Aircraft Hull Insurance

Aircraft hull insurance protects the aircraft itself as property. It is not passenger insurance and not third-party liability. It focuses on the airplane, helicopter, drone or other aircraft: its body, parts and sometimes equipment, if the policy says so.

In simple terms:

• liability insurance deals with harm to others;
• hull insurance deals with physical damage to the aircraft itself;
• coverage depends on the policy, territory, use and exclusions;
• aviation losses can be large, so reinsurance is often part of the background.

What hull means

In aviation insurance, hull means the aircraft as a physical asset. A useful comparison is car KASKO, but the analogy is limited. Aircraft have different operating rules, repair costs, inspection requirements and documentation.

A hull policy may deal with damage while parked, taxiing, taking off, flying, landing, being transported or being serviced. The exact scope depends on the contract. Some policies separate ground risks, flight risks, war risks or total loss.

Hull or liability

The key difference is the insured object. Hull insurance protects the owner's aircraft. Liability insurance protects against claims from third parties if the aircraft causes injury, property damage or other losses.

If a hard landing damages the aircraft landing gear, that is a hull question. If the same event damages equipment at the airport, liability may also be involved. Owners and operators usually need to look at the combination of coverages, not only one term.

Typical risks

Aircraft hull insurance is usually connected with physical damage or loss of the aircraft. Typical causes may include accident, hard landing, collision, fire, weather, ground damage, theft of parts or total loss.

Some exposures are additional risks: war risks, hijacking, civil unrest, terrorism, arrest or confiscation. They should not be assumed to be included. If needed, they must be written into the policy.

Why it matters in Uzbekistan

An aircraft is an expensive and technically complex asset. Even partial damage can involve inspection, repair, spare parts, downtime and expert assessment. Uzbekistan's Air Code regulates aviation activity and use of airspace, so any insurance should match local documents, operation mode and compliance requirements.

The practical point is simple: do not rely on the product name alone. Check what aircraft is insured, where it may be used, who may operate it, what documents are needed after an incident and when the insurer may refuse payment.

What to check

Before buying or renewing a policy, check the aircraft model, serial number and registration; whether parking, taxiing, takeoff, flight and landing are included; whether engines, equipment and spare parts are covered; how the insured value is set; what deductible applies; which exclusions remain; and what documents are needed for an insurance payout.

Common mistakes

Do not assume hull automatically covers liability to passengers or third parties. Do not read all risks as “everything”. Do not ignore territory and period. Do not change pilots, base airport, use or equipment without checking the policy.

Total loss

If repair is impossible or economically unreasonable, the issue becomes total loss. The same idea is familiar from total loss, but aviation calculations can be more complex because value, parts, salvage, documents and expert assessment matter.

This term is important for aircraft owners, operators, leasing companies, banks and businesses that use aviation equipment. In a simple analogy, KASKO protects a car, while aircraft hull insurance protects an aircraft, but under aviation-specific rules.