Insurance for aging pilots

[Tsquared]

I recently attended the 2026 Great MN aviation gathering out at KCFE. GMAG is a 2 day state level gathering put on by the MN Pilots Association and features speakers on a wide range of topics from MN aviation history, maintenance, and other flying topics. This year there was a presentation called Insurance for aging pilots put on by Wings Insurance.

While the presentation was not focused on pilots over 70 yrs old, it did touch on the topic of how insurance companies are handling older pilots these days. The speaker was kind enough to share the data on General Underwriter stance regarding pilot ages. One note was the speaker made clear that pilot age was only one of several factors in insurance rates and this chart is for a single point in time and is subject to change. That said I thought it was worth sharing.

 

[Neal]

@Tsquared - can't read your image that you provided. Can you try attaching it, full size, etc.?

 

[Tsquared]

added

 

[Cactus Charlie]

My FX-3 insurance renewal was just quoted.

AIG agreed to continue coverage but raised the premium. All others declined to quote. Reason for both cited as age. I recently turned 78.

I have over 6,000 hours including over 500 in FX-3 but it looks like my age is more important than total experience, recent experience, or competency.

 

[Neal]

My FX-3 insurance renewal was just quoted.

AIG agreed to continue coverage but raised the premium. All others declined to quote. Reason for both cited as age. I recently turned 78.

I have over 6,000 hours including over 500 in FX-3 but it looks like my age is more important than total experience, recent experience, or competency.

I'm happy to hear you're still flying and enjoying it. I have friends in their 80's flying cubs. Up to you if you care to share what the premium is. Is liability only an option?

 

[Cubonaut875]

I had heard through my agent, that once you are in the 67-68 age range, don't switch companies or shop around for the best price, keep the same company and just renew. Cactus, how long have you been with AIG?

 

[Cactus Charlie]

I was insured with Starr for the first 2 years then, including this recent renewal, have been with AIG for 5 years. The transition from Starr to AIG coincided with my age being 75 during the quoted policy period. Despite being a new policy AIG quote was better than staying with Starr.

I tabulated all the premiums and this renewal is not the highest I have paid. Highest was actually for 2023 and 2024 renewals. It went down for 2025, perhaps because they forgot to load for age, then rose for 2026 renewal to about half way between 2024 and 2025 renewals.

Perhaps the age loading and claim free discounts are cancelling out.

Insurance is a gamble. I could have self insured from new and been well ahead. However, it only takes one accident at a remote strip to change that and I like going to remote strips. (By remote I mean no possible road access for a retrieve vehicle.)

 

[Neal]

I was with STARR the first year, I think it was 7K. Then it instantly went outrageous and went to another company.

 

[Cubonaut875]

2023 AIG, they insured my Super Cub, with 1000 PA18 hours I paid $8216.00 for my FX3 as a new airplane - outrageous!, 2024 Beacon$6271.00, 2025 Beacon $5682.00, 2026 Beacon $6361.00. My agent says since I am 69 is why it went up. At some pint I have to give up the FX3 and self insure a J3, Cactus gives me hope!!

 

[Neal]

Sometimes I wish I would have just found the best J3 I could find. It seems to be the true passion of aviation plane instead of these stupid expensive (massively overpriced) cubs. Maybe some day....

 

[Cubonaut875]

As I was cruising to breakfast a couple days ago, auto pilot engaged, sipping coffee, watching my plane track a magenta line, listening to Margaritaville on XM - the thought of a J3 briefly crossed my mind - then it quickly left.