Bellanca Viking Insurance Cost

Overview:

Both before and after World War II, Giuseppe Bellanca’s Model 14 Cruisair had helped to redefine the high-end touring airplane, offering features like retractable landing gear and various large engines to boost cruise speed of the aircraft well above its competitors. The unique triple-tail arrangement bore much resemblance to the Lockheed Constellation airliner and gave the Cruisair an unmistakable ramp presence.

Following Bellanca’s financial difficulties in the early 1950s, the rights to the Model 14 were sold to Minnesota-based Downer Aircraft. Downer continued growing the Cruisair series, notably abandoning the triple tail for a large single unit, converting the tailwheel landing gear to a tricycle configuration, and increasing power multiple times. Advancements ultimately culminated in the 1967 release of the Model 17, powered by a 300 horsepower Continental engine. Assets would eventually pass to the new Bellanca Aircraft Corporation and owing to the number of Scandanavians working at the factory and living in the area, Bellanca named the new model the Viking. Like the Cruisair, the Viking was an extremely laborious aircraft to produce. The wing was hand built around spruce spars and ribs, all covered in sheet plywood. The fuselage was built up from welded tubes surrounded by aircraft fabric. Compared to their riveted metal competitors, this drove the price of the Viking up and increased maintenance requirements, but owners raved about the handling qualities and sales were strong.

In a testament to the original design, over the course of production few major changes were made. 1968 brought the introduction of electric wing flaps in place of the original hydraulic versions, simplifying that system. In 1969 a 290 horsepower Lycoming engine was made available (allowing buyers their choice of major engine brand) and maximum takeoff weight was bumped to 3325 lbs, at which point the line was rebranded as the Super Viking. Finally in 1974 the notoriously complicated fuel system; five tanks, two selectors, and numerous gauges all combining to offer eight ways to feed a single-engine; was simplified to a straightforward three position selector after a rash of accidents caused by fuel mismanagement.

Sales remained steady, peaking in 1973 when over 200 were produced. Numbers dwindled in the late 1970s and by 1980 production had ceased alongside the general downturn of the industry, though beginning in 1984 Super Vikings were available on a custom order basis with a few produced per year through 1999. In 2002 a group of Viking owners purchased the assets of Bellanca from the State of Minnesota and continue to support the type as Alexandria Aircraft. Approximately 1350 Vikings and Super Vikings were produced and they remain in demand for the excellent flying qualities and plush comfort the originals offered over 50 years ago.

Bellanca Viking Insurance Cost:

Aviation insurance in general, is a very specialized industry and premiums vary depending on make and model of the aircraft, hull value, use of the aircraft, pilot history and qualifications and aircraft insurance rates even take into account the loss history of each specific make and model and the loss history of the aviation industry as a whole.

Bellanca Viking insurance, like all aviation insurance, is broken down into 2 specific coverages. The first is Liability Coverage, which is standard on every aircraft insurance policy and the second is optional hull coverage, which covers damage to the aircraft itself.

Bellanca Viking aviation liability insurance covers damage caused by the aircraft, outside of the aircraft, specifically property damage, bodily injury, and provides for legal defense in the event that the aircraft owner or policyholder is sued.

Aircraft liability insurance is typically offered for Bellanca Viking’s at $1,000,000 per occurrence (per incident) and includes coverage for passengers, but typically limits that amount to between $100,000 and $1,000,000 per passenger. Passenger liability coverage is included within the total liability coverage amount.

A real-world example of how this aviation liability coverage would protect you: If, as a result of operating your Bellanca Viking you damaged property or caused bodily injury outside of the aircraft, you would have the full amount of total liability coverage to pay for damages that occurred, less the liability amount paid for passengers inside the aircraft. If the aircraft crashed and you had passengers inside the aircraft that were injured, your insurance policy would pay up to the policy passenger limit for each passenger.

This liability coverage also applies as a bubble that follows the aircraft around. If the aircraft is hangered, liability coverage extends throughout your hangar and it is this coverage that airports will typically require you to have. It’s not a separate insurance policy, it is actually coverage built into your standards airplane insurance policy.

Other liability options: Higher liability coverage on the Bellanca Viking may be available to qualified pilots with experience in the make and model and a minimum Private License/IFR rating.

The second coverage on a Bellanca Viking insurance policy is hull coverage and is an optional coverage. Aircraft hull insurance covers damage to the aircraft itself and is an agreed value, not subject to depreciation. Agreed value is decided during the initial insurance quoting process, the aircraft owner requests an insurance quote for his or her Bellanca Viking and requests a quote including hull coverage in the amount of say $90,000. Once an aviation insurance company provides a quote, they are agreeing with you that your aircraft is worth $90,000.
*Insurance companies may place additional stipulations on quotes to prove the value of your aircraft prior to binding, if your agreed value is higher than bluebook.

Most aviation insurance companies do not offer deductibles higher than $0 deductibles, which means in the event of a total loss, if your aircraft was insured for $90,000, you would get a straight check for $90,000.

Bellanca Viking Insurance Cost Breakdown:

As of January 2021, there are 7 carriers quoting Bellanca Viking insurance in the U.S. We consider qualified pilots to have at least a Private License with 500 total hours, 100 retractable hours and 25 hours in the make/model.

For an annual policy with $1,000,000 in liability only coverage.
 Premium range for qualified pilots: $550-$650 per year.
 Premium range for less than qualified pilots (low-time/etc): $675-950 per year.

For an annual policy with $1,000,000 in liability coverage and $90,000 in hull coverage
 Premium range for qualified pilots: $2,200-$2,800 per year.
 Premium range for less than qualified pilots (low-time/etc): $3,100-$4,400 per year.

BWI is a family-owned, nationwide insurance brokerage specializing in aviation insurance since 1977. Our dedicated Aviation Insurance Professionals are highly trained, hand-picked and experienced in helping Bellanca Viking owners and operators obtain the very best insurance coverage.

BWI offers comprehensive Bellanca Viking insurance policies for personal, business, charter, industrial aid, and commercial aviation uses.

For more information or to get an actual Bellanca Viking insurance quote, please fill out a quote request online here or call us at 800.666.4359