Non Owned Airplane Insurance (not rental)

[Jon Wilder]

I have a friend who is going to let me use his airplane, but wants me to obtain my own insurance policy. However, I’m being told by an insurance provider that I can’t because I’m not the owner, and the owner needs to add me to their policy. I was also told by the provider that while I can obtain a renters policy, it’s not going to provide the coverage they may expect.

So…what to do in this situation? Is being added to the owner’s policy the only option?

 

[dans2992]

It’s likely the cheapest and best option.

 

[rk911]

Goes without saying...tell the owner you're happy to reimburse him for the added premium for watever period is required or possible.

 

[ateamer]

I just got non-owned insurance for my neighbor’s Ercoupe. I went through Acrisure, and the underwriter is Starr. The premium seems reasonable.

 

[Gilbert Buettner]

You want a policy for flying non-owned airplanes. Liability. But if you are only flying your friend's airplane, what you really want and need is to be named as an additional insured with a waiver of subrogation. There are folks here with a better understanding, but I think that will cover your risk.

 

[midlifeflyer]

You have two choices. One is a non-owned policy. You can compare that coverage with what the owner has and what you feel you need to see if it makes sense.

In most owner policies (you have to read the policy to know - there is no mandated uniformity like auto policies), a non-owner pilot who meets the open pilot warranty is covered for liability to others, but not for damage to the airplane. The best case scenario is being named on the owner policy with a subrogation waiver.

 

[brcase]

it’s not going to provide the coverage they may expect.

I think "coverage they expect" is the operative word. Too many owners/Clubs/FBO's think Renter (non-owned) insurance is a replacement for them carrying appropriate insurance on their airplane. The different is the renter/non-owned insurance is exactly that, it protects the renter from being sued or liable for damage to the airplane. It has no obligation to cover incidents that are not the renters fault. i.e. if a deer runs out onto the runway during landing it is unlikely the renters insurance would pay out on that.

Like mentioned the best plan for both of you is to have you named on his insurance. If the reason he wants you to have insurance is because he doesn't have adequate insurance on it. Then make sure he knows the limitations of the renters insurance, and if he doesn't have adequate insurance, he might have to sue your renters insurance (out of his own pocket) to get them pay out, even if you agree it was your fault, they may want him to prove it. If he has adequate insurance then it should not be a big deal to add you to it perhaps for an additional premium which is the best solution. Otherwise his insurance and your insurance should work out who pays for what.

Brian