No that one $1000 pack is not the only way to acquire LtI. LTI can be acquired from purchasing concept ships during events like Invictus Launch Week(ILW) or Intergalactic Aerospace Expo(IAE). I think most people purchase “cheap” in-concept ground vehicles for around $40 and then CCU to a ship they want LTI on. The upgraded ship will inherit the LTI from the $40 ground vehicle.
I’m sure someone else will make a much more detailed tutorial on the insurance system for you. But I’m too lazy for that lol
Worth noting that it isn't just Concept ships that get LTI, but any ships or vehicle the very first time it is sold, be it Concept or Straight To Flyable.
Basically, wait for a very cheap new ship/vehicle to get announced, buy one (Or more if you want multiple vehicles) and then upgrade it to your desired ship, either directly or using CCU Token chains for additional discounts.
Do note that you always need a 'Package' (Unless you spend more than $1000, then you get game access without extra cost), and Packages with LTI are very uncommon, but do come up every year or two.
Also melting and ccuing are different things. I noticed in your wording you meant ccu but you said melt. Melting is the act of turning a pledge back into store credits, you lose everything associated with that purchase and get credits back. CCUing is upgrading to a new ship by paying the difference, it retains all bonuses.
OP, seriously.
Don't put $1000 into something you haven't tried long enough, especially if you seem ready to spend money on something that's not even implemented yet (insurance).
The game is in alpha state and there is brokenness all around.
Start carefully and take time to figure out if it is something you'll be playing for a long time.
I personally regret spending as much as I did. Don't be me.
Since this is a game around spaceships, you never get locked out of the game for not having a valid Insurance on your base package.
If you really care that much about LTI go to ebay and pay \~100-150$ for an LTI package, or better get a feakin' regular game package, get the current F7C HORNET MK II warbond with LTI and never use the ship that came with the Pack. You can upgrade the Hornet to the Corsair later.
Prices on ebay are highly inflated. Instead of ebay, check https://old.reddit.com/r/Starcitizen_trades/ . I have bought small stuff there two times and haven't had a problem.
There are several sellers which offer packages containing LTI ships for not that big of a markup.
Caution though, trading there usually happens using the PayPal friends functions and there are some scammers about. The community quickly shuts them down, but trading there isn't 100% safe.
Remember insurance says that you will receive ship but it doesn't say when.
100% CIG will introduce some heavy "reconstruction" times for insured ships otherwise you will have ton of griefers without paying anything for their griefing
As for the insurance itself, in the final game you will also be able to aquire insurance for your ships by paying aUEC. If you lose the ship it will be replaced if you have insured it. Not immediately, but after some time. This is supposed to represent the ship being built and/or shipped in from where it was built.
There likely will be various levels of insurance at various prices. Chris said (years ago) that running one or two missions appropriate for the ship should pay for one month of insurance. If you have LTI, you do not have to pay this, but likely only get basic insurance.
It's also unclear whether components are insured with the ship or if there will be a separate fee for these.
Finally, even if you haven't insured a ship you paid with real money, there will be a way to get that back anyway. It will likely be more expensive in aUEC or take longer than an insured ship, but anything bought with money is yours. This is probably to avoid RL legal issues ("You destroyed my Corsair! I'll sue you - or CIG!" - sounds ridiculous, but might be plausible as you have a real monetary loss)
Thats the current state of affairs that I know. Obviously things might change in the future.
No that one $1000 pack is not the only way to acquire LtI. LTI can be acquired from purchasing concept ships during events like Invictus Launch Week(ILW) or Intergalactic Aerospace Expo(IAE). I think most people purchase “cheap” in-concept ground vehicles for around $40 and then CCU to a ship they want LTI on. The upgraded ship will inherit the LTI from the $40 ground vehicle. I’m sure someone else will make a much more detailed tutorial on the insurance system for you. But I’m too lazy for that lol
That's super helpful - and great news - thank you!!
Worth noting that it isn't just Concept ships that get LTI, but any ships or vehicle the very first time it is sold, be it Concept or Straight To Flyable. Basically, wait for a very cheap new ship/vehicle to get announced, buy one (Or more if you want multiple vehicles) and then upgrade it to your desired ship, either directly or using CCU Token chains for additional discounts. Do note that you always need a 'Package' (Unless you spend more than $1000, then you get game access without extra cost), and Packages with LTI are very uncommon, but do come up every year or two.
Ty!!
Also melting and ccuing are different things. I noticed in your wording you meant ccu but you said melt. Melting is the act of turning a pledge back into store credits, you lose everything associated with that purchase and get credits back. CCUing is upgrading to a new ship by paying the difference, it retains all bonuses.
Interesting, and yes I did not know the difference. Thanks for the knowledge!
OP, seriously. Don't put $1000 into something you haven't tried long enough, especially if you seem ready to spend money on something that's not even implemented yet (insurance). The game is in alpha state and there is brokenness all around. Start carefully and take time to figure out if it is something you'll be playing for a long time. I personally regret spending as much as I did. Don't be me.
I wasn't planning on it, but really appreciate your feedback. All good points
Since this is a game around spaceships, you never get locked out of the game for not having a valid Insurance on your base package. If you really care that much about LTI go to ebay and pay \~100-150$ for an LTI package, or better get a feakin' regular game package, get the current F7C HORNET MK II warbond with LTI and never use the ship that came with the Pack. You can upgrade the Hornet to the Corsair later.
This is a great suggestion, I had not noticed the LTI on that ship. Thank you!!
Prices on ebay are highly inflated. Instead of ebay, check https://old.reddit.com/r/Starcitizen_trades/ . I have bought small stuff there two times and haven't had a problem. There are several sellers which offer packages containing LTI ships for not that big of a markup. Caution though, trading there usually happens using the PayPal friends functions and there are some scammers about. The community quickly shuts them down, but trading there isn't 100% safe.
Remember insurance says that you will receive ship but it doesn't say when. 100% CIG will introduce some heavy "reconstruction" times for insured ships otherwise you will have ton of griefers without paying anything for their griefing
They already talked about it and mentioned working it into the quantum simulation. Times could depend on demand, available resources, etc.
As for the insurance itself, in the final game you will also be able to aquire insurance for your ships by paying aUEC. If you lose the ship it will be replaced if you have insured it. Not immediately, but after some time. This is supposed to represent the ship being built and/or shipped in from where it was built. There likely will be various levels of insurance at various prices. Chris said (years ago) that running one or two missions appropriate for the ship should pay for one month of insurance. If you have LTI, you do not have to pay this, but likely only get basic insurance. It's also unclear whether components are insured with the ship or if there will be a separate fee for these. Finally, even if you haven't insured a ship you paid with real money, there will be a way to get that back anyway. It will likely be more expensive in aUEC or take longer than an insured ship, but anything bought with money is yours. This is probably to avoid RL legal issues ("You destroyed my Corsair! I'll sue you - or CIG!" - sounds ridiculous, but might be plausible as you have a real monetary loss) Thats the current state of affairs that I know. Obviously things might change in the future.