How Owner Pilot Associations (OPAs) Can Boost Your Aircraft Insurance Benefits

In today’s owner-flown space, most current OEM products—Textron, Daher, Embraer, Pilatus, Piper, HondaJet, Cirrus and others—have an ‘owner pilot association,’ or OPA.

Membership in these aircraft-specific OPA groups is open to owners and operators, of course. But you’ll meet the various service providers you may cross paths with during your ownership experience. Those vendors include tax consultants, finance companies, insurance brokers, flight software tools, trip concierge services and parts/maintenance service providers. 

The trade group is a wonderful way to get connected to those that support your aircraft, but there can also be intangible aircraft insurance benefits to getting involved with your aircraft’s OPA organization.

Access Insurance Insights and Opportunities

Typically, you will see several insurance brokers and sometimes underwriting companies attending and participating in the OPA’s regional events and annual conventions.

In many cases, OPA groups host an annual convention, which will have insurance workshops or insurance panels composed of underwriting companies and insurance brokers. These panel discussions are a great way to glean details on the current insurance market conditions, similar to getting insider stock tips.

In years past, many OPA convention attendees who completed various safety and aircraft operation-focused seminars were eligible for insurance credits or discounts offered by some select underwriting carriers.

The insurance discounts offered by select underwriting companies have mostly subsided through the “hard” insurance market (2018-2024). However, some programs still exist that may positively impact your insurance rates.

CJP’s Gold Standard Award

One such discount program is the Citation Jet Pilots (CJP) Gold Standard Award. The award requires an application process and a few recurrent training sessions (in jets referred to as 61.58 checkrides) with approved training providers. The process also includes some courseware and incorporation of CJP’s standard operating procedures into your flying activities.

The Gold Standard award winner, may, in some cases, receive more competitive insurance rating when it comes time for policy renewal. The topic, however, is somewhat subjective as not all policies are identical. Certain risk categories may not recognize the Gold Standard as a premium-bearing incentive program.

Keeping Your Insurance Broker Informed

If you’re an owner/operator who’s involved in an OPA group, you should absolutely make your insurance broker aware. Plus, provide your broker with any ancillary safety or proficiency program that you’re participating in, specific to your make and model.

All additional training and seminar events you complete outside of your policy’s baseline requirements can positively impact how your insurance underwriter rates your risk. In turbine and pressurized aircraft, insurance usually only specifies that you complete recurrent training in the aircraft with an approved training provider. 

That said, involvement in an OPA group however does not guarantee lower premiums. After all, premiums are more heavily influenced by current market conditions rather than solely the additional training and safety-focused efforts you invest time into.

Aircraft owners who continually look to improve their skillset and knowledge base will stand out to underwriting carriers reviewing and rating risks.

So do yourself a favor. Get involved in your OEM’s OPA group and attend its annual convention. It’s time well spent—not just socially but potentially positively impacting your insurance program at renewal.

Fly Safe~

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