One of the most common questions we get at BWI is this: “Can I remove the ‘business’ part from my aircraft insurance policy to save money?”
It’s a completely fair question. Most aircraft owners aren’t running commercial charter flights. They fly for fun, travel with their families, or maybe take a trip or two related to their business. So when they see “Pleasure & Business Use” listed on their insurance policy, it naturally raises a few eyebrows.
What exactly does it mean?
Are you paying extra for business use?
Can you remove it and get a discount?
The answer, like most things in aviation insurance, is more nuanced than it seems. So let’s break it down.
What Does “Pleasure & Business Use” Actually Mean?
Pleasure & Business Use is defined in our industry as:
“The most common aircraft use classification in aviation insurance. It covers the use of the aircraft for personal and incidental business purposes of the named insured and their employees or guests.”
Let’s pause there.
That means if you own the aircraft and you’re using it for:
- Family trips
- Flying to meet clients or check on job sites
- Attending a conference
- Traveling to a business meeting where you’re the only one onboard
…all of that is considered Pleasure & Business Use.
It does not mean you’re operating commercially, giving instruction, carrying passengers or cargo for hire, or running a charter operation. That would require a completely different policy structure, and a different level of liability, underwriting, and risk assessment.
Why “Business Use” Matters (Even if You Rarely Use It)
Here’s the thing: most underwriters today use Pleasure & Business as the default category for private-use aircraft. That’s because, over decades of underwriting, they’ve learned that even owners who primarily fly for fun will, at some point, use their aircraft for a business-related trip.
And that’s okay. In fact, it’s expected.
The “business” part of Pleasure & Business isn’t about what your aircraft does full-time. It’s about acknowledging that life and flying aren’t always black and white.
One weekend, you’re flying to Napa with your spouse.
Two weeks later, you’re flying yourself to meet a vendor.
The next month, you’re flying to Sun ’n Fun to connect with industry peers.
That’s not commercial use—it’s just real life.
Can You Remove “Business” for a Cheaper Premium?
In nearly every case, no, and here’s why:
- Underwriters don’t charge extra for incidental business use. It’s baked into the standard rates.
- Most won’t even offer “Pleasure Only” use as an option anymore. Why? Because it leads to ambiguous claims and legal disputes no one wants to have.
- If you ever made a claim after flying for a business-related purpose while holding a “Pleasure Only” policy, your coverage could be denied.
That’s not worth a small potential discount, especially when the alternative is a legal battle in the middle of a loss.
What’s Considered Commercial Use?
This is where definitions matter.
Pleasure & Business Use does not cover:
- Charter flights for hire
- Flight instruction
- Rental operations
- Cargo delivery
- Leasing to third parties
- Part 135 operations
- Any paid transportation of passengers or goods
If you’re doing any of these things, you’ll need a commercial policy, typically rated for Industrial Aid, Commercial, or Special Use classifications.
At BWI, we’ll walk you through these use types to make sure you’re properly rated, and avoid trouble down the line.
Real-Life Scenario: When It Matters Most
Let’s say you’re a small business owner. You fly your Cirrus SR22 mainly on weekends, but once every month or so, you hop in and fly to a regional client meeting.
One day, on the way home from that meeting, you experience a gear-up landing and file a claim.
If your policy is rated for Pleasure Only, the insurance company could ask: “Was this trip related to business?”
If you say yes, and your use type doesn’t match, you could be facing a denied claim, a lengthy coverage dispute, or even worse… legal costs that aren’t covered.
But if your policy is written as Pleasure & Business, the claim would proceed normally, because your use was fully covered.
Common Activities Covered Under Pleasure & Business
Let’s make it crystal clear. Here are some real-world examples of what is typically covered:
- Flying to an out-of-state conference you’re attending for your business
- Taking your CFO to a site visit
- Visiting your own out-of-town facility
- Meeting a vendor or supplier
- Taking a prospect to a business dinner (not paid transportation, just relationship building)
- Weekend trips with your family or friends
As long as you’re not being paid to fly someone or something, you’re within bounds.
How to Know What Your Policy Says
Take a look at the Aircraft Use section on your policy’s declarations page. It will usually say something like: Use: Pleasure & Business
If you see something else, or you’re not sure how your operations fit, give us a call. At BWI, we review policies line by line with our clients. We’d rather spend 10 minutes helping you understand your coverage than see you blindsided during a claim.
The BWI Advantage
At BWI Aviation Insurance, we’ve been helping pilots get the right coverage for decades. We don’t just send you a quote, we explain the “why” behind every line.
That means:
- No jargon
- No hidden gaps
- No guesswork about what’s covered
Our job is to give you peace of mind so you can focus on what you love most—Flying.
Final Thoughts
Aircraft insurance should reflect real life. And real life blends pleasure and business more often than you think.
“Pleasure & Business” isn’t a red flag, it’s smart, flexible coverage that protects you how you actually fly.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your current policy reflects your real-world use—or if you’ve been tempted to remove “business” to save a few bucks—let’s talk.
Thank you for trusting BWI and fly safe.
