Choosing the right aircraft insurance broker is one of the most important decisions you can make as a pilot or aircraft owner. The broker you work with isn’t just a middleman, they’re your advocate, your advisor, and your frontline resource when things go wrong. Yet many aircraft owners stick with the same broker year after year, even when red flags start to appear.
Here are the top five signs it might be time to make a change:
1. They’re Slow to Respond (or Don’t Respond at All)
If your broker takes days to return your calls, emails, or quote requests, that’s a major red flag. Time is money in aviation, and delayed communication can cost you coverage, opportunities, or even compliance with your airport, lender, or operation.
A good aviation insurance broker should:
- Reply within 24 hours (or sooner)
- Be reachable by phone, email, or text
- Proactively communicate during renewals
- Give you clear updates on underwriting timelines
If you’re constantly following up or feeling like an afterthought, you’re not being prioritized.
2. You’re Not Confident in Their Aviation Knowledge
Aviation insurance is a specialized world. If your broker doesn’t understand the difference between a Piper Archer and a Cirrus SR22, or they don’t ask the right questions about your operation, that’s a problem.
An expert broker should:
- Understand your aircraft, operation, and mission
- Know the key underwriters and their appetites
- Help explain policy exclusions and coverages
- Offer recommendations for training, equipment, or risk mitigation that could help reduce your premium
If your conversations feel generic, you might be working with a generalist, not a true aviation specialist.
3. Your Premium Keeps Going Up, and You Don’t Know Why
Yes, rates have gone up industry-wide in recent years. But if your broker can’t explain why your premium went up, or what you can do to improve it, you’re not getting the guidance you need.
Your broker should:
- Shop your policy with multiple underwriters each year
- Explain market trends, losses, and underwriter behavior
- Help you plan ahead (especially for complex or high-value aircraft)
If you’re not sure your policy was ever shopped around, or you feel left in the dark at renewal, it’s time to get a second opinion.
4. You Only Hear from Them at Renewal
A quality broker relationship should be ongoing, not just once a year. Whether it’s a quick check-in, policy review, or update on your flying hours or operation, good brokers stay in touch.
If the only time you hear from your broker is a week before your policy expires, and it’s a copy-paste email with last year’s quote—you’re not being serviced.
5. You’re Not Sure What You’re Paying For
If you can’t answer questions like:
- What are my current liability limits?
- What would happen if I had a gear-up landing tomorrow?
- Am I covered when flying a friend’s aircraft or renting a hangar?
…then your broker isn’t doing enough to educate and empower you.
The best brokers:
- Break down your policy in plain English
- Answer your “what-if” questions confidently
- Proactively advise you throughout the year
You should feel confident, protected, and informed, not confused or left guessing.
Final Thoughts
Switching brokers might feel like a hassle. But staying with one who doesn’t serve you well could be costing you far more.
You deserve fast, expert service.
You deserve a broker who actually understands aircraft.
And you deserve someone who fights to get you the best coverage—every year.
If you’ve seen any of these five signs, it might be time to explore your options.
Get a second opinion. You might be surprised by what you’ve been missing.
[Request a free aircraft insurance review from BWI]
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