Hangar insurance and liability: what to check
Insurance is the part of hangar ownership and storage that owners think about least until something happens, and then it is the only thing that matters. Understanding who covers what, and where the gaps are, protects you from an unpleasant surprise after a hangar incident. This is general guidance on what to check; your own policies and agreements govern the specifics.
When an aircraft is in a hangar, several layers of coverage may apply, and they don't automatically overlap. Your own aircraft insurance provides hull coverage (damage to the aircraft) and liability. If someone else stores or handles your aircraft, their hangar keepers liability may cover damage they cause to it, but with limits and conditions that may not match your aircraft's value. Whether you own or rent the hangar changes your exposure: an owner has property and premises liability for the structure; a renter relies on their aircraft policy and the terms of the storage agreement. Before storing, confirm your hull and liability coverage, understand any hangar keepers liability and its limits, and read the storage agreement to see who is responsible for what. Always verify specifics with your insurer.
Your aircraft coverage
| Coverage | What it does | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Hull coverage | Pays for physical damage to the aircraft, including, typically, while it sits in the hangar (ground risk / not-in-motion coverage). | Check that your hull value is current and that the policy covers the aircraft in storage, not only in flight. |
| Liability | Covers your responsibility to others. | Your own aircraft insurance is your primary protection regardless of whose hangar the aircraft is in. |
| Hangar keepers liability | May cover damage a third party causes to aircraft in their care. | The coverage has limits that may be well below your aircraft's value, and it applies to damage they are responsible for, not every loss. |
What to confirm before you store
- 1
Hull and liability coverage
Confirm your hull and liability coverage is current and applies in storage.
- 2
Hangar keepers liability
Understand any hangar keepers liability the provider carries and its limits.
- 3
Storage agreement
Read the storage agreement to see how responsibility is allocated.
- 4
If you own the hangar
Insure the structure and check any association or ground-lease requirements.
- 5
Verify the details
When in doubt, verify with your insurer and broker, the details are specific to your policy and situation.
Owner versus renter exposure
- Hangar owner: you have the structure to insure (property) and premises liability for what happens in and around it.
- Hangar renter: you rely on your aircraft policy plus the terms of the storage or lease agreement.
- Either way, the storage agreement often allocates responsibility, read who is liable for what.
- Association or ground-lease arrangements may carry their own insurance requirements.
The foundation is your own aircraft insurance. Hull coverage pays for physical damage to the aircraft, including, typically, while it sits in the hangar (ground risk / not-in-motion coverage), and liability covers your responsibility to others. Check that your hull value is current and that the policy covers the aircraft in storage, not only in flight. This is your primary protection regardless of whose hangar the aircraft is in.
GFTS Hangars can talk through storage arrangements in Southwest Florida; see hangar security for the physical side of protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Does the hangar operator's insurance cover my aircraft?
Only partly, if at all. A storage provider's hangar keepers liability may cover damage they cause to your aircraft, but with limits that may be below your aircraft's value and only for losses they're responsible for. Your own aircraft hull and liability insurance remains your primary protection. -
Is my aircraft covered by hull insurance while in the hangar?
Typically yes, under ground-risk or not-in-motion coverage, but you should confirm your policy covers the aircraft in storage and that the hull value is current. Don't assume flight coverage automatically means full coverage while parked, check with your insurer. -
What insurance do I need if I own a hangar?
As an owner you have the structure to insure as property and premises liability for incidents in and around it, in addition to your aircraft policy. Association or ground-lease arrangements may also set insurance requirements. Confirm the specifics with your insurer and any association.
Hangar space in Southwest Florida
GFTS Hangars offers aircraft hangar sales, rental and storage at Immokalee in Southwest Florida, an inland location away from the coastal salt air that drives corrosion, with hurricane-built structures. Talk to us about buying, leasing or storing an aircraft, and we will walk you through the options for your aircraft and your budget.
gftshangars.com·sales·rental·storage·Southwest Florida
