Frequently Asked Questions

A commercial pilot’s ability to earn a living depends upon maintaining a valid Class 1 Medical Certificate. If that medical certificate is suspended because of illness or injury, the pilot may be unable to exercise the privileges of their professional pilot licence, resulting in an immediate reduction or total loss of income.

Loss of Licence Insurance is designed to help protect commercial pilots against the financial consequences of temporary or permanent medical unfitness. Subject to the policy terms and conditions, it may provide financial support during periods of temporary loss of earnings and, in some cases, a lump sum benefit if the loss of medical certification becomes permanent.

Commercial pilots may wish to consider Loss of Licence Insurance from the beginning of their flying careers, including flight training, until retirement from professional flying. A pilot’s need for financial protection exists throughout their career, whether the end of that career is planned or unexpected.

Loss of Licence Insurance is designed to protect commercial pilots against the financial consequences of losing their Class 1 Medical Certificate due to illness or injury.

Depending on the policy, cover may include a lump sum benefit following the permanent loss of a Class 1 Medical Certificate, a monthly benefit during periods of temporary medical unfitness, or a combination of both. Many modern policies also include additional benefits for specified circumstances, such as psychological illness, illnesses that cannot be diagnosed and prolonged rehabilitation following alcohol or substance dependency.

The scope of cover, eligibility requirements, benefit levels, deferred periods and policy exclusions vary between insurers and individual policies. For this reason, it is important to read the policy wording carefully before purchasing Loss of Licence Insurance.

Aircrewcare provides detailed information about the benefits and features of its current Loss of Licence Insurance policy on the Plan Details page. All benefits are subject to the policy terms and conditions.

The cover provided by Loss of Licence Insurance depends upon the terms and conditions of the individual policy. No two policies are identical, so it is important to read the policy wording carefully before purchasing insurance.

Most Loss of Licence Insurance policies contain exclusions, limitations and eligibility requirements. These commonly include:

• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Deferred (waiting) periods before benefits become payable
• Maximum entry ages
• Benefit limits
• Specific policy exclusions

The treatment of pre-existing medical conditions is one of the most important differences between Loss of Licence Insurance policies. Some insurers may decline cover altogether, while others may apply a pre-existing medical condition exclusion for a specified period or indefinitely. The approach varies between insurers and individual policies.

For this reason, it is important to compare more than just the premium. The policy wording should always be reviewed to understand the benefits provided, how pre-existing medical conditions are treated, the policy exclusions and the circumstances in which benefits may become payable.

Aircrewcare provides detailed information about the benefits, exclusions and eligibility requirements of its current Loss of Licence Insurance policy on the Plan Details page.

A pre-existing medical condition is generally an illness, injury or medical condition that existed before your Loss of Licence Insurance commenced. Depending on the policy, this may include conditions that were diagnosed, investigated, treated or produced symptoms before cover began. The exact definition varies between insurers and individual policies, so it is important to refer to the policy wording.

The way pre-existing medical conditions are treated is one of the most significant differences between Loss of Licence Insurance policies. Some insurers may decline an application because of a pre-existing medical condition or exclude that specific condition from cover. Others may apply a pre-existing medical condition exclusion to conditions arising during a specified look-back period immediately before the commencement of the insurance.

For this reason, it is important to understand how a policy treats pre-existing medical conditions before arranging Loss of Licence Insurance. The approach adopted by one insurer should not be assumed to apply to another.

Aircrewcare provides detailed information about how pre-existing medical conditions are treated under its current Loss of Licence Insurance policy on the Plan Details page.

The amount of Loss of Licence Insurance you require depends upon your individual financial circumstances, including your current income, financial commitments and your future earning potential at your particular stage of your flying career.

When considering the amount of cover required, commercial pilots may wish to take into account factors such as training fees, outstanding mortgages, family commitments, existing savings, employer benefits and any other financial resources that may be available in the event of a prolonged or permanent loss of earnings.

There is no single amount of cover that is appropriate for every pilot, and your insurance needs are likely to change as your career and financial circumstances develop. The objective should be to select a level of insurance that reflects your personal financial circumstances and provides appropriate financial protection should you lose your Class 1 Medical Certificate.

Aircrewcare is one of the few providers offering instant online quotations, enabling commercial pilots to compare different levels of cover and premiums before selecting the level of Loss of Licence Insurance that best meets their individual needs and budget.

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A deferred period is the length of time that must elapse after the suspension of your Class 1 Medical Certificate before a benefit becomes payable under a Loss of Licence Insurance policy.

Different insurers apply different deferred periods depending upon the type of benefit provided. Most policies have separate deferred periods for temporary and permanent Loss of Licence benefits.

