Robinson R66 Non-Owned Insurance. Must-Have Protection for Instructors and Contract Pilots

If you fly a Robinson R66 you don’t own, whether as a contract pilot, instructor, or demo pilot, there’s one thing you should know:

You are personally liable for any damage or injury that occurs while you’re flying that aircraft.

Most instructors and contract pilots assume that the owner’s insurance covers them. But unless your name is on the policy, or you meet an Open Pilot Warranty, you could be on the hook for six figures (or more) in a claim.

At BWI, we’ve helped hundreds of professional pilots get covered with non-owned turbine helicopter insurance. This post breaks down everything you need to know if you’re flying a Robinson R66 you don’t own.

What Is Non-Owned Helicopter Insurance?

Non-owned helicopter insurance is a personal aviation policy that protects you, not the aircraft. It’s designed for pilots who regularly fly aircraft they don’t own, including:

Instructors giving dual
Freelance and contract pilots
Charter backups or ferry pilots
Pilots in demo flights or evaluation hops
Maintenance and A&P checkouts

The policy follows you, regardless of where or what you fly, as long as it fits the policy terms.

🛡 What Does Non-Owned R66 Insurance Cover?

Most non-owned policies include:

You can customize these limits based on your risk profile and the type of aircraft you’re flying.

💵 Real-World Premiums for Non-Owned R66 Coverage

Here are actual pricing examples from our clients:

Basic Liability:

$250,000 / $25,000 pax: $289/year
$500,000 / $100,000: $589/year
$1,000,000 / $100,000: $741/year

Aircraft Damage Liability:

$25,000 limit: $602/year
$50,000 limit: $1,467/year
$100,000 limit: $2,655/year

Deductible Reimbursement:

$5,000: $124/year

Medical Payments:

$10,000: $376/year

Most turbine-rated CFIs or contract pilots pay between $1,200–$2,500/year for a solid non-owned policy.

👤 Who Needs Non-Owned R66 Insurance?

We recommend this coverage for:

CFIs instructing in a client’s or school’s R66
Part 135 contract pilots
Pilots flying R66 demos for a dealership
A&P mechanics performing test flights
Corporate pilots flying shared R66s not titled to them
Backup crew for charter and tour operators

If you’re PIC. Or have access to flight controls, you need your own protection.

What the Aircraft Owner’s Policy Doesn’t Cover

If you’re not a named pilot (or don’t meet the OPW), you’re not covered
You’re not protected against personal liability
Legal defense for you isn’t guaranteed
Damage to the aircraft may be subrogated back to you

This is especially true for newer, high-value R66s ($1M+) with complex ownership and lease structures.

How to Quote a Non-Owned R66 Policy

We’ll ask for:

Total time
R66 time (dual and solo)
Certificate level (Commercial or ATP preferred)
Typical mission profile (instruction, charter, etc.)
Desired liability and damage limits

Most quotes are returned within 24–48 hours, and we can bind coverage and issue proof of insurance the same day.

Policy Tips for Instructors and Contract Pilots

Carry at least $1M in liability if you fly frequently
Choose an aircraft damage limit that reflects real-world exposure ($50K–$100K)
Add deductible reimbursement, it’s a small cost for big protection
Review and update your usage annually
Keep documentation of all sim or recurrent training (it may help your quote)

Can You Use the Same Policy for Multiple Aircraft?

Yes.

Your policy applies to any helicopter you rent or are authorized to fly under your policy’s terms. As long as it fits within the policy limits and aircraft class (e.g., single-engine turbine rotorcraft), you’re covered.

Final Thoughts

If you fly an R66 you don’t own, whether twice a year or every week. Non-owned insurance is a must.

At BWI, we’ll help you: