Aircraft Ferry Insurance Requirements
What Aircraft Owners Need to Know Before a Ferry Pilot Flies Their Airplane
You found a qualified pilot.
The pilot has the proper FAA certificate.
The pilot has the required ratings and endorsements.
The pilot may even have hundreds or thousands of hours of experience.
There is still one important question:
Does the pilot satisfy your aircraft insurance policy?
Aircraft insurance requirements are one of the most important—and commonly misunderstood—parts of arranging an aircraft ferry flight.
A pilot can be completely legal under FAA regulations and still fail to satisfy the requirements of a particular aircraft insurance policy.
That distinction matters.
Before a ferry pilot travels to your aircraft, the aircraft owner should confirm the applicable insurance requirements and determine whether the proposed pilot is acceptable under the policy.
Ferry Flight USA coordinates aircraft ferry and delivery missions throughout the United States and matches qualifying missions with pilots based on the aircraft, mission and insurance requirements provided for the aircraft.
This guide explains how aircraft insurance can affect ferry-pilot selection, aircraft delivery and repositioning.
Need an Aircraft Ferried?
Tell Ferry Flight USA:
What aircraft are we moving?
Where is it now?
Where does it need to go?
What insurance pilot requirements apply?
From there, we can evaluate the mission and identify an appropriately qualified pilot.
REQUEST AN AIRCRAFT FERRY QUOTE
Why Aircraft Insurance Matters on a Ferry Flight
Aircraft insurance policies frequently contain requirements governing who may operate the insured aircraft.
Those requirements can be more restrictive than the FAA requirements for acting as pilot in command.
An insurance policy may establish minimum experience involving:
- Total flight time
- Pilot-in-command time
- Time in category
- Time in class
- Make-and-model time
- Retractable-gear experience
- High-performance experience
- Tailwheel experience
- Multi-engine experience
- Pressurized-aircraft experience
- Turbine experience
- Time in type
- Instrument qualification
- Recurrent training
- Simulator training
- Named-pilot approval
The exact requirements depend on the aircraft, insurance carrier, policy and individual pilot.
There is no single insurance standard that applies to every ferry flight.
FAA Qualified Does Not Automatically Mean Insurance Qualified
This is the most important concept on this page.
FAA pilot qualification and aircraft insurance qualification are two separate issues.
For example:
A pilot may legally hold:
Commercial Pilot Certificate
Airplane Single-Engine Land Rating
Instrument Rating
Complex Endorsement
and therefore possess the FAA privileges necessary for a particular flight.
But the aircraft’s insurance policy might additionally require:
1,000 hours total time
100 hours retractable-gear time
25 hours in the exact make/model
If the pilot does not satisfy those requirements, the fact that the pilot is otherwise FAA qualified does not automatically satisfy the insurance policy.
Both issues must be addressed.
What Is a Named Pilot?
A named pilot is a pilot specifically identified on the aircraft insurance policy as an approved pilot.
Depending on the policy, the insurer may require particular pilots to be individually listed.
This is especially common when:
- Aircraft is complex
- Aircraft is high performance
- Aircraft is multi-engine
- Aircraft is pressurized
- Aircraft is turbine powered
- Pilot has limited make/model experience
- Aircraft has a high insured value
If a policy is written on a named-pilots-only basis, a ferry pilot generally should not assume that satisfying general FAA qualifications is sufficient.
The owner should contact the insurance broker or carrier and determine whether the ferry pilot must be added or otherwise approved.
What Is an Open Pilot Warranty?
Many aircraft owners hear the term:
Open Pilot Warranty
An Open Pilot Warranty—sometimes described with different policy terminology—is a provision allowing pilots who are not individually named on the policy to operate the aircraft when they satisfy specified experience and qualification requirements.
For example, a policy might require an unnamed pilot to possess certain minimum:
- Pilot certificate
- Total flight time
- Pilot-in-command time
- Time in category/class
- Make/model experience
The exact wording controls.