In general, policies with shorter deferred periods are likely to attract higher premiums because benefits may become payable sooner. Conversely, longer deferred periods may reduce the cost of the insurance.

When comparing Loss of Licence Insurance policies, it is important to consider the deferred period alongside the premium, benefit levels and policy exclusions. A lower premium may not represent better value if it is accompanied by a significantly longer waiting period before benefits become payable.

Full details of the deferred periods applicable to Aircrewcare’s current Loss of Licence Insurance policy are available on the Plan Details page.

Permanent and Temporary Loss of Licence Insurance are designed to protect commercial pilots against different outcomes following the suspension of a Class 1 Medical Certificate.

Permanent Loss of Licence Insurance is the principal benefit provided by most Loss of Licence Insurance policies. It is designed to provide financial protection when a pilot is no longer expected to regain their Class 1 Medical Certificate. Benefits are usually paid as a lump sum, subject to the policy terms and conditions.

Temporary Loss of Licence Insurance is intended to provide financial support during a period of temporary medical unfitness when a pilot is expected to recover and regain their Class 1 Medical Certificate. Benefits are normally paid as a monthly income, subject to the policy terms and conditions.

Traditionally, the maximum Temporary Loss of Licence benefit has been calculated as an advance against the Permanent Loss of Licence lump sum. Monthly benefits are therefore commonly expressed as a percentage of the Permanent Loss of Licence benefit and are also limited to a percentage of the pilot’s pre-disability income. Depending on the policy, Temporary Loss of Licence benefits paid may reduce the remaining Permanent Loss of Licence lump sum.

The relationship between Permanent and Temporary Loss of Licence benefits varies between insurers and policies. Full details of the benefits provided under Aircrewcare’s current Loss of Licence Insurance policy are available on the Plan Details page.

If you are fortunate enough to have Loss of Licence Insurance provided by your employer, it provides a valuable foundation on which to build your overall financial protection.

Employer-sponsored Loss of Licence Insurance is often provided as a fixed lump sum or a multiple of salary. While this may provide valuable financial support, it may not fully reflect your individual financial commitments, future earning potential or personal insurance requirements.

Private Loss of Licence Insurance allows you to supplement your employer’s cover by selecting a level of protection that reflects your own circumstances. It also provides continuity of cover should you change employers or join an airline that does not provide Loss of Licence Insurance.

When considering your overall financial protection, it is important to assess both your employer-provided benefits and any personal insurance arrangements to determine whether the combined level of cover is appropriate for your needs.

In many cases, commercial pilots may arrange more than one Loss of Licence Insurance policy. However, the amount of insurance you can obtain and the benefits that may be payable are subject to the terms and conditions of each individual policy.

Some insurers place limits on the total amount of Loss of Licence Insurance that a pilot may hold with one or more insurers. Applications may also require details of any existing or proposed Loss of Licence Insurance so that the insurer can assess the total amount of cover requested.

Before arranging additional Loss of Licence Insurance, it is important to check the policy wording and disclose any existing cover where requested. Failure to disclose material information when applying for insurance may affect the validity of the policy or the assessment of a future claim.

If you already have Loss of Licence Insurance and are considering arranging additional cover, Aircrewcare can help you understand the options available under its current Loss of Licence Insurance facility.

Changing airline does not necessarily mean that you have to change your Loss of Licence Insurance.

Employer-sponsored Loss of Licence Insurance ends when you leave your employer, whereas an individual policy normally remains in force, subject to the policy terms and conditions, provided you continue to meet the eligibility requirements and continue to pay the premiums.

If you are changing airline, it is sensible to review your insurance arrangements to ensure that you continue to have an appropriate level of financial protection throughout your career.

If you are considering changing airline, Aircrewcare can help you review your existing Loss of Licence Insurance arrangements and explain the options available under its current Loss of Licence Insurance facility.

If your Class 1 Medical Certificate is suspended, you should notify your employer and your Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) and follow the procedures required by your aviation authority.

If you have Loss of Licence Insurance, you should also notify your insurer or insurance intermediary as soon as reasonably practicable. Early notification helps ensure that you understand the claims process, the documentation that may be required and any policy conditions relating to the notification of a claim.

Aircrewcare will explain the claims process, assist you with the collection of the required documentation and liaise with the insurer throughout the assessment of your claim. All claims are assessed by the insurer in accordance with the policy terms and conditions.

Aircrewcare is one of the few providers offering instant online quotations for Loss of Licence Insurance.

Our online quotation system enables commercial pilots to compare different levels of cover and premiums before selecting the level of Loss of Licence Insurance that best meets their individual needs and budget.

Obtaining a quotation is free, takes only a few minutes and does not commit you to purchasing insurance. If you decide to proceed, you can enrol and confirm your cover through Aircrewcare.com using a simple three-step online process.