When most aircraft owners think about aviation insurance, they immediately focus on liability coverage, the part that protects against injury or property damage caused by an accident. But what about protecting your aircraft itself? That’s where aircraft hull insurance comes in.
Hull coverage is what keeps you financially whole if your aircraft is damaged or destroyed. It’s one of the most important parts of your policy, and understanding how it works can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of frustration if something ever happens to your plane.
At BWI Aviation Insurance, we’ve spent more than 45 years helping aircraft owners, operators, and flight departments understand the details of hull insurance. This guide breaks down what it covers, how much it costs, and how to make sure your aircraft is properly protected.
1. What Is Aircraft Hull Insurance?
Aircraft hull insurance covers physical damage to your aircraft, whether it occurs in the air, on the ground, or while parked in a hangar.
In simple terms:
Liability insurance protects others from you.
Hull insurance protects you from loss.
You can think of hull coverage as similar to comprehensive and collision coverage on your car, except it’s designed specifically for aircraft and their unique risks.
2. What Does Aircraft Hull Insurance Cover?
A standard hull policy covers accidental damage to your aircraft caused by:
- Collisions or hard landings.
- Ground accidents or taxi mishaps.
- Hangar incidents.
- Hail, wind, or storm damage.
- Fire or explosion.
- Theft or vandalism.
In some cases, hull coverage can also include damage during loading, towing, or maintenance operations. The key is that it protects your aircraft’s physical structure and systems, including the airframe, engine(s), avionics, and permanently installed equipment.
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3. Types of Hull Coverage
- All-Risk Coverage – The broadest and most common form of protection, covering all accidental loss or damage unless excluded.
- Ground and Flight Coverage – Protects your aircraft at all times, in flight, taxiing, or parked. Standard for most owners.
- Ground Only Coverage – For aircraft in storage, display, or maintenance. Includes Ground Not in Motion and Ground in Motion variants.
4. How Aircraft Hull Insurance Works
Hull coverage is written on an agreed value basis, meaning you and the insurer agree in advance on the aircraft’s insured value. If your aircraft is a total loss, you receive that agreed amount, not the depreciated or market value.
Example:
If your Cirrus SR22 is insured for $600,000 and it’s destroyed in a covered incident, you’ll receive the full $600,000 (minus any deductible). This agreed-value structure gives you certainty and avoids disputes about depreciation after a loss.
5. What Aircraft Hull Insurance Doesn’t Cover
- Wear and tear, corrosion, or mechanical breakdown.
- Damage from illegal or unapproved uses.
- Pilot error when pilot doesn’t meet policy requirements.
- War or terrorism (unless added by endorsement).
- Intentional damage or fraud.
6. How Much Does Aircraft Hull Insurance Cost?
| Aircraft Type | Typical Hull Value | Average Annual Premium | Notes |
| Light Single (Cessna 172, Piper Archer) | $100k–$300k | $1,200 – $2,800 | Best rates for experienced pilots |
| High-Performance Single (Cirrus SR22, Bonanza) | $300k–$800k | $3,000 – $6,000 | Higher rates due to complexity |
| Twin-Engine Piston | $400k–$900k | $4,000 – $8,000 | Increased exposure, more parts and labor |
| Turboprop | $1M–$3M | $8,000 – $18,000 | Depends on training and hull value |
| Light Jet | $3M–$8M | $15,000 – $30,000+ | Requires type rating and simulator recurrency |
7. How to Choose the Right Hull Value
Choosing the correct agreed value is crucial. Insure your aircraft for its true market or replacement value, not more, and not less.
Overinsuring: If your aircraft is insured for more than it’s worth, you’ll pay higher premiums and may face claim disputes.
Underinsuring: If the insured value is too low, you could receive less than it costs to repair or replace your aircraft after an accident.
BWI’s aviation specialists help clients set fair, accurate hull values using current market data and appraisal tools.
8. How Hull and Liability Work Together
Hull insurance protects your aircraft; liability insurance protects you against damage to others. Both are essential for complete protection.
Example:
If your Cessna 182 collides with a hangar door during taxi, your hull coverage pays for repairs to your aircraft. If the hangar door is damaged, your liability coverage pays for the property damage claim.
9. Real-World Example: BWI Client Case Study
A BWI client in Florida owned a 2012 Cessna T182T valued at $385,000. During a crosswind landing, the pilot veered off the runway and damaged the propeller, wingtip, and landing gear.
Repair estimate: $46,000
Policy: $1M liability / $385k hull
Deductible: $250
Claim paid: $45,750
BWI’s direct access to the underwriter ensured the claim was processed and paid within 10 business days.
10. Tips to Lower Your Aircraft Hull Insurance Cost
- Complete annual recurrent training.
- Keep your aircraft hangared.
- Maintain a clean flying record.
- Choose realistic hull values.
- Increase your deductible slightly.
- Bundle hull and liability under one policy.
- Work with a specialized aviation insurance broker like BWI.
11. Why Choose BWI for Hull Insurance
- 45+ years of aviation insurance expertise.
- 10,000+ active aircraft insured nationwide.
- 800+ five-star reviews.
- Access to every major aviation underwriter (AIG, Global Aerospace, Old Republic, Starr, and more).
- Fast quotes and personal service from aviation specialists.
- Proven claims support that gets you back in the air quickly.
12. The Bottom Line
If you own an aircraft, hull insurance isn’t optional, it’s essential. It protects your aircraft investment and ensures you can repair or replace it after an accident without financial stress.
At BWI Aviation Insurance, we make it fast and simple to get the best protection for your aircraft. With decades of experience and partnerships with every major aviation insurer, we’ll make sure your hull and liability coverage are exactly where they should be.
Protect your aircraft. Protect your investment. Get your hull insurance quote today at www.bwifly.com.
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