Drones are everywhere, from wedding photography and agriculture to construction, logistics, and law enforcement. Whether you fly a DJI Mini 4 or manage a fleet of high-end agricultural drones, one thing is certain: you need insurance for your drones.
Drone insurance protects you from financial loss if your aircraft is damaged, stolen, or causes injury or property damage. It also helps you meet client, FAA, or contract requirements.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about drone insurance, what it covers, how much it costs, and how to choose the right policy for your operation.
Why Drone Insurance Is So Important
A drone crash or malfunction can happen in seconds. A sudden wind gust, low battery, or GPS error can send your drone spiraling into a car, building, or person.
Here’s what’s at stake:
- Property damage: Drones can cause thousands in damage.
- Injuries: A spinning rotor can seriously injure a bystander.
- Lawsuits: You may be sued even if you weren’t negligent.
- Contract requirements: Most professional jobs require at least $1M liability coverage.
Flying uninsured puts your finances, and your business, at risk.
Get Your Drone Insurance Quote Today>>
What Drone Insurance Covers
- Liability Insurance
Protects you if your drone causes injury or property damage.
Example: Your drone crashes into a parked vehicle. Liability coverage pays for repairs and legal defense.
- Hull Coverage
Protects your drone against physical damage or theft.
Example: You accidentally crash into a tree, hull coverage repairs or replaces your drone.
- Payload Coverage
Covers cameras, sensors, or LIDAR units attached to your drone.
- Personal Injury Coverage
Protects against privacy or reputational claims from aerial footage.
- Non-Owned Coverage
Covers you when renting, leasing, or borrowing drones for commercial projects.
What Drone Insurance Doesn’t Cover
- Illegal or reckless operations (unauthorized night or BVLOS flights)
- Normal wear and tear or equipment failure
- Pilots without proper FAA Part 107 certification (for commercial flights)
- Intentional acts or criminal activity
How Much Does Drone Insurance Cost?
At BWI, we’ve seen premiums range based on drone type, value, and use:
- Hobbyists: $300–$600 annually
- Small commercial operators: $500–$2,500 annually
- Industrial/agriculture fleets: $5,000–$10,000+ annually
Liability limits, coverage types, and pilot experience all impact pricing.
Example:
- $1M liability → ~$600–$1,200/year
- $5M liability → ~$2,000–$5,000/year
Compared to potential damages, that’s a small price for peace of mind.
Do You Need Drone Insurance Legally?
While the FAA doesn’t require insurance to fly, it strongly recommends it — especially for commercial use. Most clients, venues, and government contracts require proof of insurance before you can take off.
Insurance isn’t about legality, it’s about professionalism and protection.
How to Get Insurance for Your Drone
Step 1: Know Your Use Case
Are you flying recreationally, commercially, or under contract? Your usage determines what coverage you need.
Step 2: Choose Your Coverage Types
At minimum, every pilot should carry liability insurance. Add hull and payload coverage for valuable equipment.
Step 3: Get a Quote from a Specialized Broker
Unlike general insurance companies, aviation brokers like BWI have access to multiple carriers and specialized markets. That means better pricing and coverage tailored to your risk profile.
Step 4: Review and Renew
Your insurance should evolve with your operations, new drones, higher liability requirements, or additional pilots.
Customer Story
A real estate drone operator came to BWI after flying uninsured for two years. He’d never had a crash, until his drone lost connection during a job and struck a client’s skylight, causing $8,000 in damage.
He paid for the repair out of pocket. Days later, he called BWI and purchased a $1M liability policy with hull coverage. A few months later, he had another incident, but this time, his insurer covered everything.
Lesson learned: insurance for drones isn’t about “if” something goes wrong, it’s about “when.”
Why Choose BWI for Drone Insurance
- Specialized Aviation Broker: We live and breathe aviation.
- Multiple Carrier Access: Get the best pricing and coverage.
- Fast Certificates: Meet client deadlines quickly.
- Claims Advocacy: We stand by you when something happens.
- Scalable Coverage: Whether you fly one drone or fifty, we’ve got you covered
Conclusion
If you own a drone commercially, insurance isn’t optional anymore. It protects you from financial loss, legal exposure, and missed business opportunities.
The right coverage turns every flight from a liability into an asset.
Get your drone insurance quote from BWI today and fly with confidence.
bwifly.com / 800-666-4359
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