Aviation Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages an aviation business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for charter, corporate, tour, helicopter, aerial work, and drone operations. Priorities reflect typical exposure; confirm against operations and fleet.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Liability (incl. | Passengers) Covers injuries to passengers and others — confirm there's no small per-passenger sublimit. | Core | |
| Hull | Covers damage to aircraft in flight and on the ground. | Core | |
| Pilot & Use Terms Match the Operation | Coverage applies only to approved pilots and approved uses — flights outside them may not be covered. | Core | |
| Excess Aviation Liability | Adds limits above the primary aircraft policy. | Prevalent | |
| Premises & Hangar Liability | Covers injuries at the base and customers' aircraft in the hangar. | Prevalent | |
| Drone Liability & Hull | Standard aviation and general liability policies often exclude drones. | Situational | |
| War, Hijacking & Terrorism | Excluded unless added — needed for international and some charter operations. | Situational | |
| Workers' Compensation | Covers crews, mechanics, and ground staff. | Core |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed gap for this class is use outside the policy's terms. Carrying passengers for pay without the right certificate, or letting an unapproved pilot fly, can void coverage for the entire flight. Operators should confirm every pilot and use is approved, have an SMS on track for the FAA's May 28, 2027 deadline where required, and insure drones separately.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your aviation coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Aviation Insurance · Aviation Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does an aviation business need?
The core coverages for an aviation business are Aircraft Liability (incl., Hull, Pilot & Use Terms Match the Operation, Workers' Compensation. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my aviation coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.