Looking for Insurance Broker/Company in the US

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Robert C.
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Looking for Insurance Broker/Company in the US

Post by Robert C. »

Hi Everyone,

As I'm getting closer to making a decision to buy a DA-40 I'd like to talk to some insurance brokers about what is involved and likely rates, etc.

Do you have a favorite broker/company you'd like to recommend? If it is awkward to publicly comment on various firms then please let me know via PM.

Thanks in advance!

Robert
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LTek1
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Re: Looking for Insurance Broker/Company in the US

Post by LTek1 »

Robert, I just bought mine, too. The AOPA insurance quote blew avemco and another - who I have since forgotten - out of the water. Applying was very easy on their website. Pick a hull value and liability level and you'll have a quote from an agent in an hour or so.

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Lee Dickinson
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Chris B
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Re: Looking for Insurance Broker/Company in the US

Post by Chris B »

Robert C. wrote:Do you have a favorite broker/company you'd like to recommend?
Hi Robert -

Per an earlier recommendation on DAN, I tried Mike Pratt at Epic Insurance Solutions (formerly Hayes Utley). 800-737-7873. PM me if you want his direct line or email.

Smooth coverage is very important to me, and Mike was able to find this at rates lower than quotes for more typical coverage from several other reputable sources. Overall I am very happy with Mike and his assistant Maggie.

Chris
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TimS
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Re: Looking for Insurance Broker/Company in the US

Post by TimS »

I use Tom Hauge from Wings Insurance. Here got me a very nice policy and saved me some money.
Give him a ring:
(952) 641-3155
thauge@wingsinsurance.com

Tim
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JimP
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Re: Looking for Insurance Broker/Company in the US

Post by JimP »

Robert, I have worked with Wings Insurance as well. I first worked with them on a recommendation that they had experience with other Diamond owners and know which companies appreciated the Diamond safety record. I have had my DA40 insured with them since 2009 and have also purchased insurance on a Piper, a Hangar and a liability policy for another aviation related entity through Wings. I have been very satisfied with their service and rates. See www.wingsinsurance.com. I would call the owner, Steve Bruss at 952-641-3140.
Jim
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Lance Murray
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Re: Looking for Insurance Broker/Company in the US

Post by Lance Murray »

Mike Pratt has been doing three of my airplanes for a few years now. Great guy, fly's an MD11, has a C195. Gave me very competitive rates on my DA40s. Tell him I sent you and he will hook you up.
Chris B wrote:
Robert C. wrote:Do you have a favorite broker/company you'd like to recommend?
Hi Robert -

Per an earlier recommendation on DAN, I tried Mike Pratt at Epic Insurance Solutions (formerly Hayes Utley). 800-737-7873. PM me if you want his direct line or email.

Smooth coverage is very important to me, and Mike was able to find this at rates lower than quotes for more typical coverage from several other reputable sources. Overall I am very happy with Mike and his assistant Maggie.

Chris
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Robert C.
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Re: Looking for Insurance Broker/Company in the US

Post by Robert C. »

Thanks guys, much appreciated! Now I have some calls to make :)

Robert
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CFIDave
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Re: Looking for Insurance Broker/Company in the US

Post by CFIDave »

Robert:
Not sure if this is your first aircraft to insure, but something I learned when I bought my DA40 (as my first aircraft) is that the aircraft insurance market is very different from insuring a car/home/etc. Once you pick a broker to go out and obtain quotes from underwriters to insure your aircraft you can't go to a 2nd broker to see if he/she can find a lower rate. Once the first broker has contacted the small group of about a dozen aircraft insurance underwriters, these same underwriters don't want to re-quote you with another broker. You almost need to "divorce" yourself from your 1st broker to start working with a different one.

The only exception is AVEMCO, which sells directly to aircraft owners without a broker as an intermediary. You can always contact AVEMCO separately without screwing up the process a broker uses to contact other underwriters. In my experience AVEMCO is rarely the cheapest, but may be worth investigating in parallel with having a broker obtain DA40 insurance quotes for you.
- Dave
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Former DA40XLS, DA42-VI, and DA62 owner
ATP, CFI, CFI-I, MEI
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Robert C.
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Re: Looking for Insurance Broker/Company in the US

Post by Robert C. »

Dave,

I heard that was the case in the UK, but didn't realize that was true here as well. Yes, this is my 1st aircraft, and I have a lot to learn :)

I almost embarrassed myself - Thank you!!

Robert
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TimS
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Re: Looking for Insurance Broker/Company in the US

Post by TimS »

Robert,

Let any broker you deal with know you are a first time airplane owner. If the broker is any good they will walk you through a lot of the wrinkles. Such as smooth versus sub limits and many other topics.

Good luck,

Tim
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