What should we do before adding a multiengine aircraft or helicopter?
Have the plan ready before you buy: instructor qualifications, student prerequisites, syllabus, checkout standards, maintenance, projected hours, and aircraft value. Share it with your broker early, so your broker can present complete market options and not leave you with a single option you have to bind.
What helps us get better underwriting terms?
Good pilot and instructor records, written checkout standards, maintenance documentation, safety procedures, fleet utilization, loss runs, and clear corrective action after any claim. Underwriters favor schools that can show a structured training program on paper.
Does it matter if instructors are employees or contractors?
Yes. It affects workers comp, employer liability, and how instructors are covered under the aviation policy. Calling someone a contractor doesn’t settle it on its own.
Are instructors automatically covered by the school’s policy?
Not always. The policy may protect the school without fully protecting each instructor. Manyinstructors carry their own CFI nonowned policy to fill that gap.
Does the policy cover student solo and rental flights?
It can, if the policy allows those uses and the pilots meet the requirements. Solo, rental, and discovery flights each need to be disclosed and listed under the policy’s use section.