If you’re buying a Piper PA-18 Super Cub, renewing your current policy, or trying to understand what affects Super Cub insurance rates, this guide will help you understand how aviation insurance companies evaluate risk and what you can do to secure the best possible coverage.
Few aircraft have achieved legendary status like the Piper PA-18 Super Cub.
From Alaska bush flying to backcountry adventures in Idaho and Montana, the Super Cub has become one of the most respected utility aircraft ever built.
Its simplicity, short-field capability, rugged construction, and remarkable versatility have made it a favorite among backcountry pilots, ranchers, guides, hunters, flight instructors, and recreational aviators for generations.
Because of its unique mission profile and tailwheel configuration, the Super Cub occupies a very different position within the aviation insurance marketplace than a typical training aircraft or cross-country cruiser.
At BWI Aviation Insurance, we help aircraft owners compare coverage options every year and work with the leading aviation insurance companies actively competing for tailwheel and backcountry aircraft business.
This guide combines what we’ve learned from insuring thousands of aircraft owners and helping pilots navigate today’s aviation insurance market.
Why The Piper PA-18 Is Different From Most Aircraft
Insurance companies do not evaluate a Super Cub the same way they evaluate a Cessna 172 or Piper Archer.
The Super Cub is commonly associated with:
- Tailwheel operations
- Backcountry flying
- Off-airport landings
- Gravel bars
- Mountain flying
- Alaska operations
- Grass strips
- Short-field operations
These activities create unique underwriting considerations.
That does not mean the aircraft is difficult to insure.
It simply means insurance companies spend more time evaluating pilot qualifications and operational exposure.
The Piper PA-18 Models Covered In This Guide
Common Super Cub variants include:
- PA-18-95
- PA-18-105
- PA-18-125
- PA-18-135
- PA-18-150
- PA-18A
- PA-18-180 conversions
Many aircraft have also received substantial modifications including:
- Larger engines
- Bushwheels
- Extended baggage
- STOL kits
- Float installations
- Ski installations
Because of this, no two Super Cubs are exactly alike.
Insurance companies often evaluate each aircraft individually.
What Does Super Cub Insurance Cover?
Most aircraft insurance policies contain two primary sections.
Liability Coverage
Liability coverage protects you if your aircraft causes bodily injury or property damage to another party.
This coverage may help pay for:
- Bodily injury claims
- Property damage claims
- Passenger liability claims
- Legal defense costs
- Settlement expenses
Liability protection is often the most important part of an aviation insurance policy.
Hull Coverage
Hull coverage protects the aircraft itself.
This can include:
- Ground accidents
- Taxi incidents
- Weather damage
- Hangar damage
- Hard landings
- Covered in-flight losses
The amount of hull coverage is generally based on the insured value of the aircraft.
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What Determines Super Cub Insurance Cost?
Insurance companies evaluate dozens of variables.
However, several factors consistently carry the most weight.
Tailwheel Experience
One of the first things underwriters review is tailwheel time.
Insurance companies evaluate:
- Total tailwheel time
- Recent tailwheel activity
- Super Cub time
- Training history
A pilot with:
- 1,000 hours tailwheel time
is generally viewed differently than a pilot with:
- 10 hours tailwheel time
even if total flight time is identical.
Claims History
Insurance companies carefully evaluate:
- Previous claims
- Claim severity
- Claim frequency
- Recent losses
Pilots with clean claims histories often receive stronger underwriting consideration.
Aircraft Value
Many Super Cubs have become significantly more valuable in recent years.
A basic PA-18 may be insured for:
- $80,000
- $120,000
A fully restored or modified aircraft may be insured for:
- $200,000
- $300,000
- $400,000+
Aircraft value plays a major role in premium calculations.
Training
Insurance companies consistently reward pilots who complete:
- Tailwheel training
- Flight reviews
- Recurrent training
- Backcountry training
- Mountain flying instruction
Training reduces uncertainty and improves underwriting confidence.
