Student Pilot Insurance
While working to obtain your pilot’s license, there are a lot of things to consider, and it can feel overwhelming at times. Finding the right school, considering cost, and paying for the training are all important factors that you will base your decision on.
One consideration that may be overlooked is whether or not you need insurance as a student pilot, and if so, how to go about that.
- Does a student pilot need insurance? There really isn’t an official federal “requirement” that obligates a student pilot to carry their own insurance, unless the school or FBO has it as part of their agreement. But just because it may not be required doesn’t mean that you don’t need it. This decision is up to the student.
- Some flight school and FBO policies may have a clause stating that the owner of the policy (school or FBO) is covered, but the insurance carrier can come after the student to recoup any costs that they sustain. The aircraft owner may be able to collect the deductible and loss of use from the student, so if the student does not have a policy, they could be personally responsible for this amount.
- Some operations will not lease or rent an aircraft to a student without an active renters’ insurance policy.
- Having your own renters’ insurance policy can eliminate gaps in coverage that the aircraft owner’s policy may have while you are the pilot.
Be sure to ask your aviation insurance broker questions so that, should a claim occur, you are informed and have the right coverage in place to avoid any issues.
