Question Re: Drone (UAV) Insurance Coverage

Last Updated:
Feb 25th, 2020 9:48 am

Tags:

SCORE

Reply to ThreadReply

Search this thread

Search this thread

Feb 20th, 2020 7:55 pm

Parrajara [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 16, 2019; 1094 posts; 1231 upvotes

Feb 20th, 2020 7:55 pm

Question Re: Drone (UAV) Insurance Coverage

I am looking to buy a drone (Mavoc Mini), and I want to insure it. I understand State Farm does it in USA, but Desjardin (the "State Farm" of Canada) does not offer this. I have been looking around and I have not been able to find any sort of personal articles insurance. I am not looking for liability insurance, as I am specifically getting a drone that does not require any licensing or liability protection.

Does anyone know a provider of personal articles insurance that would protect a "lost" drone? I am intending of recording in high density forests and over the water, and with WiFi signal operating the drone, I am quite concerned it can easily disconnect and the RTH function may not work or be setup adequately. I dont want to risk it. Unfortunately DJI does not honour lost/missing drones, only damaged ones.

Any help would be appreciated!

8 replies

Feb 22nd, 2020 12:18 am

EP32k2: Deal Expert; Jan 15, 2006; 19652 posts; 20085 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Feb 22nd, 2020 12:18 am

Is insurance really worth paying on a $500 drone? I have the mavic mini, mavic pro and mavic 2 pro and have been flying DJI drones since the first Phantom. I have never lost one.

Feb 22nd, 2020 1:16 am

Parrajara [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 16, 2019; 1094 posts; 1231 upvotes

Feb 22nd, 2020 1:16 am

EP32k2 wrote: ↑ Is insurance really worth paying on a $500 drone? I have the mavic mini, mavic pro and mavic 2 pro and have been flying DJI drones since the first Phantom. I have never lost one.

I've never flown a drone before, so I can only go from what I research. It's a hit or miss I guess, and I dont mind paying extra for a little piece of mind; specially as a first time flyer.

I came across one website but got a $300 quote, no thanks. Asurion by Amazon is another alternative but does not cover loss either. I will get DJI Care Resfresh for now and Refresh + later down the road. I hope that I don't experience any issues like you.

Feb 23rd, 2020 6:12 am

OAlton: Member; Aug 26, 2019; 404 posts; 496 upvotes; Guelph-Kitchener-Wat…

Feb 23rd, 2020 6:12 am

If anything just go with DJI's insurance that renews every year. IMO it's way better than listing it with another company.
They pretty much cover most things.

Parrajara wrote: ↑ I've never flown a drone before, so I can only go from what I research. It's a hit or miss I guess, and I dont mind paying extra for a little piece of mind; specially as a first time flyer.

I came across one website but got a $300 quote, no thanks. Asurion by Amazon is another alternative but does not cover loss either. I will get DJI Care Resfresh for now and Refresh + later down the road. I hope that I don't experience any issues like you.

Feb 23rd, 2020 11:15 am

shutterbug: Deal Addict; May 19, 2003; 3299 posts; 1441 upvotes

Feb 23rd, 2020 11:15 am

OAlton wrote: ↑ If anything just go with DJI's insurance that renews every year. IMO it's way better than listing it with another company.
They pretty much cover most things.

DJI requires you to send in the drone (even in pieces) in order to make a "repair" claim for DJI refresh. You can't claim for a lost/missing drone.

Unless you're flying over water, your best "insurance" is to get a radio/gps tracker to attach to the drone.

My Heatware

Feb 24th, 2020 11:09 am

Parrajara [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 16, 2019; 1094 posts; 1231 upvotes

Feb 24th, 2020 11:09 am

shutterbug wrote: ↑ DJI requires you to send in the drone (even in pieces) in order to make a "repair" claim for DJI refresh. You can't claim for a lost/missing drone.

Unless you're flying over water, your best "insurance" is to get a radio/gps tracker to attach to the drone.

Yes that's exactly my concern, a lost drone.

For high density remote areas I may put a gps tracker. Although it will likely push the weight over 250gm, there is no law enforcement in the woods. When I fly over water I may put styrofoam balls on the "legs" of the drone, to make it float. I live by the ocean though, so it may not even make a difference since the waves and currents will be stronger than styrofoam balls.

Guess there isnt anything much to do, other than hope for the best!

Feb 24th, 2020 2:08 pm

EP32k2: Deal Expert; Jan 15, 2006; 19652 posts; 20085 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Feb 24th, 2020 2:08 pm

Parrajara wrote: ↑ Yes that's exactly my concern, a lost drone.

For high density remote areas I may put a gps tracker. Although it will likely push the weight over 250gm, there is no law enforcement in the woods. When I fly over water I may put styrofoam balls on the "legs" of the drone, to make it float. I live by the ocean though, so it may not even make a difference since the waves and currents will be stronger than styrofoam balls.

Guess there isnt anything much to do, other than hope for the best!

Majority of losses are due to operator error. Just understand the limitations of the drone and fly within it and you'll be fine. Lots of owners reporting that they lost their mavic mini, but these people were flying in high winds. It's called a mini for a reason and it doesn't perform well in wind. Don't let those YouTube videos fool you into thinking it's perfectly fine in higher winds.

Feb 24th, 2020 2:18 pm

Parrajara [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 16, 2019; 1094 posts; 1231 upvotes

Feb 24th, 2020 2:18 pm

EP32k2 wrote: ↑ Majority of losses are due to operator error. Just understand the limitations of the drone and fly within it and you'll be fine. Lots of owners reporting that they lost their mavic mini, but these people were flying in high winds. It's called a mini for a reason and it doesn't perform well in wind. Don't let those YouTube videos fool you into thinking it's perfectly fine in higher winds.

Good to know, thanks for the tip!

Since I've never flown a drone, I plan on learning in an open field first and then add a few obstacles until I have a few hours of flying experience and feel comfortable. Only then will I attempt flying over water. I can't afford to lose this $600 toy.

Feb 25th, 2020 9:48 am

bhrm: Deal Fanatic; Jul 13, 2009; 5096 posts; 3334 upvotes

Feb 25th, 2020 9:48 am

Insurance is more for liability than damage/loss. If you fly into someone's face or cause harm/damage to property.

Reply to Thread

Top