Never assume that because an aircraft has an “open pilot clause,” any properly certificated pilot can fly it.
The pilot must satisfy the actual requirements written into the policy.
Open Pilot Warranty vs. Named Pilot
These are two different ways an insurance policy may address pilot eligibility.
Named Pilot
The pilot is specifically identified and approved under the policy.
Open Pilot Provision
The pilot is not individually named but may qualify if the pilot satisfies every minimum requirement established by the policy.
Some policies provide both.
Others may be significantly more restrictive.
The aircraft owner should review the actual policy or contact the insurance broker before the ferry mission.
Why Open Pilot Requirements Matter for Ferry Flights
Ferry flights are one of the situations where an aircraft owner may need a qualified pilot who does not normally operate the airplane.
For example:
You own a Piper Arrow.
You need the aircraft delivered from Texas to Florida.
Your policy’s open-pilot provision may establish minimum pilot experience for someone other than your normal named pilots to operate the airplane.
If the proposed ferry pilot satisfies those requirements, the policy may permit the operation without individually adding that pilot.
If the pilot does not satisfy them, additional approval may be necessary.
The key is:
Check before the pilot travels.
What Does “Time in Make and Model” Mean?
Aircraft insurers frequently look at a pilot’s experience in the specific aircraft make and model.
For example:
A pilot may have:
3,000 hours total flight time
and:
1,000 hours of complex-aircraft experience
but only:
2 hours in a Piper Saratoga
If the policy requires 25 hours in the make/model, the pilot’s extensive overall experience does not automatically satisfy that requirement.
Make/model requirements can be particularly important for:
- Complex aircraft
- High-performance aircraft
- Tailwheel airplanes
- Piston twins
- Pressurized airplanes
- Turbine aircraft
Why Aircraft-Specific Experience Matters
Two aircraft in the same general category can operate very differently.
Compare:
Cessna 172
and:
Cirrus SR22
Both are single-engine piston aircraft.
But they differ significantly in:
- Performance
- Systems
- Avionics
- Handling
- Emergency procedures
- Aircraft-specific training
Likewise:
A pilot experienced in a Piper Seminole is not automatically experienced in an Aerostar.
Insurance requirements often reflect those differences.
Total Time Requirements
Aircraft insurance policies may establish minimum total pilot flight time.
Examples could include:
- 250 hours
- 500 hours
- 1,000 hours
- 1,500 hours
- Another amount determined by the insurer
There is no universal requirement.
A straightforward trainer may have relatively flexible pilot requirements.
A high-performance or specialized aircraft may require substantially more experience.
Pilot-in-Command Time
Some policies may distinguish between:
Total flight time
and:
Pilot-in-command time
A pilot might have significant total time but less experience acting as PIC.
The exact policy requirements should therefore be reviewed rather than relying solely on a pilot’s total logbook time.
Time in Category & Class
Insurance may consider experience in:
- Airplane
- Single-engine land
- Multi-engine land
- Seaplane
- Other relevant category/class combinations
This can matter especially when matching pilots to:
- Multi-engine aircraft
- Seaplanes
- Amphibious aircraft
- Specialized aircraft
A pilot’s overall total time may not tell the entire story.
Retractable-Gear Experience
Complex aircraft insurance policies may require a minimum amount of retractable-gear experience.
This can be relevant to aircraft such as:
- Piper Arrow
- Piper Saratoga
- Beechcraft Bonanza
- Mooney
- Cessna 210
- Piston twins
A pilot with extensive fixed-gear time may still fail to meet a policy’s retractable-gear requirement.
High-Performance Aircraft Experience
High-performance aircraft can introduce:
- More power
- Greater speed
- Higher workload
- Different energy management
- More complex systems
Insurance may therefore establish experience requirements beyond simply holding a high-performance endorsement.
Examples can include aircraft such as:
- Cessna 182
- Cessna 206
- Cirrus SR22
- Beechcraft Bonanza
- Piper Saratoga
The actual policy language determines what is required.
