Whether you’re flying a DJI Mini for fun or managing a fleet of commercial UAVs for agriculture, photography, or inspection, your drone is valuable, exposed, and vulnerable to risk.
At BWI Aviation Insurance, we provide fast, flexible, and affordable drone insurance policies for Part 107 operators, drone-based businesses, creators, and enthusiasts. Since 1977, we’ve been a trusted name in aviation insurance—and today, we bring that same experience to the fast-moving world of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Do You Need Drone Insurance?
Drone insurance isn’t federally required, but in today’s world, it’s often expected. If you fly drones professionally, sell footage, compete, or operate in public spaces, someone will eventually ask you: “Do you have insurance?”
Here’s when insurance becomes essential:
- You operate commercially under FAA Part 107
- Clients request proof of liability
- You work around people, structures, or critical infrastructure
- You’ve invested in high-end gear or payloads
- You fly in public venues or near spectators
- You compete in drone racing or exhibitions
- You want peace of mind when flying near risk
Even hobbyists and content creators should consider coverage, especially when the drone costs $1,000+ or flies near neighbors, property, or people.
What Does Drone Insurance Cover?
Drone insurance can be customized to include:
Liability Coverage
This is the most commonly requested coverage. It protects you if your drone causes property damage or bodily injury to someone else.
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
- Invasion of privacy (camera-equipped drones)
- Legal defense and settlement fees
Physical Damage (Hull) Coverage
This covers your drone if it crashes, is stolen, or suffers water damage, flyaway, or fire.
- Covers the drone, gimbal, camera, or payload
- Can include spare parts or ground control stations
- Requires proof of value (purchase invoice or spec sheet)
Payload Coverage
This protects high-value attached equipment, like LIDAR, thermal cameras, or cinema gear. Especially useful for commercial or survey work.
Additional Options
- Ground equipment (laptops, tablets, base stations)
- Non-owned UAV liability
- Loss of use / mission interruption
- Cyber liability for advanced or software-integrated drones
- Worldwide flying endorsements (for travel or international ops)
- Theft and vandalism
Real-World Example:
A real estate drone pilot is filming a luxury home. Mid-flight, the drone loses signal and crashes into a neighboring property, destroying a patio heater and damaging the roof. The client demands compensation. Liability insurance covers the damage, and hull coverage pays for the drone replacement.
Without insurance, that’s a $5,000–$10,000 loss out of pocket.
Who Needs Drone Insurance?
If you use drones for any of the following purposes, insurance is highly recommended:
- Aerial photography or cinematography
- Real estate marketing
- Land surveying or construction mapping
- Agriculture (crop health, NDVI, thermal)
- Infrastructure or utility inspection
- Solar panel or roof inspection
- Drone racing (FPV or commercial class)
- Event coverage (weddings, sports, festivals)
- YouTube creators and influencers
- Search & Rescue or public safety
- Environmental or wildlife monitoring
- Drone training businesses or schools
Whether you operate solo or manage a multi-UAV team, we’ll help you build the right policy.
Actual Drone Insurance Quotes from BWI Clients
Commercial Photographer – DJI Mavic Air 2
$1M liability only | Nationwide coverage
$639/year
Inspection Startup – DJI Matrice + Thermal Camera ($12k value)
$1M liability + hull + payload
$1,850/year
Mapping Company – 3 drones w/ LIDAR and FPV
Fleet liability + scheduled hull
$3,200/year
Cinematographer – DJI Inspire 2 + cinema camera
$2M liability + full hull + ground station
$2,750/year
Hobbyist Racer – Custom FPV drone (Canada ops)
$500k liability + worldwide endorsement
→ $575/year
These quotes are based on real BWI policies. Pricing varies by location, equipment value, use case, and pilot experience.
What Impacts Drone Insurance Cost?
Your premium is based on:
- Drone value (airframe + payload)
- Number of drones and operators
- Business type and mission complexity
- Location (urban, rural, restricted airspace)
- Flight environment (over people, near structures)
- Pilot experience and Part 107 status
- Claims history
- Liability limit and add-ons selected
If you want better pricing, keep clean records, use experienced pilots, and ask us about bundling liability + hull in one package.
Why Choose BWI for Drone Insurance?
We’ve been in the aviation insurance business for over 45 years. While many brokers are just getting into drones, we’ve already built a dedicated UAV insurance division and have issued 1,000+ drone-specific policies.
Here’s why drone pilots choose BWI:
- Aviation experts who actually understand drones
- Access to top UAV insurers in the U.S.
- Flexible policies for individuals and businesses
- Quotes in 24 hours or less
- No call centers—real humans with real answers
- Fast certificates and endorsement changes
- Coverage available in all 50 states
Whether you fly a single DJI drone or manage a team of surveyors with $100K in gear, we’ll get you covered, correctly and quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is drone insurance required by the FAA?
No. The FAA does not mandate drone insurance. However, most jobs, venues, and clients will require proof of liability coverage before you’re allowed to operate.
Does drone insurance cover the drone itself?
Not by default. Basic liability-only policies protect others, but not your drone. To cover damage to your UAV, you’ll need to add hull coverage.
Is personal injury or privacy coverage included?
It can be. Some policies include coverage for invasion of privacy (e.g., someone claims your drone recorded them unlawfully). We’ll help you get the right protection.
Can I get a policy without a Part 107 certificate?
Yes—for hobbyists. But commercial operators need a Part 107 to qualify for most policies. We also insure student pilots and training programs.
What happens if I lose signal and crash?
If you have hull coverage, the cost to repair or replace your drone is covered, assuming the crash wasn’t caused by a violation of policy terms.
Can I cover multiple drones under one policy?
Yes. We can quote fleet liability, scheduled equipment lists, and multi-operator teams with one master policy.
Do I need drone insurance if I only fly on private property?
If you fly near others, expensive gear, or structures, yes. Accidents can still result in lawsuits, injury, or damage, even on your own land.
How to Get a Drone Insurance Quote
Getting a quote takes less than 5 minutes:
Step 1: Click “Get A Quote” and enter your drone, payload, and pilot info
Step 2: A BWI drone insurance specialist will contact you
Step 3: We shop your profile to multiple UAV underwriters
Step 4: You choose your coverage, bind the policy, and fly insured, often same day
Want to bind coverage this week? Let’s go.
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Have questions? We’re happy to build a custom quote or explain your options.
Trusted by 9,000+ Aviation Clients Since 1977
BWI has helped drone operators, photographers, ag pilots, inspectors, and creative pros protect their gear, their people, and their businesses. Whether you fly one drone or 20, we’ll get you a policy that works, fast.
We’re licensed in all 50 states, and we know what it takes to keep you covered, competitive, and confident.
Get a Drone Insurance Quote Now or call us at 800.666.4359
