Agusta AW139 Insurance Cost

Agusta AW139 Helicopter Overview:

Few could doubt Bell’s UH-1 “Huey” is one of the most influential helicopters ever produced. Its combination of excellent reliability and lifting power combined with being an icon of the Vietnam War gave it a presence both in and outside of military circles, but by the late 1990s it was clear the aging Huey was needing a successor. In 1997, Agusta launched a program to target the replacement of the Huey and in 1998 partnered with Bell with the goal of producing a clean-sheet design. After Bell withdrew from the project, the new helicopter was branded the AW139 and by early 2001 the prototype took its first flight.

The AW139 was targeted to be slightly larger than the Huey, more customizable, and using advanced engines and cockpit systems to provide reliability and capability. Agusta selected the turboshaft version of the ubiquitous Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 engine, with the twin engines producing 1531 horsepower each. The engines were equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC), greatly reducing pilot workload in both normal and emergency operations. Agusta produced more than a thousand pieces of optional or customizable equipment including auxiliary fuel tanks, ice protection equipment, cargo hooks and hoist systems, and floats for offshore operations. The aircraft was designed to maximize ease of access for maintenance and serviceability.

Agusta selected the Honeywell EPIC avionics system which included a full four-axis autopilot allowing the AW139 to be single-pilot certified for instrument flight rules (IFR) and can be optioned to include provisions for the use of night vision goggles.

Depending on the interior configuration, the 139 can hold up to 15 passengers. Though designed with a military specification in mind, the excellent capability led to widespread adoption in the civilian world. Offshore helicopter operators such as oil drilling companies found great use for the range and all-weather capability to reach oil rigs and tankers located across the world. Emergency medical providers and rescue organizations utilized the high altitude performance and heavy lifting capability to increase their abilities.

Though the US Army would not replace the venerable Huey with the AW139, it would be selected by a number of other militaries and governments around the world. The US Air Force would ultimately select the AW139 to be used in a number of roles as the MH-139 and AW139s are also currently serving in the militaries of Australia, Ireland, and Thailand among others. Civilian versions serve for organizations including the Italian Fire Service, the UK’s Her Majesty’s Coastguard, and the Brazilian Federal Police. Consistent demand for the 139 has led to the incorporation of a total of three production lines – one in Italy, one in the United States, and one in Russia – as well as the introduction of loose derivatives including the AW169. As of early 2021, more than one thousand AW139s have been produced.

Agusta AW139 Insurance Cost:

Aviation insurance in general, is a very specialized industry and premiums vary depending on make and model of the aircraft, hull value, use of the aircraft, pilot history and qualifications and aircraft insurance rates even take into account the loss history of each specific make and model and the loss history of the aviation industry as a whole.

Agusta AW139 insurance, like all aviation insurance, is broken down into 2 specific coverages. The first is Liability Coverage, which is standard on every aircraft insurance policy and the second is optional hull coverage, which covers damage to the aircraft itself.

Agusta AW139 aviation liability insurance covers damage caused by the aircraft, outside of the aircraft, specifically property damage, bodily injury, and provides for legal defense in the event that the aircraft owner or policyholder is sued.

Aircraft liability insurance is typically offered for Agusta AW139’s in amounts between $1,000,000 and $20,000,000 per occurrence (per incident) and includes coverage for passengers, but typically limits that amount to between $100,000 and $1,000,000 per passenger. Passenger liability coverage is included within the total liability coverage amount.

A real-world example of how this aviation liability coverage would protect you: If, as a result of operating your Agusta AW139 you damaged property or caused bodily injury outside of the aircraft, you would have the full amount of total liability coverage to pay for damages that occurred, less the liability amount paid for passengers inside the aircraft. If the aircraft crashed and you had passengers inside the aircraft that were injured, your insurance policy would pay up to the policy passenger limit for each passenger.

This liability coverage also applies as a bubble that follows the aircraft around. If the aircraft is hangered, liability coverage extends throughout your hangar and it is this coverage that airports will typically require you to have. It’s not a separate insurance policy, it is actually coverage built into your standards airplane insurance policy.

Other liability options: Higher liability coverage on the Agusta AW139 is available to qualified pilots with experience in the make and model and a minimum Commercial/RW/IFR license/Ratings and commercial helicopter uses.

The second coverage on a Agusta AW139 insurance policy is hull coverage and is an optional coverage. Aircraft hull insurance covers damage to the aircraft itself and is an agreed value, not subject to depreciation. Agreed value is decided during the initial insurance quoting process, the aircraft owner requests an insurance quote for his or her Agusta AW139 and requests a quote including hull coverage in the amount of say $6,200,000. Once an aviation insurance company provides a quote, they are agreeing with you that your aircraft is worth $6,200,000
*Insurance companies may place additional stipulations on quotes to prove the value of your aircraft prior to binding, if your agreed value is higher than bluebook.

Most aviation insurance companies do not offer deductibles higher than $0 deductibles, which means in the event of a total loss, if your aircraft was insured for $6,200,000, you would get a straight check for $6,200,000.

Agusta AW139 Insurance Cost Breakdown:

As of January 2021, there are 7 carriers quoting Agusta AW139 insurance in the U.S. We consider qualified pilots to have at least a commercial license, with 2,000 total hours, 1,500 rotor-wing hours and 200 hours in the make/model.

For an annual policy with $1,000,000 in liability only coverage.
 Premium range for qualified pilots: $3,500-$5,750 per year.
 Premium range for less than qualified pilots (low-time/etc): $4,750-$6,700 per year.

For an annual policy with $1,000,000 in liability coverage and $6,200,000 in hull coverage
 Premium range for qualified pilots: $15,000-$25,000 per year.
 Premium range for less than qualified pilots (low-time/etc): $32,000-$45,000 per year.

BWI is a family-owned, nationwide insurance brokerage specializing in aviation insurance since 1977. Our dedicated Aviation Insurance Professionals are highly trained, hand-picked and experienced in helping Agusta AW139 owners and operators obtain the very best insurance coverage.

BWI offers comprehensive Agusta AW139 insurance policies for personal, business, charter, industrial aid, and commercial helicopter uses.

For more information or to get an actual Agusta AW139 insurance quote, please fill out a quote request online here or call us at 800.666.4359