For Aircraft and Operators
Aviation Insurance in St. Maarten
Princess Juliana International Airport links St. Maarten to the wider world, and nearby islands such as Anguilla, Saint-Barthélemy, Saba and Sint Eustatius can be reached by air as well as by sea. Aviation insurance is designed to address some of the high-value, high-liability risks of flight and ground operations for aircraft owners, operators and the businesses that support them.
In short: Aviation insurance is a specialist type of cover that may include aircraft damage (hull), liability to passengers and third parties, and ground risks for owners, charter operators, flight schools, hangars and airport businesses. Underwriters typically look at the aircraft, the pilots and how and where it is flown.
Who Might Consider Aviation Insurance?
- Private aircraft owners and pilots
- Charter and air-tour operators
- Flight schools and clubs
- Hangar operators and ground handlers
- Maintenance and repair organisations
- Airport tenants, fuel suppliers and service providers
Aircraft are high-value assets and accidents can involve serious injuries to many people, so aviation insurance is a specialist market. Cover is typically placed with insurers that underwrite aviation risk, and they usually ask for detailed information about the aircraft and its crew.
Main Types of Cover
Depending on the insurer and policy wording, aviation cover may include:
- Hull (aircraft damage): physical loss or damage to the aircraft, whether in flight, taxiing or on the ground.
- Aviation liability: legal liability for injury or damage to third parties, which may include passengers and people on the ground.
- Passenger liability: compensation to passengers injured or killed in an accident.
- Ground risks: damage while the aircraft is in a hangar or being moved.
- Airport and hangar-keepers’ liability: for operators who look after other people’s aircraft.
- Products and completed-operations liability: for maintenance and parts suppliers.
- Personal accident and medical: benefits for crew and occupants.
What Underwriters May Look At
- The aircraft: type, age, registration, value and airworthiness.
- The pilots: licence, hours, experience on type and recent training.
- How it is used: private, business, training, charter or commercial.
- Where it flies: local, regional or international routes.
- Where it is kept: hangar, tie-down and hurricane-season arrangements.
Complete and accurate answers to an insurer’s questions are important, as incorrect or missing information can affect a claim. An advisor can discuss what documentation may be needed.
Aviation Insurance in Sint Maarten and Saint Martin
Aviation on the island centres on Princess Juliana International Airport, with flights to nearby islands such as Anguilla, Saint-Barthélemy (St. Barths), Saba and Sint Eustatius (Statia). Underwriters may ask which routes are flown, where the aircraft lands and how often. Hangar space, tie-down arrangements and relocation plans for hurricane season (1 June to 30 November) can also matter, and Hurricane Irma in September 2017, which caused widespread damage on the island, is a reminder of why. Businesses at the airport, in areas such as Maho and Simpson Bay, may wish to review liability for visitors and for other people’s aircraft. The currency of the sum insured and premium is worth checking: US dollars are widely used locally, but a policy may be written in another currency. The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten supervises insurance on the Dutch side. An advisor can discuss these points with you.
Related Cover
Other Policies to Consider
Businesses at the airport may look at general liability, property insurance for hangars and buildings, and workers’ compensation alongside aviation cover. Individual pilots may also consider life and disability cover.
Contact Us
Aviation risks are individual. You can speak with an advisor about the aircraft, the crew and how you fly, and about which specialist insurers may be approached. Which insurers can quote depends on the risk. Request a call back or call +1 721 542 5078.
Frequently asked questions
What can aviation insurance cover?
Depending on the insurer and policy wording, it may cover hull damage to the aircraft, aviation liability to third parties, passenger liability, ground risks in a hangar or while being moved, and personal accident benefits for crew and occupants. Maintenance businesses may also look at products and completed-operations cover.
Who might consider aviation insurance in St. Maarten?
Private aircraft owners, charter and air-tour operators, flight schools, hangar and ground-handling operators, and maintenance and repair organisations around the island’s airports may wish to review their options. Whether any cover is required for a particular activity may depend on the aviation authority or contracts involved, so it may be worth checking with the relevant authority or a legal adviser.
What do underwriters look at?
Often the aircraft type, age and value, the pilots’ licences and experience, whether use is private, training or commercial, the routes flown, and where the aircraft is kept during hurricane season. Requirements depend on the insurer.
Does aviation insurance cover flights from St. Maarten to nearby islands such as Anguilla or St. Barths?
It depends on the insurer and the policy wording, including the geographic limits stated in the policy. Underwriters often ask which routes are flown, so it is worth confirming that the destinations you fly to are included.
Where can an aircraft be kept during hurricane season in St. Maarten?
Hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. Insurers may ask about hangar space, tie-down arrangements or plans to move the aircraft, and may attach conditions to the policy. The details depend on the insurer, so an advisor can discuss your arrangements.
Is aviation insurance available on the French side (Saint-Martin) as well as in St. Maarten?
The Enterprise Insurance offices are in Philipsburg and Cole Bay on the Dutch side. Insurers, rules and supervision differ between Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin, so availability depends on where the person, property or business is located and on the insurer. An advisor can explain what may be possible and whether a French-side insurer or intermediary is needed.
Last reviewed by the Enterprise Insurance team, St. Maarten. This website gives general information about insurance. It is not personal advice, a recommendation or an offer of cover. Terms, limits, exclusions and availability depend on the insurer and the policy wording.
Insurers an advisor may approach
Depending on the type of cover, an advisor may request quotes from insurers such as NAGICO, ICWI, Gulf Insurance, Ennia, Caribbean Alliance Insurance and Guardian Group. Which insurers can quote depends on the risk.
Contact Enterprise Insurance
If you would like to talk through your insurance needs, you can call or visit one of the offices in Philipsburg or Cole Bay, or request a call back using the form. An advisor can discuss your situation, explain how different types of cover work and answer questions about policies you already have. What suits you depends on your own circumstances.
- PhilipsburgIllidge Road #60, Philipsburg
- Cole Bay69 Welfare Road
- Call us +1 721 542 5078+1 721 544 3050
Request a Call Back
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