Is DJI Drone Insurance Enough for Your UAV Business?
If you own a DJI drone, whether it’s a Mavic 3, Mini 4 Pro, Phantom 4 RTK, or Matrice 300 RTK, you’ve likely heard about DJI Care Refresh, often referred to informally as “DJI drone insurance.” It’s a manufacturer-backed service plan that offers repair or replacement for accidental damage.
But here’s the reality: DJI Care Refresh is not a true insurance policy, and for commercial UAV operators under FAA Part 107, it leaves serious coverage gaps.
At BWI Aviation Insurance, we insure thousands of commercial DJI pilots nationwide, and we hear this question often: “Do I need more than DJI Care?”
The short answer: Yes, if you fly commercially, you almost certainly do.
What Is DJI Care Refresh?
DJI Care Refresh is an extended service plan offered directly by DJI. It covers:
- Accidental damage to your DJI drone (crashes, water damage, etc.)
- Up to 2 replacements within a year (or 3 for DJI Care Refresh +2 years plan)
- Replacement drones are either new or equivalent to new in performance
What DJI Care Refresh does NOT cover:
- Liability coverage (injuries or property damage you cause to others)
- Payload coverage (LiDAR, thermal, multispectral cameras)
- Theft or loss of the drone
- Non-DJI drones or any non-covered models
- Commercial contract compliance, it’s not recognized as insurance by most clients
Pros of DJI Care Refresh
- Fast Manufacturer Repairs – Direct access to DJI’s repair network.
- Predictable Costs – Flat service fees per replacement.
- Good for Accidental Damage – Covers common crash and water incidents.
- Affordable for Hobbyists – Low entry cost for recreational flyers.
Cons of DJI Care Refresh for Commercial Pilots
- No Liability Protection – Leaves you exposed to lawsuits for injury/property damage.
- No Contract Compliance – Won’t satisfy insurance requirements for events, venues, or government bids.
- No Payload Coverage – Doesn’t cover attached high-value equipment.
- DJI Only – No coverage if you operate other brands.
- Limited Replacements – Caps how many times you can claim in a plan period.
Why Liability Coverage Matters for Commercial Work
If you’re flying under Part 107, liability coverage is a non-negotiable requirement for most serious jobs. Imagine:
- Your DJI Mavic 3 crashes into a parked car during a real estate shoot.
- Your Matrice 300 RTK collides with construction equipment on a job site.
- Your Inspire 2 injures a bystander at an outdoor event.
In all these cases, DJI Care Refresh pays nothing, you’d be paying for damages and legal fees yourself.
That’s why commercial drone insurance with liability coverage is essential.
The Best Alternative: BWI Commercial Drone Insurance
For commercial DJI pilots, the best coverage combines:
- BWI Commercial Drone Insurance – Liability, hull, payload, non-owned, event coverage.
- Optional DJI Care Refresh – For fast manufacturer repairs on DJI hardware.
With BWI, you get:
- Nationwide coverage – Licensed in all 50 states.
- Same-day certificates – To meet client and venue deadlines.
- Custom limits – From $500K to $10M liability.
- Hull coverage – For your DJI and any other UAV in your fleet.
- Payload protection – For expensive sensors and cameras.
Learn more: Commercial Drone Insurance | Drone Liability Insurance | Hull Insurance for Drones
Cost Comparison: DJI Care Refresh vs. BWI
- DJI Care Refresh (Mavic 3): $239/year + service fees for replacements
- BWI Liability-Only ($1M): ~$275–$350/year
- BWI Liability + $2,200 Hull: ~$600–$800/year
Considering one injury claim could exceed $50,000, the small difference in premium for full protection is a smart investment.
See more: Drone Insurance Cost Guide
When to Use Both
Some commercial pilots choose to carry both DJI Care Refresh and BWI coverage:
- BWI policy for liability, hull, payload, and contract compliance
- DJI Care Refresh for streamlined manufacturer repairs on DJI drones
This hybrid approach covers all risk categories while keeping downtime minimal.
Final Recommendations for Commercial DJI Pilots
- If you only have DJI Care Refresh → You’re missing critical liability coverage and likely can’t bid on most professional contracts.
- If you only have BWI → You’re fully insured, but manufacturer repairs may take longer.
- Best option → Combine BWI commercial coverage with DJI Care for maximum protection and compliance.
Get Covered Today
Don’t wait until an accident grounds your UAV business. Protect your DJI drones, your contracts, and your reputation with BWI Commercial Drone Insurance
Request Your DJI Drone Insurance Quote Today>>
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