Tailwheel Aircraft Insurance Requirements
Tailwheel aircraft deserve special attention.
A pilot may legally possess the required tailwheel endorsement but still fail to satisfy an insurer’s experience requirements.
Insurance may evaluate:
- Total tailwheel time
- Recent tailwheel experience
- Make/model time
- Aircraft-specific experience
This becomes particularly important with:
- Vintage aircraft
- High-powered tailwheel aircraft
- Warbirds
- Specialized backcountry aircraft
For a ferry flight, pilot selection should reflect both the aircraft and the policy.
Multi-Engine Aircraft Insurance Requirements
Piston twins generally create more demanding insurance requirements than basic piston singles.
Potential requirements can include:
- Multi-engine rating
- Minimum multi-engine time
- Multi-engine PIC time
- Make/model time
- Retractable-gear experience
- Instrument experience
- Recurrent training
Aircraft can include:
- Piper Seminole
- Piper Seneca
- Piper Aztec
- Piper Apache
- Twin Comanche
- Beechcraft Baron
- Cessna 310
- Cessna 340
- Cessna 414
- Cessna 421
- Aerostar
- Diamond DA42
A pilot who is legally multi-engine qualified is not automatically insurable in every twin.
PISTON TWIN AIRCRAFT FERRY SERVICES
Pressurized Aircraft Insurance Requirements
Pressurized aircraft can create additional requirements involving:
- Pressurization experience
- High-altitude experience
- Make/model time
- Recurrent training
- Multi-engine time
- Instrument proficiency
Examples can include:
- Cessna 340
- Cessna 414
- Cessna 421
- Piper Aerostar
- Pressurized turbine aircraft
The policy may require a pilot with substantial relevant experience.
Turbine Aircraft Insurance Requirements
Turbine aircraft can involve substantially more specialized pilot requirements.
Insurance considerations may include:
- Turbine time
- Time in type
- Make/model experience
- Type rating
- Recurrent training
- Simulator training
- Recent experience
- Second-in-command requirements
The exact aircraft matters.
A pilot with thousands of hours in one turbine aircraft may not automatically satisfy the insurance requirements for another.
Jet Aircraft Insurance Requirements
Business-jet ferry flights may involve additional requirements.
Depending on the aircraft and policy, these can include:
- Appropriate type rating
- Time in type
- Recent simulator training
- Recurrent training
- PIC experience
- SIC qualifications
- Two-pilot crew
- Named-pilot approval
Some aircraft may be certificated for single-pilot operation while the insurance policy still requires a second pilot or additional experience.
Aircraft certification and insurance requirements should be evaluated separately.
Insurance Requirements for Newly Purchased Aircraft
Insurance becomes especially important when an aircraft has just been purchased.
A buyer may discover that the insurance company will issue coverage but requires transition training before the new owner can act as pilot in command.
For example, the insurer might require:
- 5 hours dual
- 10 hours dual
- 25 hours make/model experience
- Specific transition training
- Instructor signoff
That can create an immediate logistical question:
How does the new airplane get home?
A properly qualified ferry pilot who satisfies the applicable insurance requirements may be able to deliver the aircraft while the new owner completes the required training later.
NEWLY PURCHASED AIRCRAFT DELIVERY
Can the New Owner Fly With the Ferry Pilot?
Potentially.
This depends on:
- Insurance
- Pilot qualifications
- Aircraft
- Mission structure
- Whether instruction will be provided
If the owner intends to receive training during the delivery, the ferry pilot must possess appropriate instructor privileges for the planned instruction and the insurance arrangement must allow the operation.
This should be discussed before pilot assignment.
Transition Training Requirements
Some aircraft insurance policies may require the new owner to complete specific training before acting as pilot in command.
Requirements can involve:
- Dual flight instruction
- Ground instruction
- Simulator training
- Aircraft-specific program
- Recurrent training
- Instructor endorsement
Do not assume that simply hiring a ferry pilot eliminates the owner’s future training requirement.
Aircraft delivery and owner qualification are separate issues.