Why Tailwheel Experience Matters
Few underwriting factors matter more than tailwheel experience.
Insurance companies understand that tailwheel aircraft require:
- Different landing techniques
- Different ground handling skills
- Different crosswind management
- Different operational judgment
As a result, underwriters place substantial emphasis on:
- Tailwheel time
- Recent tailwheel activity
- Aircraft-specific experience
- Transition training
For many pilots, building additional tailwheel time remains one of the most effective ways to improve insurability.
Why Backcountry Operations Receive Additional Scrutiny
Many Super Cubs are used in environments rarely encountered by other aircraft.
Examples include:
- Gravel bars
- Riverbeds
- Mountain strips
- Private ranch strips
- Backcountry airstrips
- Remote Alaska operations
Insurance companies understand these operations involve additional exposure.
As a result, underwriters often ask detailed questions regarding:
- Landing surfaces
- Geographic area
- Pilot experience
- Operational frequency
The issue is not necessarily the aircraft.
The issue is understanding the operational environment.
Alaska Operations And Insurance
Many Super Cubs operate in Alaska.
Insurance companies often evaluate:
- Alaska experience
- Off-airport experience
- Float experience
- Remote operations
- Seasonal usage
Qualified Alaska operators can still obtain excellent coverage.
However, underwriting requirements may differ from aircraft based in the lower 48 states.
Float And Ski Operations
Many PA-18 aircraft operate on:
- Floats
- Amphibious floats
- Skis
Insurance companies frequently evaluate these operations separately.
Additional experience and training may be required.
Many carriers place significant value on documented float and ski time.
How To Lower Your Super Cub Insurance Premium
There are several practical ways to improve your insurance profile.
- Build additional tailwheel time
- Build more Super Cub time
- Complete transition training
- Participate in recurrent training
- Fly consistently
- Maintain accurate logbooks
- Review hull value annually
- Maintain a clean claims history
Insurance companies consistently reward proficiency and professionalism.
What Underwriters Really Look For
When evaluating a Super Cub owner, underwriters typically focus on:
- Total flight time
- Tailwheel time
- Time in make and model
- Claims history
- Recent flight activity
- Training history
- Aircraft value
- Operational environment
These factors collectively determine how attractive a risk appears to the insurance company.
Which Insurance Companies Insure Super Cubs?
Several major aviation insurance carriers actively insure Super Cubs.
These include:
- Global Aerospace
- AIG
- Old Republic
- Starr
- USSIC
- IAT
- AIM
- Beacon
Each carrier has different underwriting preferences and appetites.
This is one reason comparing multiple markets remains important.
Why The Current Insurance Market Is Favorable
The good news for qualified Super Cub owners is that today’s market remains competitive.
Insurance companies continue to pursue experienced tailwheel pilots with strong training records and clean claims histories.
Pilots who demonstrate professionalism and operational discipline often attract substantial carrier interest.
Why Thousands Of Aircraft Owners Trust BWI
BWI Aviation Insurance has helped thousands of aircraft owners secure coverage for their aircraft.
Whether you fly a stock PA-18 or a heavily modified backcountry aircraft, our team understands the underwriting factors that influence pricing and carrier appetite.
We work with leading aviation insurance companies and help aircraft owners compare options based on their specific aircraft, experience level, and mission profile.
Final Thoughts
The Piper PA-18 Super Cub remains one of the most iconic aircraft ever built.
Its combination of simplicity, utility, short-field performance, and backcountry capability continues to make it one of the most desirable aircraft in general aviation.
The good news is that today’s insurance market remains favorable for qualified Super Cub owners.
By understanding how insurance companies evaluate risk—and by focusing on the factors within your control—you can position yourself for stronger coverage options, increased carrier competition, and more favorable pricing for years to come.
Whether you’re flying Alaska gravel bars or local grass strips, understanding the insurance process is one of the smartest investments you can make as an aircraft owner.
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