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Flying an aircraft requires years of training, and learning how to fly can be difficult at first even with the help of an experienced flight instructor. Still, just like driving a vehicle on land, flying an aircraft has its fair share of risks. That’s where pilot insurance comes in. This article explores what kinds of insurance pilots can get their hands on, how much does pilot insurance costs, and the best pilot insurance companies to get it from.
Pilot general liability insurance is one of the most common types of insurance that carriers offer to commercial and private pilots. However, general liability insurance differs in many ways when compared to other policies available. As for pilots, their general liability policy applies to any plane they decide to operate as it’s considered their place of work. Pilot general liability insurance applies when you’ve caused a bodily injury to a third party while you’re operating the aircraft. For example, if you cause accidents and injure passengers due to an accident, this insurance will pay for the costs.
Flight instructor liability insurance is specifically designed for certified flight instructors (CFIs) who provide training to student pilots. This insurance covers legal liabilities that may arise during instructional flights. Their Policies can be tailored to cover various aircraft types and training scenarios. Instructors can choose limits based on their specific needs—ranging from basic liability to more comprehensive policies that include hull coverage. Flight instructor insurance costs can vary widely. For instance, basic policies may start around $160 annually for lower coverage limits, while more extensive coverage options can exceed $500 annually depending on the aircraft and training type.
Pilot liability insurance cost depends on multiple factors such as coverage limits, aircraft type, and whether the pilot is flying commercially or privately. In addition, The average airplane insurance cost is $82 per month or $984 per year for a $1 million dollar coverage.
The cost of flight instructor insurance reflects the unique risks associated with providing flight training: Insurance Premiums:The Basic policies may start as low as $160 annualy. However it can increase significantly based on the type of instruction provided and coverage limits. In addition, the plane insurance cost typically depends also, on various risk factors, including the size of your aviation business.
As for Aircraft insurance, the rates vary depending on factors like pilot experience, aircraft type, and coverage limits.
There are many different forms of business insurance policies available for commercial pilots, ranging from the basic pilot liability coverage that we mentioned up above to disability insurance. Disability coverage may seem redundant for pilots when they already have medical coverage from their companies, but there are some exceptions that may make it necessary. For example, if your medical coverage gets all used up after an accident and you still need money to handle your disabilities, you’ll still be covered by your own disability coverage. Additional liability insurance of your own may help cover expenses that exceed the limits your employer’s policy has.
Insurance for private pilots is available in just as many forms as it is for commercial pilots. However, private pilots need their own coverage more than commercial pilots because they’re not affiliated with any company who can provide them with needed coverage. This means that you may wish to get your hands on disability insurance in case you get into an accident while flying your private aircraft. You may also wish to get your aircraft insured to cover costs for repairs, property damage, and accidents.
The cost typically depends on a range of different aspects of your business, including how large it is. The opposite can be said of a smaller aviation business since they will be less likely to file claims, and if they do end up filing a claim, the insurer will likely have to pay less. We’ve put together a table of the quotes that we got from 3 of the best pilot insurance providers:
| Company | Cost per month | Cost per year |
| Xinsurance | $74 | $888 |
| Horton | $82 | $984 |
| Evolution | $90 | $1080 |
To get these prices, we used a pilot with 10 years of experience and has no prior history of making claims related to aviation. We did this to get our values as close to reference as possible.
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Private jet insurance is among the most expensive types of aviation insurance due to the high value of jets and their operational complexities: The Premiums can vary significantly; for example, insuring a Cirrus SF50 jet could cost around $25,000 annually based on current market estimates.
Finding the best pilot insurance companies will allow you to benefit from better rates and improved service. That’s why we’ve put together this part of our guide in which we review 3 of the top companies out there.
The Xinsurance pilot insurance program encompasses many different classes of pilots, ranging from instructor pilots to students to professional pilots. Xinsurance covers a wide range of flying vehicles including helicopters, experimental aircraft, ultralights, and even vintage and antique aircraft.
Average cost : $74 Our rating : 4/5
Horton offers aircraft hull and liability coverage to pilots, covering physical damage, the operators of the aircraft, and passengers. All passengers, crew members, and pilots also get medical coverage under their policies. They also offer discounts for pilots who fly more than 100 hours per year.
Average cost : $82 Our rating : 4/5
Evolution offers pilot liability insurance for both fixed-wing and helicopter pilots. They accept online applications and get back to potential clients much more quickly than the competitors.
Average cost : $90 Our Rating : 4/5
10 / 10
For me this company has proven to be the best to do business with and worth my hard earned money. Contractors this is your company look no further.
7.7 / 10
Decent experience with Hiscox business insurance
10 / 10
Good company. Good and knowledgable customer service. If they don't know something they will pass you on to a more experienced rep that is more knowledgable. So far so good.
10 / 10
Best insurance ever
10 / 10
Coolest concept, I wish this was applied to other insurance products too.
9.4 / 10
Fastest ever online insurance quote and purchase! Also, great rates and professional customer reps that helps with whatever you need, if you need. Nice company!
2.8 / 10
Embroker sells a product that it doesn't honor. We purchased a combination D&O and EPLI policy. However, when it came to renewal, it told us that we only had D&O coverage even through our ACCORD certificate clearly mentions we have both. Basically they refused to honor the EPLI coverage and will leave you hanging with the bag. At time of renewal, they more than doubled our quote to get similar coverage. Basically BAIT & SWITCH. Unacceptable tactics. Easy to buy and pay but you may not be... Read More
2.8 / 10
Great platform. Terrible policy. There is no teeth behind it. No coverage. It's a fake policy that they sell. Sold us an EPLI policy that later we came to find out had no EPLI coverage. Amazing that they can get away with outright fraud. Check the positive reviews. They are all 'Anonymous' posted by Emroker staff. Stay away and find a real policy that will actually provide you coverage. We've been bitten by them and hope to find restitution via a lawsuit.
