Aviation insurance, also known as aircraft insurance and airplane insurance, covers a wide range of moving parts to ensure the integrity of your aircraft, passengers, and cargo. In order to insure all of the unique risks associated with aircraft ownership, the right California aviation insurance, customized to suit your profile as a pilot, and the details revolving around your aircraft, is paramount. BWI has the specialized knowledge to ensure you invest in the best aircraft insurance policy offered in the state of California.
With more than 500 airports, California rests within the top three states with the highest number of aircraft registrations, making it very challenging to find the right aircraft insurance policy. Call our California aviation insurance experts today to learn how we can both save you money on your airplane insurance policy, and guarantee your total protection and coverage in the event of an unforeseen occurrence in the air, or on the ground.
BWI is Proud to Offer the Best California Aviation Insurance as Part of Historical Tradition
BWI recognizes that California has one of the richest aviation histories in the country, and this is why we chose to base our headquarters here in the Golden State. While California may be primarily known for its contribution to the arts and entertainment, however it has also played a huge role in the development of modern aviation commercially, privately, militarily, and within the folds of aerospace. From that moment in 1919 when famous barnstormer Earl S. Daugherty established the world’s first flight school right here in California, to the moment in 2015 when Virgin Galactic chose Long Beach Airport for the LaunchOne research center, California has been at the forefront of aviation, and with this dominance has always come the need for the best aviation insurance in the state–a goal BWI set out to achieve, and that we are proud to say we offer to aircraft owners across the board.
Aircraft Renters Insurance in California
If you rent aircraft as opposed to purchasing, then you will want to invest in the best aircraft renters insurance in California that offers the coverage you need, without any unnecessary charges. Your California aircraft renters insurance policy should cover the following financial protection points:
- Property damage to non-owned aircraft
- Third-party bodily injury
- Third-party property damage
- Legal defense costs
- Deductibles and other costs
Excess coverage for personal use is also something to discuss with our team, as this may be highly advantageous based on your unique profile and needs. Where you typically rent a plane, and the areas in which you fly may also predicate the outline of your airplane insurance policy in California. Here are some factors to consider:
- Flight schools – Flight schools are in business to rent aircraft to new and existing pilots, and this generally involves having an inventory of aircraft suited for a wide range of pilot profiles. Many pilots will upgrade their aviation insurance policy when they are in the process of upgrading their license and skills–a time in which they generally rent planes from flight schools while pursuing the necessary extra training.
- Fixed base operators – Also known as an FBO, many pilots who are already certified but just need an airplane for a short trip will rent from an FBO. FBOs can offer conveniences that sometimes hold significance in writing a policy, such as tie-down services, fueling services, and other deliverables that are performed at the hands of more experienced, trained parties.
- Flying clubs – This is usually the best option for a pilot that needs access to a plane on a regular basis, but doesn’t want to take on the financial burden of the maintenance. With a flying club, a group of pilots join forces to purchase an aircraft in order to mitigate the costs. Due to the fact that a group of pilots rent the plane on a monthly basis, the cost is significantly lower than it would be to go through an FBO or private owner. Be sure to ask about a group aviation insurance policy for such a scenario, or if it is better for you to just get your own policy, based on your experience level and profile compared to the group, who may be greener than you.
- Private owners – If you intend to rent a plane from a private owner, then you will want to see if they offer any supplemental insurance to accommodate the best aviation insurance policy for California pilots. There are also other factors to consider; when you speak with one of our experts, have a sample contract available so that we can assess your best airplane insurance policy coverage.
What Type of Coverage does a California Aircraft Renter’s Insurance Policy Cover?
The best aircraft renter’s insurance policy in California will almost always cover the following:
- Third-party damage
- Third-party bodily injury
- Legal defense costs
- Physical damage to the aircraft
- Flight school costs or FBO deductibles for physical damage
If you are piloting an aircraft owned by another party, investing in the best California aircraft renter’s insurance policy will offer peace of mind while arming you with the protection that you need in the event you experience an accident.
When you call BWI for a California aircraft renter’s insurance policy quote, our specialists will go over liability coverage, which is standard, but we go above and beyond to make sure every last detail of the policy is tailored to your needs. In order to protect yourself against legal liability for any damages that may surface from property damage or bodily injury that were caused while flying or moving the aircraft on the ground, the right airplane liability insurance is required.
What Does A Typical BWI California Airplane Liability Insurance Policy Look Like?
When you partner with BWI for your airplane liability insurance, a policy will generally start at $250,000 for each occurrence with a $25,000 for each passenger. For physical damage to the aircraft, hull coverage is offered for airplanes that you don’t own. This can be added to a California airplane liability insurance policy for an amount that typically ranges from $5,000 to $200,000. Our aviation insurance experts will help you determine the right amount by going over the following factors:
- The value of the aircraft you are piloting
- Whether or not the party you are renting from already offers hull coverage, and if so, what the deductibles are
- Based on whether or not hull coverage is already offered, and the value of the aircraft, you may be advised to get coverage for the hull coverage deductibles in your California airplane liability insurance, or cover the value of the aircraft if the owning party lacks appropriate coverage.
Keep in mind that securing hull coverage on a plane you don’t own will involve getting a secondary type of coverage. This means that the owner of the aircraft will use his insurance policy in the event of a loss. Furthermore, hull coverage is only paid if you are found to be liable for damage to an aircraft that you rent. This means in order for the coverage to be activated, you must be facing a lawsuit.
What Type of Aircraft Does A California Aviation Insurance Policy Cover?
At BWI, our California aviation insurance policies cover a wide and expansive range of aircraft types that include the following:
- Single engine aircraft
- Gliders
- Standard aircraft
- Experimental aircraft
- Light sport aircraft powered by a reciprocating piston engine
- Sailplanes
- Single engine seaplanes
- Multi-engine land aircraft
- Fixed wing aircraft
- Single engine seat aircraft
- Helicopters
In some instances, exclusions may apply, so be sure to give us a call so we can gather the necessary information, learn all about your profile as a pilot, and ensure you get the best value on the right California aviation insurance policy.
Call BWI Today For the Best California Aviation Insurance Policy
Not all California aviation insurance policies are the same; we understand that the best airplane insurance policy must be customized to your operational size, and that your pilot experience must factor into getting you the best value, whether you are a seasoned aviator, or a beginner. Whether you typically transport people or cargo, you need the right aircraft insurance policy designed to offer you the right level of protection for any scenario.
BWI is proud to be a part of a long standing aviation tradition in the state of California, and we look forward to ensuring your safety in the air, on the runway, and in the hangar.
