Cessna 303 Crusader Insurance Cost

Cessna 303 Crusader Overview:

The 1970s were somewhat the last hurrah for the heyday of general aviation. The constant introduction of new designs of the 1950s and 60s had been replaced with steady but busy production of flagship models for all the major manufacturers. Cessna was producing numerous single and twin-engine aircraft, with the Model 310 being the smallest twin they offered. Seeing competition from Beech, Grumman, and Piper with four-seat training and touring twins, Cessna began the development of a competing aircraft in the mid 1970s.

The all-new design borrowed almost nothing from earlier models. A NASA-designed wing platform was paired with a four-seat fuselage and two 160 horsepower Lycoming engines. However flight testing in 1978 of the new Model 303 Clipper was disappointing with a notable lack of performance and stability. Ultimately Cessna scrapped the four-seat model and restarted development in 1979 of a larger and more capable version, intending to replace the Model 310 entirely.

The cabin was expanded to seat a total of six, and the rear seats arranged in a club configuration for more space and comfort. Rather than climbing on the wing to board the aircraft as typical with most light twins, Cessna added an aft door with a small built-in air-stair more reminiscent of an airliner or corporate jet than a personal piston aircraft. 250 horsepower turbocharged Continental engines were mated to the original NASA wing design, where expanded fuel tanks allowed the carrying of nearly six hours of fuel. In addition to the roomy interior, a large cargo door on the aft fuselage allowed a large amount of baggage to be easily loaded while the extensive aerodynamic development and testing delivered cruise speeds of around 170 knots. The large amount of available cockpit panel space allowed for the introduction of some of the earliest electronic avionics in general aviation and an optional set of airframe de-icing equipment offered the viability of all-weather operation. To signify the significant changes from the earlier model 303 – and to avoid legal hassles with Pan American World Airways over the “Clipper” moniker – the refined design was dubbed the T303 Crusader.

Unfortunately, the T303 was potentially the right plane introduced at the wrong time. The significant changes required lengthy development and deliveries only began in 1981. The spiking price of oil led to a slump in general aviation across the world and particularly hit fuel thirsty twin-engine aircraft hard. Only 297 Crusaders were built before production ceased in the mid 1980s as Cessna wound down production of almost its entire line.

Cessna 303 Crusader Insurance Cost:

Aviation insurance in general, is a very specialized industry and premiums vary depending on make and model of the aircraft, hull value, use of the aircraft, pilot history and qualifications and aircraft insurance rates even take into account the loss history of each specific make and model and the loss history of the aviation industry as a whole.

Cessna 303 Crusader insurance, like all aviation insurance, is broken down into 2 specific coverages. The first is Liability Coverage, which is standard on every aircraft insurance policy and the second is optional hull coverage, which covers damage to the aircraft itself.

Cessna 303 Crusader aviation liability insurance covers damage caused by the aircraft, outside of the aircraft, specifically property damage, bodily injury, and provides for legal defense in the event that the aircraft owner or policyholder is sued.

Aircraft liability insurance is typically offered for Cessna 303 Crusader’s at $1,000,000 per occurrence (per incident) and includes coverage for passengers, but typically limits that amount to between $100,000 and $1,000,000 per passenger. Passenger liability coverage is included within the total liability coverage amount.

A real-world example of how this aviation liability coverage would protect you: If, as a result of operating your Cessna 303 Crusader you damaged property or caused bodily injury outside of the aircraft, you would have the full amount of total liability coverage to pay for damages that occurred, less the liability amount paid for passengers inside the aircraft. If the aircraft crashed and you had passengers inside the aircraft that were injured, your insurance policy would pay up to the policy passenger limit for each passenger.

This liability coverage also applies as a bubble that follows the aircraft around. If the aircraft is hangered, liability coverage extends throughout your hangar and it is this coverage that airports will typically require you to have. It’s not a separate insurance policy, it is actually coverage built into your standards airplane insurance policy.

Other liability options: Higher liability coverage on the Cessna 303 Crusader may be available to qualified pilots with experience in the make and model and a minimum Private License/IFR rating.

The second coverage on a Cessna 303 Crusader insurance policy is hull coverage and is an optional coverage. Aircraft hull insurance covers damage to the aircraft itself and is an agreed value, not subject to depreciation. Agreed value is decided during the initial insurance quoting process, the aircraft owner requests an insurance quote for his or her Cessna 303 Crusader and requests a quote including hull coverage in the amount of say $110,000. Once an aviation insurance company provides a quote, they are agreeing with you that your aircraft is worth $110,000.
*Insurance companies may place additional stipulations on quotes to prove the value of your aircraft prior to binding, if your agreed value is higher than bluebook.

Most aviation insurance companies do not offer deductibles higher than $0 deductibles, which means in the event of a total loss, if your aircraft was insured for $110,000, you would get a straight check for $110,000.

Cessna 303 Crusader Insurance Cost Breakdown:

As of January 2021, there are 5 carriers quoting Cessna 303 Crusader insurance in the U.S. We consider qualified pilots to have at least a Private License and IFR Rating, with 1,000 total hours, 500 Multi-engine and 100 hours in the make/model.

For an annual policy with $1,000,000 in liability only coverage.
 Premium range for qualified pilots: $650-$800 per year.
 Premium range for less than qualified pilots (low-time/etc): $875-$1,150 per year.

For an annual policy with $1,000,000 in liability coverage and $110,000 in hull coverage
 Premium range for qualified pilots: $3,800-$6,700 per year.
 Premium range for less than qualified pilots (low-time/etc): $5,400-$7,000 per year.

BWI is a family-owned, nationwide insurance brokerage specializing in aviation insurance since 1977. Our dedicated Aviation Insurance Professionals are highly trained, hand-picked and experienced in helping Cessna 303 Crusader owners and operators obtain the very best insurance coverage.

BWI offers comprehensive Cessna 303 Crusader insurance policies for personal, business, charter, industrial aid, and commercial aviation uses.

For more information or to get an actual Cessna 303 Crusader insurance quote, please fill out a quote request online here or call us at 800.666.4359