I've been contemplating changing insurance companies. I've been with AVEMCO for years and, although I have no complaints, they really don't have a good product for me to give instruction in my Husky.

Lately, I've been talking with the Falcon Agency out of Lakeland, Florida. They have found a good option with US Speciality Insurance. Has anyone had experience with them - either good or bad? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Alex

I've had US Specialty policies for at least 10 years with Falcon as my agent. They have always provided great coverage and service at the most competitive price.

I had an in-motion claim about four years ago that was my fault. They were great, paid like they were supposed to and life went on. Then 7 months ago, I had a ground/not in motion/act of God claim. They paid the claim without much fuss, but my policy expires here at the end of February. I got a nice Christmas letter from them saying they're going to give me the opportunity to shop for insurance elsewhere.

So take that for what it's worth. Buy insurance....just don't use it.

You might wanna give Bill White Insurance a call.
800.666.IFLY
Ive insured with them for about 3 years nkw.
Ive never had any airplane insurance claim in my 23 years of flying, so I I cant speak to that.

I used Falcon for many years in Alaska, on floats, and instructing. No problems with them, but no claims, either. Insurance policies are always good till the shit hits the fan.....

MTV

US Specialty is my underwriter through Arthur J Gallagher. They covered me in my Maule as a low-time taildragger for 1/3 of what all the others were asking, Avemco included. So far, so good.

Chris In Marshfield wrote:US Specialty is my underwriter through Arthur J Gallagher. They covered me in my Maule as a low-time taildragger for 1/3 of what all the others were asking, Avemco included. So far, so good.

when I was searching for insurance I wanted apples to apples for multiple A/C and a M4 maule was about twice the price of a luscombe, Stinson, pacer, and a 170B.

so a maule at 1/3 the price sounds like a win/win!!! i'll give them a call when I get to that point.

I went to high school with Heather from Regal Aviation NW Insurance Group here in the Portland area, so I usually return to her to shop for me. In the past it's been Starr, AIG, etc underwriting.

If you contact her, tell her Zane sent you and she sends me a nice gift

Heather is great. I plan to go with her when the BH is done.

I am working through it now for my renewal and have quotes from BWI and am letting AOPA chew through their options. Global had the lowest rate, but AIG (who I have now) might be talked down to that price. AIG is cheaper than last time around (to be expected over time) and aren't that far off Global anyway (within $60).

One interesting thing I was prompted to ask about after watching a Facebook thread unfold is around waivers of subrogation. AIG for example has an open pilot policy meaning I can let any qualified pilot fly and the policy will hold, however the WoS is not automatic. This means that if say I let a buddy take my plane up for a spin and he spins it into something else, he may not be protected from AIG coming back after him (I as the policy holder am always protected, that's why I have it). Starr has the WoS included automatically, but are also $3-400 higher than the rest. So we're checking to see what AIG thinks about that part before I commit. If you never ever let anyone use your plane it's a non-issue, but I would like to let my dad fly it once in a while so in my case it could matter. Don't just stop at the rate, think through all of the ways they will try to get their money back later.

colopilot wrote:I am working through it now for my renewal and have quotes from BWI and am letting AOPA chew through their options. Global had the lowest rate, but AIG (who I have now) might be talked down to that price. AIG is cheaper than last time around (to be expected over time) and aren't that far off Global anyway (within $60).

One interesting thing I was prompted to ask about after watching a Facebook thread unfold is around waivers of subrogation. AIG for example has an open pilot policy meaning I can let any qualified pilot fly and the policy will hold, however the WoS is not automatic. This means that if say I let a buddy take my plane up for a spin and he spins it into something else, he may not be protected from AIG coming back after him (I as the policy holder am always protected, that's why I have it). Starr has the WoS included automatically, but are also $3-400 higher than the rest. So we're checking to see what AIG thinks about that part before I commit. If you never ever let anyone use your plane it's a non-issue, but I would like to let my dad fly it once in a while so in my case it could matter. Don't just stop at the rate, think through all of the ways they will try to get their money back later.

If it’s just your Dad, inquire about putting him on the policy as a named pilot as well.

MTV

whee wrote:Heather is great. I plan to go with her when the BH is done.

She's now with Northwest Insurance Group in Hillsboro, OR.

mtv wrote:If it’s just your Dad, inquire about putting him on the policy as a named pilot as well.

MTV

Yeah, that crossed my mind after I hung up with them yesterday too. I didn't really think it necessary before now since they do have the open pilot policy, but the recent FB discussion got me wondering.

Out of curiosity, how much extra does Alaska coverage run you guys that have it? I'm thinking a couple years out when I might look to make a run up that way, but most policies exclude AK in particular. Not sure if Canada is already included in what I have now but I seem to recall it being there.

