As we’ve been reporting ad nauseam, the hardened aircraft insurance market is presenting challenges for aging pilots and even younger, inexperienced ones looking to step up to high-performance pistons and turbines. So when reader Keith Rosema reached out and asked for advice on picking the right insurance agent, we asked two highly experienced insurance pros (who are also aircraft owners)—Scott Smith from Sky Smith Insurance and our own Jon Doolitle, a retired agent with over 30 years of experience—what to look for in an agent. Their advice was solid, and included some warnings about working with multiple agents when shopping for insurance. Herewith is their advice.
WORDS OF WISDOM
In this as in so many other things, one good approach is to speak with your flying friends who have been buying insurance for years. When you get the same name from more than one of your friends, you may be getting close. Pick up the phone and interview a few likely agents. See if you get along and try to get an idea of how they go about this business. I recommend that you pick one pro to represent you, rather than a shotgun approach.