Reviewed October 26, 2026. A commercial aircraft insurance review begins with a precise description of the business and its flying. Charter, instruction, rental, aerial work, cargo and corporate transportation should not be treated as interchangeable operations or assumed to require identical policy terms.
This guide organizes questions for the insurance submission. It does not publish a commercial premium range from private-use quote records, promise coverage for every business exposure or prescribe a universal liability minimum.
Describe the operation and parties involved
Explain the services performed, aircraft owned or used, locations, passengers or cargo, pilots and instructors, and any rental or lease arrangements. Identify the entities involved in ownership and operation, and disclose planned changes.
Provide the authorizations, contracts and operational documents requested for review. Ask BWI how the proposed permitted-use wording addresses the activities you intend to conduct.
Separate aircraft coverage from other business exposures
Review requested physical-damage coverage, insured values, deductibles and aircraft liability limits. Ask about passenger sublimits, pilot conditions, geographic restrictions, exclusions and endorsements.
Premises, hangar operations, customer aircraft in your custody, non-owned aircraft, cargo, employee injuries or loss of income may raise separate insurance questions. Ask which exposures the actual proposal addresses and which require another policy or endorsement. Do not assume an aircraft policy automatically includes them.
Review pilots, instructors and use changes
Provide accurate current information for the proposed pilots and any instructor group. Describe training, experience, recent activity and loss information requested on the application. Confirm who is approved and what conditions apply before operations begin.
If instructors rotate or a fleet changes, ask how updates must be submitted and confirmed. An open-pilot provision, where offered, has its own terms and is not automatic permission for everyone to operate the aircraft.
Check applicable requirements for the actual operation
Regulatory and contractual obligations depend on the operation. DOT’s air-carrier liability insurance notice explains coverage and evidence-of-insurance responsibilities under 14 CFR Part 205 for applicable air carriers. Its requirements should not be replaced by a generic premium table or assumed to apply identically to every aviation business.
Identify the requirements that apply with the appropriate authorities and advisers, and provide them to BWI for insurance review. Buying insurance does not itself grant operating authority or establish regulatory compliance.
Request terms for the actual business
The current reviewed private-use model observations do not establish prices for charter, flight schools, agricultural work or other commercial operations. Request an individual submission rather than applying an assumed business-use surcharge.
Compare full annual premiums, fees and payment arrangements alongside coverage and conditions. Ask about proposed dates, offer validity and outstanding underwriting requirements. Training or safety documentation does not establish a guaranteed discount.
Confirm coverage and changes in writing
Review the policy and endorsements when coverage is arranged. Clarify named insureds, any requested additional-insured or lender provisions and the exact permitted activities. A certificate alone should not be treated as proof that every contractual request has been added to the policy.
Keep the broker informed about changes to aircraft, pilots, locations and services. Obtain confirmation of any agreed policy change before relying on it.
Talk with BWI
Request an aircraft insurance review, call 800-666-4359 or email [email protected]. Requesting a quote does not bind coverage; coverage is not effective until confirmed in writing.
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