Drones are increasingly used across industries such as construction, real estate, photography, surveying, agriculture and infrastructure but operating a drone commercially can introduce risks that may not be covered by a standard business insurance policy.

At Webber Insurance, we can help arrange specialised Drone Insurance suited to the way you use your drone, the equipment you operate and the risks your business faces.

Drone Insurance is designed to protect businesses that use drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs), as part of their commercial activities.

Because drones are classified as aircraft, many standard Public Liability and property insurance policies exclude claims arising from their ownership or operation. A specialised policy can help cover the drone itself, associated equipment and your liability if an incident causes injury or property damage.

The cover available will depend on the insurer, your operations and the policy selected. Drone Insurance may include the following:

Aviation Liability

Aviation Liability Insurance can help protect your business if operating a drone results in:

• Injury to another person
• Damage to third-party property
• Associated legal and defence costs
• Other liability claims arising from an insured drone operation

Different limits of liability may be available depending on your requirements, including limits specified by clients or contracts.

Drone Hull and Equipment

Hull cover can help insure your drone against accidental loss or damage, generally based on an agreed value.

Cover may also be available for:

• Ground control stations and operating equipment
• Cameras, sensors and other payloads
• Spare parts and batteries
• Multiple drones
• Borrowed, hired or leased drones
• Equipment while in transit
• Theft or accidental damage

Additional options and exclusions will vary between insurers.

Examples of incidents that may lead to a claim include:

• A drone loses control and crashes into a neighbouring property.
• A drone strikes and injures a member of the public.
• A drone is damaged following a collision or unexpected equipment failure.
• A camera or other payload is damaged during an insured flight.
• A drone and its equipment are stolen while being transported.
• A client or third party alleges that drone operations infringed their privacy.

All claims are subject to the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the selected policy.

Specialised Drone Insurance may be suitable for businesses and operators involved in:

• Aerial photography and videography
• Real estate marketing
• Building, roof and property inspections
• Construction and engineering
• Surveying and mapping
• Agriculture and livestock monitoring
• Mining and infrastructure inspections
• Security and surveillance
• Environmental monitoring
• Film, television and media production

It may also be important where a client, principal contractor or project agreement requires you to hold a specific level of Aviation Liability Insurance.

The cost and availability of cover can depend on factors including:

• How the drone is used
• Where flights are conducted
• The make, model, weight and value of each drone
• The value of cameras, sensors and other equipment
• The number of drones and pilots to be insured
• Pilot qualifications, experience and recorded flying hours
• Previous accidents, losses or insurance claims
• Whether drones are owned, borrowed, hired or leased
• Flight logging and maintenance procedures
• Risk management and safety systems
• The liability limit required

Providing complete and accurate information helps us approach suitable insurers and arrange cover that reflects your actual operations.

Businesses operating drones must comply with the applicable Civil Aviation Safety Authority requirements.

CASA requires any drone used for business purposes or as part of a person’s job to be registered, regardless of its weight. Depending on the drone and how it is operated, the pilot or business may also require operator accreditation, a Remote Pilot Licence, a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator’s Certificate or specific flight authorisations.

Operating outside applicable laws, CASA approvals or the conditions agreed with your insurer may affect your insurance cover.

Visit the CASA drone information hub for current registration, accreditation, licensing and operating requirements.

Whether you operate one drone or manage a larger fleet, Webber Insurance can help you understand your risks and arrange cover suited to your equipment, pilots and business activities.

Complete our online quote request form and one of our insurance brokers will contact you to discuss your requirements.