INSURANCE OF AIRCRAFT.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19892, 1 April 1930, Page 8

INSURANCE OF AIRCRAFT.

REGISTER TO BE ISSUED. "Al AT LLOYD'S" : "Al at Lloyds" will soon be the standard by which aeroplanes as well as ships are judged, for a register of aviation every whit .as comprehensive and authoritative as that voluminous and monumental work, Lloyd's register of shipping, is shortly to be issued. As an underwriting member of Lloyd's, Mr Edward L. Lumley, of London, who is at present in Christchurch, made this announcement yesterday, in conversation with a reporter. Mr Lumley~ explained' that aviation insurance had been an established business in England since the war, and all the ' main air companies in Australia were insured. As soon as aviation had become stabilised in New Zealand, considerable business would be done here, but they were - not forcing- the business in New Zealand.

. His 'impression was that aviation in New Zealand had a great future—especially in the South Island, where landing grounds were easily available. His* companv held the sole agency for the British Aviation Insurance group, which was the recognised market for all aeroplane insurance business.

In' England at present the underwriting of this class of business was treated in a most scientific manner. Lloyd's register of shipping was known and recognised all over the world, and the expression "Al at Lloyd's" had passed into the language. In the near future a register of aviation would also be brought out. This would eventually be as authoritative, and _ as comprehensive as the shipping register and ; would revolutionise the classification of aircraft. Then "Al at Lloyd's" would become the standard by which aeroplanes, as well as ships, were judged. Such a step would mean much to civil aviation, said Mr Lumley. There was no business done in the military aviation service in England, as the Government was prepared to take its own risk.