Aviation Insurance

Specialist Aircraft & Aviation Insurance Experts

Aircraft insurance is one of the essentials of any aviation business, and it’s easy to see why. Aviation and associated aviation risks can be a minefield to the uninitiated. That’s why you need an expert aviation insurance broker to assist in the placement of your risk.

From crop dusters to experimental aircrafts, hangar keepers to airside refuelling, our aviation insurance specialists can do it all.

As a Corporate Authorised Representative of McKenzie Ross, Geoff and Tony Butler from Butler Aviation (BAIB) combine over 40 years of specialist aircraft and aviation insurance knowledge.  Most importantly, they have been actively involved for just as long as Pilots, LAME/Engineer, Aircraft owners and operators, ensuring unparalleled professional experience because they know and understand the industry they love.

Our aircraft insurance clients vary enormously from the one aeroplane private owner, Aerial Ag clients, to major Corporate Charter operators.  We also accommodate associated industry risks including flight training, engineers, refuelling, aircraft push back and cleaning.

  • Hull and Liability – BAIB can accommodate all hulls risks from your corporate jets, rotary wing, RPT to Light Sport Aircraft and everything in between. Tony and Geoff have a close affinity with the Aerial Ag industry and are able to place harder risks which other brokers shy away from.
  • Hangar Keepers – Cover your private hangar or the largest engineering workshop. Cover can include damage to third party aircraft and faulty workmanship
  • Airport Owners / Operators Liability – We provide aviation insurance programs for a number of local airports and private airstrips. It is important to adequately understand your exposures and make sure your interests are properly protected.
  • Aerial Application Liability – Covering third party claims for losses resulting from operator negligence.
  • Marine Transit Cover – Cover for material damage or loss during aircraft importation. Including cover for international import or export of aircraft and aircraft parts.
  • Ferry Flights – Flying in an aircraft from overseas? We can assist in the placement of the cover worldwide for ferry flights.
  • Airside vehicle movement activities – Most insurers exclude airside vehicle activities in their liability insurance programs. We can provide a liability solution to cover from the time the vehicle enters the fence for airside work.
  • Flight Training Facilities and Schools – Including aircraft insurance cover for testing and check flights. We can also insure aircraft used in flight training activities whether online or owned by the training school.
  • War Risks Hull and Liability
  • Pilot Risk Insurance
  • Personnel Personal Accident Cover

Our Aircraft & Aviation Insurance Experts

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Geoff Butler learnt to fly at the age of 20. Having commenced his insurance career over 40 years ago, he returned from living overseas to work for a company called Bray Gibb Wrightson, who acquired the specialist aviation insurance broker with Stewart Smith, to become Stewart Wrightson. In 1977, he was asked to join the Australian Aviation Underwriting Pool and in 1980 became the Victorian manager.

In 1993, in partnership with others, Geoff formed an underwriting agency called the Australian Aviation Insurance Group, which he part owned and ran for 8 years until QBE acquired the business in 2001.

Geoff continued with QBE Aviation as the Victorian Manager until 2005 and has worked as an aviation broker since. Geoff started Butler Aviation Insurance Brokers as a Corporate Authorised Representative of McKenzie Ross and Co Pty Ltd in 2011.

In that time he has owned and operated numerous aircraft. Have been involved in flying from his teenager years and still currently owns and operates a Cessna 180 aircraft and a Zlin Savage Cub.

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Tony Butler As one of Geoff’s sons Tony was brought up in the aviation industry and never had a doubt as to which direction he would head professionally. As a teenager he spent his holidays working in hangars helping out engineers, getting on the odd test flight.

After school he obtained an apprenticeship as an Aircraft maintenance engineer with Field Air in Ballarat, Tony rebuilt his first aeroplanes and obtaining his pilot’s licence. After 5 years in the aerial Ag industry and becoming a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Tony left to broader his experience in the regional airlines. After successful stints at Airnorth and Regional Express he joined QBE Aviation Insurance as a business relationship manager and technical expert following in his father’s footsteps.

Tony embraced the challenging and rewarding nature of aviation Insurance and after three years in the role left to join his father in Butler Aviation Insurance Brokers. Tony is still actively involved in the Industry not only through Butler Aviation but also as an active pilot, owning a Mooney M20J. In addition to his work as an Aviation broker, Tony works with Rex Aviation in WA as a licensed Engineer helping maintain their passenger aircraft.

Not only does he enjoy doing this but he feel it keeps him grounded and in touch with the Aviation Industry on all levels.

Learn More About McKenzie Ross Aircraft Insurance

As an experienced Aviation insurance broker, our relationships with specialist local underwriters we are able to offer a suitable solution for this unique risk.

Contact us today on (03) 9691 2222 to discuss your Aviation insurance needs.

Aviation Insurance FAQ’s

Aviation insurance covers against loss or claims, such as damage to aircraft, property damage, and personal injury that result from the ownership, maintenance or use of aircraft, hangars or airports. Insurance brokers can also cover you for associated industry risks, such as refuelling.

Aviation insurance is typically required for aircraft owners and operators by aviation regulators, such as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). It’s a type of insurance coverage that provides financial protection against the risks associated with:

  • Owning aircraft
  • Operating aircraft
  • Flying aircraft

This is a specialised form of insurance designed to address the unique risks associated with aviation and to protect against the high costs associated with aviation accidents and incidents. The McKenzie Ross team has experts onboard who understand this insurance niche.

