You’ve made a serious investment in your aircraft. Whether you fly a Cessna 172, a Piper Cherokee, a Cirrus SR22, or a Vans RV, protecting that aircraft, and your liability as a pilot, is essential.
At BWI Aviation Insurance, we specialize in fast, customized aircraft insurance for general aviation owners. Since 1977, we’ve helped more than 9,000 aircraft owners secure the right coverage for their aircraft, their flying, and their peace of mind.
We don’t just quote. We educate, advise, and guide you through every step of protecting your aircraft.
What Is Aircraft Insurance?
Aircraft insurance is specialized coverage that protects you, an aircraft owner, from the financial risks that come with flying, storing, and maintaining your aircraft. Unlike auto or home insurance, aircraft insurance is customized to your pilot profile, aircraft, and mission type.
Most owned aircraft policies include both liability coverage and hull (physical damage) coverage, with optional endorsements based on your needs.
There’s no off-the-shelf solution. Each policy is tailored to:
- Aircraft make/model and value
- Use type: personal, instructional, commercial
- Pilot total time and time in type
- Storage location (hangar or tiedown)
- Geographic risk
- Past claim history
At BWI, we’ve spent over four decades helping owners secure coverage that fits their flying, and their budget.
What Does Aircraft Insurance Cover?
Most aircraft insurance policies include:
Liability Insurance
Protects you if your aircraft causes bodily injury or property damage to others. Most policies include $1,000,000 total liability, and you’ll often choose between:
- $100,000 per passenger sublimit
- Or “smooth” liability, which has no per-passenger cap
Hull Coverage
Covers physical damage to your aircraft. Hull coverage can be written as:
- Ground not-in-motion (while parked)
- Ground in-motion (taxiing only)
- Full flight (in-motion and in-flight)
You and the underwriter agree on the hull value during the quote process. That’s the amount paid in the event of a total loss.
Medical Payments
Covers medical expenses for injured passengers, regardless of fault. Common limits range from $3,000 to $10,000.
Optional Endorsements and Add-Ons
- Non-owned aircraft liability
- Loss of use
- Emergency expense reimbursement
- Hangar insurance
- Spare parts and tools coverage
- Search and rescue coverage
- Deductible waivers
Imagine your aircraft is parked and a windstorm collapses the hangar roof. Or you’re taxiing and another aircraft strikes you. Or your aircraft suffers a hard landing and needs major repairs. Aircraft insurance steps in when the unexpected happens, on the ground, in the air, or during maintenance.
Why Aircraft Insurance Matters
Aircraft are expensive to maintain, repair, and replace. Even a minor incident can create a large financial loss. That’s why insurance isn’t just a box to check, it’s a critical part of responsible ownership.
Here are just a few scenarios we’ve seen:
- Engine failure during takeoff results in an off-airport landing
- Student pilot bounces a landing and causes a gear collapse
- Hangar fire destroys multiple aircraft in tiedown
- Taxi collision with another aircraft on a busy ramp
- Hailstorm damages leading edge and windscreen
Each one of those aircraft was insured, and the owner was able to recover without a catastrophic financial hit. That’s what we help you prepare for.
How Aircraft Insurance Premiums Are Calculated
Each quote is individually underwritten based on your specific risk. Here’s what underwriters look at:
- Total pilot time
- Time in make and model
- Instrument, commercial, or ATP ratings
- Aircraft value and configuration
- Use type: personal, instructional, rental, business
- Geographic location
- Storage conditions
- Claims or violation history
- Liability limits selected
- Deductible level
Premiums can also be influenced by broader market trends, especially for high-demand aircraft like Cirrus models or experimental builds.
At BWI, we shop your profile to multiple aviation underwriters, presenting it in a way that gets you the best possible rate. We don’t just submit a form, we tell your story.
