The Cirrus SR20 has earned a reputation as one of the most modern, capable, and safety-conscious entry-level aircraft on the market. It’s sleek, efficient, and comes standard with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), making it a popular choice for flight schools, students, and private owners.
But here’s what most pilots don’t realize.
Insuring the SR20 isn’t as simple as calling up your local insurance agent.
Whether you’re a student in training or a 500-hour private pilot, your experience, training plan, and even your simulator time all affect your insurance quote.
At BWI Aviation Insurance, we’ve helped insure hundreds of Cirrus SR20s. Here’s what we believe every SR20 pilot should know.
SR20 Insurance Basics: What Underwriters Look For
The SR20 may not be a jet, but it’s far from a basic trainer. It features glass cockpits, autopilot, and advanced avionics that make it a technically advanced aircraft (TAA) under FAA definitions.
That means underwriters treat it a little differently.
They want to know:
- Your total flight time
- Your time in make/model (and yes, SR22 time often counts!)
- Whether you’ve completed Embark, CSIP, or simulator training
- Your use case (flight training, personal, business)
- Where your aircraft is stored
- Whether you’re a student, renter, or owner
A good broker will structure this info into a clean submission that opens the door to more underwriters and better terms.
Yes, Student Pilots Can Get Insured in a Cirrus SR20
Let’s clear up the myth right now.
Student pilots absolutely can get insured in a Cirrus SR20.
At BWI, we’ve placed dozens of policies for new pilots training in Cirrus aircraft. The key is submitting a strong file with:
- An approved flight school or training program
- An instructor-led training plan
- Supporting simulator hours or a CSIP endorsement
- A broker who knows which underwriters accept student SR20 pilots
We’ve helped students get bound policies within 48 hours, even when other brokers said it wasn’t possible.
Key Coverages to Understand
A solid SR20 policy should include:
- Physical damage coverage (hull)
- Liability coverage – up to $1M smooth (if eligible)
- Passenger liability
- Open pilot warranty – if others will fly the aircraft
- Medical payments
- Endorsements for training and simulator time
- Optional non-owned aircraft coverage
The policy should reflect how you actually fly, not how a default quote assumes you fly.
What Most Brokers Miss
Here are 3 of the biggest mistakes we see in SR20 insurance submissions:
- Failing to count SR22 or SR20 time properly
- Not including training records (especially CSIP or Embark)
- Only quoting one underwriter
At BWI, we quote every A+ rated Cirrus underwriter, and we present your application in a way that increases your approval odds.
Real-World SR20 Pilot Profiles We’ve Helped
- A student pilot training under Part 141 in a university program
- A 300-hour private pilot transitioning from an Archer to an SR20
- A father and son flying club based in Texas
- A flight school adding three SR20s to their fleet
- A CFI using an SR20 for dual instruction
In every case, the policy was customized to their real-world use.
Get the Right Policy. From the Start
If you’re flying or planning to fly a Cirrus SR20, don’t settle for a generic policy.
Work with a broker who knows Cirrus, who knows how to present student pilots, and who understands transition training and how to count every hour you’ve earned.
Call (800) 666-4359 or click below to get your SR20 insurance quote in 24 hours or less.
GET A CIRRUS SR20 QUOTE
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