Whether you fly an R44 for weekend hops, operate an R66 for charter, or run a Part 135 utility fleet, helicopter insurance is critical to protecting your aircraft, your passengers, and your business.
At BWI Aviation Insurance, we specialize in rotorwing coverage. We’ve insured private owners, instructors, sightseeing tours, utility helicopters, and medevac operators for decades. We understand the risks, and we know how to get you covered.
Who Needs Helicopter Insurance?
If you own or operate a helicopter, insurance isn’t optional, it’s essential.
We provide policies for:
- Private owners (Robinson, Bell, Airbus, Enstrom, MD)
- Commercial operators under Part 135
- Tour companies, ag operators, and powerline inspection services
- Flight schools and training helicopters
- Lodge operators and wilderness access flights
- Corporate or executive transport
- Aerial photography and film
- Firefighting, SAR, and government agencies
From piston Robinsons to turbine-powered Eurocopters, we’ll help you get the right policy for your mission.
What Does Helicopter Insurance Cover?
Helicopter insurance policies can be customized based on your flying. Standard components include:
Liability Insurance
Protects you from legal and financial responsibility if your helicopter causes:
- Bodily injury to passengers or third parties
- Damage to property, buildings, or other aircraft
- Environmental damage (in some cases)
- Legal defense and court costs
Most policies include:
- $1,000,000 total liability
- $100,000 per passenger sublimit or “smooth” liability (preferred, no sublimit)
Hull Insurance
Protects your aircraft itself, including the airframe, rotor system, avionics, skids, and accessories.
Options include:
- Ground not-in-motion
- Ground in-motion
- Full flight (in-motion + in-flight)
- Agreed hull value payout on total loss
Medical Payments
Pays for injuries to passengers regardless of fault, typically $3,000–$10,000 per person.
Optional Endorsements & Add-Ons
- Non-owned aircraft liability
- Spare parts and tool coverage
- Equipment and camera mounts
- Emergency landing zone damage
- Hangar or storage facility protection
- Rotor blade damage
- Extended search and rescue coverage
Real Helicopter Insurance Scenarios
Private R44 Owner | Personal Flights
Hangared in California, weekend flights only.
$400,000 hull | $1M smooth liability
$6,200/year
R66 | Part 135 Charter in Lower 48
Multiple pilots, light commercial ops.
$800,000 hull | $1M liability with $100k/passenger
$12,800/year
Robinson R22 | Flight School Use
Dual instruction, solo student time
$180,000 hull | $1M liability with $100k/passenger
$8,100/year
Bell 206 | Lodge Operations in Alaska
Resupply, guest transport, personal use
$1.2M hull | $1M smooth liability
$14,900/year
MD 500 | Utility + Powerline Survey
Remote ops, low-level, high exposure
$1.8M hull | $5M liability (required by contract)
$28,500/year
Rates vary significantly based on use, hull value, pilot profile, storage, and mission type—but we’ll match you to the right underwriter every time.
What Affects Helicopter Insurance Cost?
Helicopter insurance premiums are determined by:
- Aircraft type (Robinson, Bell, Airbus, turbine vs piston)
- Hull value (new R44s vs aging JetRangers)
- Use type (personal, instruction, charter, ag, utility)
- Pilot total time and time in type
- Commercial certificate or CFI status
- Location and storage (e.g., Alaska vs Arizona, tiedown vs hangar)
- Claims or violation history
- Liability limit and deductible selected
Helicopters are generally more expensive to insure than fixed-wing aircraft due to higher mechanical complexity, lower glide performance, and greater risk exposure.
Want to Lower Your Premium?
We can help you save with:
- Recurrent training or manufacturer safety programs
- Transition training for new aircraft types
- Hangared storage
- Higher deductibles
- Sharing flight hours with higher-time pilots (where allowed)
Let us know your full flying story, and we’ll present your case to the market in the best light possible.
Why Choose BWI for Helicopter Insurance
We’re one of the most experienced rotorwing insurance agencies in the country. Our clients include:
- Private helicopter owners
- Tour operators in Hawaii, Alaska, and the Lower 48
- Utility flight crews under FAA Part 135
- Helicopter flight schools and instructors
- Aerial photography teams and real estate firms
- Seasonal lodge operators and resort access pilots
When you work with BWI, you get:
Licensed account managers who understand rotorwing flying
Fast, accurate quotes (usually within 48 hours)
Access to all major helicopter insurers
Competitive rates for R22, R44, R66, Bell 206, Airbus H125, Enstrom, MD 500 and more
Policy guidance, renewal reminders, and claims support
Expertise in complex and high-risk rotorwing missions
We don’t guess. We advocate, and we deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get helicopter insurance as a private owner?
Yes. We insure private owners flying for personal use, commuting, recreation, and property access. No commercial certificate required (unless the policy requires it).
What if I’m a low-time helicopter pilot?
Some underwriters allow lower-time pilots, especially in R22/R44 aircraft. Transition training and mentorship can help reduce premium.
Do you insure training helicopters and flight schools?
Yes. We insure flight schools operating under Part 61 or Part 141 with R22s, R44s, Schweizers, and others. Student solo, CFI, and DPE risk can be covered.
Can I get insurance for helicopters based in Alaska?
Absolutely. We insure helicopters throughout Alaska for both personal and commercial missions. Our Anchorage office is located at Lake Hood:
4451 Aircraft Dr, Suite 220, Anchorage, AK 99502
Do you require hangar storage?
Not always. Some carriers accept tiedown or tarp-covered helicopters, especially in Alaska or rural areas.
Can I get smooth liability coverage?
Yes, if your aircraft, experience, and mission type qualify. We’ll help you apply and advise on the pros and cons.
How to Get a Helicopter Insurance Quote
Step 1: Click “Get A Quote” and complete the short form
Step 2: A licensed BWI helicopter insurance expert will contact you
Step 3: We shop your profile to multiple underwriters
Step 4: You choose the best policy, bind coverage, and get proof—often the same day
Need a fast turnaround for a new purchase, flight school, or contract ops? We’re ready.
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Trusted by Helicopter Owners and Operators Nationwide
We understand that helicopters aren’t just a tool, they’re freedom, access, and livelihood.
Whether you fly piston, turbine, floats, or skids, we’ll help you get protected with a policy that’s built for how and where you fly.
Licensed in all 50 states. Trusted since 1977.
Get a Helicopter Insurance Quote Now or call us at 800.666.4359
