.

 

[Maccat]

Maybe just have a factor ride with them as an observer. or maybe a fire team of security troops lol. Considering the rates of skipping, hijacking, and piracy, maybe they just do as seems the case these days: nothing lol.

 

[lastbesthope]

In terms of limiting insurance to a sector, there is a real world parallel, in the UK, you need to obtain extra doxumentation when travelling abroad to ensure that your insurance is valid for said trip in your car.

LBH