Insurance Requirements After an Aircraft Purchase
Before closing or delivery, the buyer should confirm:
☐ Insurance effective date
☐ Named pilots
☐ Open-pilot requirements
☐ Ferry-pilot requirements
☐ Owner transition-training requirements
☐ Make/model minimums
☐ Deductibles
☐ Applicable geographic limitations
☐ Any special policy conditions
The buyer should understand who can operate the aircraft the moment ownership transfers.
When Should Aircraft Insurance Be Activated?
Insurance should be coordinated before ownership and aircraft custody change.
For a purchase delivery, the buyer should work with the insurance broker or carrier to determine the appropriate effective date.
Avoid a situation where:
The sale closes at noon
but:
The insurance policy does not become effective until the following day.
The specific effective time should be confirmed with the insurance provider.
Ferry Pilot Approval Before Closing
For an out-of-state aircraft purchase, it can be helpful to address ferry-pilot requirements before closing.
This allows the buyer to determine:
- What pilot qualifications are required
- Whether a candidate pilot satisfies the policy
- Whether named-pilot approval will be necessary
- Whether additional information must be submitted
Early planning can reduce delays after the purchase is complete.
BUYING AN AIRCRAFT OUT OF STATE
What Information Might an Insurance Company Request About the Ferry Pilot?
Depending on the policy and aircraft, the owner, broker or insurer may request pilot information such as:
- Full name
- Pilot certificate level
- Ratings
- Total flight time
- PIC time
- Category/class time
- Make/model time
- Retractable-gear time
- Multi-engine time
- Tailwheel time
- Turbine time
- Type rating
- Training history
- Recurrent-training date
For more complex aircraft, a pilot résumé or insurance form may also be requested.
The exact request comes from the insurance provider.
Pilot Résumés & Insurance Documentation
Professional ferry pilots should be prepared to accurately document their aviation experience when necessary.
That may include:
- Pilot certificate
- Ratings
- Flight-time summary
- Aircraft-specific experience
- Training
- Recurrent qualifications
- Type ratings
Information provided to insurers should be accurate.
Aircraft owners should not attempt to “round up” or alter pilot experience to satisfy policy requirements.
What If the Ferry Pilot Does Not Meet the Open Pilot Requirements?
Do not assume the mission is impossible.
Possible options may include:
Find Another Pilot
Select a pilot who already satisfies the open-pilot requirements.
Request Specific Approval
The aircraft owner may ask the broker or insurer whether the proposed pilot can be individually approved.
Add a Named Pilot
Depending on the insurer and policy, the pilot may potentially be added or endorsed.
Use a Different Crew Structure
For certain aircraft, another captain, instructor or second pilot may satisfy the mission requirements.
The insurance provider—not Ferry Flight USA—determines whether a pilot is acceptable under the policy.
Never Assume Insurance Approval
Statements such as:
“He has an ATP, so we’re good.”
or:
“She has 10,000 hours, so insurance won’t care.”
are not substitutes for reviewing the actual policy.
The aircraft’s insurance requirements control.
Even an exceptionally experienced pilot may lack required make/model or recent training experience.
Can an Insurance Company Approve a Pilot Who Does Not Meet the Open Pilot Warranty?
Potentially, an insurer may decide whether it is willing to specifically approve a pilot who does not otherwise meet an open-pilot requirement.
That is a decision for the carrier or authorized insurance representative.
Do not assume an exception will be granted.
Submit the pilot information and obtain the required approval before the aircraft moves.
Get Approval in Writing When Required
If the insurance provider says a pilot has been specifically approved, the aircraft owner should consider maintaining written confirmation in the policy records.
This can help avoid uncertainty about what was authorized.
The aircraft owner should retain insurance documentation according to the advice of the insurance broker or carrier.
Does a Ferry Pilot Need His or Her Own Insurance?
A ferry pilot may carry separate aviation insurance, including non-owned aircraft coverage.
However:
The pilot’s personal insurance should not automatically be treated as a replacement for the aircraft owner’s insurance policy.
