Membership Services
Moving up? Make insurance part of your transition plan
When it comes to moving up to a newer, more complex, or faster aircraft, it’s important to have a transition plan. You’ll need to do your homework, get training, and consider your insurance needs.
“It’s a good idea to talk to your insurance broker before you start shopping for that new airplane,” said Brenda Jennings, senior vice president of the AOPA Insurance Agency. “What works for a pilot transitioning from a fixed-gear to a retractable-gear aircraft will be different than what may work for someone going from a high-performance piston twin to a very light jet. It’s a good idea to know what you’ll need in terms of experience, training, ratings, and insurance before you sign that contract.”
Once you have a sense of what your insurer will require, you can develop a more effective transition plan, including a time line for the training you’ll need, especially if it includes new ratings, flight hours with a safety pilot, or other qualification-building requirements.
Having a plan and writing it down can also offer reassurance to your insurer that you have carefully thought through the safest approach to transition into your new aircraft. If you’re considering moving up, contact the AOPA Insurance Agency at 800/622-2672 to learn more about your options.
January 21, 2010
