If you’re buying an experimental aircraft, renewing your current policy, or trying to understand what affects experimental aircraft insurance rates, this guide will help you understand how aviation insurance companies evaluate risk and what you can do to secure the best possible coverage.
Few categories in aviation are as diverse as Experimental Amateur-Built aircraft.
Unlike certified aircraft, the experimental category includes thousands of unique aircraft built by individual owners and manufacturers.
Today, experimental aircraft represent one of the largest and fastest-growing segments of general aviation.
Popular aircraft include:
- Van’s RV-6
- Van’s RV-7
- Van’s RV-8
- Van’s RV-9
- Van’s RV-10
- Van’s RV-14
- Kitfox
- Glasair
- Lancair
- RANS
- Zenith
- Sonex
- Carbon Cub EX
- Murphy Aircraft
- Bearhawk
Because of this diversity, experimental aircraft occupy a unique position within the aviation insurance marketplace.
At BWI Aviation Insurance, we help aircraft owners compare coverage options every year and work with the leading aviation insurance companies actively competing for experimental aircraft business.
This guide combines what we’ve learned from insuring thousands of aircraft owners and helping pilots navigate today’s aviation insurance market.
Get Your Aircraft Insurance Quote With BWI Today>>
Why Experimental Aircraft Are Different From Certified Aircraft
Insurance companies do not evaluate experimental aircraft the same way they evaluate certified aircraft.
Why?
Because every experimental aircraft is unique.
Insurance companies often evaluate:
- Builder quality
- Aircraft design
- Aircraft performance
- Pilot qualifications
- Aircraft modifications
- Operational profile
Unlike certified aircraft, there may be substantial differences between two aircraft that appear similar on paper.
That creates additional underwriting considerations.
The Experimental Aircraft Categories Covered In This Guide
The experimental category includes many aircraft types.
Common categories include:
Experimental Cross-Country Aircraft
- RV-6
- RV-7
- RV-9
- RV-10
- RV-14
Experimental Backcountry Aircraft
- Carbon Cub EX
- Bearhawk
- Kitfox
- RANS
High-Performance Experimental Aircraft
- Lancair
- Glasair
- Legacy
- Evolution
Sport Aircraft
- Sonex
- Zenith
- Kitfox
Insurance companies often evaluate these categories very differently.
What Does Experimental Aircraft Insurance Cover?
Most aircraft insurance policies contain two primary sections.
Liability Coverage
Liability coverage protects you if your aircraft causes bodily injury or property damage to another party.
This coverage may help pay for:
- Bodily injury claims
- Property damage claims
- Passenger liability claims
- Legal defense costs
- Settlement expenses
Liability protection is often the most important component of an aviation insurance policy.
Hull Coverage
Hull coverage protects the aircraft itself.
This can include:
- Ground accidents
- Taxi incidents
- Weather damage
- Hangar damage
- Hard landings
- Covered in-flight losses
The amount of hull coverage is generally based on the insured value of the aircraft.
What Determines Experimental Aircraft Insurance Cost?
Insurance companies evaluate dozens of variables.
However, several factors consistently carry the most weight.
Pilot Experience
Underwriters review:
- Total flight time
- Time in make and model
- Similar aircraft experience
- Recent flight activity
- Training history
Claims History
Insurance companies evaluate:
- Prior claims
- Claim frequency
- Claim severity
- Recent losses
Pilots with clean claims histories often receive stronger underwriting consideration.
Aircraft Value
Experimental aircraft values vary dramatically.
Some aircraft may be insured for:
- $40,000
- $75,000
- $150,000
Others may exceed:
- $300,000
- $500,000
- $1 million+
Aircraft value plays a major role in premium calculations.
Aircraft Performance
Insurance companies frequently evaluate:
- Cruise speed
- Stall characteristics
- Horsepower
- Landing gear configuration
- Complexity
Higher-performance aircraft often receive additional scrutiny.
Why RV Aircraft Receive Favorable Attention
Van’s RV aircraft represent one of the largest experimental aircraft segments in America.
Insurance companies generally like RV aircraft because they offer:
- Large fleet size
- Strong safety record
- Extensive training resources
- Broad owner community
- Proven operating history
Many underwriters have extensive experience insuring RV aircraft.
That familiarity often creates underwriting confidence.
Why Lancairs And Glasairs Receive Additional Scrutiny
Aircraft such as:
- Lancair IV
- Lancair Legacy
- Glasair III
often receive additional underwriting attention.
Insurance companies may evaluate:
- Performance characteristics
- Pilot experience
- Transition training
- High-speed operations
The issue is not necessarily the aircraft.
The issue is whether the pilot has the experience necessary to operate it safely.
Builder Quality Matters
Unlike certified aircraft, experimental aircraft are built individually.
Insurance companies often evaluate:
- Builder reputation
- Construction quality
- Documentation
- Maintenance history
Aircraft with strong documentation and maintenance records often receive more favorable underwriting treatment.
How To Lower Your Experimental Aircraft Insurance Premium
There are several practical ways to improve your insurance profile.
- Build more time in type
- Complete transition training
- Participate in recurrent training
- Fly consistently
- Maintain accurate logbooks
- Review hull value annually
- Maintain a clean claims history
- Document aircraft maintenance carefully
Insurance companies consistently reward proficiency and professionalism.
Get Your Experimental Aircraft Insurance Quote With BWI>>
What Underwriters Really Look For
When evaluating an experimental aircraft owner, underwriters typically focus on:
- Total flight time
- Time in make and model
- Claims history
- Recent flight activity
- Training history
- Aircraft value
- Aircraft performance
- Operational profile
These factors collectively determine how attractive a risk appears to the insurance company.
Which Insurance Companies Insure Experimental Aircraft?
Several major aviation insurance carriers actively insure experimental aircraft.
These include:
- Global Aerospace
- AIG
- Old Republic
- Starr
- USSIC
- IAT
- AIM
- Beacon
Each carrier has different underwriting preferences and appetites.
This is one reason comparing multiple markets remains important.
Why The Current Insurance Market Is Favorable
The good news for qualified experimental aircraft owners is that today’s market remains competitive.
Insurance companies continue to pursue experienced owner-flown aircraft operators with strong training records and clean claims histories.
Pilots who demonstrate professionalism and operational discipline often attract substantial carrier interest.
Why Thousands Of Aircraft Owners Trust BWI
BWI Aviation Insurance has helped thousands of aircraft owners secure coverage for their aircraft.
Whether you fly an RV-10, RV-14, Kitfox, Lancair, Glasair, Carbon Cub EX, or Bearhawk, 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 specific aircraft, experience level, and mission profile.
Final Thoughts
Experimental aircraft remain one of the most exciting segments in aviation.
Their combination of innovation, performance, customization, and owner involvement continues to make them attractive to pilots across the country.
The good news is that today’s insurance market remains favorable for qualified experimental aircraft owners.
By understanding how insurance companies evaluate risk—and by focusing on the factors within your control—you can position yourself for stronger coverage options, increased carrier competition, and more favorable pricing for years to come.
Whether you’re flying a homebuilt RV or a high-performance Lancair, understanding the insurance process is one of the smartest investments you can make as an aircraft owner.
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