Pilot Insurance

As a pilot, you face a unique set of risks on the job daily, such as accidents, lawsuits, damage to your plane, or injuries to your passengers. Since you have others' lives in your hands, your skills and your coverage must be comprehensive. Just one lawsuit could claim all the assets you've spent years earning. Fortunately, a complete pilot insurance policy can protect you from every critical angle.

A local independent insurance agent can help you get set up with the right pilot insurance. They'll evaluate your coverage needs and find the policy with all the protection you need. But first, here's a deep dive into pilot insurance, what it covers, and why it's necessary.

What Is Pilot Insurance?

Pilots face numerous risks every day, including potential property damage, lawsuits, and injuries. If you’re employed as a pilot, you are likely covered by your employer’s policy while you are flying commercially. However, if you also work as an independent contractor or fly your own aircraft recreationally, you likely need a separate liability policy to protect you.

Typically, aviation liability insurance policies protect you if you cause bodily injury or personal property damage to a third party. For pilots, this can also include physical damage to the aircraft you fly if you don't own it. You can choose from an owner policy or a renter policy, depending on which applies to you.

Also, keep in mind that if you're named as an approved pilot on the airplane owner's policy, that doesn't necessarily mean you're covered under their policy. Unless you are named as an additional insured, you should carry your own pilot liability policy.

Who Needs Pilot Insurance?

Anyone who operates or flies a plane, whether there are passengers involved or not, can benefit from having pilot insurance. Instructors who teach flight schools also need to consider protecting themselves with the proper insurance. Any of the following professionals might need pilot insurance:

If you work in any of these professions, talk to an independent insurance agent today about getting equipped with the proper protection included in a pilot insurance policy.

What Does Aviation Liability Insurance Cover?

Pilots need many types of coverage to protect against all kinds of potential risks that may arise on a daily basis. A complete pilot insurance policy comes with comprehensive aviation liability insurance, which typically includes the following:

• Hangar and ground support equipment insurance: This is a form of property insurance designed to cover damage to your aircraft hangar as well as the equipment stored inside, such as tools and mobile equipment.
• Passenger liability insurance: This covers financial damages if your passengers suffer property damage, injuries, or death due to your flight services. This coverage is typically sold based on the number of passengers on your flight or the number of seats you have on your plane.
• Ground risk hull insurance not in motion: This covers your airplane while it's stationary on the ground against such things as fire, hail, vandalism, and hangar collapse.
• In-flight insurance: This covers damage to your aircraft during all phases of flight and ground operation.
• Ground risk hull insurance in motion: This insurance covers you against damage to your aircraft while it's in motion but still on the ground, such as while taxiing to the runway or as it is slowing after touching down on the landing strip.
• Aviation renters insurance: This covers incidents of property damage to non-owned aircraft, as well as third-party bodily injury or property damage.
• Assault and battery liability coverage: This can cover you against expenses related to third-party claims of alleged assault or battery, including lawsuit costs.
• Sexual abuse and molestation liability coverage: This can cover you against expenses related to third-party claims of alleged sexual abuse, misconduct, or molestation, including lawsuit costs.

Speak with an independent insurance agent about finding aviation liability insurance from a trusted carrier today.

Health and Life Insurance for Pilots

As a pilot, you might also consider health insurance and life insurance. Some life insurance companies charge extra for pilots or may even exclude them from death benefits if they die while flying. That's why it's important to carefully review your options with the help of a trusted professional like an independent insurance agent.

In addition to your own private health insurance policy, you may also want to choose from the following life insurance options:

Work with a local independent insurance agent to find a health insurance provider that understands aviators and underwrites medical coverage for their specific concerns. Some pilot insurance companies also offer specialized health insurance and life insurance tailored for aviation professionals.

Additional Coverage Options for Pilots to Consider

Your pilot insurance may not yet be complete without a few additional types of coverage. To get the best possible picture of protection, consider adding the following to your pilot insurance policy:

• Professional liability insurance: This can cover you against expenses related to third-party claims of professional errors, omissions, or negligence, including lawsuit costs.
• General liability insurance: This can cover you against expenses related to third-party claims of bodily injury or personal property damage, including lawsuit costs.
• Commercial property insurance: This can cover your planes and other business property against theft, vandalism, damage, or destruction due to many types of disasters, including fire.
• Business umbrella insurance: Because the liability costs associated with a plane crash can be astronomical, your policy’s coverage limits may not be high enough to manage your financial damages. This coverage provides excess liability insurance and is available in limit increments of $1 million.
• Public liability insurance: This covers damage your plane or pilot may cause to the general public, such as if your plane hits a house or collides with another aircraft while taxiing.
• Search and rescue insurance: This can cover you against expenses related to search and rescue operations after an aircraft accident or another emergency.

Work together with a local independent insurance agent to ensure your pilot insurance is up-to-date and includes every type of protection you need.

How Much Does Pilot Insurance Cost?

The cost of pilot insurance can vary considerably depending on a number of different factors. Private charter pilots will likely pay a different amount for their coverage than commercial pilots who work for major airlines. Factors that can influence premium rates often include the following:

A local independent insurance agent can help you find affordable pilot insurance near you. Your agent can provide quotes from multiple carriers for you and advise you on appropriate coverage limits and deductible amounts. They'll help you find coverage from a reliable carrier and save as much money as possible without sacrificing quality.

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An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Find the Right Pilot Insurance

As a pilot, you already know how to navigate the risks of flying an aircraft. However, you might not be quite as familiar with how to navigate the legal and financial risks you face after takeoff.

Fortunately, local independent insurance agents are standing by to assist you with finding the right coverage for the job. They'll help you shop and compare aviation liability and pilot insurance policies from multiple insurance companies to get the best blend of coverage and cost. And down the road, your agent can help file claims for you or update your coverage as your needs evolve.