How To Protect Your Aircraft From Severe Weather—And What It Means for Your Aviation Insurance

Mother Nature doesn’t discriminate when it comes to threatening aircraft. From spring hailstorms in the Midwest to hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, wildfires in the West, and winter storms in the Northeast, extreme weather poses a year-round risk for aircraft owners nationwide.

While you can’t control the forecast—or fire conditions—you can take proactive steps to protect your plane and minimize risk before disaster strikes. These actions not only safeguard your investment but can also impact how your aviation insurance policy responds when things go wrong.

🌪️ The Range of Weather Risks for Aircraft Owners

Aircraft, especially those stored outdoors, are highly susceptible to damage from a wide range of weather events:

• Hurricanes: Bring destructive winds, flooding, and flying debris
• Hailstorms: Can puncture fuselages, crack windshields, and dent control surfaces
• Wildfires: Produce smoke, soot, and radiant heat damage—even when flames don’t reach the aircraft
• Tornadoes: Devastating to ramp-stored aircraft and hangars alike
• Blizzards and Ice Storms: Add dangerous weight, freeze vital systems, and make recovery difficult
• Thunderstorms: Produce lightning, strong wind gusts (microbursts), and flash flooding
• Extreme Heat or Cold: Can degrade avionics, tires, and batteries over time

🛫 Best Practices for Protecting Your Aircraft From Weather Events

While each weather threat is unique, the fundamentals of aircraft protection are consistent across most conditions. Whether you’re based in a hurricane-prone region, wildfire territory, or subject to severe winters, these strategies can help preserve the safety and longevity of your aircraft—and support a smooth insurance process if damage occurs.

1. Hangar It Whenever Possible

Storing your aircraft in a hangar is still the single most effective defense against most weather hazards. A well-maintained hangar offers shelter from high winds, hail, snow, sun exposure, and wildfire debris. In regions known for hurricanes or tornadoes, choosing a reinforced or storm-rated hangar can make a significant difference. Be sure to inspect your hangar regularly for structural weaknesses, secure the doors properly, and review whether your insurance offers any premium benefits for hangared aircraft.

2. Have a Relocation Plan

When advance notice is available—such as for hurricanes, wildfires, or snowstorms—relocating your aircraft to a safer location can prevent thousands of dollars in potential damage. This is particularly important for aircraft stored on ramps or in hangars located within high-risk zones. Some aviation insurance policies include reimbursement for evacuation-related costs, but others require pre-approval or specific documentation. It’s important to discuss these terms with your insurer before a weather event is imminent.

3. Use Certified Tie-Downs

For aircraft that must remain outdoors, a reliable tie-down system is essential. Use hurricane- or high-wind-rated ropes or chains to secure all three points, and double-check that anchors are properly embedded and free from corrosion. Securing control surfaces, such as rudders and ailerons, helps reduce the risk of control flutter or surface damage in gusty conditions. While tie-downs can’t provide full protection against major storms, they are often the first line of defense for ramp-stored aircraft.

4. Protect Critical Components

Weather exposure doesn’t just threaten the airframe—it can impact your aircraft’s most sensitive systems. Covers for pitot tubes, engines, and control surfaces help protect against moisture, ice, soot, and debris. In cold climates, using engine heaters or proper fuel additives can prevent start-up issues and internal damage. In wildfire-prone areas, protective covers and air-intake shielding can help mitigate heat exposure or smoke infiltration, both of which can cause lasting harm to avionics or upholstery.

5. Remove Loose Objects

Loose equipment in or around your aircraft can become dangerous projectiles in wind or storm conditions. Remove items such as wheel chocks, pitot covers, tow bars, and ground power units when a storm is forecasted. Not only does this help protect your aircraft and others nearby, but it can also demonstrate responsible ownership practices should you ever need to file an insurance claim. Keeping your ramp area clear reduces both direct and collateral damage risk.

6. Keep Maintenance and Documentation Up to Date

Thorough documentation can make all the difference during an insurance claim. Before a major weather event, take high-resolution, time-stamped photos of your aircraft from multiple angles. Store these alongside maintenance records and any steps taken to secure or relocate the aircraft. These records provide proof of good-faith efforts to protect your investment—and they streamline the claim review process if damage does occur.

🛡️ How These Preparations Impact Your Aviation Insurance

Insurers expect responsible aircraft ownership, especially in high-risk weather areas. Proactively protecting your aircraft can, depending on your policy:

• Reduce premiums (e.g., discounts for storing in approved hangars)
• Strengthen your position in a claim if damage occurs
• Avoid coverage gaps (some policies exclude damage that could have been reasonably prevented)

Key Insurance Questions To Review:

• Does your policy cover damage while tied down outdoors?
• Are evacuation/relocation costs included for forecasted events like hurricanes or wildfires?
• Is flood or smoke damage included or excluded under your hull policy?
• Are there specific storage requirements that affect your claim eligibility?

Not all policies are created equal—talk with your provider to understand what’s included, especially if you operate in a region prone to extreme weather.

✈️ Final Thoughts: Be Proactive, Stay Protected

Aircraft may be built for the sky, but they’re vulnerable on the ground. Taking steps now to protect your aircraft from weather events—whether it’s tying down securely in a windstorm, relocating ahead of a hurricane, or shielding from wildfire smoke—can save you from enormous damage and insurance complications later.

Have questions about your current policy or want to review weather-related coverage options? Contact Avion Insurance for more information.

For informational purposes only.