For owners planning their next chapter
Robinson R88 insurance.Plan for what comes next.
A new helicopter deserves a thoughtful insurance plan. Start with your mission, your pilots and the protection you want in place when the time comes.
Planning ahead? Share your details through our aircraft quote form. We’ll discuss what can be evaluated at this stage.
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The R88 is a development program. Robinson’s June 2026 update describes certification as a future milestone. Aircraft specifications, timing and insurance availability may change. This page helps you prepare; it does not confirm a policy or delivery date. See the manufacturer updates.
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Build the right conversation
Your aircraft. Your pilots. Your mission.
Your aircraft
Discuss the expected purchase price, installed equipment, financing and the value you want insured.
Review coverage questions →Your pilots
Bring pilot histories, turbine experience and a proposed transition-training plan for review.
Prepare pilot information →Your mission
Private travel, passenger transport and utility work call for different insurance conversations.
Describe the operation →Robinson R88 insurance planning guide
Considering a Robinson R88 for your next helicopter? The useful first step is a clear picture of the aircraft you intend to own, the people who will fly it and the work it will do. BWI can help organize that conversation and explain the questions to bring to underwriting.
What is the Robinson R88?
Robinson describes the R88 as a new single-engine helicopter designed for two pilots and eight passengers. Its published design includes a Safran Arriel 2W turbine in the 950 shaft-horsepower class, a configurable cabin and equipment intended for several mission types.
These are manufacturer design descriptions, not a statement of final certified specifications. Robinson’s June 18, 2026 update discusses a continuing test program and future FAA type certification. Confirm the latest program status and delivery information with Robinson or your dealer.
Manufacturer sources: R88 product information and June 2026 program update. Reviewed October 21, 2026.
Coverage questions to discuss early
Your insurance discussion should address the proposed aircraft, ownership structure and intended operation. Ask BWI to explain any terms that become available, including:
- Aircraft physical damage: the agreed value, installed equipment, ground and flight coverage, deductibles and loss-settlement wording.
- Liability: overall limits, any passenger sublimits, defense provisions and the requirements in your contracts.
- Pilots and training: who may fly, required experience, approved training and any conditions that must be met before coverage applies.
- Specialized work: the exact use, equipment and mission that an insurer is being asked to cover.
- Other interests: the owner, operator, lender, lessor and any additional parties required by a contract.
A manufacturer option, mission capability or maintenance package does not by itself establish insurance coverage. Compare the policy wording and endorsements with the operation you actually plan.
What will R88 insurance cost?
A useful premium figure requires an actual underwriting response. We do not present a premium for another helicopter as an R88 quote, or publish a price range that promises future availability.
Aircraft value, pilot experience, training, location, intended use, limits and deductibles all belong in the submission. The R88’s development status and the information available at the time will also shape what insurers can evaluate. Ask BWI what information is needed now and what should be revisited closer to delivery.
Prepare your pilot and training information
Gather certificates and ratings, total helicopter time, turbine time, experience in comparable aircraft, recent recurrent training and any claims or incidents that need to be disclosed. Include every proposed pilot and the role each person will have.
Discuss a transition plan rather than assuming R22, R44 or R66 experience automatically satisfies R88 requirements. Final regulatory requirements, available training and an insurer’s pilot conditions will need to be checked when applicable. BWI does not set licensing requirements or guarantee an insurer will accept a particular course.
Make the intended operation clear
Tell us whether you are planning private or business travel, passenger transport, instruction, aerial work, public safety or another mission. Identify where the aircraft will operate and be stored, whether it will be flown for hire and which contracts or permits apply.
If an LLC, trust or partnership will own the helicopter, include the legal entity names and who will operate it. Ownership structure alone does not establish coverage. The named insured, approved use, pilot terms and any required endorsements must match the proposed arrangement.
Start early. Confirm before the risk begins.
- Describe the plan. Share your expected aircraft configuration, ownership, use, pilots and timing.
- Identify the open questions. Discuss which details can be reviewed now and which depend on certification, training, delivery or underwriting.
- Review any proposed terms. Check limits, deductibles, exclusions, pilot conditions and any deadlines or outstanding requirements.
- Confirm binding in writing. A discussion, submission, estimate or quote request is not proof that insurance is effective.
Ask separately about deposits, financing, ground risks, acceptance and delivery arrangements. Do not assume they are included in a future aircraft policy. If your plans change, update the submission before relying on earlier terms.
Common R88 insurance questions
Can I arrange insurance before R88 delivery?
You can start the planning conversation now. Whether an insurer can provide an indication, quote or binder depends on the information available, aircraft status and underwriting. Any proposed terms may have conditions and an expiration date. Do not treat an early discussion as pre-approval.
Will the R88 require a type rating or particular training?
Confirm the final regulatory requirements with the appropriate aviation authority and the current training options with Robinson. Separately, review an insurer’s pilot and training conditions. We do not assume a specific type rating, course or minimum number of hours is required or accepted for every submission.
Can I request higher liability limits without passenger sublimits?
You can discuss your desired limits with BWI. Availability, passenger sublimits and other conditions depend on underwriting. No particular liability limit or policy form is guaranteed for the R88.
Can an LLC or trust be included?
Provide the proposed ownership and operating documents for review. The insurer will need to understand the parties, aircraft use and pilot arrangements. BWI can discuss how those interests should be presented in the submission.
Does every pilot need to be named?
Check the actual policy’s pilot provisions. A named-pilot condition and an open-pilot warranty work differently, and meeting a stated experience threshold does not automatically satisfy every policy requirement.
Does a quote request start coverage?
No. Coverage is not effective until BWI confirms binding in writing. Read the confirmed effective date, terms and any conditions before operating or accepting a risk.
BWI is an independent aviation insurance agency. This page does not imply endorsement by or a preferred-broker relationship with Robinson Helicopter Company.
Make the first conversation useful
Bring your plan. We’ll help with the questions.
- Expected aircraft configuration, equipment and value
- Owner and operator names, location and intended use
- Pilot histories and proposed transition training
- Estimated timing and lender or contract requirements
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