Coverage terms differ.
An aircraft owner should not assume:
“The ferry pilot has insurance, so I don’t need to check my policy.”
The aircraft owner’s insurance requirements still need to be addressed.
What Is Non-Owned Aircraft Insurance?
Non-owned aircraft insurance is commonly purchased by pilots who operate aircraft they do not own.
Depending on the policy, it may provide certain liability and physical-damage protections for the insured pilot.
But non-owned coverage varies considerably.
It does not automatically mean that:
- The aircraft owner’s policy permits the pilot
- The owner’s hull coverage applies
- Every aircraft type is covered
- Every professional ferry activity is covered
The ferry pilot and aircraft owner should each understand their respective insurance arrangements.
Owner’s Policy vs. Pilot’s Policy
These should not be confused.
Aircraft Owner’s Policy
Generally insures the aircraft and addresses who may operate it.
Pilot’s Non-Owned Policy
May provide certain protection to the pilot when operating aircraft the pilot does not own.
One does not automatically replace the other.
For a ferry mission, the aircraft owner’s approved-pilot requirements still matter.
Does Ferry Flight USA Sell Aircraft Insurance?
No.
Ferry Flight USA is an aircraft ferry and delivery service.
We are not your insurance carrier or aviation insurance broker.
Questions about:
- Coverage
- Policy interpretation
- Exclusions
- Limits
- Deductibles
- Claims
- Policy endorsements
should be directed to the aircraft owner’s insurance broker or carrier.
Our role is to help coordinate an appropriately qualified ferry pilot based on the pilot requirements provided for the mission.
Does Ferry Flight USA Guarantee Insurance Coverage?
No.
Only the applicable insurance carrier or authorized insurance representative can determine the coverage provided under an individual policy.
Ferry Flight USA can provide pilot qualification information for review where appropriate, but the aircraft owner remains responsible for confirming that the pilot and proposed operation satisfy the applicable insurance requirements before departure.
Insurance Requirements for Maintenance Ferry Flights
Aircraft going to maintenance still need insurance consideration.
The policy may require minimum pilot experience involving:
- Total flight time
- Category/class
- Make/model time
- Retractable-gear experience
- High-performance time
- Multi-engine time
- Turbine experience
- Training
- Named-pilot approval
This should be addressed before the pilot travels.
Insurance & Ferry Permit Flights
A Special Flight Permit and insurance approval are two separate issues.
The FAA may authorize a qualifying aircraft to conduct a specific Special Flight Permit flight.
That does not automatically mean the aircraft insurance company has approved:
- The aircraft condition
- The operation
- The pilot
For a ferry-permit flight, the insurance provider may want information such as:
- Reason for the Special Flight Permit
- Aircraft condition
- Pilot qualifications
- Maintenance information
- Copy of the permit
- Operating limitations
The exact requirements depend on the insurer.
FAA Approval Does Not Equal Insurance Approval
This distinction is worth repeating.
The FAA may determine that:
A particular flight is legally authorized.
The aircraft insurance company may separately determine:
Whether the operation and pilot satisfy the insurance policy.
One approval does not automatically create the other.
Both need to be addressed where applicable.
Insurance Requirements for Aircraft With an Expired Annual
If an aircraft has an expired annual and qualifies for an FAA Special Flight Permit, the insurance policy should also be reviewed before the flight.
The insurance provider may have specific requirements for:
- Ferry-permit operations
- Pilot experience
- Aircraft condition
- Maintenance inspection
- Documentation
Do not assume that normal policy provisions automatically apply without verification.
Insurance Requirements for Flight Schools
Flight-school aircraft can have insurance requirements different from individually owned aircraft.
The policy may establish requirements involving:
- Approved instructors
- Approved renters
- Employee pilots
- Commercial pilots
- Ferry pilots
- Minimum experience
Before moving a flight-school aircraft, the operator should confirm that the assigned ferry pilot satisfies the policy.
