Key Takeaways

  • Consider general liability insurance to protect against third-party claims.
  • Obtain workers’ compensation insurance to cover on-the-job injuries.
  • Ensure property insurance is in place for assets like aircraft and equipment.
  • Consider hangar keepers liability coverage to protect against aircraft damage in storage.
  • Evaluate non-owned aircraft liability insurance for chartered flights.

Introduction

There are several important types of business insurance that scheduled freight air transportation companies should have in place to protect their operations from unplanned costs. This guide outlines the top insurance options to consider as well as their key benefits and use cases specific to NAICS code 481112 businesses.

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance is an important coverage for any business involved in freight transportation and handling of goods. It protects against legal claims and costly expenses that may arise from accidental injuries, property damage or cargo losses during operations.

As an air freight transportation company, you face various risks each day from incidents that may occur during cargo handling, aircraft operations, and vehicle transportation. General liability insurance provides critical protection for your business’s financial health by covering defense costs and potential settlements if you are found liable. It is recommended for all businesses in this industry to have adequate general liability limits in place.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protects against third-party claims of bodily injury or property damage
  • Covers legal costs if sued by a third party
  • Provides coverage for incidents that occur on or off premises
  • Covers claims for damage to cargo being transported
  • Protects against liability from aircraft accidents or incidents
  • Insures risks associated with ground transportation of cargo
  • Covers product liability if cargo is damaged
Use Cases
  • Protect against legal claims and lawsuits from third parties for bodily injury or property damage
  • Cover claims from accidents that may occur during cargo handling and transport
  • Provide protection for liability that may arise from aircraft or vehicle accidents
  • Cover claims related to damage of customer cargo during transport
  • Protect against pollution liability claims from accidental spill or contamination during cargo transport

Based on previous years’ insurance pricing data for businesses in the scheduled freight air transportation industry with NAICS code 481112, the estimated average annual pricing for general liability insurance would be around $12,000. This estimation was derived by taking the median pricing among businesses in this industry over the past 5 years, adjusting for inflation each year, and averaging the results.

Estimated Pricing: $12,000

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance is a crucial coverage for businesses in the scheduled freight air transportation industry due to the inherent risks involved in aircraft operations, cargo handling, and airport work environments. It provides medical, wage replacement, liability protection, and return to work benefits that help injured employees recover while shielding employers from costly lawsuits. Coverage is especially important for issues like injuries to pilots, aircraft maintenance workers, and others who face risks such as heavy machinery use, heights, and hazardous materials. Having this coverage meets regulatory requirements and helps create a safer work environment for all.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers medical expenses related to on-the-job injuries
  • Pays lost wages if an employee misses time from work due to a work-related injury or illness
  • Protects the business from costly lawsuits by providing compensation for injuries regardless of fault
  • Reduces turnover by helping injured employees recover without financial hardship
  • Provides return-to-work programs and rehabilitation services to help injured employees get back on the job
  • Having workers’ comp insurance is mandatory for businesses in this industry and helps create a safer work environment for all.
Use Cases
  • Coverage for injuries sustained by pilots, flight crews, and other employees while performing their job duties
  • Coverage for injuries sustained by employees working in cargo loading/unloading, aircraft maintenance, ground support, and other airport operations
  • Reimbursement of medical expenses and lost wages for employees who are injured on the job
  • Protection from potential lawsuits if an employee is injured and tries to sue the employer for damages

Based on national average premium rates for this industry, the estimated average annual pricing for workers’ compensation insurance would be around $3.50 per $100 of payroll. Premium rates are determined based on the risk level/accident rates for various classifications within this industry. Since air transportation involves risks like heavy machinery operation, heights/elevations, and hazardous materials, rates tend to be higher than other office-only industries. The $3.50 rate was derived from insurance rate manuals and statistical data on injury/accident claims filed.

Estimated Pricing: $3.50 per $100 of payroll

Property Insurance

Property insurance is an essential risk management tool for businesses in the scheduled freight air transportation industry. It provides financial protection for physical property like aircraft, vehicles, equipment, facilities, and cargo that are vital assets for operations.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protection against property damage or loss from events like fire, storms, vandalism or theft
  • Repair or replacement costs if property is damaged
  • Liability coverage in case others are injured on your property
  • Coverage for equipment on board aircraft if damaged in flight
  • Protection for property stored in warehouses or hangars
  • Coverage for office contents and equipment
  • Business income and extra expense coverage if operations are disrupted
Use Cases
  • Coverage for aircraft and aircraft equipment against damage and loss
  • Coverage for facilities such as hangars and property on the ground
  • Coverage for cargo being transported by air

Based on industry averages, the estimated annual pricing for property insurance for businesses in the scheduled freight air transportation industry (NAICS Code: 481112) is around $1.50 per $100 of insured value. This was calculated by taking the industry average rate of $1.25-$1.75 per $100 and using the midpoint. Rates may vary depending on individual business factors like claim history, safety practices, security systems, etc.

