As technology advances, drones have become increasingly high-tech and are consequently gaining popularity among photographic hobbyists and professionals. Yet, there is a lot of misunderstanding about drones and whether or not they require insurance.
Are Drones Classified as Aircraft?
According to the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), drones do indeed fall under the category of “aircraft.” On paper, they are typically referred to as “UAVs” (unmanned aerial vehicles). Classified as such, drones are not protected by General Liability Insurance and instead require Aircraft Liability Insurance.
Since drones are relatively new compared to commercial aircraft and are constantly updating and changing models, there is not one consistent safety statistic for determining insurance costs. That is to say, there is no “one and done” guide. UAV insurance varies depending on the type of drone, the experience of the user, etc.
Aircraft insurers typically look for the following 2 items in drone owners:
1. Training
There are plenty of training courses that teach drone owners how to properly care for, protect, and operate their equipment. These can be taken online or through special in-person training. Understanding how to operate a UAV is the first step towards avoiding damage.
2. Maintenance/Safety
To ensure safe flights, drones must be maintained and examined by the owner before each operation. Careful equipment management can prevent problems before they happen. Safety manuals for drones can be located online.
What else do you need to know?
It is important to remember that all drones are considered aircraft, no matter how big, small, or inexpensive they are. It is equally important to remember that Aircraft Liability Insurance is vital should a drone crash and cause damage to a third party. Often, a drone owner is not even legally allowed to film on public locations without purchasing the proper insurance.
Avoid costly problems by investing in your Aircraft Liability. You should always be prepared. Give us a call to talk about drone insurance. There are plenty of insurance options out there to cover damage to your drone and any damage your drone might cause. Call or email me with any questions, and don’t fly uninsured.
For more information on production insurance in California, contact Equipment & Production Insurance. The team at Equipment and Production Insurance are film, photographic & entertainment industry insurance specialists. Whether you need short-term, annual, post, documentary, commercial, equipment, rental house, or Workers’ Comp Insurance, you can rely on their quick and knowledgeable assistance to meet all of your production insurance needs.
