Airline Travel & Insurance

[DaKine]

As a soon-to-be HT owner, I'm interested in experiences owners have in traveling with their HT on the airlines.Extra charges? Also has anyone checked into insurance ?

[JGartmann]

Progressive does not sell insurance in NJ. My vehicle insurance is with USAA and I have spoken with USAA about insuring my Segway. I referred them to the Segway website and USAA is checking into writing insurance for Segways and tells me that they will get back to me in about a month.

Regarding travel on cruise ships and airlines, I was told to keep the carton it came in and expect to pay big time to have it travel with me. As a result, I will drive to Omaha in May for the annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting of about 14,000 people. Any of of the people here attending?
John Gartmann

[DaKine]

Thanks John,
I too am a USAA member. I will be contacting them tomorrow. Maybe between the two of us we can get an answer.
Dave(Kona)

[CVINTON]

Here is a copy of a posting on my HT Seattle to Las Vegas:
After reading posts wondering about taking an HT on a plane, i decided to try it this week! Here are the details:

I first tried to find out if Las Vegas had laws for/against Segway. Turns out there wasn't even one article in the archive of local paper and no listed owners in the database, so I had no way to know if they were even legal. I decided it would be an honor to be the FIRST Segway scofflaw if Vegas and would proceed.

I contacted S/West airlines about it ahead of flight and asked many questions. They didn't seem too concerned other than weight and type of battery, so I decided to risk it.

I removed batteries and put in separate luggage (heavy!) since I knew they would make it overweight. I was then at 60lbs and placed it onto a sturdy METAL luggage carrier that was made of metal to support the weight. I then strapped the HT to the carrier base and then strapped the lowered handle bars to the carrier upright. Then I used shrinkwrap to cover the fenders and upper controls (you can used Plastic food wrap as long as it's sticky).

I used a carrier, since rolling it on it's own wheels would be a hassle for baggage people and also wipe out the shrinkwrap cover on the fenders. Last thing you want to do is PO baggage handlers!!

Amidst lots of curiosity and comments, I went to the check-in counter. They asked what it was, what type of batteries, and weight which was now 65lbs. They added "heavy" stickers and had it rolled out to the gate since it was not a conveyer belt item.

I was relieved that it went smoothly.

In Las Vegas, I assumed it would go directly to the "Odd-size" area and I went there first since the HT also doubled as carrier for all my other bags. I waited for a while and heard a commotion at the regular carousel.. the HT had come up on the belt!!

So far, so good! I helped get it into the Shuttle and went to check in (Palms). More comments and questions and headed to my room to assemble it and put it together.

BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!!! After assembly, it wouldn't fire up at all... no lites or beeps. I sadly realized the display face was fogged like your watch after a shower! Moisture had invaded the control shaft assembly.

Now here's the set of bad coincidences that caused this:
First, since I live in Seattle, the HT had previously gotten wet on a couple of outings. Moisture got in through the adjustment and it collected in an area where it apparently cannot drain (are you listening Segway?)

Second: I laid the HT down to remove the batteries and this allows the collected water to flow UP into the handlebar assembly and wash down the electronics!!

It called Segway a had a very positive discussion with them and it was decided that I would try to dry out the upper assembly. My room had a hair dryer, so I set it on LOW and let it run almost 24 hours.

Still... it wouldn't respond! So I assumed the whole experiment was a failure. BUT, it sat overnight and it came to life on the 2nd day. This was the BIG FUN!!

I cruised the LV strip and blew them away!! What an overwhelming response and more importantly, what an easy way to get down the "Strip". If you've had to walk this before, yopu know how tiring that trip is, how long it takes and how crowded it is. Wall-to-wall bodies!! Another big plus, you can see over everyone at attractions like the Pirate show at Treasure Island!!

I stayed on sidewalks and no one got concerned legally. I rode past cops on bikes, standing an in cars and they all were amused and positive. Apparently there isn't any law against it, so no tickets!!

3rd day BUMMER: Rode a short ways and the HT started shutting down constantly.... electronics were going haywire without explanation since it could only have gtten more dried out the day before.

Another call to Segway and they pleasantly offered to replace the assembly, but told me to return to Seattle and try one of the other control shafts from my other ones (I have 3 ) so they could determine just what elements had gone bad.

Return trip to Seattle was similar and without problems. Upon return, I traded shafts and the unit worked perfectly. Segway is sending another shaft....

Conclusions: The units will invariably get wet ( especially in Northern areas) and there needs to be a drain hole in the lower part of the assembly to drain water that collects there. Even if you never tip it for the reasons I did, the moisture will alway be there rise up into the handlebar assembly and cause problems. It could easily happen if you simply lean it to put it into a trunk or van or lay it down for any reason.

Segway tech was VERY helpful and sympathetic, but since I was out of town and no other Segs around, his hands were tied. He added the caveat that they are "water-resistant" and not "waterproof".

Would I do it again? Absolutely! It shows that you don't have to dis-assemble it to go on a plane and can actuall be transported with considerable ease. You will need a strong back to haul it around and a very sturdy luggage carrier!

Pictures of all this available on request unless someone can tell me how to add them to this article....

[lookforward]

Fascinating-- I'm a USAA member and was told the Segway is covered by my homeowner's policy, period, just like that. Can you tell me the name of your rep at USAA that told you about them looking into insurance? I have someone I usually work with there, I'd love to get the two of them in touch.

"lookforward" in Los Angeles, California
...a crowded, smoggy metropolis begging for better transportation options

[DaKine]

Thanks lookforward,
I'll be contacting USAA in the next couple of days. I'll get back to you and let you know what they say.
Dave(Kona)

[pam]

quote:Originally posted by Kona

Thanks lookforward,
I'll be contacting USAA in the next couple of days. I'll get back to you and let you know what they say.
Dave(Kona)

I have USAA and their general insurance group wrote me a policy, but it's a Progressive policy. (I'm assuming they have a group within USAA that functions as insurance agents for other companies.) I've been told with my own homeowners that if something is stolen, I can't get more than $1,000 back per item stolen. (I was trying to get additional insurance for some earrings that my mother left me when she died.)

Oh, when I called USAA, the individual I got on the 800 number didn't know anything about Segways, but was actually willing to go ask someone - then she transferred me to the general insurance group. If they don't know anything at all when you call, you might tell them my story.
Pam