Aviation insurance is a specialized category of commercial coverage that protects aircraft owners, operators, airports, and hangar businesses against the physical and liability exposures that come with flight operations on the ground and in the air. No two aviation operations share the same risk profile: a flight school at Caldwell Industrial Airport has different exposures than a crop-dusting company working fields in the Snake River Valley, and both differ from a private pilot who keeps a Cessna in a leased T-hangar. Bittick works with carriers that specialize in aviation risks, so we can match the policy structure to your specific operation rather than forcing a generic commercial package onto a use case it was never designed to cover.

Your aviation operation faces unique risks that standard business insurance won't cover.

From liability in the air to cyber threats on the ground, we help you build a complete protection plan.

Illustrated scene depicting the risks Aviation Insurance protects against, with hotspot markers highlighting each scenario.

The risk

How this coverage helps

What this coverage includes

Liability for property damage and bodily injury to the public

If your aircraft damages property or injures someone on the ground, public liability coverage (also called third-party liability) pays for the resulting legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments. This is the aviation equivalent of general liability in a standard commercial policy. Limits matter here because aircraft accidents can produce claims far larger than most ground-level incidents. We help you set limits that reflect the size and location of your operation, not just the state minimum.

Passenger liability for people riding with you

Passenger liability insurance covers occupants of your aircraft who are injured or killed in an accident. Coverage is typically structured on a per-seat basis, with a stated limit for each occupied seat. Liability waivers and hold-harmless agreements provide little legal shelter for pilots, so this coverage is essential whether you are operating a charter service, a flight school, or simply taking friends up for a scenic ride over the Snake River Canyon. The per-seat structure means you can scale limits to the number of seats in your aircraft.

Hull coverage for physical damage to the aircraft

Hull insurance pays to repair or replace your aircraft following physical damage. Policies distinguish between coverage when the aircraft is in motion (taxiing, taking off, flying) and when it is not (parked, tied down, in a hangar). Aircraft are expensive to own and extraordinarily expensive to repair to FAA airworthiness standards, so even minor collision damage during ground operations can generate a substantial bill. Premiums and deductibles vary based on the aircraft's stated or agreed value and how broadly you want the in-motion coverage to apply.

Hangar keepers liability for aircraft in your care

If you own or operate a hangar and store other people's aircraft, hangar keepers liability covers you for damage to those aircraft while they are in your care, custody, or control. It also extends to the hangar structure itself and your tools and ground support equipment. This coverage can stand alone or be incorporated into an airport operator's package policy. An FBO in the Treasure Valley that services, fuels, and stores customer aircraft needs this coverage separately from its own hull and property policies.

Non-owned aircraft liability for renters and borrowers

Non-owned aircraft insurance protects you when you fly an aircraft you do not own, whether you are renting from a flight club, borrowing a friend's plane, or taking instruction in a school aircraft. The aircraft owner's policy may not extend to a non-owner operator, and your personal or commercial policies almost certainly exclude aviation. Non-owned coverage also picks up extra costs like search and rescue coordination and emergency legal expenses that arise specifically from aviation incidents.

Pairs well with

Workers' Compensation

Idaho law requires workers' compensation for any business with employees, and aviation work is among the higher-risk occupations. Placing workers' comp for an operation that employs mechanics, line technicians, and pilots requires a carrier experienced with aviation class codes.

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Commercial General Liability

A general liability policy covers bodily injury and property damage that happens on your premises or in your operations but falls outside the aviation-specific policy. Visitor slip-and-falls in a terminal building or FBO office are a common example.

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Commercial Umbrella / Excess Liability

Aviation claims can exhaust underlying policy limits quickly. A commercial umbrella adds a higher liability layer, typically two to ten million dollars, sitting above your general liability, workers' comp, and business auto policies.

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Cyber Liability

Flight schools, charter operators, and FBOs collect personal and payment data. A cyber liability policy covers the costs of a data breach, including notification expenses, legal defense, and any resulting regulatory fines.

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Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)

Discrimination, wrongful termination, and harassment claims can come from any size aviation operation. EPLI covers your business, directors, and officers, and optional third-party endorsements extend coverage to claims made by customers or vendors.

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Commercial Auto

Ground vehicles used to tow aircraft, move fuel, or transport crew between facilities need commercial auto coverage. Personal auto policies exclude business use, and aviation operations often have multiple specialty vehicles on the ramp.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need aviation insurance if I only fly for personal use and don't charge anyone?
Yes. Even non-commercial private pilots face significant liability exposure every time they fly. If your aircraft injures someone on the ground or a passenger is hurt, your homeowner's or personal umbrella policy almost certainly excludes aviation. A personal aircraft policy with hull and liability coverage is the appropriate protection, and it can be structured around how often you fly and where you keep the aircraft.
How much does aviation insurance cost for a small operation in Idaho?
Premiums vary widely based on the type of aircraft, its value, how it is used (private, instruction, charter), the pilot's experience and certificate level, and the liability limits selected. A single-engine aircraft used for private pleasure flying will cost substantially less than a multi-engine charter operation. We can get you actual carrier quotes once we know the specifics of your operation, your aircraft, and your pilot history.
What is hangar keepers insurance, and do I need it if I rent out hangar space?
Hangar keepers liability covers you for damage to aircraft owned by others while those aircraft are in your hangar or under your care. If you lease T-hangars, store aircraft for customers, or perform any maintenance on customer aircraft, you have care-custody-and-control liability exposure that a standard commercial property or general liability policy will not cover. Hangar keepers coverage is specifically designed for that gap.
Does my flying club or flight school need separate coverage from the aircraft owners?
Yes. A flying club or flight school operates as a business entity with its own liability exposure, property interest in facilities and equipment, and employer obligations to instructors and staff. The individual aircraft owners' policies protect the aircraft, but the club or school needs its own general liability, hangar keepers, workers' compensation, and possibly an aviation business owner's package. These are distinct coverage needs that should not be left to chance.
Can Bittick place aviation insurance for operators outside Idaho?
Yes. Bittick is licensed in CA, CO, ID, NV, OR, TX, VA, and WA. Our San Antonio office also serves aviation clients in the Texas Hill Country corridor. If your operation is based in one of those states or you are an Idaho-based operator flying cross-country routes, we can work with you regardless of where the aircraft is hangared.
What is non-owned aircraft coverage, and how is it different from renter's insurance?
Non-owned aircraft liability covers you when you operate an aircraft you do not own, such as a rental or a borrowed plane, and the aircraft owner's policy does not extend protection to you as the operator. It is sometimes called renter's liability in a flight club context, but it is a distinct aviation product, not an adaptation of residential renter's insurance. It also covers extra costs unique to aviation incidents, including search and rescue coordination and emergency legal expenses.

Get an aviation insurance quote tailored to your operation

Tell us about your aircraft, your operation, and how you fly, and we will shop the right carriers and bring you options worth comparing.

Don't like forms? Contact us at 208-609-3511 or email us.