Older pilots who may be safe, current, and just as capable as younger pilots are being treated differently by aircraft insurance companies—sometimes facing premium hikes or losing coverage altogether—according to a new survey by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).
The survey of more than 30,000 pilots and aircraft owners across the country was triggered by reports that pilots over the age of 70 are being dropped or canceled from their insurers even if they haven’t had a loss.
“I continue to hear from members who have been flying for decades, with thousands of hours and a stellar safety record, who are getting bad news from their insurance company through absolutely no fault of their own,” said AOPA president Mark Baker in a statement.
Baker said this treatment of older pilots doesn’t make sense when you look at the numbers.
Among its findings, AOPA reported that not only do older pilots have more total hours, which is expected, they also fly more frequently and are more likely to stay proficient.
Other findings:
- Pilots older than 70 flew an average of nearly 70 hours in the past year, while the younger pilots flew less than 50.
- Pilots who are 70 or older were no more likely to have been involved in an accident in the past five years than younger pilots.
- More than 75 percent of the surveyed pilots over age 70 have an instrument rating, compared to 66 percent of those under 70.
- More than 50 percent of the surveyed pilots over age 70 have an airline transport pilot or commercial certificate, compared to 40 percent of those younger than 70.
So if older pilots are just as proficient, just as safe, and fly more frequently, why are insurers dropping them?
Insuring Aging Pilots
“I continue to hear from members who have been flying for decades, with thousands of hours and a stellar safety record, who are getting bad news from their insurance company through absolutely no fault of their own.”
AOPA president Mark Baker in a statement
Insurance premiums within the aviation industry have continued to rise in recent years. Even for older pilots who are willing to pay the increase in rates, it’s hard to find a company to insure them, or they get dropped from their current policy altogether. Insurers have autonomy to drop any policy holder as they see fit, even if they pay their bills on time and have never had a loss. It is important to note that while holding car insurance is a requirement by law, pilots who own and fly their own aircraft are not required to hold insurance unless the aircraft generates income.
The general aviation industry just experienced its safest year ever, marking a 29 percent year-over-year improvement in the accident rate, so dropping an older pilot due to safety concerns doesn’t hold much weight. Medical incapacitation is one of the rarest of accident causes.