When you discuss your aviation insurance with us, you can consider coverage for a variety of risks, including:

  1. Liability: Aviation insurance can provide coverage for claims arising from bodily injury or property damage caused by an aircraft. This can include coverage for both passengers and third-party individuals or property.
  2. Hull damage: This insurance can provide coverage for damage to the aircraft itself, including damage caused by accidents, fire, theft, and vandalism.
  3. Personal injury: You can get coverage for claims arising from personal injury to the pilot or other individuals, including loss of income and medical expenses.
  4. War and terrorism: Relevant to the current global political environment, you can be covered for risks associated with war and terrorism, including damage to aircraft and liability claims arising from acts of terrorism.
  5. Loss of use: Aviation insurance can provide coverage for loss of use of the aircraft, including the cost of renting a replacement airplane or the loss of income due to the inability to use the asset.

Talk to us and McKenzie Ross will ensure your aviation insurance policy is tailored to meet your specific needs as owner or operator. Our policies are relevant to a variety of aircraft, so whether you own small private planes, commercial airliners, helicopters, or corporate jets, it’s worth speaking to our team.

Coverage may vary based on the intended use of the aircraft, such as personal, commercial or charter operations. Our experts’ industry knowledge will ensure you get the best deal that gives you peace of mind.

Once obtained, aviation insurance can cover you for liability and property coverage for aircraft. The type of policy you need can be assessed by an expert aviation insurance broker who can assist in the placement of your aviation and associated aviation risks

Aviation insurance works similar to other forms of insurance, providing financial protection against potential losses associated with operating or owning an aircraft. Here’s the general steps in the process:

  • You as an aircraft owner or operator purchases aviation insurance
  • The covered party pays a premium to the insurance provider in exchange for coverage against a range of potential risks
  • When an incident or accident occurs, you engage with a claims management team
  • The insurance provider will pay out a claim to cover costs associated with the incident

The McKenzie Ross team works 24/7 to assist clients in getting the best possible outcomes.

Note the following:

  • The incident must be within the scope of the policy
  • Payments will be up to the limit described in the policy
  • Owners or operators must provide proof of incidents they claim for

Coverage varies based on the policy you pick, and our industry experts will help you obtain coverage relevant to your needs. Usually, policies include:

  • Liability coverage: Protection against claims for bodily injury or property damage caused by an aircraft.
  • Hull coverage: Cover for damage to the aircraft itself, including damage caused by accidents, fire, theft, and vandalism.
  • Personal injury coverage: Offering protection against claims for personal injury to the pilot or other individuals, including loss of income and medical expenses.

Factors that determine what your ideal policy entails range from aircraft type to intended use and the level of coverage you prefer. This will of course also affect the cost.

The cost of aviation insurance can vary significantly depending on multiple factors:

  • Type of aircraft, with smaller aircraft often having lower insurance premiums than large, complex planes
  • Intended use of the aircraft
  • Pilot’s experience and training
  • Level of coverage required
  • Location of the aircraft
  • Insurance provider used

With so many factors, your premium can fall anywhere between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars annually. For larger craft and commercial use, the costs can even be as high as thousands of dollars per year.

However, don’t make cost your only consideration when picking insurance policies and insurance providers. In this niche, quality cover is essential to protect you in the long term. Also, working with a provider who understands the industry will go a long way in making your policy work to your benefit.

To help you benefit optimally and get the best possible insurance cover, at a fair cost, work with an insurance company like McKenzie Ross who understands the business. Our experts on team have 40+ years of aviation insurance knowledge and experience, benefiting our clients who need this unique type of cover.

The owner of the aircraft must have insurance. Individuals or companies that charter flights (but do not own the aircraft) may require non-owner insurance to cover them for any liability in the event of an accident. An expert aviation insurance broker can clarify what type of coverage you require to fly a plane.

An aviation insurance policy can cover an individual private aeroplane owner to major Corporate Charter operators. The policies typically cover liability and property coverage for aircraft and can also accommodate associated industry risks including flight training, engineers, refuelling, aircraft push back and cleaning.

Your aviation insurance policy can provide cover for risks associated with aircraft and aviation-related activities, but the exact cover depends on policy details. Coverage types you can discuss with McKenzie Ross to include in your customised policy include:

Hull insurance: Damage to the aircraft itself, including collision, theft, and vandalism.

  • Liability insurance: Damages and injuries that the aircraft may cause to others, such as passengers, other aircraft, or people and property on the ground.
  • Personal accident insurance: Coverage for injuries or death of passengers and crew members in the event of an accident.
  • War risk insurance: Damages and losses that occur due to war, terrorism, or other hostile acts.
  • Cargo insurance: Loss or damage to cargo being transported by the aircraft.
  • Ground risk insurance: Damage to the aircraft while it’s on the ground, such as during maintenance or while parked.

At McKenzie Ross our satisfied clients include owners but also corporate operators. Apart from the general cover listed above, talk to us about unique scenarios such as flight training or refuelling and other associated industry risks.

Our experts with 4 decades of experience will answer all your questions and help you pick a policy that suits your needs.

McKenzie Ross Insurance broking & risk management

Need guidance on the type of aircraft insurance product or service that’s best for you? Talk to our broking teams today – Call us on (03) 9691 2222

Key Benefits Of Using McKenzie Ross

High level assurance that risks are transferred where intended.

A greater understanding of the risks retained in your organisation, some of which may require alternative management methods.

A formal process of risk identification that demonstrates good corporate governance to stakeholders.

Linkage between insurance and your organisation’s overall process for risk management.

Enhanced ability for ‘insurable’ risk to be transferred to insurance markets in the best possible light by demonstrating sophistication in identification and analysis.