A New Aviation Underwriting Model for OPA Members and Other Safe Pilots

5X5 was founded with the mission of creating a new model of aviation insurance underwriting. It’s an approach designed to treat each owner and pilot as an individual instead of a cog in a machine that serves brokers and insurers better than it does customers. Our owners and pilots association (OPA) partnerships show that commitment.

Insurance Tailored to OPA Members and Every Customer

No one is more familiar with an aircraft and its safe operation than a member of the model’s OPA. The associations support best practices, training, information-sharing and community, all of which 5X5 rewards with discounts.

5X5 currently partners with CJP, TBMOPA and PMOPA and rewards members of some other organizations as well.

·       Members receive 5% discounts just for belonging to an owners and pilots association.

·       Rewards bump to 10% when sharing flight data.

·       Incentives rise to 20% when participating in PMOPA’s Master Aviator Program or earning a CJP Gold Standard Safety Award.

“Our partnership with 5X5 is about more than lower premiums,” says Rob Balzano, CEO of Citation Jet Pilots. “It’s about aligning with an insurance provider that shares our vision. CJP members train harder, fly smarter and commit to programs that raise the safety bar for all owner-flown jets.”

Members Drive the Underwriting Process

OPA members know their aircraft and the coverage they need. With 5X5’s direct-to-customer model, owner pilots are in control.

They can obtain estimates and coverage online or consult with a 5X5 representative. Either way, they supply a full picture of their flight history, practices and training instead of a broker’s snapshot, which can trigger arbitrary cutoffs and rejections.

“OPA safety and training initiatives are really important to us from a safety and risk enhancement standpoint,” says Jeff Rhodes, 5X5’s chief aviation underwriter. “With that information, we can avoid arbitrary age limitations and arbitrary transition training requirements and really tailor coverage to specific risk.”

It’s a win-win for members and the insurer, which gains committed customers.

“Partnering with 5X5 as a preferred insurance partner is another great example of the value of PMOPA membership,” says Mike Nichols, PMOPA’s CEO. “Not only do members have access to top-notch resources and a vibrant community, but now they can also save significantly on their insurance by participating in our safety programs.”

Learning from Our Members and Enhancing Aviation

Aviation communities like the associations clearly enhance safety through training and communication. They have much to teach 5X5. The partnerships provide a path for sharing best practices and honing aviation insurance underwriting.

Owner pilots play a direct role in that communication. Their sharing of flight data supplies a source of information about flying practices and specific models. For example, data collected over time on hangar rash or taxiing mishaps – costly claims but not high-profile accidents – can reduce their occurrence and cost.

“TBMOPA is committed to building a culture of safety among our members,” said JJ Suarez, chairman of TBMOPA. “Working with 5X5 allows us to connect our members with an insurance model that takes training, proficiency, and participation in our programs into account.”

Changing the Way Insurance Is Written

5X5’s coverage is direct, tailored to needs, and promotes safety and aviation. It’s an approach that recognizes pilots are individuals not numbers.

“Most owners of high-performance aircraft are savvy enough to represent themselves pretty adequately to the aviation insurance underwriter,” 5X5’s Rhodes says. “That direct line of communication really allows us to adjust our underwriting for your risk or for training that’s tailored to the way you want to do it.”