Can Another Pilot Fly Your Aircraft and Still Be Covered?
- Caleb Winterburn
- Jul 29
- 6 min read
One of the most common questions aircraft owners ask is:
Can someone else fly my aircraft and still be covered by my insurance policy?
The answer is often yes, but only if the pilot meets the requirements listed in the policy.
Aircraft insurance does not automatically cover every licensed pilot. The policy usually includes specific pilot requirements that determine who may operate the aircraft.
Understanding these requirements before someone flies your aircraft can help prevent serious coverage problems after an accident.
Named Pilots
Many aircraft insurance policies list one or more named pilots.
A named pilot has been specifically reviewed and approved by the insurance company. The insurer may consider several factors before approving that person, including:
Their licence
Total flight time
Time on the aircraft type
Recent flying experience
Ratings and endorsements
Accident or claims history
Training completed
Being listed as a named pilot usually provides the clearest confirmation that the insurer has accepted that person.
However, owners should still review any training or checkout requirements attached to the approval.
A pilot may be named on the policy but still be required to complete a certain number of hours with an instructor before flying solo.
The Open Pilot Warranty
Some aircraft policies also include an open pilot warranty.
An open pilot warranty allows pilots who are not specifically named on the policy to fly the aircraft, provided they meet the minimum qualifications shown in the policy.
For example, the policy might require the pilot to have:
A valid private pilot licence or higher
A minimum amount of total flight time
A minimum amount of time on the same aircraft type
A certain amount of recent flying experience
The correct ratings for the aircraft and operation
The exact requirements will vary depending on the aircraft and insurance company.
A simple fixed-gear aircraft may have relatively flexible requirements. A high-performance, retractable-gear, tailwheel, float-equipped or turbine aircraft may have much stricter pilot requirements.
Meeting the Open Pilot Warranty Does Not Always Protect the Pilot
This is an important distinction.
A pilot may meet the open pilot warranty and be permitted to operate the aircraft, but that does not always mean the pilot receives the same protection as the aircraft owner.
The insurance policy may protect the owner’s aircraft while still allowing the insurer to recover money from the pilot responsible for the damage.
This is sometimes referred to as subrogation.
For this reason, a pilot should not assume they are personally protected simply because they meet the open pilot requirements.
The owner should ask whether the pilot needs to be added as a named insured, additional insured or approved pilot, depending on the policy and situation.
Permission From the Owner Is Not Enough
An aircraft owner may give someone permission to fly their aircraft, but the insurance company must also accept that pilot under the policy terms.
Permission from the owner does not override the pilot requirements in the insurance policy.
A pilot could be fully licensed, experienced and legally allowed to fly the aircraft, but still fail to meet the insurance requirements.
Aviation regulations and insurance requirements are not always the same.
A flight may be legal from a licensing perspective while still creating an insurance problem.
What Happens if the Pilot Does Not Meet the Requirements?
If a pilot operates the aircraft without meeting the policy requirements, coverage may be affected.
The insurer may investigate:
Whether the pilot met the required qualifications
Whether the required checkout was completed
Whether the pilot was properly approved
Whether the aircraft was being used for an approved purpose
Whether the pilot’s information was accurately disclosed
The outcome will depend on the wording of the policy and the circumstances of the loss.
The safest approach is to confirm approval before the flight takes place rather than trying to solve the problem after an accident.
Does the Pilot Need a Check Ride?
Not every insurance company requires a formal check ride with a flight instructor.
Some policies may require dual instruction, a checkout or a certain number of supervised hours.
Depending on the circumstances, the insurance company may also consider training with:
A commercial pilot
A pilot with substantial time on type
The previous aircraft owner
A qualified company pilot
An experienced pilot approved by the insurer
The important step is getting the arrangement approved before the training or flight begins.
Never assume that a particular instructor or checkout format will automatically satisfy the insurance requirement.
What Information Will the Insurance Company Need?
