If you don’t have an loss of license insurance, and you’ve recently had a medical scare even something that didn’t result in the loss of your Class 1 medical, you might be wondering: “Can I still get Loss of License insurance, or is it already too late?”
It’s a question more pilots are asking, especially as awareness grows around how fragile medical clearance can be. The short answer? Yes, sometimes but not always. And it all comes down to timing, disclosure, and underwriting.
Let’s break it down.
What Qualifies as a “Medical Scare”?
A “medical scare” doesn’t necessarily mean you lost your license, but it could mean you had:
- A temporary Class 1 suspension or deferral
- A flagged issue during a renewal exam
- Symptoms or a diagnosis under investigation (e.g., arrhythmia, mental health, migraines)
- A family history of disqualifying conditions
- A brief grounding due to medication or treatment
These borderline cases often result in nervousness, even if you’re cleared to fly again. That’s when pilots start thinking seriously about Loss of License (LoL) insurance or at least should start to think about it, but many wait too long.
Can You Still Get Covered?
✅ In some cases, yes:
If you’ve fully recovered, are back to flying, and have a valid, unrestricted Class 1 medical, some insurers will still cover you though often:
- At higher premiums
- With specific exclusions (e.g., the condition that triggered the scare may be excluded)
- Or with a waiting period before claims can be made
If you had a loss of license during the temporary loss you will in most cases not lose cover for the future.
❌ In other cases, no:
If the issue is ongoing, has resulted in a history of suspensions, or is considered high risk, insurers may decline coverage entirely. This is especially common with:
- Mental health diagnoses
- Cardiac irregularities
- Neurological symptoms
- Repeat temporary groundings
Tips If You’ve Had a Medical Scare
- Apply Sooner, Not Later
Even if you’re cleared now, your file may already include flagged history. The longer you wait, the harder it is to get coverage and the more expensive it may become. When this is mentioned, the younger you are when you apply the better. - Disclose Everything Honestly
Don’t try to hide the scare. Insurers will request your aeromedical records or ask detailed medical questions. If you’re caught omitting information, your policy could be void. - Consider Partial Coverage
Some pilots opt for a reduced coverage limit (e.g. €50,000 instead of €200,000) just to get a foot in the door, with fewer medical underwriting barriers. This might also be easier, if you have a medical history that is a bit stained. - Document Stability
If it’s been a year or more since the scare and you’ve had stable medicals since, include this in your application. It strengthens your case.
Why This Matters
Loss of License insurance is meant to be a career safety net but like most insurance, it’s harder to get once you need it.
If you’ve had a warning sign, take that as the moment to act. The window between “everything is fine” and “coverage denied” can close quickly in aviation medicine.
What you can do now?
Yes, you can often buy Loss of License insurance after a medical scare, but it depends on the nature of the scare, how recent it was, and how honest and prepared you are during the application.
If you’re still flying and medically cleared, now is the best time to apply. Because waiting until your next renewal or until another issue arises might leave you grounded not just in the cockpit, but financially too.