I just ran some quotes this morning, just for grins. This is AVEMCO so other concerns might be cheaper etc. etc. and this is for wheels and skis only, no floats:

For the amount I pay to insure my 170 in Alaska (about 140 hours in type) I could insure a early model 180 with ~$20k higher hull value in the lower 48 even with no time in type.

For the amount I pay to insure my 170 in Alaska I could insure a 182 with ~$20k higher hull value in Alaska even with only a couple of hours in type.

I could never afford to insure a 180 in Alaska, unless I had at least 150 hours in type (not just tailwheel, time in type.)

Generalizations, yes, but it illustrates 1. how much more many tailwheel aircraft are to insure, and 2. How much more expensive it is up here.

What I forgot to ask is, if I "base" an aircraft in the lower 48, how many months can you typcially live in Alaska during the year under those rates? Lowflyby? Probably different for each company.

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:
What I forgot to ask is, if I "base" an aircraft in the lower 48, how many months can you typcially live in Alaska during the year under those rates? Lowflyby? Probably different for each company.

You are correct...different for each company...

I'm going to get a few more quotes just to make sure that amount wasn't some mistake. I'm crossing my fingers that by this fall I will have my very own 170; I was actually expecting values almost double which was why I never considered a tailwheel aircraft this early in my flying career.

Just renwed with Avemco on my 7GCBC...120K..$1,477. Got a bid from AOPA..same coverage..$1,950.
HC

I sent in one of those Avemco flyers just to check, my broker kicked butt on them, I am paying about $1870 for our 180 at 75k hull, and Avemco wanted $2706. My coverage is thru AIG(now Chartis)

Decided to get one more quote before I start seriously looking for a 170.

AVEMCO came in higher than the AOPA quote @ 1800 bucks but claimed 10% off for a wings program every 12 months and another 10% off when I hit 20 hours tailwheel. So 1800 - 20% = 1440 bucks which isn't bad in my book. AVEMCO also tells me there are no restrictions to fly into Canada, off airport strips, or hand propping (can someone tell me why they would even mention hand propping???).

These quotes are workable and within budget (you guys made me worry as every tailwheel insurance thread seems to cost a fortune; guess that is only for the Maule boys).

-Chris

I insured with someone (I forget who) a few years ago who promised that same sort of "10% discount per year" if I was accident/incident-free. The second year's invoice came & it was the same as the first year. I called them up and they told me that the premium had gone up 10%, that's why it LOOKED like I wasn't getting the promised discount. Yeah, right.
So base your choice on today's best deal-- not that pie-in-the-sky promise.

Eric

The rate on my 1955 C-180 is $1670 for 65K hull value. I have around 3500 hours taildragger of which 2500 is in c-170/180/185.

I think its a good rate since my office is a large Boeing that I fly 800 hours a year and my 180 gets maybe 3 landings a month. I won't feel current in the 180 until June.

JW

Just renewed with AVEMCO. $75,000 stated hull value, full coverage--$1340 per annum.

As to AVEMCO's discounts for safety programs: They WORK, and they apply those discounts to the year you're in, if it's early in the year. Last year, I did a couple training things, and called em up right after renewal, and they sent me a check for 5 %. This year, I just renewed my MCFI and that counts for Wings credit for all phases, so I'll send them that, and I'm sure they'll give me another discount. THey've given me a discount every year I've provided them with some documentation of training.

I really believe that AVEMCO is a great outfit.

Oh, and the $75 K hull value on a 170?? That's what it would take to REPLACE it. AVEMCO read my justification, and said no problem.

MTV

NEpilot wrote:Decided to get one more quote before I start seriously looking for a 170.

AVEMCO also tells me there are no restrictions to fly into Canada, off airport strips, or hand propping (can someone tell me why they would even mention hand propping???).

-Chris

Evidently they must think no one is at the controls when you hand prop and consider it an extra risk for personal injury. Therefore, if you have long arms or have past NBA experience you might get a discount. OTOH, If you are left handed you are more accident prone, but I don't know of a company tacking on extra for that... Yet.

dirtstrip wrote:

NEpilot wrote:Decided to get one more quote before I start seriously looking for a 170.

