Insurance is just another industry with all the same considerations, i.e. bottom line, shareholders, Names, (if Lloyds) etc. etc.
Underwriters will look at many things when assessing a rate, such as the actuarial record of the airframe generally, record of the regions in which it is employed as well as the record of the airline specifically.
Contrary to popular belief insurance underwriters rarely place a minimum hours limitation, (called a warranty), on pilots of an established airline with a reasonable record, they leave that to airline management and the regulating authority.
If an airline says they never promote a captain with less than 5000 hours and 1000 on type the underwriter will probably rub his hands together and say "good oh" but I seriously doubt he will give any reduction in premium for it. Insurance is a risk business and underwriters are prepared to take calculated risks.
The occasions when I have seen a pilot warranty imposed on a policy is when a small company acquires a new and expensive airframe that it has not operated previously, another time was when a small company had an accident and it transpired the owners son, with less than 500 hours total, was in the LHS of a large twin turbo prop.
Don't plan on too much help from the insurance industry, they are not going to start rocking anyones boat if the premium income keeps coming in and claims are low, it is just a business, moral obligations remain with managements and authorities.
Last edited by parabellum; 2nd May 2011 at 06:49.