No one wakes up excited to buy a policy,” White admits. “So we’ve built our mission around making the experience fast, easy, and personal.
No one loves buying insurance, but when you need it, you want to be certain it works. In aviation, where risk carries real consequences, a well-structured policy can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and financial catastrophe. Yet for many aircraft owners, the process of securing coverage remains a frustrating chore—slow, impersonal, and needlessly complex.
That’s where BWI Aviation Insurance comes in. Founded in 1977 and based in Corona, California, this family-owned brokerage is transforming the aviation insurance experience through a powerful mix of technology, deep expertise, and personal service.
Since Matt White took over the company from his father in 2016, BWI has grown from serving just 800 customers to more than 10,000 nationwide, becoming one of the fastest-growing aviation insurance brokers in the country. But this growth hasn’t come from simply riding the market—it’s come from rethinking how the entire insurance experience should feel.
“No one wakes up excited to buy a policy,” White admits. “So we’ve built our mission around making the experience fast, easy, and personal.”
From Fax Machines to iFlyQuote
Matt grew up in the business, faxing quotes from his dad’s office as a teenager. In 2018, he made a decisive leap into the digital age by spearheading the creation of iFlyQuote, a proprietary and patented quoting engine that required a sizable investment. With a few keystrokes, BWI’s system can ping all participating aviation underwriters and deliver real-time quotes in under 30 seconds—a process that traditionally took 2–3 days.
“It’s a game-changer,” White says. “We even license the platform to competitors. For us, it’s not about hoarding tech—it’s about raising the bar across the industry.”
The Heart of a Family Business
Despite their technological edge, BWI still answers every phone call with a real person, usually on the first ring. They’ve earned over 700 five-star reviews on Google and have retained the kind of administrative team that knows clients by name.
Matt’s father, founder Bill White, still comes into the office once a week. “We’re one of the few remaining family-owned aviation insurance brokerages,” Matt notes. “That means something in this industry, especially with the consolidation the industry has seen.”
When Planes Become Lawn Ornaments
In aviation, accidents and claims don’t always align with business hours. In fact, the majority of customers are flying Friday through Sunday—that’s why BWI runs a 24/7 claims hotline, supported by email and call-back protocols to make sure even weekend fliers aren’t left in the lurch in their time of greatest need.
“We’ve had people call in from a lake in Alaska or the backcountry in Idaho,” White says. “If it’s Friday night and you flipped your bush plane, we’ll make sure the claim gets started right away.”
And when insurers hesitate, BWI doesn’t just submit paperwork—they advocate. In one case, a longtime client totaled a ski-equipped aircraft during a winter landing. The insurer balked, claiming the skis weren’t covered. But BWI reminded them of the owner’s five-year spotless history and long-standing relationship. The claim was paid in full.
“Being a broker isn’t just about finding the cheapest policy,” says White. “It’s about showing up when it counts—and helping our clients understand the long game when it comes to coverage and loyalty.”
Navigating a Changing Landscape
The aviation insurance landscape has been turbulent. In 2016, around 20 underwriters served the market. By 2020, only 12 remained, and premiums climbed steadily through 2024. But recently, eight new insurers have entered the fray, and rates are beginning to soften again.
“Over the next 3–8 years, we’ll see premiums continue to soften,” White predicts. “But customers still need a broker who understands their risks, especially as liability awards and aircraft repair costs keep goin up.”
White is also attuned to the aging pilot population and the underwriting challenges that come with it. While insurers were once quick to decline new customers over 70, two major carriers have recently broadened their acceptance, particularly for seasoned pilots with strong histories and recent training.
“Turns out, you can get coverage well into your 90s,” White says. “It just depends on your flying story. That’s where we come in—we ask the right questions and build a case.”
A Broker with Reach—and Roots
In 2019, BWI opened a second office in Anchorage, overlooking Lake Hood and two minutes from Anchorage International. With access to the largest floatplane base in the world and events like the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering, BWI has rapidly expanded its presence in the state synonymous with aviation adventure.
Their policies now cover everything from personal jets and turbines to commercial rotorwing operations.
White also serves as a tech lead for Aviation Insurance Associations, where he’s building a master database of aircraft makes, models, and usage profiles to help streamline risk assessments across the industry. The database will hopefully help to streamline the industry and offer clarity compared to the murky data contained in the FAA’s registration database.
White is also employing his senior admins to help bring up the next generation of aviation insurance experts. “There’s a talent gap in aviation insurance,” White notes. “We need to attract the next generation of underwriters and brokers who understand both airplanes and analytics, and it’s a great job because you get to see, touch, and talk about aircraft all day!”
Final Approach
Aviation insurance may never be exciting, but with firms like BWI leading the charge, it can be efficient, supportive, and even—dare we say—pleasant. Whether you’re flying a Piper Cub or a Gulfstream, BWI’s blend of technology, transparency, and tenacity is raising the bar for what aircraft owners should expect from their insurance provider.
I’ve heard of another company trying to make insurance easier called 5×5. They are young, but could be worth checking out!