Top Reasons Why Aviation Claims Get Denied—And How To Fight Back

Insurance companies often deny aviation claims for a variety of reasons, some of which are legitimate, while others are tactics to avoid payouts. Here are the most common excuses insurers use:

1. PILOT COMPLIANCE ISSUES

Aviation policies have strict requirements regarding pilot credentials, including:

• Insufficient flight hours or lack of required certifications.
• The pilot operating the aircraft was not listed on the insurance policy.
• The pilot was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident.

Insurers will seize any discrepancy as a reason to deny claims, even minor violations. If you’re facing this issue, our legal team can challenge unfair denials and negotiate on your behalf.

2. MAINTENANCE AND LOGBOOK DISCREPANCIES

Aircraft owners are responsible for keeping maintenance logs up to date. Claims are often denied due to:

• Incomplete or missing logbook records.
• Overdue inspections or unapproved modifications.
• Failure to comply with manufacturer and FAA maintenance requirements.

If your claim was denied due to maintenance issues, you need experienced legal representation to prove compliance and dispute wrongful rejections. Learn more about FAA Maintenance Requirements to understand your obligations.

3. POLICY EXCLUSIONS AND FINE PRINT

Many aviation insurance policies contain exclusions that insurers use to avoid paying claims. These can include:

• Wear and tear being classified as “normal deterioration.”
• Unauthorized aircraft use (e.g., commercial use under a private policy).
• Natural disasters not covered under specific policies.

Policy exclusions can be intentionally vague, making it difficult for policyholders to understand what is and isn’t covered. If an insurer is wrongly applying exclusions to deny your claim, legal intervention is your best option.