Open Pilot Warranty

Category: legal

A policy clause that allows unlisted pilots to fly the aircraft if they meet strict minimum hours and certification requirements.

Instead of listing every single pilot on the policy, an open pilot warranty sets a "floor" (e.g., "Any pilot with a commercial license and 2,000 total hours, including 500 in multi-engine aircraft"). If a pilot crashes who doesn't meet this exact floor, the claim is denied.

Common Examples

• The insurance carrier denied the hull claim because the pilot at the controls did not meet the open pilot warranty’s multi-engine hour minimum.
• We reviewed the agency’s open pilot warranty to ensure the contract allowed their newly hired captain to command the corporate turboprop.