One of the most common questions we hear from Super Cub owners is:
“My friend owns the same airplane I do. Why is his insurance premium lower than mine?”
It’s a fair question.
In many cases, two Super Cub owners may fly similar aircraft, operate from similar airports, and even live in the same state.
Yet their insurance premiums can differ by hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year.
The reason is simple.
Insurance companies are not insuring airplanes.
They’re insuring risk.
And every pilot represents a different level of risk.
At BWI Aviation Insurance, we’ve helped thousands of Super Cub owners secure coverage for their aircraft and reviewed countless PA-18 insurance renewals over the years.
One thing becomes very clear.
The airplane itself is only part of the equation.
Understanding what insurance companies actually evaluate can help explain why some owners pay more than others—and more importantly, what you can do to improve your own insurance profile.
The Airplane Is Only One Piece Of The Puzzle
Many aircraft owners assume insurance companies start by evaluating the airplane.
That’s partially true.
But it’s not where most underwriting decisions are made.
Insurance companies usually begin with the pilot.
They want to know:
- Who is flying the aircraft?
- How much tailwheel experience do they have?
- How much Super Cub experience do they have?
- How often do they fly?
- Have they had claims?
- What training have they completed?
- Where do they operate the aircraft?
Two identical Super Cubs can receive dramatically different insurance pricing simply because the pilots are different.
Tailwheel Experience Matters
For Super Cub operators, tailwheel experience is often one of the most important underwriting factors.
Consider these two pilots.
Pilot A:
- 2,000 hours total time
- 1,000 hours tailwheel
Pilot B:
- 2,000 hours total time
- 15 hours tailwheel
Most underwriters will view those risks very differently.
Insurance companies understand that tailwheel aircraft require:
- Different landing techniques
- Different ground handling
- Different crosswind procedures
- Different operational judgment
The more tailwheel experience a pilot has, the stronger the insurance profile generally becomes.
Time In A Super Cub Often Matters Even More
For many Super Cub owners, time in make and model can be even more important than total flight time.
Consider these two pilots.
Pilot A:
- 1,500 hours total time
- 600 hours in a Super Cub
Pilot B:
- 5,000 hours total time
- 10 hours in a Super Cub
Many underwriters will prefer Pilot A.
Why?
Because aircraft-specific experience matters.
Insurance companies know pilots become more proficient as they gain experience within a particular aircraft type.
A pilot who understands the systems, performance, limitations, and operational characteristics of a Super Cub generally represents less risk.
Get Your Super Cub Aircraft Insurance Quote With BWI Today>>
Backcountry Experience Can Influence Premiums
Many Super Cubs are operated in environments most aircraft never encounter.
Examples include:
- Gravel bars
- Mountain strips
- Riverbeds
- Ranch strips
- Grass strips
- Remote airstrips
Insurance companies understand these environments create additional exposure.
As a result, underwriters often evaluate:
- Backcountry experience
- Mountain flying experience
- Off-airport operations
- Remote-area flying
The issue is not necessarily the aircraft.
The issue is understanding the operational environment.
Alaska Operations Receive Additional Scrutiny
Many Super Cubs operate in Alaska.
Insurance companies often evaluate:
- Alaska experience
- Float experience
- Ski experience
- Remote operations
- Seasonal operations
Qualified Alaska operators can still secure excellent coverage.
However, underwriting requirements may differ from similar aircraft operating elsewhere.
Float Experience Can Make A Significant Difference
Float-equipped Super Cubs frequently receive different underwriting treatment than land-based aircraft.
Insurance companies often review:
- Float time
- Amphibious float time
- Recent float activity
- Float training history
Pilots with extensive float experience often receive stronger underwriting consideration.
Claims History Is One Of The Biggest Factors
Nothing influences insurance pricing more consistently than claims history.
Insurance companies pay close attention to:
- Previous claims
- Loss severity
- Claim frequency
- Recent losses
Pilots with clean records often receive:
- More carrier options
- Better pricing
- Greater underwriting flexibility
A single claim does not automatically create problems.
However, claims frequently trigger additional underwriting review.
Insurance companies view prior losses as one of the strongest indicators of future risk.
Recent Flight Activity Is Extremely Important
Many pilots focus on lifetime experience.
Insurance companies often focus on recent experience.
Why?
Because flying skills are perishable.
A pilot who flew:
- 100 hours last year
is often viewed differently than a pilot who flew:
- 10 hours last year
Even if the second pilot has more total time.
Insurance companies want to see active pilots.
Pilots who fly consistently tend to maintain stronger proficiency and situational awareness.
Aircraft Value Has Become A Major Driver
Many Super Cub owners have invested heavily in modifications and restorations.
Consider the difference between:
- A basic PA-18 insured for $80,000
- A restored PA-18 insured for $200,000
- A highly modified backcountry aircraft insured for $400,000+
The insurance company’s exposure changes significantly.
As exposure increases, premiums often increase as well.
This is one reason two owners flying similar aircraft may receive very different premiums.
Modifications Can Affect Insurance
Many Super Cubs include modifications such as:
- Bushwheels
- STOL kits
- Engine conversions
- Extended baggage
- Modified landing gear
- Advanced avionics
While these modifications often improve aircraft capability, they can also influence:
- Aircraft value
- Operational profile
- Insurance exposure
Insurance companies frequently evaluate modified aircraft differently than stock aircraft.
Training Makes A Huge Difference
One of the easiest ways to improve your insurance profile is through training.
Insurance companies consistently reward pilots who participate in:
- Tailwheel training
- Backcountry training
- Mountain flying courses
- Flight reviews
- Recurrent training
- Safety seminars
Training creates confidence.
Confidence creates competition.
Competition often creates better pricing.
Why Some Owners Pay Thousands Less
When people compare premiums, they often compare airplanes.
Insurance companies compare risk.
The owner paying less typically has some combination of:
- More tailwheel experience
- More Super Cub experience
- More backcountry experience
- Better training history
- More recent flight activity
- Cleaner claims record
- Lower-risk operating profile
The airplane may be identical.
The risk profile is not.
Why The Current Market Is Helping Qualified Super Cub Owners
The good news is that today’s aviation insurance market remains favorable.
Competition among aviation insurance companies has increased significantly compared to several years ago.
Insurance companies continue to show strong interest in qualified tailwheel operators.
For many pilots, that competition creates opportunities to improve coverage and reduce long-term insurance costs.
Why Thousands Of Aircraft Owners Trust BWI
BWI Aviation Insurance has helped thousands of aircraft owners insure their aircraft.
Whether you fly a stock PA-18, a float-equipped aircraft, a ski-equipped aircraft, or a heavily modified backcountry machine, our team understands the underwriting factors that influence pricing and carrier appetite.
We work with leading aviation insurance carriers and help aircraft owners compare options based on their specific aircraft, experience level, and mission profile.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wondered why another Super Cub owner pays less for insurance, the answer is rarely the airplane.
The answer is usually the overall risk profile.
Insurance companies evaluate dozens of factors including:
- Tailwheel experience
- Time in type
- Backcountry experience
- Training
- Claims history
- Aircraft value
- Recent flight activity
- Operational exposure
The good news is that many of those factors are within your control.
By understanding how underwriters evaluate risk, you can improve your insurance profile, increase carrier interest, and potentially secure better coverage and pricing for years to come.
bwifly.com / 800-666-4359
Continue Reading
