Cessna 336/337 Skymaster Insurance Cost

Cessna 336/337 Skymaster Overview:

In the late 1950s, twin-engine aircraft were the top tier of general aviation. The extra power and safety plus increased payloads, more speed, and longer range were popular with customers. But the typical installation of engines on the wings also led to much higher workload for pilots in the event an engine were to fail, and the ragged training environment at the time – where instructors would frequently, and unexpectedly, shut down engines – was leading to a spike in the number of accidents.

Cessna tasked its Pawnee design division with the creation of a new six-seat twin aircraft. Rather than install the engines on the wings, the new model would have a front-engine like any normal Cessna single-engine aircraft, and the aft fuselage and tail structure would be replaced by twin booms and tails allowing the installation of a rear-facing “pusher” engine on the fuselage.

The new model, the 336 Skymaster, first flew in 1961. Though it had excellent single-engine handling, being unencumbered by the aerodynamic effects of a typical twin-engine aircraft, performance in the fixed gear model was uninspiring at best. Production began in 1963 but sales were slow and by early 1965 the model 337 Super Skymaster brought retractable landing gear, more powerful engines, and better cooling for the hot-running rear engine. Sales were much improved with the introduction of the 337, and follow-on models would add turbocharging and even pressurization in the form of the T337 and P337, respectively.

Though the 337 would meet its design goals as an easy flying multi engine aircraft, it would develop a bit of a reputation as a maintenance-intensive airplane. With little space in the fuselage for all of the systems required for the aircraft and both engines, even routine minor tasks became labor-intensive. Additionally, the six-cylinder Continental engines had relatively low service lives before overhaul and the rear engine, in particular, developed a reputation for overheating and even shutting down on the ground, and it was not immediately obvious to some pilots they were attempting to takeoff with the rear engine inoperative. This ultimately led to the issuance by the FAA of an airworthiness directive in 1977. A total of around 2500 civilian Skymasters were produced before production ended in 1982.

The 337’s excellent endurance and visibility would lead to its adoption by the US Air Force as the O-2, nicknamed by troops as the “Oscar Deuce”. Structural enhancements allowed increases in weight, additional windows and radio equipment were added, and underwing hardpoints allowed the carrying of rockets and bombs. Over 500 were produced for reconnaissance, forward air control, and light air support.

Cessna 336/337 Skymaster 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 336/337 Skymaster 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 336/337 Skymaster 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 336/337 Skymaster’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 336/337 Skymaster 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 336/337 Skymaster 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 336/337 Skymaster 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 336/337 Skymaster and requests a quote including hull coverage in the amount of say $45,000. Once an aviation insurance company provides a quote, they are agreeing with you that your aircraft is worth $45,000.
*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 $45,000, you would get a straight check for $45,000.

Cessna 336/337 Skymaster Insurance Cost Breakdown:

As of January 2021, there are 5 carriers quoting Cessna 336/337 Skymaster 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 $45,000 in hull coverage
 Premium range for qualified pilots: $3,800-$6,700 per year.
 Premium range for less than qualified pilots (low-time/etc): $6,400-$7,200 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 336/337 Skymaster owners and operators obtain the very best insurance coverage.

BWI offers comprehensive Cessna 336/337 Skymaster insurance policies for personal, business, charter, industrial aid, and commercial aviation uses.

For more information or to get an actual Cessna 336/337 Skymaster insurance quote, please fill out a quote request online here or call us at 800.666.4359