AVEMCO also tells me there are no restrictions to fly into Canada, off airport strips, or hand propping (can someone tell me why they would even mention hand propping???).

-Chris

Evidently they must think no one is at the controls when you hand prop and consider it an extra risk for personal injury.

That is exactly what they think...and it comes from loss experience where pilots have hand propped with nobody in the aircraft and it got away from them. Some companies have an exclusion for hand propping IF a certificated pilot (not just a warm body) is not at the controls. It is not so much for personal injury as that does not usually happen, but aircraft have taxied and even taken off with nobody on board. Most of the time they taxi into another aircraft or hangar, etc. When that happens, the company has a loss not only on the aircraft, but also on the liability which could reach the $1,000,000 limit...what if that aircraft hits a Bonanza, Cirrus, Citation, etc? This is the reason for the exclusion.

We had a handprop runaway at my local airfield (Fairbanks) just back in February. Took out two planes.

Avemco is a great outfit. I have been with them over 30 years. Every so often, I check someone else and stay with Avemco. They really do like tail draggers and do give the 10% with proof. I usually buy "not in flight" hull coverage. They had no problem insuring the hull for $75K for a C175 tail wheel.

You could try Midcontinent in Hayti MO. They are very reasonable. I've had my Stinson with them since I bought it and have been happy with them. They asked for 10 hours with an tailwheel instructor when I started. Their phone is 573-359-0500, or 800-325-0885, ask for Laura Terrett. E-mail is:
[email protected].
Every year when renewal time comes up Laura checks around to see if she can get me a better premium without me asking her. She's always good for a 15 minute chat about life in general.
Good luck.
Mark

1951 Cessna 170A. 35K hull, with 1,000,000/100,000 coverage $960 a year. Approximately 400 hours in type, 450 Tailwheel time.

pif_sonic wrote:1951 Cessna 170A. 35K hull, with 1,000,000/100,000 coverage $960 a year. Approximately 400 hours in type, 450 Tailwheel time.

That's a really good price. Who's the broker/underwriter?

1SeventyZ wrote:

pif_sonic wrote:1951 Cessna 170A. 35K hull, with 1,000,000/100,000 coverage $960 a year. Approximately 400 hours in type, 450 Tailwheel time.

That's a really good price. Who's the broker/underwriter?

Similar to my new rate:
1964 C150/150TD,$36K hull, $1M/$100K: $891 a year, with 300 hours in type and 2000 tailwheel. Slightly lower price is probably due to more hours & only 2 seats. Mine is with Phoenix Aviation Managers, through Regal Insurance in Hillsboro OR.

Eric

Kind of a PSA for any new tailwheel pilots.

I bought my Savage almost a year ago. I had zero TW time, zero Savage time, and about 40 hours TT in a Cherokee. I got a quote for $2700 from Falcon and EAA and the insurance provider was US Specialty. US Specialty was the only group that would cover me. I also put my ferry pilot and instructor on the policy.

I got my renewal info at the end of December and was quoted with US Specialty as well as AIG. All my terms are the same and it also takes into account that I am hangaring on my own property. (with the exception of my medical payment term went from $5000 to $10000 and deductibles dropped to $0!)

When I submitted my new info I had 130 hrs Tailwheel and Savage time and 145 hrs total time. My policy went down with US Specialty to $2395. AIG quoted me $1400! With my AOPA discount it dropped to $1312. That is substantial.

I specifically asked if all the terms were the same as they were and she stated that with the exception of the medical payment and deductibles. Really sounds too good to be true. Maybe I'm missing something. Anyone else experience a drop in premium like that?

100 hrs tailwheel and 100 hrs in type are both major break points.

Sounds like you are doing good with that quote!

I'm with AIG also. In my S7 my first year was $1950 and started with 300 hours total and10 hours tailwheel. My second year (just renewed) I have 650 total and 250 tailwheel and my rate only went down to $1450. My deductible is zero.