Experimental / Homebuilt Aircraft Insurance

Experimental and homebuilt aircraft follow a unique lifecycle—planning, construction, inspection, flight testing, and everyday operations. Because risk shifts at each stage, your insurance needs to evolve with you. At Aero Insurance, you can compare all underwriters with one application, ensuring no missed savings, no gaps, and coverage that keeps pace with your project.

Whether you’re in the workshop, preparing for your first flight, or moving into Phase II recreational flying, our specialists—trusted by pilots for 20+ years—help you secure coverage that matches your airframe, build documentation, test plans, and pilot qualifications.

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Who This Page Is For

Kit builders, owner-operators, factory-assist participants, and buyers of completed experimentals—especially those preparing for Phase I test flights or transitioning into Phase II personal or cross-country missions. If you want less paperwork and more flying, Aero’s streamlined quoting process gets you there faster.

Typical Uses We See

Personal flying, transition training, avionics testing, efficiency missions, and occasional static display or airshow activity (when permitted and properly endorsed). Our process helps you save time and fly sooner with quick renewals and coverage that adapts to your mission profile.

Coverage Across the Build & Flight Timeline

1) Construction & Ground Risk

Early in the build, policies typically focus on ground-risk-only coverage, protecting your in-progress hull, tools, and major components. Keeping documentation current—photos, receipts, torque markings—helps underwriters set accurate values and favorable terms.

2) Pre-First-Flight & Inspection

As you near airworthiness certification, insurers may adjust hull values to reflect progress. Logs covering engine run-ups, avionics integration, and weight-and-balance data improve underwriting confidence and can lead to lower premiums across all carriers.

3) Phase I Flight Testing

During envelope expansion and first flights, policies often include test-area limits, mentor pilot requirements, and strict pilot-qualification criteria. A structured test plan—engine break-in, stability checks, performance validation—can improve terms and reduce surprises at renewal.

4) Phase II Ongoing Operations

Once Phase I is complete, coverage expands to standard navigation limits and personal/business missions. Options such as higher liability limits, passenger carriage, and non-owned coverage become available. Our renewals in minutes process ensures you stay protected with no surprise increases.

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Key Factors That Influence Your Quote

• Builder documentation: logs, photos, inspection notes, and kit compliance.
• Airframe & powerplant: component history, engine/prop pairing, and service records.
• Pilot qualifications: total/recent time, transition training, tailwheel/high-performance endorsements.
• Test plan & mentorship: first-flight support and envelope-expansion steps.
• Avionics & safety equipment: IFR capability, AOA indicators, autopilot, restraint systems.
• Storage & security: hangar vs. tiedown, fire-prevention basics, shop environment.
• Modifications & loss history: airframe deviations or prior incidents.

Common Coverages for Experimental / Homebuilt Aircraft

• Hull coverage: ground-only during construction, progressing to full flight through Phase I/II.
• Liability: bodily injury, property damage, and passenger liability when permitted.
• Named-pilot & mentor endorsements: structured oversight for early hours.
• Tools, equipment & spares: optional protection for build-stage assets.
• Medical payments & SAR: available through many underwriters.
• Airshow/formation endorsements: offered by specialty markets for qualified pilots.

Pilot Transition & Training

Transitioning into a new design—especially tailwheel, high-performance, or unique experimental configurations—often requires documented dual instruction or mentor oversight. Demonstrating a strong training plan can unlock better pricing when comparing all quotes from all carriers.

Cost Drivers & Ways to Save

• Maintain detailed build logs, photos, and documentation.
• Use a published test plan and log results throughout Phase I.
• Complete transition training in similar aircraft before Phase I.
• Store the project in a hangar and document safety procedures.

Documents & Details to Have Ready

• Build documentation: kit model, component receipts, inspection notes, avionics list.
• Pilot details: certificates, ratings, medical, recent time, transition plan.
• Aircraft details: engine/prop status, equipment list, notable deviations.
• Mission profile, operating base, and hangar/storage details.

Ready to Protect Your Build?

Whether you’re months from your first engine start or refining your Phase I test cards, Aero Insurance helps you secure the right coverage with less paperwork and more flying. Compare every carrier and get a policy built for every step of your project.

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