Life insurance is available for pilots and many pilots can enjoy cover at ’standard’ rates. In some cases the cover may cost more compared to other occupations or pastimes depending on the type of aircraft, qualifications, experience etc.

As a general rule of thumb, life insurance for airline pilots working for large established commercial airlines should be unaffected and be able to qualify for ’standard’ rates from select insurers.

Even student pilots who are pursuing a career as a commercial airline pilot can enjoy ’standard’ rates from certain insurance companies.

Pilots who fly smaller private aircraft or helicopters may incur a ‘loading’ to their policy which could increase the price but recreational flying as a hobby or pastime is unlikely to have an effect on the price of cover unless the number of hours spent flying is particularly high.

We know which of the well known insurance companies allow up to 100 flying hours per year at ’standard’ or ‘ordinary’ rates with no increase in price for light aircraft and helicopter pilots.

Key factors which could affect cover are the number of flying hours already accrued, what qualifications or licenses a pilot possesses, the type of aircraft being flown and how many hours per year will be spent flying.

Pilots in the armed forces are likely to pay more for life insurance and as you might expect, stunt pilots and test pilots are also considered higher risk occupations and any applications will need to be assessed on their individual merit.

Waiver of Premium Benefit, which is often added to a life policy to protect the monthly payments in the event of serious illness or disability, may not be available to certain pilots but it is available to most.

Commercial airline pilots are categorised as being in either occupation Class 0 or Class 2 which are considered low risk (categories are A1 or 0, 1, 2, 3 & 4) while test pilots and crop spraying pilots would not qualify for ‘waiver of premium’ from some insurers.

Use the form below to contact advisers with specific experience of finding competitive life insurance cover for all types of pilots from commercial to light recreational.