Age-related Insurance restrictions

[DonFromTX]

Not necessarily a qualified perspective Dick, as you know I have been lying for 50 years, never even a parking ticket, and at 82 I found insurance priced beyond all reason, and mostly not even available. Made me bitter at first, then I finally accepted it, after all I flew for a number of years without ANY insurance, so I really do have an option if I wanted to use it.

[gossend]

Originally Posted by DonFromTX

Not necessarily a qualified perspective Dick, as you know I have been lying for 50 years, never even a parking ticket, and at 82 I found insurance priced beyond all reason, and mostly not even available. Made me bitter at first, then I finally accepted it, after all I flew for a number of years without ANY insurance, so I really do have an option if I wanted to use it.

Yep, I did the same and got away with it. I did have a prop strike that required major engine work, but by that time the engine was at TBO and the prop blades were np longer overhaulable, so insurance wouldn't have helped so much! I still came out way ahead.
I'm not recommending that you "go naked" - that's a risk decision for the young and invincible... Now, I'm older (and maybe smarter) - just sayin'

[erich weaver]

Originally Posted by DonFromTX

as you know I have been lying for 50 years, never even a parking ticket,

No wonder your insurance is expensive :

[DonFromTX]

OK, so my eyes are not so good anymore, but I can still see the ground!

[jrs14855]

Bill Harrelson, age 68, just completed an unofficial around the world speed record in class in the Lancair 4. Just five legs, longest 32:10, eight days total.
Age is absolutely, totally meaningless.

[jrs14855]

Dick Rutan is 81, Van is 80. I bet they both have an opinion on the Insurance/age nonsense, along with many others.
John Miller flew solo in his Bonanza until age 99. Others allegedly have flown solo as old as 105.

[Scott Hersha]

After reading these posts, I?m wondering what the insurance companies are thinking, and what their goals are. A couple years ago I joined the ranks of ?senior citizen? (north of 65). It seems like they don?t want or need our business. When you consider the advancing age of the certified pilot group it seems like they aren?t really interested in insuring GA airplanes anymore. Not including senior citizens (unless they pay exorbitant rates), will quickly lead to the younger generation of pilots sharing the risk among a much smaller group that has, as a group, less experience. That raises their rates. Financially locking out the most experienced group of pilots in our country is a move that makes no sense, unless they really just don?t want to do business with non-corporate GA business any more. The only alternative may be liability only insurance, but that will be short lived too, because the younger generation won?t be able to afford a big hull loss. They understand that seniors own most of the wealth in our country. I don?t mean we are multi-millionaires, I mean we, as a group, have lots of cash built up in IRA?s, 401K?s, etc collectively, and liability coverage makes more sense for them when you consider our track record on aircraft accident litigation.

[grubbat]

When I got my Aerostar, the Insurance folks wouldn?t even give me the time of day. It was NO before I could make a case. So, liability only it is. On my -9, no problem getting coverage but I?m still a tad south of retirement age still. I was told off the record that the day will come when a new birthday will alter my coverage options.

I wonder if ?age discrimination? in the insurance industry will ever be challengered? Raising a rate solely based on another trip around the sun seems lame to me.

[EV's RV6]

I am 80 my insurance Co. still insures my RV-6 I have been expecting a rate increase but so far so good. I am sure its coming that's why the RV is for sale.
EV

[BobTurner]

Disclosure: I just turned 71, and I don?t work for an insurance company.
In the US, insurance companies are in business to make money. The sad fact is, many of us know pilots who are too old but still flying. Some are too old at 70, some at 100. The insurance companies do the best they can to make money. Insurance tends to be an averaging business, and as some people age worse, they drag down the rest.