Recently the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) made it a requirement to register drones or unmanned aircrafts weighing up to 55 lbs. This holiday season, more than one million drones were sold. With so many of these small aircrafts taking flight, there are a number of reasons to look into insurance.
Personal injury, privacy concerns, and property damage are all reasons why purchasing insurance may be a good option. Owners or drone operators could face significant financial damage if their drone crashes, causing injury to a person or damage to property. Safety and responsibility are important factors that should be considered when operating drones.
Traditional insurance may not provide enough coverage if something goes wrong. According to the California Bureau of Insurance, here are three things drone pilots should know about insurance:
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Hobbyist may be covered under homeowner or renter insurance policies. However, you should review your policy or speak to your agent to make sure your drone is covered in case of loss, theft, or damage.
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Automotive damage to your vehicle due to a drone crashing into it may be covered if you have comprehensive coverage in your automobile policy.
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If your drone crashes into someone else’s vehicle or causes someone injury, you are responsible. Your homeowner or renters insurance will likely cover liability, but you should confirm this with your insurer.
For more information on drone registration, check out BCA’s blog “FAA Mandates Drone Registration.” If you’re looking for an insurance quote or in need of an agent, utilize the BCA directory. Make sure to follow us for the latest news and updates on Facebook and Twitter.
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Business Consumer Alliance (BCA) is a non-profit company that started in 1928. The broad purpose of BCA is to promote business self-regulation. BCA's mission is achieved by assisting consumers in resolving complaints with businesses and using that complaint information, along with other relevant information such as customer reviews, to forecast business reliability. With community support, BCA can identify trustworthy and ethical businesses and warn the public to avoid unscrupulous businesses whose purpose is to defraud the marketplace. BCA also helps businesses promote themselves by providing services and tools to protect their business and reach out to their customers. BCA obtains its funding from member businesses who support the mission and purpose of the organization and who agree to abide by high standards of ethical business practices.