Private Jet Passenger Insurance: What Covers You?

Aviation Liability Insurance Requirements

Part 135 requires commercial charter operators to maintain aviation liability insurance. It is a condition of their operating certificate. Minimum coverage is set by the FAA and DOT. For smaller charter aircraft, it typically starts at $20 million per occurrence. For larger aircraft, it is $75 million or more.

It covers the operator's legal liability to passengers and third parties on the ground. It also covers property damage from an aviation accident. The operator must be at fault.

Hull Insurance

Separately, the operator maintains hull insurance covering physical damage to the aircraft. This protects the operator's asset. It is relevant to passengers in one scenario. If personal property in the aircraft is damaged in an accident, hull insurance terms may affect recovery.

Aviation liability coverage is written as a combined single limit (CSL). The CSL is the total available under the policy for all third-party claims from one incident. A $50 million CSL covers all claims from a single event. The number of parties involved does not change the limit.

Some liability policies contain a passenger sublimit. This caps the payout per individual passenger, regardless of the overall combined single limit. A $50 million CSL with a $1 million per-passenger sublimit pays far less per person in a multi-casualty incident. A smooth limit policy with no per-passenger cap provides stronger protection. Always ask whether the operator's policy contains passenger sublimits.

The operator's liability insurance protects you if the operator causes an accident through negligence. It does not protect you in the far more common disruption scenarios. The operator cancels. Weather prevents departure. You fall ill at the destination. Your luggage is lost. These scenarios are statistically far more likely than an aviation accident. The operator's insurance is the right protection for the right risk. Specialist travel insurance covers the everyday disruption risks the liability policy leaves open.

Many standard travel insurance policies exclude private aviation outright. Some apply significant limitations. Policy language to watch for:

"Scheduled commercial air travel only": policies with this language do not cover private charter disruption. Charter cancellation, delay, and missed connections via private jet are excluded.

"Non-scheduled air carrier exclusion": some policies exclude non-scheduled operations. This includes most Part 135 on-demand charter.

"Common carrier" definitions: policies that limit coverage to common carrier transport may or may not include Part 135 charter. It depends on how the policy defines the term.

Before booking, read the policy definitions for air travel, carrier, and any aviation exclusions. Do not assume your standard travel insurance covers a charter trip. Contact the insurer directly if in doubt.

Specialist private aviation travel insurance is designed for charter clients. These policies address the coverage gaps that standard policies leave open. They do not exclude private charter operations.

What Specialist Policies Typically Cover

What Specialist Policies May Not Cover

Pre-existing medical conditions: most specialist policies exclude claims from conditions that existed before the policy was purchased. Declare any pre-existing conditions and verify coverage.

High-value personal items: watches, jewellery, electronics, and art may exceed standard baggage limits. Separate scheduled items coverage may be required.

Adventure or extreme activities at the destination: if the trip involves high-risk activities, additional riders may be required.

Specialist insurance is most valuable when the consequential cost of disruption is high. A destination wedding charter with $15,000 in non-refundable bookings carries far more disruption risk than a domestic business trip. International medical costs can reach six figures without adequate coverage. Remote destinations with limited commercial fallback are another high-risk scenario. If the charter is disrupted, the return journey has no alternative.

Hogani Jets recommends specialist coverage for destination weddings, international leisure, medical travel, and any charter with significant non-refundable pre-bookings.

Before any charter, the client has the right to request confirmation of operator insurance coverage. This is standard practice for corporate charter.

Request a Certificate of Insurance from the operator. It should confirm the carrier, policy number, coverage amount, expiry date, and the covered tail number. The Hogani Jets charter agreement confirms the operator holds Part 135 certification. For clients requiring documentary confirmation, Hogani Jets requests the Certificate of Insurance on the client's behalf.

Personal property on a private jet travels as passenger baggage, not as insured cargo. The operator's insurance does not extend to personal valuables beyond the aviation liability framework.

For clients travelling with fine art, jewellery, watches, or electronics, specialist transit insurance is the correct protection. This is separate from the operator's aviation liability policy and standard travel insurance baggage coverage.

See the Fine Art and Valuables Charter page for more on specialist transit insurance for high-value items.

Hogani Jets is an air charter broker. Hogani Jets does not provide insurance advice. It cannot recommend specific insurance products or policies. The content of this page is for general information only. It is not a substitute for advice from a qualified insurance professional.

For specialist private aviation travel insurance, consult an insurance broker with experience in aviation and travel risk. Hogani Jets can provide a referral to specialist insurance brokers on request.

Contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573.

All charters are facilitated through licensed Part 135 direct air carriers who hold full operational control and regulatory compliance for every flight.

Are private jet passengers insured?

Yes, by the operator's mandatory liability insurance under Part 135. This covers the operator's legal liability to passengers in an accident. It does not cover trip cancellation, medical expenses at the destination, lost baggage, or consequential losses from disruption.

What does the operator's liability insurance cover?

The operator's liability insurance covers legal liability to passengers, third parties, and property. It applies when an accident is caused by operator fault. Minimum coverage starts at $20 million per occurrence. Reputable operators carry significantly higher limits.

What does the operator's insurance NOT cover?

The operator's policy excludes trip cancellation, medical costs at destination, and lost baggage. Hotel and event losses if the operator cancels are also excluded. Specialist private aviation insurance fills all of these gaps.

What is combined single limit liability in aviation insurance?

Combined single limit (CSL) is the total available under a liability policy for all third-party claims from one incident. A $50 million CSL covers all claims from that event. Passenger sublimits can cap individual payouts below the overall CSL.

What is a passenger sublimit and why does it matter?

A passenger sublimit caps each person's payout below the overall combined single limit. A $50 million CSL with a $1 million sublimit pays far less per person than a smooth limit policy. Always ask if the operator's policy contains sublimits.

Does standard travel insurance cover private jet charter?

Often not fully. Many standard travel insurance policies exclude private aviation, apply non-scheduled carrier exclusions, or limit coverage to commercial air travel. Check policy definitions for carrier and air travel before assuming coverage. Contact the insurer directly if in doubt.

What is specialist private aviation travel insurance?

A policy designed for charter clients that does not exclude private aviation. It covers charter cancellation, trip cancellation, medical expenses at the destination, medical evacuation, baggage loss, and personal flight accident. Standard travel insurance often excludes these or limits them.

When is specialist insurance most important?

When the consequential cost of disruption is high. Destination weddings with non-refundable bookings carry far more financial risk than domestic business trips. International medical costs can reach six figures. Remote destinations with limited commercial fallback are another high-risk scenario.

Can I request proof of the operator's insurance?

Yes. Request a Certificate of Insurance from the operator. It should confirm the carrier, policy number, coverage amount, expiry date, and the specific tail number. Hogani Jets requests this on the client's behalf. Any legitimate operator provides it without hesitation.

Does Hogani Jets provide insurance?

A: No. Hogani Jets is an air charter broker and does not provide insurance products or advice. Hogani Jets can request a Certificate of Insurance on a client's behalf.