BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Aug 2025, 07:56

Kitfox out west = off airport operations = high risk of total loss and or helicopter retrieval.
Then add in low time pilot/builder.

Ask if there is an option of coverage for only licensed airports.

Ask what the rate would be once you have 100hrs TW or in type?

That number actually seems reasonable for 170K hull on a custom built experimental airplane.
read that as very hard to estimate or find a shop for repairs if needed. Does not make it any easier to accept but it seems to match with other higher risk categories. Just being able to get insurance at all for that I would say is good. Many times it is just NO.

Even Experimentals are not cheap anymore. Kit Parts, engines, propellers, avionics add up fast.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Aug 2025, 08:47

Username Protected wrote:

Just got a quote at Oshkosh, my home built tail wheel plane that I have 35 hours in was almost $2000 for $15,000 hull, libilty alone was $1400……

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Aug 2025, 08:54

Check with Parker at Airspeed Insurance.

He got my CAP-10 covered for half of what Falcon (even with USAA portal) could do.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Aug 2025, 09:31

Username Protected wrote:

Tell them you want to put the plane on amphibious floats instead. That will make you feel better about the tailwheel number..

Leldon

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Aug 2025, 09:53

Username Protected wrote:

Check with Parker at Airspeed Insurance.

He got my CAP-10 covered for half of what Falcon (even with USAA portal) could do.

Is USAA back in the referral business on airplanes? I did that years ago but they stopped it so I just went on the open market. They refer the Class B motorhome insurance to Progressive like they did on my airplane in the past. If so, do you see a discount?

Thanks.
John

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Aug 2025, 16:10

Username Protected wrote:

Check with Parker at Airspeed Insurance.

He got my CAP-10 covered for half of what Falcon (even with USAA portal) could do.

Is USAA back in the referral business on airplanes? I did that years ago but they stopped it so I just went on the open market. They refer the Class B motorhome insurance to Progressive like they did on my airplane in the past. If so, do you see a discount?

Thanks.
John

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Aug 2025, 23:59

Username Protected wrote:

I just a got a builders policy put on the kitfox I'm building with my normal broker who I use for my a36. Out of curiosity I asked her to ballpark me a quote for Hull/Liability with me as the named pilot only. I've got over 1600hrs and IFR rated, currently no tailwheel time but told her to figure I'd have 20 to 30 hours by then. Hull value of $170K. She told me ballpark, $5 to $10k and probably closer to the high number. I literally spit the water I was drinking onto my phone when I saw that number. They've always gotten me fantastic pricing on my Bonanza (I compare it with other guys and have had a couple switch to mine) but that number just seems insane. She said it probably wouldn't come down until I got close to 200hrs.

What are you guys doing if you're like me and have basically zero tail wheel time. Self insuring?

Yes, self insure the hull.

None of your experience, instrument rating, or anything else relating to flying a nose wheel airplane reduces the insurer’s risk on a tailwheel airplane, by much. If a new tailwheel pilot has a claim it is very likely to be a landing mishap probably ground loop

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Aug 2025, 00:06

Username Protected wrote:

Avemco is sometimes very competitive on "non traditional" aircraft. Antiques, experimentals, etc... I have an old biplane, and the underwriter that covers my other planes won't even insure it. Avemco will, and the rate is pretty reasonable.

I"ve had similar experience insuring TW with Avemco, the first year they were the most competitive.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Aug 2025, 09:19

I'll give Avemco a call.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Aug 2025, 09:45

Username Protected wrote:

I'll give Avemco a call.

A good call here - in some cases for aircraft valued under 350k AVEMCO can be a more competitive option than the traditional insurers accessed via a broker. It's worth a phone call to them for sure.
:thumbup:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Aug 2025, 12:42

Avemco just declined to quote for me on a 63 Cessna 180 stating that they do not offer coverage on the make & model.

USAIG offered the best quote of $4012 based on $220k hull & $1m/$100k. They require 10 hours dual prior to solo for both SWMBO (ATP, 14,000hrs, 166TW) and myself (COMM/INST 1300hrs, 26TW).

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Aug 2025, 14:39

Username Protected wrote:

Avemco just declined to quote for me on a 63 Cessna 180 stating that they do not offer coverage on the make & model.

USAIG offered the best quote of $4012 based on $220k hull & $1m/$100k. They require 10 hours dual prior to solo for both SWMBO (ATP, 14,000hrs, 166TW) and myself (COMM/INST 1300hrs, 26TW).

That’s really good.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Aug 2025, 14:55

Username Protected wrote:

Avemco just declined to quote for me on a 63 Cessna 180 stating that they do not offer coverage on the make & model.

USAIG offered the best quote of $4012 based on $220k hull & $1m/$100k. They require 10 hours dual prior to solo for both SWMBO (ATP, 14,000hrs, 166TW) and myself (COMM/INST 1300hrs, 26TW).

You probably already know this but a $100k per passenger sublimit is almost worthless if you carry passengers that aren't well trusted family members.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Aug 2025, 20:05

Username Protected wrote:

Avemco just declined to quote for me on a 63 Cessna 180 stating that they do not offer coverage on the make & model.

USAIG offered the best quote of $4012 based on $220k hull & $1m/$100k. They require 10 hours dual prior to solo for both SWMBO (ATP, 14,000hrs, 166TW) and myself (COMM/INST 1300hrs, 26TW).

You probably already know this but a $100k per passenger sublimit is almost worthless if you carry passengers that aren't well trusted family members.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Aug 2025, 21:46

Username Protected wrote:

Yeah I know. They also quoted $1m/$200K at $4380 & $1m CSL for $4811.

IMO, unless you're judgement proof or never carry anyone whose heirs might sue, and extra 20% for CSL would be worth the peace of mind. OTOH, if there's nothing for a plaintiff to extract from your assets (AFaIK a primary residence isn't considered for that) the cheaper alternative might not cost you very much unless they can somehow latch onto future earnings.

Insurance ?. New Tail Wheel Pilot