Piper PA-25 Pawnee Insurance Cost

Piper PA-25 Pawnee Overview:

In the post-World War II years, general aviation was rapidly expanding. Manufacturers were constantly producing new designs for individuals and families, off-airport flying, and commuter airlines. Meanwhile, agricultural work, commonly known as crop dusting, was using a variety of surplus former Air Corps aircraft around the world.

By the early 1950s, the need for a purpose-built agricultural airplane had caught the eyes of Piper Aircraft. Piper approached Texas A&M (Agricultural & Mechanical) University which had drawn up the AG-1 design with the support of the National Flying Farmers Association and the CAA (the predecessor to today’s FAA). Piper provided production engineering experience and gave A&M the funds to redevelop the AG-1, maintaining the purpose-driven design while incorporating as many parts from Piper’s standard production lines as possible. The new design would be known as the AG-3 and was ready by late 1954.

Flight testing led to minor changes before serial production of the aircraft was begun in 1959 as the PA-25 Pawnee. Similar to Piper’s other aircraft of the same timeframe, the Pawnee was built around a steel tube fuselage covered by aircraft fabric and sitting on taildragger landing gear. It used a low wing that had the relatively unique design feature of using wing struts out of the top of the wing reaching to the fuselage. A 150 horsepower Lycoming engine was fitted and a single hopper in front of the pilot allowed for a maximum capacity of 145 gallons (550 liters) of liquid or 800 lbs (362 kg) of powder worth of fertilizer or pesticide.

In 1962 a 235 horsepower Lycoming would allow better performance and carrying ability, and 1964 would bring the Pawnee B which included a larger hopper and better dispersal equipment. An optional power bump to 260 horsepower and standard improvements to maintenance and serviceability would arrive in 1967 with the Pawnee C. In 1974 the Pawnee D would arrive as the penultimate version of the PA-25, adding metal covered control surfaces to reduce degradation from chemical spray. Production would continue until 1981 by which time over five thousand PA-25s had been produced.

Thousands of Pawnees continue in service today. Many soldier on as agricultural aircraft throughout the world but the capability and toughness of the type led to it being adopted in other industries and many continue to earn their keep today as glider and banner towing aircraft. The simple design, inexpensive operation, and respectable capability for an aircraft its size ensure it will be flying around the world in a variety of uses for decades to come.

Piper PA-25 Pawnee 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.

Piper PA-25 Pawnee 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.

Piper PA-25 Pawnee 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 Piper PA-25 Pawnee’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 Piper PA-25 Pawnee 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 Piper PA-25 Pawnee 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 Piper PA-25 Pawnee 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 Piper PA-25 Pawnee and requests a quote including hull coverage in the amount of say $80,000. Once an aviation insurance company provides a quote, they are agreeing with you that your aircraft is worth $80,000.
*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 $80,000, you would get a straight check for $80,000.

Piper PA-25 Pawnee Insurance Cost Breakdown:

As of January 2021, there are 5 carriers quoting Piper PA-25 Pawnee insurance in the U.S. We consider qualified pilots to have at least a Private License with 200 total hours, 100 tailwheel hours and 25 hours in the make/model.

For an annual policy with $1,000,000 in liability only coverage.
 Premium range for qualified pilots: $450-$600 per year.
 Premium range for less than qualified pilots (low-time/etc): $675-950 per year.

For an annual policy with $1,000,000 in liability coverage and $80,000 in hull coverage
 Premium range for qualified pilots: $2,500-$5,800 per year.
 Premium range for less than qualified pilots (low-time/etc): $7,950-$12,700 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 Piper PA-25 Pawnee owners and operators obtain the very best insurance coverage.

BWI offers comprehensive Piper PA-25 Pawnee insurance policies for personal, business, charter, industrial aid, and commercial aviation uses.

For more information or to get an actual Piper PA-25 Pawnee insurance quote, please fill out a quote request online here or call us at 800.666.4359