FLIGHT SCHOOL FLEET REPOSITIONING
Insurance Requirements for Flying Clubs
Flying-club aircraft may be insured based on:
- Club membership
- Approved pilots
- Pilot checkout
- Experience
- Training
- Make/model qualifications
A ferry pilot who is not normally a club member may require separate review under the insurance policy.
Do not assume that the club’s normal member checkout requirements automatically address a professional ferry pilot.
Aircraft Broker & Dealer Deliveries
Aircraft brokers and dealers frequently coordinate delivery on behalf of buyers and sellers.
Insurance responsibility should be established before the aircraft is released.
Questions can include:
- Which policy is active?
- When does buyer coverage begin?
- When does seller coverage end?
- Who has custody of the aircraft?
- Is the ferry pilot approved?
- Does the dealer maintain separate coverage?
These questions should be resolved by the appropriate insurance and transaction professionals.
AIRCRAFT BROKER FERRY SERVICES
Insurance During Aircraft Closing
The timing of ownership transfer can matter.
In a purchase transaction, the parties should understand:
When does the buyer become the owner?
When does the buyer’s insurance become effective?
When does the seller’s insurance cease to apply?
When can the ferry pilot take possession?
Do not leave those questions unresolved at the moment the airplane is supposed to depart.
Insurance & Aircraft Value
Higher-value aircraft may create more demanding underwriting requirements.
As aircraft value and complexity increase, insurers may require:
- More pilot experience
- More make/model time
- Recurrent training
- Approved training providers
- Two-pilot crews
- Type ratings
A $75,000 trainer and a $2 million turbine aircraft should not be expected to have identical pilot requirements.
Recently Installed Avionics & Insurance
Aircraft equipment changes do not automatically determine pilot approval, but major upgrades can affect aircraft value and the information provided to the insurer.
After substantial improvements such as:
- New glass cockpit
- New engine
- New avionics
- Major restoration
owners should make sure the insurance provider has the correct aircraft information and insured value.
The insurance broker can advise whether the policy should be updated.
International Ferry Flight Insurance
International aircraft ferry flights can involve additional insurance considerations.
Potential issues can include:
- Geographic coverage territory
- Foreign-country requirements
- Liability limits
- International pilot requirements
- Oceanic operations
- Special equipment
- Crew requirements
A policy providing appropriate coverage for domestic U.S. operations should not automatically be assumed to cover every international destination or route.
International missions require individual evaluation.
Geographic Limitations
Aircraft insurance policies may define a geographic coverage territory.
Before an aircraft crosses an international border, owners should confirm:
- Covered territory
- Country-specific requirements
- Required liability limits
- Pilot requirements
International regulatory approval and insurance coverage are separate issues and both may need attention.
Why Insurance Should Be Checked Before Pilot Travel
Imagine the following:
A ferry pilot buys an airline ticket.
The pilot flies across the country.
The pilot rents a car.
The pilot arrives at the aircraft.
Then the owner calls the insurance company.
The insurer says:
“The pilot does not meet the make/model requirement.”
Now the airplane cannot depart as planned.
That can create:
- Airline-change costs
- Rental-car costs
- Hotel expenses
- Pilot time
- Delivery delays
Most of this can be avoided by confirming insurance before dispatch.
When Should Ferry Pilot Insurance Approval Be Completed?
Ideally:
Before nonrefundable pilot travel is booked.
At minimum, before the pilot operates the aircraft.
For aircraft purchases, it is often useful to obtain the insurance pilot requirements while the transaction is still approaching closing.
That gives Ferry Flight USA more time to identify a pilot appropriate for the mission.
Aircraft Insurance Checklist Before a Ferry Flight
Before pilot dispatch, confirm:
☐ Aircraft policy is active
☐ Proposed flight is within policy territory
☐ Pilot requirements have been reviewed
☐ Named-pilot requirements understood
☐ Open-pilot requirements understood
☐ Proposed ferry pilot meets applicable requirements
☐ Pilot information sent to broker/carrier if required
☐ Specific approval obtained if required
☐ Aircraft make/model information is correct
☐ Aircraft insured value is current as appropriate
☐ Special Flight Permit operation disclosed if applicable
☐ International operation disclosed if applicable
☐ Owner understands any policy conditions communicated by insurer
What Ferry Flight USA Needs From the Aircraft Owner
When insurance requirements affect pilot selection, provide the relevant requirements as early as possible.
