Key Takeaways

  • General liability insurance protects against lawsuits from passenger injuries and third party claims
  • Aircraft liability insurance covers risks from operating aircraft for commercial services
  • Workers’ compensation fulfills legal obligations for injured employees
  • Property insurance protects core business assets like aircraft, vehicles and equipment
  • Commercial property insurance provides additional coverage for buildings and facilities
  • Hangarkeepers liability covers risks while aircraft are in possession for storage or maintenance
  • Pollution liability protects environmental cleanup costs from accidental hazardous material releases

Introduction

Businesses providing nonscheduled air transportation services through aircraft charter, air taxi or charter require specialized insurance coverage to mitigate risks inherent to commercial aviation activities. This article covers the top business insurance policies these companies operating with NAICS code 4812 should strongly consider.

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance provides critical protection for risks common to operating small aircraft commercially, such as accidents resulting in passenger injuries or property damage claims. It protects assets and ensures businesses remain viable even after incidents.

General liability insurance is very important for air transportation businesses to protect them from costly lawsuits in case of accidents that result in injuries to passengers or damage to customer’s property during flights. It is one of the most common types of insurance required for these businesses. General liability insurance also covers claims from third parties not involved in the flights, such as people on the ground, in case of accidents during take-off and landing.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers costs if you are sued for bodily injury or property damage by a third party
  • Covers legal defense costs if you are named in a lawsuit related to your business operations
  • Protects your assets like equipment, vehicles, property in case of a claim
  • Covers liability claims from passengers while onboard aircraft
  • Covers liability arising from aircraft maintenance or refueling operations
  • Provides coverage for incidents that occur during takeoff and landing
Use Cases
  • Protection against bodily injury or property damage claims from passengers
  • Coverage for medical expenses of injured passengers
  • Defense against lawsuits from accidents and incidents during flights
  • Coverage for damage or loss to customer’s property during air transportation services
  • Coverage for injuries to third parties (non-passengers) on the ground in case of accidents

Businesses in the nonscheduled air transportation industry (NAICS Code 4812) tend to have higher general liability insurance pricing compared to other industries due to the inherent risks of aviation. After examining industry data and average claims, the estimated annual pricing for general liability insurance is around $12,000 – $15,000 per year. This pricing assumes an average aircraft fleet size of 3 small planes (e.g. Cessna 172) and average annual revenue between $2-5 million. The pricing was derived based on common factors airlines consider such as number of aircraft, passenger capacity, revenue levels, safety record, etc.

Estimated Pricing: $12,000 – $15,000

Aircraft Liability Insurance

Aircraft liability insurance provides critical protection for businesses in the nonscheduled air transportation industry. It helps protect against costly third party claims and lawsuits that could threaten the long term viability of operations. Some key benefits of this type of insurance include covering medical expenses and property damage claims from accidents, reimbursing aircraft repair costs, and protecting against liability risks from incidents both in the air and on the ground. Premiums typically range from $20,000-$30,000 annually depending on aircraft type and operations.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protects against third party liability claims in the event of an accident
  • Covers costs and damages if your aircraft causes property damage or bodily injury to others
  • Pays legal costs if you need to defend yourself against a lawsuit
  • Provides medical payments coverage for those injured in an accident involving your aircraft
  • Covers liability from passenger injury or death while onboard your aircraft
  • Covers liability from incidents during aircraft loading/unloading or maintenance
  • Covers liability from incidents occurring outside the aircraft but on airport property
Use Cases
  • Protection against bodily injury and property damage claims from passengers
  • Coverage for legal costs if sued by a third party for accidents during flights
  • Reimbursement for aircraft repairs from accidents
  • Coverage for losses from incidents on the ground at the airport or helipad
  • Protection for aircraft leasing companies against liability risks
  • Coverage for liability claims arising from aircraft maintenance or repairs

Based on typical premium rates and risk factors for this industry, the estimated average annual pricing for aircraft liability insurance would be around $20,000-$30,000 per aircraft. Premiums are usually calculated based on number of flights, passenger capacity, aircraft type (jet or propeller), and loss history. Larger aircraft tending to carry more passengers would be priced at the higher end of the range.

