This topic has 4 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 8 months ago by 
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Hello everyone!
I hope you all are healthy and staying sane. Wanted to reach out and see if anyone has suggestions regarding insurance on the 200. My grandfather, Fred Betzoldt was on the insurance for our first year with N430DP as I built time in the make/model. I was just quoted $5,000 for next year with just myself on the insurance… I’m low time (110TT, with 35TT in the Meyers), and working on my instrument. If anyone has any suggestions I’m open! Thanks.
Andy Nixon
andy@mroinsider.comAndy-HTG to you and yours. As you might have read, the GA insurance business is in the ditch right now and the underwriters are calling the shots. When I bought my 200 in 2009 I had 1200 TT and a complex sign off to come get 196M. I had to do 5 hours of dual with the owner (an ATP) and then 10 hours of solo before carrying passengers. No way could that be done today. My 1st year premium then at $75K hull and normal non-smooth limits was $2800. It has fluctuated over the last 10 years between $2000 and $1400 with my most recent renewal with $125K hull at $1,777. Feedback I have seen is that GA will eventually correct, but it might take a few years.
Thoughts for you to consider:
For sure get your Instrument Rating. ASAP.
Fly as much as you can and build time. 100 hours per year would be a good goal.
Ask the broker to see what the underwriters would like to see in the way of training to reduce premiums. Try and get SPECIFIC FEEDBACK. I suggest you get with a competent CFI/II who has Bonanza, 210, Comanche experience (with a M200 experienced CFI close by as a bonus) and spend time with them getting real training. But see what the broker says. You need to translate that training into underwriting eventually lowering the premium.
I am impressed to see a 110 hour guy with 35 in a 200 out there! Be careful and remember to stay ahead of the airplane, especially in the pattern. The high sink rate at lower airspeeds configured to land can bite any of us.
Best-
Ed P.
Hi Ed!
I hope you had a great holiday as well. Thank you for the information; I kind of figured I’d have to bite the bullet for this next year before getting some relief…. That being said, I am planning to knock out my instrument this spring. I’m lucky to only have the 200 available for flying! Lots of takeoffs and landings so far.
Andy N.
Andy, I didn’t realize that you were of the Betzoldt lineage. I was already happy to see you in Flip’s plane, but now I’m even more excited that Meyers is embedded into your DNA so deeply. Can’t wait to meet you. Tell Fred that Karen and Ashley say hello.
When I started out in the 200 I had less total time and 200 time than you do now. My insurance was never as high as what you were quoted despite my high hull value. They even insured me for the Meyers OTW with 8 hours of tailwheel time. Give Hardy Aviation insurance an opportunity to quote. Meyers OTW owner Dick Russell is very good friends with Mr. Hardy and Mr. Hardy is very familiar with all of the Meyers models. My agent is Cassidy Strunk at (316) 945-6733.
It should never be all about price, either. Our recent hurricane damage to both the 200 and the OTW put my first aviation claims to the test. Cassidy has stayed right on top of it. The OTW was dancing at the limit of almost being totaled. Hardy has been right on point throughout the ongoing process.
Ashley,
I am of the Betzoldt clan, just sometimes keep that on the down low… LOL. I will give Cassidy a ring and see what he has to say. Being in the corporate aviation industry, the insurance game is such a joke (cartel) when it comes to what they are charging. Appreciate the info and I will let my grandpa know you say hello! He just sold his Piper Super Pacer and bought a Cardinal so my grandma can get in and out much easier. Look forward to meeting everyone in the club next year hopefully!
Andy
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