L’Assurance Drone : Why and How to Insure — BTS Insurance Course

Summary

Section	Details
🚁 Why Insure Your Drone?	Protection against Accidents: Drone accidents can happen at any time, whether in flight or during takeoff. Drone insurance covers material damages and bodily injury caused. For example, if your drone falls on a car or hits a pedestrian, repair or medical costs can be high. Having insurance helps reduce these financial burdens and protect you against unforeseen events. Sommaire Toggle Liability Insurance: Protects against costs in case of damages caused to third parties. Theft and Vandalism: Good insurance covers losses due to these incidents.
🛡️ The Types of Drone Insurance	All Risks Insurance: Offers comprehensive coverage including material damage, theft, and civil liability. Third-Party Insurance: Less expensive, covers only damages caused to third parties. Income Loss Insurance: Crucial for professionals, compensates for income loss due to the drone being unusable after an incident.
🛠️ How to Choose Your Drone Insurance	Assess Your Needs: Evaluate the value of your drone, its usage, and potential risks. Compare Offers: Review coverages, exclusions, and prices. Read Reviews and Tips: Seek feedback to assess the quality of insurers.
🚫 Is Drone Insurance Mandatory?	Recreational Use: Not mandatory but highly recommended to cover damages caused to others. Professional Use: Mandatory to cover damages during commercial drone operations.
🌍 Drone Regulations	Flying Zones: Strictly regulated; check the interactive map available on Geoportail for specific restrictions in each area. Maximum Flight Altitude: Limit of 150 meters, with exceptions near aerodromes or sensitive zones. Drone Registration: Mandatory for drones over 800g via the AlphaTango website, with an registration number required on the device.
🏅 Best Drone Insurances in 2024	Air Courtage Assurances: Rating 4.2/5, coverage integrated into MRH, includes standard damages. DJI Care Refresh: Rating 3.7/5, choice between two coverage amounts, annual fee of €19.99. DroneAssur: Rating 3.8/5, covers flight, breakage, oxidation, and loss, annual fee of €14.99.

Drones have become essential tools in many sectors. With their increasing use, the need for drone insurance becomes evident. This article will explain why it is important to insure your drone and how to choose the best policy.

Why Insure Your Drone?

Protection Against Accidents

Drone accidents can occur at any time, whether during flight or takeoff. Drone insurance covers material damages caused to your device as well as to surrounding property and people. For instance, if your drone falls on a car or hits a pedestrian, repair or medical costs can be significant. Having insurance allows you to lighten these financial burdens and safeguard against unforeseen events.

Liability Insurance

In case of damages caused to third parties, liability insurance is essential. This coverage takes care of the costs related to bodily injury and property damage caused by your drone. Without this insurance, you would be personally responsible for compensation, which can lead to costly legal expenses and expenses. Thus, liability insurance helps protect you against the financial risk associated with accidents involving your drone.

Theft and Vandalism

drones can be targets of theft or vandalism, often used outdoors and sometimes left unsupervised. Good drone insurance covers losses caused by these incidents, providing you with peace of mind. For example, if your drone is stolen during an outing or damaged by acts of vandalism, the insurance covers replacement or repair costs. This prevents you from needing to invest in costly equipment again, while ensuring ongoing protection of your investment.

The Types of Drone Insurance

All Risks Insurance

All risks insurance is the most comprehensive, covering most risks you may face when using your drone. This insurance includes:

• Material damages: In case of an accident, your drone is covered for necessary repairs.
• Theft: If your drone is stolen, the insurance will cover replacement of the device.
• Liability: In case of damages caused to third parties, costs will be covered, preventing high legal fees.

This insurance is ideal for those seeking maximum protection against various incidents that may occur during drone use.

Third-Party Insurance

Third-party insurance is a less expensive option, offering more basic coverage. It only covers damages caused to third parties. This means if your drone causes material or bodily harm to another person, the costs are covered by the insurance. This option is perfect for those wanting minimal protection while fulfilling legal liability obligations.

Income Loss Insurance

For professionals, income loss insurance is essential. In case of a mishap rendering the drone unusable, this insurance compensates for income loss. For example, if your drone is damaged and you cannot use it for missions, the income loss coverage pays the costs associated with this disruption. It is a vital protection for professionals relying on their drone for their livelihood.

Is Drone Insurance Mandatory?

Recreational Use

For individuals, drone insurance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. In case of damages caused to others, you will need to cover the costs of repairs or compensation. For example, if your drone causes injuries to a person or property damage, the expenses can be significant. Purchasing insurance helps to protect you financially and avoid unforeseen charges.

Professional Use

For professionals, liability insurance is mandatory. It protects against damages caused during commercial drone operations. For instance, if your drone damages property or injures someone during a professional mission, the insurance will cover the costs of repairs or compensation. This coverage is essential to avoid high legal fees and to safeguard your business against financial risks.

Top Drone Insurances in 2024

Insurer	Rating	Features	Price
Air Courtage Assurances	4.2 / 5	– Included in the MRH policy – Covers material and bodily damages caused to a third party by the drone (in flight only) – Additional insurances: “classic” damages or “machine breakage”	Included in MRH
DJI Care Refresh	3.7 / 5	– RC with choice between 2 coverage amounts (1 M€ or 2.5 M€ per incident) – Deductible of €150	€19.99/year
DroneAssur	3.8 / 5	– Covers flight, breakage, oxidation, and loss of the drone – Possibility to combine with RC coverage	€14.99/year

Drone Regulations

Flying Zones

The zones for flying drones are strictly regulated. It is essential to consult the interactive map available on Geoportail to know the specific restrictions for each region. This map indicates where flying is forbidden and where restrictions apply, helping you plan your flights legally.

Maximum Flight Height

It is imperative to respect the maximum height limit of 150 meters. This restriction aims to prevent collisions with other aircraft and to ensure flight safety. Exceptions may exist near aerodromes or sensitive zones where the maximum height allowed may be reduced. Always verify local regulations before flying your drone.

Drone Registration

All drones weighing more than 800g must be registered on the AlphaTango website. An registration number will be assigned and must be affixed to the device. This registration helps trace drones and ensures they are used in accordance with current regulations. In case of inspection, you must be able to present a copy of the drone register.

Conclusion

Insuring your drone is an essential step for any user, whether amateur or professional. Good insurance not only protects your device but also yourself and others. Take the time to assess your needs and select suitable coverage to fly with peace of mind.

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