Overview:
The Cessna 305 Bird Dog, also known as the Cessna L-19/O-1 is a single-engine, Two-seat, fixed-conventional-gear aircraft built by Cessna. Production started in 1950, ended in 1959 and over 3,400 Cessna 305’s were built. Cessna 305’s are designed for off-airport operations and are particularly good at observation and aerial photography.
The Cessna 305 was originally developed for the United States Army as one of the first aircraft for the Army, after the Army and Air-Force separated in 1947. The Bird Dog was built as an aerial observation platform primarily for scouting missions, adjusting artillery fire and liaison duties. The Cessna 305 was used extensively during the Vietnam war and was replaced by the O-2 Skymaster. In the 1970’s, as the 305 was replaced, they were sold to private owners in the U. S.
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 industry as a whole.
Cessna 305 insurance, like all airplane 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 305 aviation liability insurance covers damage caused by the aircraft, outside of the aircraft, specifically property damage, bodily injury, and provides money for legal defense in the event that the aircraft owner is sued. Aircraft liability insurance is typically offered for Cessna 305 aircraft at $1,000,000 per occurrence (per incident) and includes coverage for passengers but limits that amount to $100,000 per passenger, which is included within the total liability of $1,000,000.
A real-world example of how this aviation liability coverage would protect you: If while flying your Cessna 305 and damaged property or caused bodily injury outside of the aircraft, you would have the full $1,000,000 in coverage to pay for damages that occurred. If the airplane crashed and you had passengers inside the aircraft that were injured, your insurance policy would pay up to $100,000 for each passenger. The Cessna 305 typically holds 1 passenger, so you up to $100,000 of your total $1,000,000 insurance policy could be used to pay for passenger liabilities, leaving you with $900,000 for other damage outside of the aircraft or legal defense.
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: Some companies may offer lower liability at $500,000 but the cost savings typically doesn’t make this a viable choice. Higher liability coverage on the Cessna 305 is typically not available due to the type and build of the aircraft.
The second coverage on a Cessna 305 aircraft 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 305 and requests a quote including hull coverage in the amount of $90,000. Once an aviation insurance company provides a quote, they are agreeing with you that your aircraft is worth $90,000.
*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 $90,000, you would get a straight check for $90,000.
Cessna 305 Insurance Cost Breakdown:
As of February 2020, there are 6 carriers quoting Cessna 305 insurance in the U.S. We consider qualified pilots to have at least a private license, with 500 total hours, 100 tailwheel, and 25 hours in the make/model.
For an annual policy with $1,000,000 in liability only coverage.
Premium range for qualified pilots: $325-$375 per year.
Premium range for less than qualified pilots (low-time/etc): $425-$630 per year.
For an annual policy with $1,000,000 in liability coverage and $90,000 in hull coverage
Premium range for qualified pilots: $1,900-$2,200per year.
Premium range for less than qualified pilots (low-time/etc): $2,175-$2,410 per year.
For more information or to get an actual Cessna 305 aircraft insurance quote, please fill out a quote request online here or call us at 800.666.4359
-The BWI Team
