Best Insurance Underwriter for Older Pilot Coverage?

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farmrjohn

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farmrjohn
I've searched for and reviewed previous threads about insurance coverage for older pilots, those mainly 70+. Those threads mainly had the insurance brokers but didn't have much mention of the specific underwriter for the insurance coverage other than Avemco. I'm currently evaluating two competing quotes, one from Starr and the other from Global. I'm not as concerned about the price delta but which one would be most likely to continue coverage into the late 70s and beyond. Airplane in this case is single engine, fixed gear (nose wheel), fixed pitch prop, no flaps, non-experimental. I'm looking for real world experience vs. just relying on what the broker says.
 
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But! But! Insurance companies do NOT discriminate on age. That's what they tell you.
But wait, you ain't seen nothing yet!
.
 
A1Topgun said:
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But! But! Insurance companies do NOT discriminate on age. That's what they tell you.
But wait, you ain't seen nothing yet!
.
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They discriminate on everything or they go broke.

There are no protected classes that I am aware of for "pilot who wants to fly their own plane around"
 
I understand Avemco has numerous pilots insured in their 90s. I am 79 and have Avemco liability insurance as a CFI. (I no longer own.)
 
Not at that age yet, but I as I just renewed today with Assured Partners (broker) I asked about strategy for the future. These folks seem to have a handle on how to approach insurance for older pilots.

They told me that continuing with a carrier into older age (70+) is doable, but writing a new policy at an older age is hard. They mentioned a few carriers to avoid, as they'll drop older pilots regardless of how many years you've been with them. I didn't write down those names. Suggest you call them and see what they can do for you.


 
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Pinecone said:
My broker has good info on which companies continue to write for older pilots. He outlined a strategy for me to keep coverage as long as possible.

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Any chance you will provide insights for that strategy? It's my understanding that once one broker asks for bids on a particular airplane others would get the same results since it's N number dependent. I'm already working with a broker that I've been using for some years now (Acrisure, formerly Falcon) so don't want to waste your broker's time.
WDD said:
Not at that age yet, but I as I just renewed today with Assured Partners (broker) I asked about strategy for the future. These folks seem to have a handle on how to approach insurance for older pilots.

They tole me that continuing with a carrier into older age (70+) is doable, but writing a new policy at an older age is hard. They mentioned a few carriers to avoid, as they'll drop older pilots regardless of how many years you've been with them. I didn't write down those names. Suggest you call them and see what they can do for you.


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Do you recall any of the ones to avoid?

My inquiry here is like getting a doctor second opinion.
 
frfly172 said:
I’m 78 and for assured partners (AIG) for a Cessna 150 , they advise sticking with the same company and not letting your coverage lapse.
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Keeping the same company going forward is the plan with this renewal. I'm trying to determine if Starr or Global would be better for continuing the "senior coverage". I'm currently with Starr but have had Global in the past. The coverages seem pretty similar other than the open pilot provision, with Global being more restrictive.

Avemco would be a backup option but they have the annual medical and flight review requirement, not that that is a bad thing. Which company would be best continuing into UFO range?
 
Is there a reason you are hesitant to call a broker like Assured Partners or Parker?
 
WDD said:
Is there a reason you are hesitant to call a broker like Assured Partners or Parker?
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As mentioned in post 8 I'm already dealing with a broker so don't want to waste another's time. I was previously using Assured but wasn't happy with their service so switched to Falcon, now Acrisure, a few years ago. I'm looking for actual client experiences prior to renewal.
 
I have insurance through Old Republic. I have been very happy with the rates. Not sure if you've looked into them.
 
I was with Star as they were known to keep coverage past 70 is the pilot was already insured with them

A broker has various relationships with the underwriters. So they can get different packages. I am not sure if the "messing up" your current broker is an issue during a term.

Parker was able to get me non-owned coverage for no extra charge. WIN
 
For us 'Old Pilots' please consider joining us is the elite 'UFO' aka 'United Flying Octogenarians', 2000 plus members in 4 nations. Insurance is our major concern. Google us and please join.
 
