Eurocopter EC130 Insurance Cost

Eurocopter EC130 Helicopter Overview:

Introduced in the late 1970s, Aérospatiale AS350 had been an incredibly influential helicopter across the world. Extremely capable while also cost effective to operate, it had opened and expanded markets around the world for air tourism and helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS). By 2000, Aérospatiale was a part of Eurocopter and all eyes were set on a worthy successor to the type.

The goals were clear – maintain the low operational cost, ease of maintenance, and high capabilities of the AS350, but bring in the latest modern technology to make it an evolution customers wanted to invest in. Eurocopter reached out to air tour operators to get market input on what was desired from them. In what became known as the EC130, Eurocopter chose to maintain the same Arriel engine and three bladed rotor system as the AS350 had utilized but replaced the tail rotor with an enclosed Fenestron, first tested in the early 1990s on an AS350, which both reduced the overall noise signature of the helicopter as well as sheltered the nearly invisible tail rotor from people who may be walking near it on the ground.

A sophisticated dual hydraulic system replaced the single system on the AS350, and a greatly expanded cabin allowed for internal seating of up to 7 passengers plus a single pilot and large windows to allow excellent views for all occupants. The helicopter was able to be built with the pilot seated in the normal front right seat, or alternatively in the front left seat so the collective control is placed away from where passengers could accidentally contact it. In 2001, the first EC130 entered service with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. Airbus Helicopters marketed the EC130 directly to tour operators alongside the AS350 which was targeted at utility and emergency medical providers.

The most significant change came in 2012 when the EC130T2 model was released. Though looking externally very similar, more than 70% of the airframe was changed. The T2 included a more powerful digitally controlled engine with reduced fuel consumption, better air conditioning, and an active vibration reduction system.

Unsurprisingly, the same characteristics that made the EC130 so popular with tour operators caused widespread adoption by other users of the former AS350 line. Emergency medical operators, police organizations, and corporate operators all adopted the EC130. In a medical configuration, it can match the AS350’s speed and performance while allowing the medical crew more room to work on the patient. For police operators, the quieter Fenestron allows more operation without being a nuisance over busier areas. For corporate operators, the sizable interior cabin provides a comfortable and relatively quiet and smooth flight for the passengers.

By mid 2008, the EC130 had dethroned the legendary Bell 206 as the best selling single engine helicopter on the market and as of 2021 it remains in production.

Eurocopter EC130 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.

Eurocopter EC130 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.

Eurocopter EC130 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 Eurocopter EC130’s in amounts between $1,000,000 and $20,000,000 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 Eurocopter EC130 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 Eurocopter EC130 is available to qualified pilots with experience in the make and model and a minimum Commercial/RW/IFR license/Ratings and commercial helicopter uses.

The second coverage on an Eurocopter EC130 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 Eurocopter EC130 and requests a quote including hull coverage in the amount of say $1,500,000. Once an aviation insurance company provides a quote, they are agreeing with you that your aircraft is worth $1,500,000
*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 $1,500,000, you would get a straight check for $1,500,000.

Eurocopter EC130 Insurance Cost Breakdown:

As of January 2021, there are 7 carriers quoting Eurocopter EC130 insurance in the U.S. We consider qualified pilots to have at least a commercial license, with 2,000 total hours, 1,500 rotor-wing hours and 200 hours in the make/model.

For an annual policy with $1,000,000 in liability only coverage.
 Premium range for qualified pilots: $2,500-$3,750 per year.
 Premium range for less than qualified pilots (low-time/etc): $3,750-$5,700 per year.

For an annual policy with $1,000,000 in liability coverage and $1,500,000 in hull coverage
 Premium range for qualified pilots: $8,000-$18,000 per year.
 Premium range for less than qualified pilots (low-time/etc): $12,000-$25,000 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 Eurocopter EC130 owners and operators obtain the very best insurance coverage.

BWI offers comprehensive Eurocopter EC130 insurance policies for personal, business, charter, industrial aid, and commercial helicopter uses.

For more information or to get an actual Eurocopter EC130 insurance quote, please fill out a quote request online here or call us at 800.666.4359