When asking to add or approve another pilot, be prepared to provide:
The pilot’s full name
Age
Licence type
Ratings and endorsements
Total flight time
Time on the aircraft type
Time in retractable, tailwheel, float or turbine aircraft, if applicable
Flight time during the past 12 months
Any accidents, incidents, claims or licence suspensions
The insurer may also request a pilot questionnaire or aviation resume.
Providing complete information from the beginning can make the approval process much faster.
Common Situations That Require Pilot Approval
Aircraft owners should contact their broker before allowing another pilot to fly in situations such as:
A friend borrowing the aircraft
A family member learning to fly
A new partner joining the ownership group
A mechanic completing a test flight
A ferry pilot moving the aircraft
A flight instructor providing training
A commercial pilot operating the aircraft
A potential buyer completing a demonstration flight
A pilot flying the aircraft after it has been sold
Each situation may require a different type of approval.
Do not assume that coverage for one type of flight automatically applies to another.
What About Student Pilots?
Student pilots can sometimes be insured on privately owned aircraft, but the insurer will usually require additional information.
The company may want to know:
Who will provide the training
Where the aircraft will be based
Whether the student owns the aircraft
The type of aircraft being used
The student’s previous flying experience
The instructor’s qualifications
The expected training plan
Some insurers are comfortable with student pilots on common training aircraft. Others may require additional training, a higher deductible or different policy terms.
Student pilot coverage should always be arranged before training begins.
What if the Pilot Only Flies Once?
Even one flight matters.
Owners sometimes believe approval is unnecessary because the pilot is only completing a short flight, a test flight or a quick repositioning trip.
An accident can happen during any flight.
The length of the flight does not remove the pilot requirements in the policy.
Even if someone will only taxi the aircraft, complete a maintenance flight or fly it once, the owner should confirm that the policy allows it.
Five Questions to Ask Before Someone Else Flies Your Aircraft
Before handing over the keys, ask:
Does the pilot meet the open pilot warranty?
Does the pilot need to be specifically named?
Is any checkout or dual instruction required?
Is the pilot personally protected under the policy?
Is the planned use of the aircraft covered?
Getting clear answers to these questions can prevent confusion and financial loss.
Do Not Rely on Assumptions
Aircraft insurance policies can look similar, but the pilot requirements may be completely different.
One insurer may approve a pilot immediately.
Another may require additional training. Another may decline the pilot entirely.
The aircraft value, performance, landing gear, seating capacity, operating environment and claims history can all influence the decision.
The best time to ask questions is before the flight.
A quick conversation with an aviation insurance broker can confirm whether the pilot is approved and whether any additional steps are required.
Need Help Confirming Pilot Coverage?
Are you planning to let another pilot fly your aircraft?
Before the flight, make sure the pilot meets the insurance requirements and has the protection you expect.
You can request a no-obligation aircraft insurance quote or policy review through Covalen:
The goal is not simply to have an insurance policy.
The goal is to make sure the policy responds properly when you need it most.
About the Author
Caleb Winterburn is Vice President of Aviation Insurance at Covalen and has worked in the aviation insurance industry since he was 18 years old.
With approximately 15 years of aviation insurance experience, Caleb has helped thousands of aircraft owners, pilots, flight schools and aviation businesses understand their risks and obtain insurance coverage designed around how they actually operate.
Caleb is also a commercial aeroplane and helicopter pilot with experience flying fixed-wing aircraft, floats, the Robinson R22 and the Robinson R44. His experience as both a pilot and aviation insurance broker allows him to explain complex insurance requirements in a practical and straightforward way.
Caleb leads the COPA Aviators Canada Insurance Program and regularly shares educational information about aircraft ownership, pilot approvals, flight training, aviation safety and insurance coverage across Canada.
To learn more or request an aircraft insurance quote, visit:
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general educational purposes only. Aircraft insurance policies, pilot requirements and coverage conditions vary between insurers and individual risks. Always review your policy wording and obtain written confirmation from your aviation insurance broker or insurance company before allowing another pilot to operate your aircraft.
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