Aircraft Owner's Insurance with a Special Issuance Medical

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SunnySkies

Filing Flight Plan
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SunnySkies
Hello, I am looking for some feedback from individuals who are professionals in the aviation insurance field, have personal experience and/or know individuals who have been in similar situations. I'll start out by saying that I am indeed working with an insurance broker but do not want to bother them with these questions while they're still seeking out potential underwriters, although I will pick their brain when the time presents itself after the results are conclusive.

My wife and I are purchasing an older bonanza from a family member in the next several months. She is the golden standard for insurance companies but the complexity is getting me on the policy as a named pilot. My first hurdle is that I have 200 hours of Total Time and in the initial transition phase to high performance/ complex aircraft in the bonanza. My second and larger hurdle is that I have a single DUI from three years ago and am in the HIMS program in full compliance with a valid special issuance medical.

Initially, feeling out the situation, we gathered that the DUI was a big roadblock piled onto a low time pilot in transition to HP/Complex. Our broker got back to us with a quote from an underwriter that we were happy with who was informed of my hours, transitioning into the bonanza and my DUI. While filling out the application I came across the question if either of us had any waivers, which I had to research exactly what a waiver was and read conflicting information that a special issuance authorization was a waiver then rebutted by an article that AOPA put out that special issuance authorization is not a waiver. I contacted our broker to ask for more clarification and was fully transparent of the HIMS Program and my valid Special issuance Medical certificate in full compliance which she took back to the underwriter and we got the response that they were ok with my flight hours and my DUI but that we had to look elsewhere with the special issuance medical. So back to the drawing board.

I'd love to hear from anyone with personal experience or the knowledge of anyone with a similar experience and what they ended up doing. Nothing is final yet and they're working on the situation but if there isn't an underwriter willing to insure me as a named pilot on the insurance policy, what criteria can I work towards to become insurable? Dual time in the bonanza, continuing to build time and let the DUI look back time increase as well as more time under my belt maintaining my special issuance medical certificate? anyone know any specific criteria to work towards that would make me insurable if this becomes the outcome?

Thank You all in advance!
 
It is pretty normal insurance requirement to disclose DUI convictions within 36months. I don’t see where the special issuance is a factor. A waiver means a prohibited condition is stable, adequately managed, and does not pose a safety risk.

At some point you can go basic med.
 
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Clip4 said:
It is pretty normal insurance requirement to disclose DUI convictions within 36months. I don’t see where the special issuance is a factor. A waiver means a prohibited condition is stable, adequately managed, and does not pose a safety risk.

At some point you can go basic med.
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Yeah, I knew that the DUI would always be a question for insurance applications and have an impact for at least 3-5 years so initially I was relieved that we found coverage with full disclosure of my DUI. I was caught off guard that the special issuance was such an issue after they had full knowledge of my situation. I was under the impression that being in the HIMS program with its strict requirements and intense monitoring holding a valid medical certificate with a special issuance gave credibility. I had that same thought that if I had basic med, if that would have not been an issue for them which wouldn’t have made much sense either. Obviously there’s things that I don’t understand which is why I created this thread to get some insight and knowledge from others. Thank you for your reply!
 
I don't think I've ever been asked about DUIs or whether my medical is a special issuance on any insurance application. All it asks is the date of my last medical, and I write "N/A" since I'm flying as SP these days.
 
Deleted, mixed up SP and BM

(Medical certification has become complex)
 
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bonefishpete said:
Get a Bonanza CFI. Tread lightly until some hours under your belt. Especially IFR.
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Thank you. Yeah I’m a member of the American Bonanza Society and taking their online BPPP courses. Will line up a bonanza instructor for post purchase, marching towards more time and ratings to help the situation.
 
I think the types of waivers they're asking about are things like banner towing, low altitude aerobatics, etc. They want to know if you're engaging in any of those types of operations, which might affect underwriting. I wouldn't volunteer information they don't ask about.
 
Lindberg said:
I think the types of waivers they're asking about are things like banner towing, low altitude aerobatics, etc. They want to know if you're engaging in any of those types of operations, which might affect underwriting. I wouldn't volunteer information they don't ask aboutAny Physical impairments, limitations, or waivers on Medical Certificates
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No, the application was applicable to medical waivers. Here’s the specific language “Any Physical impairments, limitations, or waivers on Medical Certificates”
 
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