My story, quite apropos: Almost two years ago I was in the process of buying a newer, slightly faster, slightly fancier aircraft. Nosedragger instead of my usual taildragger.
I called the broker I had been using for decades, gave them the tail number and was told I was good to go. Ten minutes later, my brother and I hopped in the car for the trip to Pennsylvania to pick up the plane and my phone rang.
My insurance broker on the line and my policy is cancelled. At age 74.5 years of age I'm too old to buy that plane. Told me right out loud. I called them back, and they repeated it. It was because of my age. I still have the recording of the call.
Once one company cancels you, no one will touch you. I called everyone in the country trying to get coverage. No joy.
Without insurance, I had to give up my hanger.
I've been flying without insurance or with coverage under friends policies ever since.
The apropos part: Today, my former broker contacted me. At (almost) age 76 they will sell me coverage, again.
For the same aircraft type they denied me 2 years ago.
No clue what has changed.
BTW: Within months of them cancelling my coverage, at least 5 friends/acquaintances at my home airport had the same thing happen to them. They hit 74.5 years or older and were upgrading to a "better" plane and their policies got cancelled.
 
Shepherd said:
My story, quite apropos: Almost two years ago I was in the process of buying a newer, slightly faster, slightly fancier aircraft. Nosedragger instead of my usual taildragger.
I called the broker I had been using for decades, gave them the tail number and was told I was good to go. Ten minutes later, my brother and I hopped in the car for the trip to Pennsylvania to pick up the plane and my phone rang.
My insurance broker on the line and my policy is cancelled. At age 74.5 years of age I'm too old to buy that plane. Told me right out loud. I called them back, and they repeated it. It was because of my age. I still have the recording of the call.
Once one company cancels you, no one will touch you. I called everyone in the country trying to get coverage. No joy.
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What insurance company were you with that cancelled your policy if you don't mind saying?
 
Shepherd said:
The apropos part: Today, my former broker contacted me. At (almost) age 76 they will sell me coverage, again.
For the same aircraft type they denied me 2 years ago.
No clue what has changed.
BTW: Within months of them cancelling my coverage, at least 5 friends/acquaintances at my home airport had the same thing happen to them. They hit 74.5 years or older and were upgrading to a "better" plane and their policies got cancelled.
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The rules change.

One factor, as I understand it, is a couple of companies started writing aviation insurance, so there is more competition, so companies are trying to get and keep customers.
 
I have a good friend who is 77. He asked me (62) to partner in a new airplane with him. He has 500+ hours in the type and is a current CFI. I have 5 hours dual in the airplane (with him). Bottom line, I could get a reasonable policy for myself but we couldn’t get him covered. So, I’m a single owner of my new airplane and I’ll let him fly it sometimes. He is covered under the ‘additional pilot’s’ coverage which lists no age as a restriction.
 
I just renewed with Skywatch.ai. I am 78, own an Ercoupe and have nearly 140 hours in type.
 
Beachy said:
I just renewed with Skywatch.ai. I am 78, own an Ercoupe and have nearly 140 hours in type.
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I hadn't heard of Skywatch.ai. Looking at their site it appears they are a broker vs. an actual underwriter based on their sample policy, which was Global. I opted to go with the Global policy going forward.
 
farmrjohn said:
As mentioned in post 8 I'm already dealing with a broker so don't want to waste another's time.
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I’m 35, so the age factor is not the same, but when I had questions, I called Avemco and they were more than happy to answer with their experience/expertise. Don’t think of it as wasting their time, think of it like good CRM - making use of your available resources.
 
Shepherd said:
The apropos part: Today, my former broker contacted me. At (almost) age 76 they will sell me coverage, again.
For the same aircraft type they denied me 2 years ago.
No clue what has changed.
Click to expand...
seriously? I know it's a touchy subject 'round here given the SES of this hobby, but I'll sum it up for ya: The economy happened.

Panthera pardii are out there doing maxilofacial deconstructive surgery on the usual suspects, airlines are dunzo for the year, consumer demand is at gunpoint and urinating itself, forebearance programs on all asset classes (mortgage, student loan, car refis) are getting canx enmasse, disposable income is thus tanking, bond market not going the way the "masters" of the economy hoped, while the residential wishcasters are still trying to get 2022 money for their housing imprudence and getting laughed out the MLS. So, insurers now need your previously risky blood for their continued grift.

Are you the ugly chick at 2am? Yup, life ain't fair. You take what you can get in this life. I'd call it a win and press. Tomorrow ain't guaranteed, and that goes especially so for septuagenarians. Keep flying! :thumbsup:
 
@hindsight2020 Strunk and White can’t hold a candle to your writing style. I find it very entertaining; please keep it up! :)
As a maxillofacial surgeon I am grateful that I have not had to reconstruct artwork created by leopards, Homo Sapiens are creative enough for my skill sets.
 
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