Aircraft & Aviation
Great American's Aviation Division specializes in the placement of hull, liability and excess liability across a wide array of aviation-related risks.
Our underwriters are experts in analyzing, pricing, and tailoring unique insurance coverage on an admitted basis. All of our underwriters have extensive experience in the aviation industry in areas including air traffic control, landside operations and commercial pilot operations.
We offer the following coverage types:
Non-commercial hull and liability
Commercial hull and liability
Helicopter hull and liability
Fixed Base Operators liability
Manufacturers Product liability
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle hull and liability
Excess liability
What is Aircraft Insurance?
Aircraft insurance that provides liability and property coverage for aircraft. Aircraft insurance, also called aviation insurance, can be purchased for a number of different types of aircraft, including standard, experimental, and vintage aircraft, as well as seaplanes.
Breaking Down Aircraft Insurance
Aircraft insurance is necessary because claims or suits that arise out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of aircraft are generally excluded under the standard commercial general liability (CGL) forms.
Businesses that elect to use private aircraft in their operations must purchase aircraft insurance to cover their aircraft liability loss exposure. This can be aircraft liability coverage or stand-alone non-owned aircraft liability and perhaps excess aircraft liability coverage as well. Coverage for third-party aircraft liability is often provided, which also includes hull (physical damage) and medical payments coverages. Aircraft policies are not standardized and vary widely. Some insurers offer policies that combine aircraft liability and hull with other aviation coverages, such as aircraft products liability, airport liability, land-based general liability and hangar keepers liability coverage.
The policy may also provide coverage for the personal items of passengers, as well as liability indemnification for the hangar that the aircraft is stored in. Insurance policies may provide for injuries sustained while operating the aircraft, the cost of emergency landings, as well as the costs associated with search and rescue operations.
Just as boat owners may purchase a boat owner insurance to protect against damages to their boat or watercraft, so too can aircraft owners protect their property from damage.
The type of coverage and the amount of premium depends on the type of aircraft that is being covered by the policy. Insurers may find aircraft that the owner has built at home (referred to as home built aircraft) to carry more risk than aircraft purchased already assembled. Some policies provide first flight coverage for aircraft that are built at home.
Coverage Levels and Types of Aircraft Insurance
Insurance companies may provide different levels of coverage depending on whether the aircraft is being used for pleasure or for commercial purposes. An aviation business may need coverage if it provides flight training services. A financial company may purchase aircraft insurance for its fleet of corporate jets.
Some insurance companies will also provide insurance coverage for aircraft that is rented by the operator rather than owned, since the operator could be liable for thousands of dollars in damage if something were to happen to the aircraft. Aircraft insurance is also available to organizations, such as flying clubs, in which members may share in the use of one or more aircraft.
Our experienced network agencies can help you navigate the complexities of aviation coverages and create a customized portfolio to suit your specific needs.