Missouri passes insurance bill

AOPA advocated for legislation designed to correct the insurance statutes that caused five insurance underwriters to stop writing and renewing aircraft policies in Missouri—leaving only two underwriters serving aircraft owners in the state.

Language from the AOPA-backed legislation was eventually included in an omnibus insurance bill, S.B.101, which passed in the Missouri House and Senate unanimously, then was signed by Governor Mike Parson on July 6.

Last year, AOPA leadership met with the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance to discuss the problem, which prompted the agency to study it further and ultimately create a white paper identifying a combined legislative and policy making solution in spring 2022.

The study found that insurers in the marketplace were facing challenges with the distinction between personal and commercial insurance in Missouri insurance laws being at odds with the FAA’s definition of commercial risk; restricting rating flexibility in the private and personal aircraft market; and the operational challenges of rating flexibility because of the unique nature of aircraft ownership and the risks involved.

The bill will address these concerns and expand aircraft insurance policy options again in the state.

“We appreciate the collaborative response from the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance and the Missouri State Legislature on this important matter. We look forward to insurance underwriters coming back to the state, hopefully resulting in a more competitive marketplace with regard to aviation insurance offerings,” said AOPA Central Southwest Regional Manager Tom Chandler.