Parker_Woodruff

And the discussion right now is centered on becoming ineligible to fly upon reaching one's 67th birthday.

see my post above this one.

Missouri The state of Missouri is the perfect example of a place where insurance options for pilots became quite limited because of heavy-handed regulation. The compliance costs were not worth it with such small numbers in aviation. Many companies left Missouri, leading to increased premiums when competitive carriers no longer serviced their clients. This made it up the ladder and now, it appears this has been fixed in the legislature there are/will be more options for insurance buyers again. Missouri asks about my nonresident income on the license renewal. California Other states, like California, have historically not had some of the usual transition insurance markets (example: SEL pilot upgrading to MEL) available to customers because those companies just haven't wanted to deal with CA. For my agency: California had eleventy steps to get set up, but at least they made it transparent and somewhat logical because they needed the money so badly every step of the way. Kentucky There's nothing like Local Government Premium Tax compliance in Kentucky. Up to 12% City, 12% County, and mandatory 1.8% State. Yes, you theoretically could have a 25.8% insurance tax rate in KY, or as little as 1.8%. Further, for an aircraft owner, it's based on where the airplane sits, not the client's address. Do you know how much time I've spent for my client's benefit (to make sure they aren't being overcharged on tax) on Google Maps auditing if an airport is in city limits or outside city limits, then going over the Tax chart? And then each line of business has its own tax rate? And for some reason, aircraft are classified as "Inland Marine" on the tax chart. Massachusetts I pay a lead-based paint fee anytime I renew my Massachusetts agent or agency license. Along with a $520 annual report to the state every year to say that I exist. New York Complete black hole of regulation. And, if you call the state, you get put on hold. I had to file a classified ads in 2 New York newspapers in Albany County giving an address for service of process. Then had to send the proofs to the state along with a $50 check. Nationwide: I owe income tax to numerous states just for having revenue attributable to the state. Kentucky? Minimum $175 even if I never set foot in the state. I paid $1 to Indiana one year. Plus $60 or whatever to file. Some good news: There's discussion about trying again on a Federal bill that would eliminate nonresident income tax for companies that have a physical presence in a state for less than 15 days.

Let's give you the assumption that the pilot subset has a mentally sharper starting point. They will *still* decline from that higher starting point. Is a 70 year old more or less likely to have a heart attack or stroke anywhere in the world (including while seated, operating an airplane), than say a 31 year old? Yes. Could a heart attack or stroke result in a claim? Yes. We know these 2 things are true. Therefore, it's data. Insurance underwriting takes discernment. I've seen an aircraft owner with the same insurance company for 20-30 years keep getting renewed, but at lower liability limits over time. He may have started at $2MM Smooth, but over time be reduced to $1MM Smooth, then $1MM/$100K. What's going to happen when a bunch of adverse risk starts getting pooled together? Everyone pays more. Personal aircraft underwriting has been a loss leader for many insurance companies for decades. It's not. And sometimes the pricing is too low based on feeling. I have anecdotes but have not compiled anything formal.

It's not taking advantage of them when some purely go the non-renewal route. They're saying they don't want to offer terms, even at an increased rate.

You won't get the actuarial data that you can get in the automotive world because there just aren't the numbers of pilot/age/make & model data available. Older drivers pay more. There's no reason to think that the same skills that deteriorate in driving don't exhibit the same deterioration in an airplane.

I’m sad to report that our friend Erik Bollt, @aviatoreb, passed away earlier this month. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/potsdam-ny/erik-bollt-12662141

Careful - it's easier to have an aircraft be a constructive total loss if underinsured...

It's the soft field - the length isn't a problem at all. And it's not even that you're facing a big surcharge with the company that insures you now due to the soft field. It's that the most competitive companies we regularly use for vintage Mooneys didn't want to quote the soft field this year. If I change your airport to MLB and put you at 100 in the model this is a sub-$2500 discussion, including Florida's 1% state mandated premium surcharge (I just ran the numbers with a different company, but with these changes).

FA44 is what's hurting you right now

Assuming the pilot is healthy and able to meet Airman Certification Standards, I say 1 hour per year, minimum, for every year of pilot age.

M20J isn't a problem. Need a good strategy to ensure you'll be with the best insurance companies. Can likely have smooth limits for the entire duration. The market is soft...get with the ideal carrier prior to your renewal where you are 69 years old. Of course, insurance company underwriting preferences can change, but a few carriers have been very predictable over the past many years that we can make some educated decisions.

I would not go about trying to build time solely for insurance purposes, unless *maybe* you were set on the model you want. Most insurance companies will require a checkout in the specific model you buy prior to sole PIC operations, with some exceptions for the M20F and M20J (same engine, fuselage length, etc.). What you spend in renting will almost always exceed insurance savings.

Everyone needs to go back a few steps anytime they get distracted on preflight and also do a walkaround, at a distance, of the entire aircraft. Phone call interrupt your preflight? Go back a bit and do a walkaround. Prop strikes Tow bars and FBO traffic cones are *such* common claims. Old Republic (the insurance underwriter) even has branded "Tow Bar Removed?" embroidered keychain straps.

36...i can say i've been a rated pilot for over half! Sadly (for the desire to purchase an airplane), Mooney prices are not what they were when I was 19-22 y/o...That was an amazing time to be a buyer.