Helicopter insurance
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 1
From: UK
All UK aviation insurance brokers go to the aviation insurance market for policies.
The terms of the policy don't depend upon the broker but on the underwriters - although some have delegated permission to issue policies when they have a close connection with a particular insurance company.
If brokers shop around the market on your behalf, they should come up with the same offers from the various underwriters in the market but, from what I hear, it's worth trying a few brokers to make sure you find out what's available because some brokers get better deals than others
If you're offered a policy issued by an insurance company called 'Folksam' or any version of 'Folksam', don't touch it with a barge pole.
Some owners, to my own knowledge, were left high and dry when Folksam put one of their companies into liquidation without settling the claim.
They rejected the claim and when the policy-holders sued them, they put the company into administration.
The terms of the policy don't depend upon the broker but on the underwriters - although some have delegated permission to issue policies when they have a close connection with a particular insurance company.
If brokers shop around the market on your behalf, they should come up with the same offers from the various underwriters in the market but, from what I hear, it's worth trying a few brokers to make sure you find out what's available because some brokers get better deals than others
If you're offered a policy issued by an insurance company called 'Folksam' or any version of 'Folksam', don't touch it with a barge pole.
Some owners, to my own knowledge, were left high and dry when Folksam put one of their companies into liquidation without settling the claim.
They rejected the claim and when the policy-holders sued them, they put the company into administration.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: UK
Helicopter Insurance in the UK
I buy my Helicopter insurance through an AOC company to whom I charter it on occasion. The actual policy is with Hayward Aviation.
My renewal is due and I have been told that the premium will be going up by 10%.
This seems an entirely arbitrary figure; I am always suspicious of round figure numbers anyway.
Does anyone else have any recent experience in renewing their helicopter insurance?
My renewal is due and I have been told that the premium will be going up by 10%.
This seems an entirely arbitrary figure; I am always suspicious of round figure numbers anyway.
Does anyone else have any recent experience in renewing their helicopter insurance?
Better red than ...
Joined: Aug 2004
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
From: Appleby-in-Westmorland Cumbria England
I've always been with HAI as well, and the price has always gone up each year (or the benefits on the policy reduce to meet a target price).
The last renewal was the smallest increase of all so I hope it is not the start of a trend.
I believe the cost comes from the underwriter rather than the broker so even shopping around may end with the same price ??
Take a look at what you get for the money. May be worth going to named pilots to reduce cost. Even if with an AOC holder they will have a limited number of commercial pilots flying the machine.
h-r
The last renewal was the smallest increase of all so I hope it is not the start of a trend.
I believe the cost comes from the underwriter rather than the broker so even shopping around may end with the same price ??
Take a look at what you get for the money. May be worth going to named pilots to reduce cost. Even if with an AOC holder they will have a limited number of commercial pilots flying the machine.
h-r
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 118
I insure 5 machines with the same company, dispite a claim my insurance is unchanged. Now if I had not had a claim I would have had 10% reduction, on what is called profit share. Your AOC company is stiching you up, but they may be passing on a fleet discount which if you went on your own would lead to a futher increase.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 1
From: UK
The other thing to remember is that if you did change insurance companies, would you get a better deal.
We have been with Haywards for years and they have been tested for real (on 2 occasions) over payouts. They are an exceptional and very conscientious company. The devil is in the detail and their T's and C's are simple and fair.
Be very careful before you jettison your insurance company, The cheapest premium shouldn't be your argument for moving!
We have been with Haywards for years and they have been tested for real (on 2 occasions) over payouts. They are an exceptional and very conscientious company. The devil is in the detail and their T's and C's are simple and fair.
Be very careful before you jettison your insurance company, The cheapest premium shouldn't be your argument for moving!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 2
From: yorkshire uk
I still think somebody should organise a group of say 20 -30 owners of aircraft say under 500k and look at captive insurance of the hulls and just buy 3rd party. You could have some rules such as min 100 hrs on type , 500 total, no autos to the ground etc My guess is you could halve the cost.
For instance my heli costs 16k to insure but there are no limits on hrs flown..i could do self fly hire 1000 hrs a year, no hrs or experience requirement at all !!! Any pilot regardless of age,experience can fly...... which makes me ask the question what if you halved the risk by taking these low hr pilots out, take out training and autos and fly say less than 250 hrs ???
If anyone wants to put a group together on this line then count me in !
By the way be warned, if you think you are insured for engine damage you may well not be...with Haywards there is NO cover at all if any part of the a/c goes through the engine and writes it off...that is then a $300,000 plus bill on a squirrel and not a penny from the insurance !!! BE AWARE
For instance my heli costs 16k to insure but there are no limits on hrs flown..i could do self fly hire 1000 hrs a year, no hrs or experience requirement at all !!! Any pilot regardless of age,experience can fly...... which makes me ask the question what if you halved the risk by taking these low hr pilots out, take out training and autos and fly say less than 250 hrs ???
If anyone wants to put a group together on this line then count me in !
By the way be warned, if you think you are insured for engine damage you may well not be...with Haywards there is NO cover at all if any part of the a/c goes through the engine and writes it off...that is then a $300,000 plus bill on a squirrel and not a penny from the insurance !!! BE AWARE
