Starr Insurance Companies has launched Starr Gate, a new kind of general aviation insurance policy for pilots who rent aircraft with pricing based on use, combined with a tool that can also improve a pilot’s flying skills.
“Until now, pilots did not have real flexibility in their insurance coverage and often paid for coverage they didn’t need,” company officials said in a prepared release.
With the new policy, Starr “has established a way for pilots to pay for coverage based on when they are flying. The program includes the ability to access CloudAhoy, a popular third-party, cloud-based pilot analytics tool, for a potential discount on the premium,” officials note
Starr Gate customers get access to CloudAhoy scoring, at no additional cost, that can help them become better pilots by matching their performance — from wheels up to wheels down post-flight — with thousands of other pilots.
“Starr Gate is better aligned with a pilot’s skills and flight time,” said Jim Anderson, senior vice president of Starr Aviation. “With CloudAhoy data, we can write coverage in high definition. It’s customized insurance that can make you a better pilot.”
“Using data-driven technology to provide quantitative, objective feedback to pilots has always been part of our vision,” said Chuck Shavit, the creator and CEO of CloudAhoy. “We are delighted to see it used in a positive way to reward pilots, and to promote safety and proficiency.”
“Giving pilots the flexibility to buy on-demand coverage could not have come at a better time as we begin to emerge from this public health crisis,” Anderson added. “Qualified pilots can obtain coverage for when they fly. If you’re not flying now, apply for the coverage you need when you do start to fly again.”
Starr Gate is available now directly to pilots through an iPad app, accessible in the Apple App Store, as well as through insurance brokers.