Meet
Joe Ryan
Insurance should feel personal.
Ryan Aviation provides a personal, transparent, and knowledgeable approach to aviation insurance.
We believe clients deserve to know who is protecting their business, understand what they are purchasing, and receive honest advice from someone who takes personal responsibility for the relationship.
Our clients receive:
- Direct access to an aviation insurance professional who knows their operation.
- A consistent point of contact throughout quoting, placement, service, claims, and renewal.
- Clear explanations of coverage, pricing, exclusions, and market options.
- Transparent market analysis and thoughtful recommendations.
- A simplified quoting and renewal process designed to reduce their workload.
- Strong protection of confidential business and personal information.
- Hands-on support throughout the entire insurance relationship.
- Advice informed by aviation experience, insurance expertise, and continuous market education.
Joe Ryan
Joe Ryan is an aviation insurance broker, professional pilot, and business owner with 15 years of industry experience. Before founding his own aviation insurance brokerage, Joe worked for one of the nation’s largest aviation specialty firms, where he built a reputation for technical expertise, responsive service, and personal client relationships.
- Ready for Insurance? Call Joe
Joe on aviation insurance philosophy
Purpose, direction and principles.
01 — Our WHy
02 — Our Mission
Our mission is to use our aviation and insurance expertise to help everyone—whether they are a client or not—better understand their exposure, make confident coverage decisions, protect what they have built, and support the continued growth of their aviation businesses.
We accomplish this by:
- Explaining insurance clearly so people understand what they are purchasing and why it matters.
- Learning about each client’s business, operations, goals, and specific exposures.
- Providing knowledgeable, practical, and confident coverage recommendations.
- Treating every client, employee, underwriter, and industry partner with respect and dignity.
- Delivering consistent, responsive, and dependable service.
- Continuously learning, training, and monitoring the aviation insurance market so our advice remains accurate and current.
- Building lasting relationships based on trust, transparency, and shared success.
03 — Our Guiding Principles
- Be Known and Accountable
- Know the Client
- Educate Before We Recommend
- Communicate Directly and Honestly
- Respond with Urgency and Care
- Represent the Client in the Market
- Provide Transparent Market Analysis
- Protect Confidential Information
- Make Insurance Easier
- Never Stop Learning
- Remain Hands-On
What clients
say about
working with Joe
“Joe Ryan did an outstanding job finding the right aviation insurance for our large flight school fleet, Chennault Flying Service, and my personal aircraft. He worked with underwriters across the industry and clearly presented the options that best fit our flight school’s needs, securing excellent coverage at the best value. Joe arranged school visits with underwriters so that they could understand what was unique and beneficial about our operation. Additionally, he presented options that I didn’t realize were available, saving us tens of thousands of dollars. I truly appreciate his thoroughness, expertise, and personal commitment to getting us the best deal. I highly recommend Joe.”
“Joe has been a genuine ally as we’ve grown our business and our fleet. He’s responsive, takes the time to understand our needs, and works to get us the right coverage at the best price, while avoiding products we don’t need. Twice he’s delivered major premium reductions. Joe is a rare find. He provides personalized, responsive service without the hassle. He’s earned our recommendation many times over.”
“Joe Ryan has been a trusted insurance broker for our business. He takes the time to understand our operation, explains our options clearly, and follows through when we need him. I’m excited to see him start his own company and highly recommend him to other business owners.”
“As an aircraft broker, providing my buyers with the right insurance policy can often make or break the transaction. I have referred buyers to Joe Ryan over the last 5 years and every one of them comes back with the same story – Joe is fast, attentive, and the coverage is exactly what they were looking for. He takes the time to create a policy that fits how they fly today and where they are headed in their aviation journey. Joe Ryan is the guy I trust every time.”
“Joe and his team provide expert aviation insurance guidance. They provide the ‘why’ behind insurance coverage, and consult with their clients on risk strategy. I know when I give their information to an aircraft owner, they are in good hands.”
“I’ve been fortunate to work with the Joe Ryan for my aviation insurance needs for several years, across multiple aircraft. Joe has worked hard to understand my sometimes unique needs and circumstances as a lower time pilot with big complex ambitions, and he has consistently found ways to accomplish the needs when others have said it was not possible. Joe is passionate about the industry, extremely knowledgeable, and always follows up and follows through. He’s become a critical part of my airplane obsession, and I am lucky to have him in my corner. Joe has earned my trust and earned my business, and he’s always been a pleasure to work with.“
what you need to know
Can a student pilot buy renters insurance?
Yes! Many flight schools recommend or require students to carry their own coverage.
Do I need a CFI endorsement?
If you instruct, yes. A basic renter policy may not cover liability from instruction unless CFI coverage is added.
How much coverage should I carry?
Enough to cover the value of the aircraft you fly, the deductible you’d owe under the rental agreement, and possible loss of use. Review your limit before moving up to a more valuable aircraft.
What does nonowned aircraft damage coverage protect?
Your responsibility for damage to an aircraft you don't own, up to your limit. It’s separate from the owner’s hull coverage and can cover the deductible you’d owe the owner.
Doesn’t the owner’s policy protect me when I rent?
It may protect the owner without fully protecting you, and the owner’s insurer may be able to recover its loss from you. A renters policy covers your own liability and damage exposure.
What happens at a workers comp audit?
After the policy term, the insurer reviews actual payroll, job duties, states, and contractors. Your final premium can go up or down, so keep payroll records organized by classification throughout the year.
Can pilots, mechanics, and office staff be classified differently?
Yes. Flight, maintenance, line service, and office work are rated differently. Tracking payroll by job duty keeps office staff from being rated at pilot rates.
Are independent contractors excluded?
Not automatically. A contract or 1099 doesn't always decide it; state law and the actual work matter. Collect certificates of insurance from subcontractors, or their pay may be added to your audit.
Does my aircraft liability policy cover employee injuries?
Usually not. Employee injuries are typically excluded from aircraft liability policies. Workers comp is designed for work related injuries, including crew injured in an aircraft accident.
Is workers comp required for my aviation business?
It depends on your state, entity type, employee count, and job duties. Contracts and airport leases may require it even when the law doesn’t, so check every state where your employees work.