Insurance for aircraft based in AK is going to be close to double the cost for those based in the lower 48. This is based on my own case with a 180 and guys I know in the 48 and have read about. I was told by an insurance co employee that the difference is at least partly based on the cost of a helicopter to get your plane out of wherever it's wrecked.

Alex wrote: They have found a good option with US Speciality Insurance. Has anyone had experience with them - either good or bad? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Alex

I've been insured with US Specialty (USSIC) for 3+ years. I switched to them upon purchasing my 180B. Coming from a 182 previously with low tailwheel time, they were one of the few companies that didn't impose training time requirements and they also had a competitive price. They're owned by Tokio Marine HCC which is the same company that owns Avemco.

If another pilot besides me is flying, they require 750 hour TT, 150 Tailwheel, 15 Make/Model. They also cover me if I'm flying someone else's plane up to the limits of my own insurance policy.

I haven't had to file a claim with them before, but so far my experience has been good. I've increased the coverage price almost every year (due to engine overhauls and upgrades) and they haven't given me a hard time.

I also have my policy with USSIC through Ladd Gardner and am very happy with both underwriter and broker. They had the cheapest coverage by a mile and offered a single pilot/multiple plane discount that saves me about $300 a year on top of already low rates. When pricing insurance I put a lot of policy offers side-by-side and USSIC's coverage was the most comprehensive as well. I haven't made a claim, so it is heartening to hear that others have had good experiences in that regard.

I used Travers my first year owning the 180H. So far so good but BWI just gave me a quote that was a little better and seems to have better terms. That said Travers was great in the service department. They made it easy to get the insurance started on purchase with basic information and a quick phone call. My concern with BWI is that they are slow getting back to me. It's now been a week since I emailed asking about clarification on their quote. Makes me a little nervous about responsivness, should I ever have a claim. Insurance is up at the end of the month and I may try a few other companies listed on here. For what it's worth Travers has no off airport restrictions, great people and was roughly $175 more than bwi for a low time pilot (350/130tw) vfr guy like me.

Had a good experience with BWI recently. I was evaluating prices of various hull values, and their agent got mixed up and sent me a quote for a low premium for a high hull value. I accepted it, paid, then they caught the mistake. Matt White agreed to pay the balance ($200) himself without me fussing about it. Good stuff.

-asa

asa wrote: Had a good experience with BWI recently. I was evaluating prices of various hull values, and their agent got mixed up and sent me a quote for a low premium for a high hull value. I accepted it, paid, then they caught the mistake. Matt White agreed to pay the balance ($200) himself without me fussing about it. Good stuff. -asa

Above-and-beyond what the normal broker would do IMHO.
Good on him for making it right-- esp without the customer squawking about it!

New to this site and new to buying an airplane. I have Commercial licence, ME, Instrument with 1730 TT and 8 hrs TW time from recent endorsement. Just received an on-line quote from AVEMCO (within hours) for a Maule M6-235. Still waiting for over a week to hear back from AOPA & other. Avemco $75k hull, 1mil liability and zero deductible will cost me $4100/yr and requires 15 hrs of instruction in like model before solo. I can swallow the premium for a year or two but I was not expecting the 15 hr requirement based on other posts I've read. I was expecting to travel for a long weekend for a day of instruction. If other quotes are similar, I'll be joining another blog searching for Maule instructor in New England. Any updated replies on insurance rates is appreciated. The premiums & requirements for low time tail-wheel/Maule pilots seem to be all over the place.

fly2all wrote:New to this site and new to buying an airplane. I have Commercial licence, ME, Instrument with 1730 TT and 8 hrs TW time from recent endorsement. Just received an on-line quote from AVEMCO (within hours) for a Maule M6-235. Still waiting for over a week to hear back from AOPA & other. Avemco $75k hull, 1mil liability and zero deductible will cost me $4100/yr and requires 15 hrs of instruction in like model before solo. I can swallow the premium for a year or two but I was not expecting the 15 hr requirement based on other posts I've read. I was expecting to travel for a long weekend for a day of instruction. If other quotes are similar, I'll be joining another blog searching for Maule instructor in New England. Any updated replies on insurance rates is appreciated. The premiums & requirements for low time tail-wheel/Maule pilots seem to be all over the place.

I’m in CT if you’re close enough and need a CFI. I have an M5-235. My insurance requirements when I bought last year I didn’t have the 15 in type but I had several hundred of other TW time. Last year’s premium was about $1700 for 40k of Hull. Now have about 150 in the Maule and with 60k of Hull it’s $1800 with another company.