Helpful information can include:
Aircraft:
Make
Model
N-number
Insurance Pilot Requirements:
Minimum total time
Minimum make/model time
Multi-engine requirements
Retractable-gear requirements
Turbine requirements
Type-rating requirements
Training requirements
Approval Process:
Open pilot provision
Named-pilot requirement
Broker contact if appropriate
This allows the mission to be matched more efficiently.
How Ferry Flight USA Matches Pilots to Insurance Requirements
Pilot matching begins with the actual aircraft and mission.
Factors may include:
- FAA pilot qualifications
- Ratings
- Endorsements
- Total time
- PIC time
- Category/class experience
- Make/model time
- Complex experience
- Tailwheel experience
- Multi-engine time
- Pressurized-aircraft experience
- Turbine time
- Type ratings
- Recent training
- Insurance requirements
The objective is not simply to find:
a pilot who can fly the airplane.
The objective is to identify a pilot appropriate for:
the aircraft + the mission + the insurance requirements.
Common Aircraft Insurance Mistakes Before Ferry Flights
Mistake #1 — Assuming a Commercial Pilot Is Automatically Covered
Pilot certificate level alone does not determine insurance eligibility.
Mistake #2 — Ignoring Make/Model Time
The policy may require experience in the exact aircraft.
Mistake #3 — Confusing FAA Requirements With Insurance Requirements
They are separate.
Mistake #4 — Assuming an Open Pilot Clause Means “Any Pilot”
The pilot must satisfy every qualification in the applicable provision.
Mistake #5 — Waiting Until the Pilot Arrives
Insurance should be addressed before travel.
Mistake #6 — Assuming the Pilot’s Personal Insurance Solves Everything
The aircraft owner’s policy still matters.
Mistake #7 — Relying on Verbal Assumptions
When specific approval is required, confirm the applicable insurance authorization with the broker or carrier.
Mistake #8 — Forgetting Insurance During a Ferry-Permit Flight
FAA authorization does not automatically create insurance approval.
Aircraft Ferry Insurance FAQ
Does my ferry pilot need to be approved by my insurance company?
Possibly. Some policies permit pilots who meet specified open-pilot requirements, while others require individual or named-pilot approval. Review your specific policy.
What is an open pilot warranty?
It is a policy provision that may allow an unnamed pilot to operate the aircraft if the pilot satisfies specified experience and qualification requirements.
Does an open pilot warranty mean anyone can fly my airplane?
No. The pilot must satisfy the actual requirements stated in the policy.
What is a named pilot?
A named pilot is a pilot specifically identified or approved under the aircraft insurance policy.
Can a ferry pilot be added as a named pilot?
Potentially. The insurer or broker can determine whether the pilot can be added or specifically approved.
Does a commercial pilot certificate satisfy aircraft insurance?
Not necessarily. Insurance may require experience beyond FAA certification, including total time, make/model time, recurrent training or other qualifications.
Does an ATP automatically satisfy aircraft insurance?
No. An ATP may still fail to meet a particular policy’s aircraft-specific experience or training requirements.
Can a pilot legally fly my airplane but not meet my insurance policy?
Yes. Legal pilot qualification and insurance qualification are separate issues.
Does the ferry pilot need time in my exact aircraft model?
Possibly. Many policies establish make/model or time-in-type requirements.
How much make/model time does a ferry pilot need?
There is no universal number. The applicable insurance policy determines the requirement.
Does a piston twin require more insurance experience?
Often, insurers evaluate multi-engine time, make/model experience, retractable-gear experience, instrument experience and other factors for twin-engine aircraft.
