Every experimental aircraft owner wants the same thing from their insurance policy.
Strong coverage.
Competitive pricing.
And confidence that if something ever goes wrong, the insurance company will be there when it’s needed most.
The challenge is that many aircraft owners focus on factors they cannot control while overlooking the factors insurance companies care about most.
The truth is that aviation insurance premiums are not random.
Insurance companies evaluate dozens of risk indicators before determining pricing.
Some factors, such as aircraft value and claims history, carry significant weight.
Others are surprisingly easy to improve.
At BWI Aviation Insurance, we’ve helped thousands of experimental aircraft owners secure coverage for their aircraft and reviewed countless experimental aircraft insurance policies over the years.
After reviewing thousands of insurance applications, certain patterns consistently emerge.
The pilots who receive the most favorable insurance outcomes are usually doing many of the same things.
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If you’re looking to improve your insurance profile before your next renewal, these are some of the most effective strategies available:
- Build More Time In Type
If you only implement one item on this list, make it this one.
Few factors improve an experimental aircraft insurance profile more consistently than additional time in make and model.
Insurance companies know aircraft-specific experience matters.
A pilot with:
- 1,500 hours total time
- 500 hours in an RV-10
is generally viewed differently than a pilot with:
- 5,000 hours total time
- 10 hours in an RV-10
Time in type demonstrates familiarity with:
- Aircraft systems
- Emergency procedures
- Performance characteristics
- Operational limitations
The more experience you accumulate in your aircraft, the stronger your insurance profile becomes.
- Complete Formal Transition Training
One of the easiest ways to improve your insurance profile is through transition training.
Insurance companies consistently reward pilots who complete:
- RV transition programs
- Factory-supported training
- Aircraft-specific instruction
- Mentor pilot programs
- Recurrent proficiency training
Training reduces uncertainty.
And underwriters dislike uncertainty.
Pilots who train regularly often receive stronger underwriting consideration.
- Earn And Maintain An Instrument Rating
Many experimental aircraft are used for:
- Cross-country travel
- Family transportation
- Business flying
- IFR operations
Insurance companies know this.
An instrument-rated pilot demonstrates:
- Better weather decision making
- Greater proficiency
- More aviation knowledge
- Commitment to continuing education
An instrument rating may improve both your safety and your long-term insurability.
- Fly More Frequently
Many pilots focus on total lifetime hours.
Insurance companies often care just as much about recent activity.
A pilot who flew:
- 100 hours last year
is generally viewed differently than a pilot who flew:
- 10 hours last year
Why?
Because flying proficiency is perishable.
Pilots who fly consistently tend to maintain stronger skills, decision making, and situational awareness.
Insurance companies know this.
Regular flying often improves underwriting confidence.
- Maintain A Clean Claims History
Nothing impacts insurance pricing more consistently than claims history.
Insurance companies carefully review:
- Prior claims
- Claim frequency
- Claim severity
- Recent losses
Pilots with clean records often benefit from:
- Better pricing
- More carrier options
- Greater underwriting flexibility
Not every claim can be avoided.
However, focusing on risk management and sound decision making remains one of the best long-term insurance strategies available.
- Keep Detailed Aircraft Documentation
Unlike certified aircraft, experimental aircraft are often evaluated individually.
Insurance companies frequently review:
- Builder logs
- Construction records
- Maintenance history
- Condition inspections
- Modification documentation
Aircraft with complete records often receive stronger underwriting consideration than aircraft with limited documentation.
- Review Your Hull Value Every Year
One of the most overlooked aspects of aircraft insurance is hull value.
Many owners unknowingly insure their aircraft for:
- Too much
- Too little
Neither is ideal.
Experimental aircraft values have changed significantly over the past several years.
An RV-10 insured for $175,000 several years ago may now be worth substantially more.
Likewise, some owners continue carrying values that no longer reflect actual market conditions.
Reviewing hull value annually helps ensure your premium remains appropriate while protecting your investment.
- Upgrade Safety Equipment
Modern avionics often improve both safety and insurability.
Popular upgrades include:
- Garmin GTN navigators
- Garmin G3X systems
- Garmin autopilots
- ADS-B equipment
- Angle-of-attack systems
- Engine monitoring systems
While upgrades may increase aircraft value, they can also improve situational awareness and reduce risk.
Insurance companies generally view safety-focused improvements favorably.
- Maintain Accurate Logbooks
This sounds obvious.
But incomplete records create problems every year.
Insurance companies often review:
- Total time
- Instrument time
- Time in make and model
- Recent flight activity
- Training history
Pilots who maintain accurate records make the underwriting process significantly easier.
Accurate documentation also ensures you receive proper credit for your qualifications.
- Work With An Experimental Aircraft Insurance Specialist
Not all insurance agents understand experimental aircraft.
And not all aviation insurance agents understand the experimental market equally well.
Different insurance companies have different appetites for:
- RV aircraft
- Lancairs
- Glasairs
- Kitfoxes
- Bearhawks
- Carbon Cub EX aircraft
- High-performance experimentals
An aviation insurance specialist understands these differences and can often identify opportunities that general insurance agencies miss.
That market knowledge can make a meaningful difference over time.
Get Your Experimental Aircraft Insurance Quote With BWI>>
Common Mistakes That Increase Premiums
Many owners unintentionally create underwriting concerns.
Common mistakes include:
- Flying very little each year
- Skipping transition training
- Allowing proficiency to lapse
- Underestimating aircraft value
- Failing to document modifications
- Failing to document maintenance
- Waiting until renewal to address issues
Most of these problems are avoidable.
And fixing them often improves long-term insurability.
Why Today’s Market Is Favorable For Experimental Aircraft Owners
The good news is that experimental aircraft owners are currently benefiting from a competitive insurance environment.
Insurance companies continue to pursue qualified owner-flown aircraft aggressively.
That competition creates opportunities for many owners to secure favorable coverage and pricing.
However, the strongest results continue to go to pilots who present the strongest risk profiles.
What The Best Experimental Aircraft Risks Have In Common
After reviewing thousands of experimental aircraft policies, the strongest insurance risks typically have:
- Significant time in type
- Instrument ratings
- Transition training
- Clean claims histories
- Consistent recent flight activity
- Annual recurrent training
- Excellent documentation
These characteristics create confidence among insurance companies.
And confidence often leads to better outcomes.
Why Thousands Of Aircraft Owners Trust BWI
BWI Aviation Insurance has helped thousands of aircraft owners insure their aircraft.
Whether you fly an RV-10, RV-14, Kitfox, Bearhawk, Carbon Cub EX, Lancair, Glasair, or another experimental aircraft, our team understands the underwriting factors that influence pricing and carrier appetite.
We work with leading aviation insurance companies and help aircraft owners compare options based on their aircraft, experience level, and operational profile.
Final Thoughts
Most aircraft owners spend a great deal of time trying to find cheaper insurance.
The better approach is to become a better insurance risk.
Insurance companies consistently reward:
- Experience
- Training
- Proficiency
- Professionalism
- Clean claims histories
The good news is that most of those factors are within your control.
By focusing on the areas underwriters care about most, you can improve your insurability, strengthen your coverage options, and potentially reduce your insurance costs for years to come.
And that’s a strategy that benefits both your wallet and your flying.
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