Paul Burns Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
It has been 70 days since I made a claim on the roof of my building. No one from the company will return calls. We are in hurricane season and located in Louisiana. My building is tarped to secure it.
Felicia Broadus Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
They are the worst, my truck was hit in January 23 and the claim adjuster has not been out to this very day! They have every excuse in the book as to why. They have not been to the collision shop. PLEASE AVOID THESE SCAM ARTIST!
Felicia Broadus Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
Avoid these SCAM ARTISTS! They don’t pay claims!!! Save yourself the trouble and money!
Kasey Arey Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
This company gives you a price that was in place for a year and when you have to use it there is fine print were they can go back and charge you more. Would not recommend them to any one. Crooks
John Murphy Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
Worst insurance comapny I have ever dealt with. A commercial vehicle represented by GUARD t boned my wife and daughters family vehicle in the middle of the day. Driver was cited and insurance claim insued. Fast forward 4 months and refusal of full amount of claim is still happening. Driver was found guilty, repairs started on my vehicle and when it comes to the final bill and diminished value we cannot get any help. I am out a family car, have an injured and traumatized wife and children,... Read More
Harshadray Patel Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
Extremely bad service, when you call , will make you wait on the phone for ever (over an Hour) and still no one to answer , so you end up hanging up. To cancel the policy, bounce you from one department to the other. They are supposed to refund from the date other insurance started and after sending the proof of other insurance policy, still they did not refund based on that actual date instead they use the date i managed to get hold of them. They charged me $7000.00 for a year's insurance on... Read More
Aaron Wensel Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
Guard Insurance is terrible. They were so bad I cancelled them because them couldn't figure out why I would never get a paper copy of the bill . Verified my address with them and still intermittent billing. I cancelled them in March through my local broker. Today 6/27 I get a letter in the mail from a collections company saying I owe 87.97. This was the first myself or my broker heard of owing this money. Here is some advice for this failure of a company send me a god damn bill and I will pay.... Read More
Michael Swink Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
My employer had to have workers compensation by law. He obtained a policy through this Berkshire Hathaway GUARD and they failed me. I fell from a ladder and fractured my spine in 7 different places, my clavicle in 4 places, and the base of my skull. Going to my Dr visits I was prescribed medication for pain and the insurance company placed a pre-authorization hold on me picking up the medication from Walgreens. The hold lasted 5 days! My weekly benefits have never been on time, right now... Read More
10 / 10
Liberty Mutual is one of the more simple companies to deal with. I had to file a claim for my business owner policy after I caught one of my employees stealing a large amount of products from my business. Liberty mutual paid the claim fast and with no efforts. I wish the legal process was as easy…
10 / 10
For me this company has proven to be the best to do business with and worth my hard earned money. Contractors this is your company look no further.
7.7 / 10
Decent experience with Hiscox business insurance
9.4 / 10
Very pleased with Hiscox - their small business insurance rates are very good and they specialize in small business which gives me a peace of mind as a small business owner. So far so good!
10 / 10
Their customer service is absolutely fantastic. Very patient, knowledgable and provided excellent explanation of the purchased policy. I would highly recommend this insurance company to anyone that's looking to protect their business from unexpected expense. Thank you Hiscox for doing a great job for my business!
0.6 / 10
STAY AWAY! I wouldn't recommend hiscox small business liability insurance to anyone. Better not waste both your money and your time. Hiscox customer service is extremely unpleasant, not organized and not professional. It is the worst company we have dealt with in almost 25 years in business!
10 / 10
Good company. Good and knowledgable customer service. If they don't know something they will pass you on to a more experienced rep that is more knowledgable. So far so good.
10 / 10
Extremely fast and simple. Wasted a lot of time and money until I found these guys! I feel like my business is in good hands now.
10 / 10
Hiscox's the best! My business is insured with them for over 12 years and am not planning to switch!
10 / 10
Excellent experience with Hiscox BOP for my coffee shop. They provided all it needed.
10 / 10
My HI barbershop is well covered with their great BOP product for 5 years already! not planning to switch!
10 / 10
Best insurance ever
10 / 10
Coolest concept, I wish this was applied to other insurance products too.
10 / 10
Great experience
6 / 10
Didn't relate to the concept much, but it makes sense if you need insurance to go
0 / 10
It doesn't really feel sustainable to me and doesn't offer business interruption, product liability and commercial property insurance. They have no local agents and despite their technology first approach you cannot file claims online. Additionally, product manufacturers are not covered by Thimble and they don't provide enterprise solutions.
10 / 10
As a contractor that works 3 times a week for a few hours, Thimble gets really handy for me and saves me money. I have no use for these massive business insurance coverages offered by traditional insurance companies.
10 / 10
Excellent concept which is useful to many small businesses!
10 / 10
Been waiting for this type of solution for a long time!
10 / 10
Love their business insurance solutions for freelancers! Great app!
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Disclosure: Insuranks.com is an independent educational comparison service and an advertising-supported publisher. Some of the companies/offers that appear on the website are from our partners which we may receive compensation from. This may influence which companies/offers we write about and where and how it appears on the site. However, this does not impact our assessments. We solely highlight companies, products, and offers that can help you make smarter insurance decisions.