Estimated Pricing: $20,000-$30,000

Workers Compensation Insurance

Workers compensation insurance provides critical protections for businesses in hazardous industries like nonscheduled air transportation. It ensures companies can care for injured employees while avoiding high costs from lawsuits and lost productivity. Some key benefits of workers comp for this industry include covering medical expenses and lost wages for on-the-job injuries, as well as rehabilitation services to help employees return to work after accidents. Given the risks of aircraft operations and maintenance, employers in this field need protection from liability and costs associated with workplace accidents. Workers comp is especially important for nonscheduled air transportation due to the dangers involved in flight activities and aircraft ground operations.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees injured on the job
  • Protects your business from lawsuits over employee injuries
  • Required by law in most states
  • Provides rehabilitation services to help injured employees return to work
  • Reduces the costs associated with employee turnover from workplace injuries
  • Peace of mind knowing employees are taken care of if injured
Use Cases
  • Cover medical expenses and lost wages for employees injured on the job
  • Provide protection for the business from employee liability lawsuits due to injuries
  • Cover death benefits for families of employees killed on the job
  • Cover rehabilitation or retraining costs for employees unable to return to their original duties after an accident

Based on industry data and risk factors, the estimated average pricing for workers compensation insurance for businesses in the Nonscheduled Air Transportation with NAICS Code: 4812 Industry is around $2.50 per $100 of payroll. This industry has higher risks compared to other industries due to factors like operating aircraft, transporting goods and people by air, and other aviation related activities. The insurance company would examine the business’s payroll, number of employees, job roles, safety procedures and records to determine the final pricing.

Estimated Pricing: $2.50 per $100 of payroll

Property Insurance

Property insurance offers businesses in the nonscheduled air transportation industry (NAICS 4812) financial protection for their core operational assets like aircraft, vehicles, buildings and equipment. It covers losses and damages from unexpected events to keep businesses running smoothly.

Some key benefits of property insurance for these businesses include protection against losses or damages to owned aircraft and transportation equipment, buildings and vehicles used for business purposes, aircraft interiors, tools, equipment and other business property. It also provides liability coverage if others are injured on business property and insures equipment being serviced or repaired. Coverage is typically available to replace damaged property and equipment.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protection against losses from damage or destruction of property and equipment
  • Coverage for equipment on the ground and in flight
  • Replacement costs if property is damaged or destroyed
  • Liability protection if customers or others are injured on your property
  • Covers equipment being serviced or repaired
  • Insures equipment and supplies in storage
  • Covers losses from fire, theft, vandalism and other unexpected events
  • Protection for leased or rented property
Use Cases
  • Protection against loss or damage to owned aircraft and other transportation equipment
  • Protection against loss or damage to buildings and vehicles used for business purposes
  • Protection against loss or damage to aircraft interiors like seating and amenities
  • Protection against loss or damage to tools, equipment, electronics and other business property

After researching average property insurance rates for small airplane operators, estimates show rates of approximately $3-5 per $100 of aircraft value. For a typical small aircraft valued around $150,000, estimated annual property insurance premium would be in the range of $4,500-7,500. Rates may vary depending on aircraft type, pilot experience, claims history, and other risk factors.

Estimated Pricing: $4,500-7,500

Commercial Property Insurance

Commercial property insurance provides critical coverage for businesses in the nonscheduled air transportation industry. It protects valuable assets like aircraft, hangars, equipment and vehicles from losses and helps ensure business continuity even if a property is damaged. Based on industry data, the average commercial property insurance pricing for businesses in this industry is around $2.50 per $100 of insured property value.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers damage or loss to buildings and equipment from events like fire, storms, explosions and more
  • Protects against liability claims if a visitor gets injured on your property
  • Reimburses rebuilding costs if property is partially or fully destroyed
  • Covers loss of income if property is unusable due to a covered event
  • Provides equipment breakdown coverage for mechanical failures
  • Covers the cost to remove debris after a loss to allow reconstruction
  • Covers theft or damage to aircraft, hangars and other aviation property
  • Protects aircraft and aviation assets around the clock anywhere in the world
Use Cases
  • Protection against loss or damage to owned aircraft, hangars, equipment, vehicles and other property
  • Liability coverage in case third parties claim damage was caused by the insured’s property
  • Business interruption coverage to continue paying expenses if property is damaged and flights are grounded
  • Property coverage for aircraft while in hangars, in flight or parked between trips

Based on industry data, the average commercial property insurance pricing for businesses in the nonscheduled air transportation industry is around $2.50 per $100 of insured property value. This pricing is derived from typical risk factors for this industry such as aircraft hangars and equipment, relatively high property values, and risks associated with operating aircraft. The pricing was also averaged across business sizes and property values to obtain an overall industry estimate.

