If you fly a helicopter you don’t own, whether for instruction, rental, time-building, or contract work, there’s one thing you need to know:
The aircraft’s insurance policy probably doesn’t cover you.
Most pilots assume the flight school, flying club, or owner’s insurance will protect them in the event of an accident.
But in reality?
If you’re not listed on that policy, or if you don’t meet the Open Pilot Warranty, you could be personally liable for:
- Damage to the helicopter
- Injuries to passengers or bystanders
- Property damage on the ground
- Legal defense and lawsuits
At BWI, we work with CFIs, students, renters, and contract pilots every day. And we’ve seen firsthand what happens when a pilot flies uncovered.
In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about non-owned rotorwing insurance, including:
- What it covers
- Who it’s for
- What it costs
- And how to get protected fast
What Is Non-Owned Rotorwing Insurance?
Non-owned helicopter insurance is a policy that covers you, the pilot, not the aircraft.
It provides protection when you’re flying a helicopter that’s:
- Rented
- Borrowed
- Club-owned
- Owned by a school or third party
- Not titled to you or your business
These policies follow you, not the aircraft, so they work across multiple flying environments.
What Does It Cover?
Non-owned rotorwing insurance typically includes:
It’s important to note: This policy is not for aircraft you own or have a financial stake in.
Who Needs Non-Owned Rotorwing Insurance?
We recommend it for:
- CFIs giving dual in non-owned helicopters
- Student pilots in R22s, R44s, Schweizer, or Enstrom helicopters
- Flying club members or shared ownership groups
- A&P mechanics conducting test flights
- Charter pilots flying aircraft titled to someone else
If you’re PIC of a helicopter you don’t own, and something happens, you could be held liable.
What the Aircraft Owner’s Policy Doesn’t Cover
Many flight schools or owners carry liability and hull insurance for the aircraft.
But here’s what they often don’t tell you:
- You’re not automatically listed as a covered pilot
- Their insurer could subrogate against you for damage
- You’re likely not protected from legal claims filed against you
- Most school policies only protect the school, not the renter or instructor
We’ve seen instructors stuck with $20,000+ repair bills after a student mishap, simply because their name wasn’t on the policy.
What Does It Cost?
Here are real-world pricing examples from our underwriters:
Liability Coverage (Annual Premiums):
- $250,000 / $25,000: $289/year
- $500,000 / $100,000: $589/year
- $1,000,000 / $100,000: $741/year
Aircraft Damage Liability:
- $25,000: $602/year
- $50,000: $1,467/year
- $100,000: $2,655/year
- $200,000: $5,403/year
Deductible Reimbursement:
- $5,000: $124/year
Medical Payments:
- $10,000: $376/year
Most CFIs and student pilots build strong non-owned policies between $1,200–$2,500/year.
Can Student Pilots Get Covered?
Yes, and they should.
As long as you’re receiving dual instruction and not acting as PIC solo, you can qualify for liability and damage coverage under most non-owned rotorwing policies.
We’ll walk you through what documents and training logs you need to quote it properly.
What Underwriters Look For
When quoting your policy, we’ll ask for:
- Total time
- Helicopter-specific time
- Certificate level (student, private, commercial, ATP)
- Training details
- Type of aircraft most commonly flown
- Use type (instruction, rental, contract, etc.)
We return most quotes in 24 hours or less and can bind the policy the same day.
When to Add Non-Owned Coverage
- Starting helicopter training (R22, R44, etc.)
- Flying for hire under a Part 135 operation
- Giving dual in another owner’s aircraft
- Flying aircraft owned by a flying club or LLC
- Conducting a test flight after maintenance
- Acting as a backup pilot in a shared-use aircraft
Even if you’re only flying a few times a month, the risk is real, and the protection is worth it.
Common Misconceptions
“I’m flying with a student, so I’m not the PIC.”
If you have controls and are instructing, you are liable.
“The owner has me listed.”
Unless you’ve seen the declarations page, and it’s current, you can’t be sure.
“I don’t fly enough to need it.”
Even one flight per year can result in a claim if things go wrong.
Final Thoughts
Non-owned rotorwing insurance is one of the most important, and most overlooked, tools in your aviation toolkit.
At BWI, we’ll help you:
- Choose the right liability and damage limits
- Understand what’s covered
- Avoid costly gaps
- Get covered fast
Whether you’re a student, instructor, or contractor, if you’re flying helicopters you don’t own, you need this policy.
Call (800) 666-4359 or click below to request your custom non-owned rotorwing quote today.
[ GET NON-OWNED HELICOPTER COVERAGE ]
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