With 770,000 drones already registered with the FAA, there's a good chance you have one or are going to get one soon. Drone flying is a great hobby and can be a lot of fun. This is especially true when drones are used for things like photography or videography. But what happens when something goes wrong and your drone is damaged? Or worse, your drone causes property damage? Let's take a look at the importance of having drone insurance.
If you have a small hobby drone, you may not think you need drone insurance. However, even small drones can benefit from having insurance coverage. But if you plan on flying your drone near buildings, long distances, or have expensive attachments for the drone, you could benefit from insurance policies.
There are two main types of drone insurance:
Liability insurance: covers any property damages that are caused by a drone
Hull insurance: covers damages that the drone itself sustains
Even if you're the most careful flier in the world, accidents happen. Common drone mistakes, like flying in poor weather or out of the line of sight, can lead to a crash and warrant drone repairs. There can be several causes of drone crashes and accident. Things like running out of battery power, losing operational control, and malfunctioning parts are all common causes of drone crashes. And if you cause damage to someone's property when using your drone, you could end up facing hefty fines. Both of these possible situations are reasons to consider drone insurance.
Furthermore, if your drone or drone attachments are expensive, insurance is always a good idea. Imagine spending a few thousand dollars on a drone only to crash it the first time you try to fly it. Now what? Drone repairs can get expensive and you may not be able to afford to have your drone fixed. This is something no drone owner wants to have to deal with.
So while drone insurance is not required for recreational drone use, it is something that should be considered if you're planning on being a regular drone user. Drones can be a great hobby, but make sure you are protected in the event of an accident.