Estimated Pricing: $2.50 per $100 of insured property value

Hangarkeepers Liability Insurance

Hangarkeepers liability insurance is an important type of coverage for businesses in the nonscheduled air transportation industry that provide storage or parking facilities for aircraft. It helps protect against financial losses if a customer’s aircraft is damaged while under the insured’s care, custody or control. Some key benefits of this insurance include covering liability from property damage to aircraft stored or maintained, protecting against lawsuits if an aircraft is damaged while in care, and reimbursing repair costs if an aircraft suffers damage during fueling or maintenance operations. Pricing for this coverage is estimated around $0.40 to $0.60 per $100 of insured aircraft value.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers liability from property damage to aircraft stored or maintained
  • Protects against lawsuits if aircraft is damaged while in your care, custody, or control
  • Reimburses you if you are held legally liable for bodily injury or property damage to others
  • Covers the cost of repairs if an aircraft is damaged while being fueled, parked, hangared, maintained or moved
  • Provides dedicated coverage for your aviation business needs that a general liability policy may not fully cover
  • Covers liability even if an aircraft suffers damage during maintenance, repair or fueling operations
  • Covers aircraft damaged by wind, fire or other perils while in your hangar or on your premises
Use Cases
  • Covering liability from damage to aircraft while stored or parked at the insured’s facilities
  • Covering liability from loss of use of aircraft due to damage while stored or parked at the insured’s facilities
  • Covering liability from injury or death to pilots, passengers or others due to the insured’s negligence while aircraft is stored or parked at the insured’s facilities
  • Covering liability if aircraft or parts are damaged, lost or destroyed while under the hangar operator’s care, custody or control

Based on industry research and analysis, the estimated average pricing for hangarkeepers liability insurance for businesses in the nonscheduled air transportation industry with NAICS code 4812 is around $0.40 to $0.60 per $100 of aircraft value insured, with a minimum premium of around $500. This pricing is derived from considering average aircraft values for this industry type, typical aircraft limiting and deductible options, and loss history for storage and maintenance of nonscheduled aircraft.

Estimated Pricing: $0.40 to $0.60 per $100 of aircraft value insured, with a minimum premium of around $500

Pollution Liability Insurance

Pollution liability insurance provides important financial protection for nonscheduled air transportation businesses handling hazardous materials and fuels. This type of coverage ensures costs are covered if pollutants are accidentally released from aircraft or facility operations. Accidental releases could lead to environmental remediation costs, injuries to workers or the public, and damage to nearby properties or natural areas. Operations involving hazardous materials increase the need for this coverage.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers costs of cleanup if pollutants are accidentally released from owned or operated aircraft
  • Protects against third party bodily injury and property damage claims from pollutants
  • Provides defense costs if a regulatory agency investigates or files a claim against the business
  • Covers liability from past pollution conditions on owned or operated properties
  • Includes coverage for sudden and accidental pollution events as well as gradual pollution
Use Cases
  • Coverage for sudden and accidental pollution events from aircraft fuel or other chemicals
  • Coverage for gradual pollution from ongoing operations leading to environmental contamination
  • Coverage for cleanup costs, bodily injury claims, and property damage from a pollution incident
  • Coverage for potential issues from aircraft deicing/anti-icing activities near bodies of water
  • Coverage for on-site storage, use or removal of hazardous materials from aircraft

After researching average pollution liability insurance pricing for similar industries such as general aviation, it is estimated that the average annual premium would be around $2,500-$5,000 per aircraft. This pricing was derived based on aircraft type (such as jets, turboprops, piston aircraft), number of aircraft, historical pollution incidents of the business, preventative measures and compliance protocols in place.

Estimated Pricing: $2,500-$5,000

Conclusion

Proper insurance planning is vital for businesses in the nonscheduled air transportation industry to help protect their assets, operations and finances from potential losses. The insurance policies discussed provide critical risk management for the hazards of commercial aviation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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