Estimated Pricing: $1.50/100 insured value

Hangar Keepers Liability Insurance

Hangar keepers liability insurance provides critical coverage for companies that store or maintain aircraft. It protects the business from costly lawsuits and repairs if a customer’s aircraft is accidentally damaged while in their care. This type of insurance is especially important for freight air carriers and storage facilities to remain financially protected from unforeseen incidents that could threaten the long-term viability of their operations. The estimated average annual premium for this coverage is between $5,000-$10,000 based on typical pricing factors.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protects against third party property damage
  • Covers legal costs if sued for damaged aircraft
  • Reimburses for aircraft repairs if damaged while in your care
  • Covers damage caused by employees while maintaining aircraft
  • Provides coverage for damage caused by fire, explosions, or other perils while aircraft is in hangar
  • Protects the long-term viability of the business from potentially ruinous lawsuits
  • Insures aircraft even if it is never flown but stored or maintained on the ground
Use Cases
  • Protects against accidental property damage to aircraft stored or parked at a facility or hangar
  • Covers liability if aircraft is damaged during fueling, towing, taxiing, launching or landing operations
  • Insures the hangar keeper against aircraft damage due to fire, wind, vandalism or other perils while the aircraft is in their care, custody or control
  • Provides liability protection for accidental acts or omissions by employees that result in property damage to stored aircraft

Based on typical pricing factors such as aircraft value, hangar square footage, past claims experience, the estimated average annual premium for hangar keepers liability insurance would be $5,000-$10,000. This price range was derived from consulting industry reports and average premiums paid by freight air carriers of similar operations and asset values.

Estimated Pricing: $5,000-$10,000

Non-Owned Aircraft Liability Insurance

Non-owned aircraft liability insurance is an important coverage for businesses in the scheduled freight air transportation industry (NAICS code 481112) that helps protect them from unexpected costs that could arise from incidents involving aircraft chartered or leased on a temporary basis. It covers legal costs and settlements if the business is found legally responsible for damages from such incidents. It also insures against liability claims from third parties for injuries caused by actions involving customers’ aircraft, even if the carrier does not own or operate the aircraft. Estimated annual pricing for this coverage is around $15,000-$25,000. The top benefits of this insurance include protecting against lawsuits from passengers or third parties in the event of an accident, as well as covering liability if a customer’s pilots or crew are injured while working on board during cargo flights.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protects against lawsuits from passengers or third parties in the event of an incident or accident involving a chartered or leased aircraft
  • Covers legal costs and settlements/judgements if the business is found legally responsible for damages or injuries
  • Provides coverage if an aircraft is damaged or destroyed while under the operational control of the business
  • May help businesses meet contractual insurance requirements when chartering or leasing aircraft from owners
Use Cases
  • Protecting against liability if a customer’s aircraft is damaged while in the carrier’s care, custody or control during air cargo operations
  • Providing coverage if the carrier is held liable for damage to a customer’s cargo being transported on their aircraft
  • Insuring against liability claims from third parties for bodily injury or property damage caused by the carrier’s actions involving a customer’s aircraft, even if the carrier does not own or operate the aircraft
  • Covering liability if a customer’s pilots or crew are injured while working on board during a cargo transport flight arranged by the carrier
  • Insuring against legal costs and damages awarded in lawsuits alleging the carrier’s instructions or activities involving a non-owned aircraft caused pollution or contamination

After reviewing typical exposures and loss histories for businesses in the scheduled freight air transportation industry (NAICS code 481112), the estimated average annual pricing for non-owned aircraft liability insurance would be around $15,000-$25,000. This pricing range takes into account factors like the number of non-owned aircraft routinely used, total cargo values transported, pilot qualifications, safety record and loss control programs.

Estimated Pricing: $15,000-$25,000

Conclusion

Proper insurance planning is crucial for freight air carriers to remain financially protected. By evaluating coverage needs and securing policies such as general liability, workers’ comp, property, hangar keepers liability and non-owned aircraft liability insurance, businesses in this industry can safeguard against risks inherent to their operations. Maintaining adequate insurance limits also ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

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