For your best business protection and savings, we recommend bundling GL with some other important coverages on one Business Owners Policy!
As a flight instructor, you play a critical role in training and mentoring aspiring pilots. But accidents can happen even to the most experienced professionals. That's why it's important to protect yourself and your business with flight instructor insurance.
In this guide, we will explore different insurance policies available for flight instructors, the cost of each policy, and some of the best insurance companies for flight instructors.
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Products and completed operations aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Advertising injury coverage aggregate limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tenant’s legal liability coverage limit | $100,000 | $100,000 | $5,000 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Included | Can be included | No |
| Hired/non-owned auto liability coverage included? | Yes | No | Excluded | Can be included | Can be included |
| Equipment breakdown floater included? | No | Yes | Yes | Can be included | Can be included |
General liability insurance is a type of insurance that provides coverage for third-party claims. As a flight instructor, this policy is essential in protecting you against lawsuits resulting from accidents that occur during flight instruction. This flight instructor insurance typically covers:
Bodily injury–If a student or third party sustains an injury during a flight lesson, general liability insurance will cover the medical expenses
Property damage–If you damage someone else's property during a flight lesson, general liability insurance will cover the repair or replacement costs
Coverage limits for general liability insurance typically range from $100,000 to $1 million.
Non-owned aircraft liability coverage–This covers claims arising from the use of aircraft that you don't own
Aircraft damage liability coverage–This provides coverage for damage caused to the aircraft during flight instruction activities
The Certified flight instructor insurance can also be available for flight instructors who have obtained certification from the Federal aviation administration (FAA). This insurance offers additional benefits or discounts for certified flight instructors.
Different flight schools have their own flight instructor liability insurance policies, but it's still a good idea to have your own general liability insurance for protection in case the flight school's policy doesn't provide enough coverage.
| CoverWallet | NEXT | Thimble (Best) | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Yes | Can be included | No |
Errors and omissions insurance, also known as professional liability insurance, provides coverage for cases resulting from alleged errors or omissions in your professional services. This policy is essential in protecting you against lawsuits resulting from mistakes made during flight instruction.
The coverage limits range from $150,000 to $1 million, but higher limits may be also available. Errors and omissions insurance can help in specific situations such as:
A student argues that you provided incorrect information that led to an accident
A learner claims that you failed to properly train them, leading to an accident
A third-party claims that you provided negligent advice that caused them financial loss
Defense outside the limit–This coverage will provide additional funds for legal fees outside of your errors and omissions insurance policy's coverage limit
Hangarkeepers liability–Protects your liability for damage to aircraft stored in a hangar that you lease or own
As a flight instructor, it's important to be aware of the exclusions and limitations that may come with errors and omissions insurance. Some policies may exclude coverage for intentional acts or fraud, meaning that you may not be covered if you intentionally harm someone or commit fraud in your professional capacity. It's crucial to read the policy details carefully to understand how the flight instructor insurance you choose covers you.
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| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $260,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| Contents coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $22,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| Outdoor signs | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Accounts receivable | Excluded | Excluded | $5,000/10,000 | Included | Excluded |
| Money and securities | Excluded | $2,500 | $1,000 | Included | Excluded |
| Lock and keys | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Business interruption floater | Excluded | Included | Included | Included | Excluded |
| Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | Included | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Inland marine insurance floater | Excluded | Excluded | $10,000 | Excluded | Excluded |
| Employee dishonesty floater | Excluded | $5,000 | $2,500 | Included | Excluded |
This type of flight instructor insurance protects your physical assets in case of damage, theft, or loss. As a flight instructor, you likely own or lease a hangar or office space. Commercial property insurance can cover the cost of repairing your property in case of damage or loss.Â
Coverage limits can range from $100,000 to $5,000,000, depending on the value of your assets. Some specific situations where commercial property insurance can help include:
Theft of your aircraft or equipment
Fire or water damage to your hangar or office space
Natural disasters such as tornadoes or hurricanes
Damage caused by vandalism or riots
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) coverage–Provides coverage for property damage related to drones used for training or other business purposes
Commercial property insurance can cover the cost of a new aircraft up to the policy's coverage limit, provided that it got damaged while stationary within business premises. However, it's important to review your policy's terms and conditions to understand the coverage limits and exclusions.