Real Aircraft Insurance Quote Examples
Here are a few recent BWI client quotes to give you a sense of what’s possible:
Cessna 182 | $120,000 hull | Private Use
$1M smooth liability: $1,450/year
Cirrus SR22T | $400,000 hull | Personal + Business Use
$1M smooth liability: $3,600/year
Vans RV-10 | $210,000 hull | Experimental
$1M liability with $100k per passenger: $2,250/year
Piper Archer | $80,000 hull | Instructional Use
$1M liability with $100k per passenger: $1,800/year
Your pricing may vary based on your history, location, and coverage limits—but we’ll find the best option available.
Why Choose BWI?
You could use a generalist agency. Or a quote portal. Or you could work with the aviation insurance specialists that over 9,000 aircraft owners trust.
At BWI, we’ve built our agency to serve one group: pilots and aircraft owners.
Here’s why thousands choose us:
- A real, licensed aviation account manager, no bots, no call centers
- Access to the top 7+ A-rated aviation underwriters
- Fast quotes—usually within 24 hours, often same day
- Expert guidance through quoting, binding, claims, and renewal
- Licensed in all 50 states
- Family-owned since 1977
From your first trainer to your retirement aircraft, we’ve got you.
Types of Aircraft We Insure
We insure nearly every category of piston and turbine general aviation aircraft, including:
- Cessna 150, 152, 172, 182, 206, 210, 414, 421
- Piper Cherokee, Archer, Saratoga, Seneca, Cub
- Cirrus SR20, SR22, Vision Jet
- Beechcraft Bonanza, Baron
- Vans RV Series (all models)
- Mooney, Diamond, American Champion
- Twin-engine piston aircraft
- Turboprops and light jets
- Kit-built and experimental aircraft
- Commercial UAVs and drones
- Helicopters like the Robinson R22, R44, R66, and Bell 206
If your aircraft is registered with the FAA and operated under Part 91 or 61, we can likely insure it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is aircraft insurance legally required?
Not federally, but most airports, lenders, and hangar facilities require it. You’ll also need it to mitigate personal financial risk.
How much does it cost to insure an airplane?
Policies range from $800/year for low-risk aircraft to $10,000+/year for high-value or higher-risk profiles. We quote each case individually.
Can I insure an aircraft before buying it?
Yes. We regularly quote aircraft for prospective buyers. Just send over the N-number (or make/model), intended use, and your pilot history.
What’s the difference between ground-only and full flight coverage?
Ground-only covers your aircraft while stored. Full flight coverage protects you during taxi, takeoff, and in the air. Most owners opt for full coverage.
Do you insure experimental aircraft?
Absolutely. We specialize in Vans RV, Zenith, Kitfox, Glasair, and other kit-built aircraft.
Do training programs or simulator hours help reduce rates?
Yes. Many underwriters offer improved rates for pilots who complete CSIP training, attend recurrency sessions, or use advanced simulators.
Can BWI insure aircraft based in Alaska?
Yes. We’re one of the few national agencies with deep Alaska experience. We cover aircraft operating out of Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and bush strips statewide.
How fast can I get proof of insurance?
Often the same day. Once you bind coverage, our service team can issue a certificate in minutes.
How to Get a Quote from BWI
Getting covered is simple.
Step 1: Click “Get A Quote” and complete the short form
Step 2: A BWI aviation insurance professional will contact you
Step 3: We shop your profile to multiple carriers and send you the best quote
Step 4: Choose your policy, bind coverage, and receive proof of insurance, often same day
No call centers. No portals. Just aviation people who move fast and know what they’re doing.
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We have dedicated specialists for each category, and we’re always happy to answer questions or build a custom quote.
Trusted by 9,000+ Aircraft Owners
At BWI, we take pride in helping aircraft owners fly with clarity, safety, and peace of mind. From private pilots to flight school operators, our mission is to make aircraft insurance simple, fast, and personal.
We’re licensed in all 50 states and represent the top aviation insurance carriers in the U.S.
Whether you fly piston, turbine, tailwheel, experimental, or jet, we’ll get you covered, quickly and correctly.
Get a Quote Now or call us at 800.666.4359