Does a tailwheel ferry pilot need tailwheel experience?
The pilot must meet applicable FAA requirements, and the insurance policy may require additional tailwheel or aircraft-specific experience.
Does a jet ferry pilot need a type rating?
When the aircraft and operation require the applicable type rating, yes. Insurance may also impose additional time-in-type, recurrent-training or crew requirements.
Does the aircraft owner’s insurance cover the ferry pilot?
It depends on the policy and whether the pilot satisfies its requirements. The owner should confirm this with the insurance broker or carrier.
Does the ferry pilot’s non-owned insurance cover my airplane?
Do not assume so. Non-owned insurance and the aircraft owner’s policy provide different types of coverage and contain different terms.
Does Ferry Flight USA provide insurance?
No. Ferry Flight USA coordinates aircraft ferry and delivery missions and does not act as the aircraft owner’s insurance carrier.
Does Ferry Flight USA guarantee that my policy covers the flight?
No. Coverage determinations are made under the individual insurance policy by the appropriate insurer or authorized insurance representative.
Can Ferry Flight USA provide pilot information to my insurer?
Pilot qualification information can be provided for evaluation when needed for the ferry mission.
When should I submit the ferry pilot to insurance?
Before pilot travel is booked whenever specific approval is necessary.
What happens if insurance declines the proposed ferry pilot?
Another appropriately qualified pilot can potentially be considered, or the aircraft owner can discuss options with the insurance broker or carrier.
What if my new aircraft insurance requires transition training?
A qualifying ferry pilot may be able to deliver the aircraft while the new owner later completes required training, subject to the actual policy and mission requirements.
Can I complete transition training while flying home?
Potentially, if the ferry pilot is an appropriately certificated instructor and the insurance policy and operating arrangement permit the training.
Does a ferry permit automatically provide insurance coverage?
No. FAA Special Flight Permit authorization and insurance approval are separate issues.
Does aircraft insurance cover coast-to-coast ferry flights?
Coverage depends on the policy, pilot, geographic territory and proposed operation. Confirm the mission with the insurance provider.
Does insurance cover international ferry flights?
Do not assume domestic coverage extends automatically to every foreign country. Geographic limitations and foreign insurance requirements should be reviewed before an international ferry mission.
Confirm Insurance Before Your Ferry Pilot Travels
Aircraft insurance does not need to make an aircraft delivery complicated.
The key is to address it early.
Before dispatching the pilot:
Know the policy requirements.
Know whether an open-pilot provision applies.
Know whether named-pilot approval is required.
Know the make/model minimums.
Know the training requirements.
Then match the ferry pilot to the aircraft and policy.
That simple process can prevent expensive delays and unnecessary uncertainty.
Need an Insurance-Compatible Ferry Pilot?
Tell Ferry Flight USA:
Aircraft
What aircraft are we moving?
Origin
Where is it located?
Destination
Where does it need to go?
Insurance
What pilot requirements apply?
We’ll evaluate the aircraft and mission and help identify an appropriately qualified pilot.
Request an Aircraft Ferry Quote
Professional Aircraft Ferry • Pilot Matching • Nationwide Aircraft Delivery
Related Ferry Flight Resources
NEWLY PURCHASED AIRCRAFT DELIVERY
BUYING AN AIRCRAFT OUT OF STATE
AIRCRAFT PRE-DELIVERY CHECKLIST
Ferry Flight USA
Aircraft Ferry • Aircraft Delivery • Pilot Matching • Nationwide Repositioning
This page provides general educational information regarding aircraft insurance considerations and does not provide insurance, legal or coverage advice. Insurance terms, pilot qualifications, exclusions and coverage vary by carrier and policy. Aircraft owners should review their actual policy and confirm applicable pilot and operation requirements with their aviation insurance broker or carrier before the flight. Ferry Flight USA does not determine or guarantee insurance coverage. Mission acceptance remains subject to aircraft condition, applicable regulations, pilot qualifications, insurance requirements, weather, crew availability and other mission requirements.