Discovering the Best Drone Insurance in the UK: A Guide to Top Recreational Drone Insurance Providers
When it comes to searching for the best drone insurance providers in the UK, it is probably best to choose one that specialises in this type of insurance. There are obvious advantages to taking out insurance policies with UK insurance companies that understand drones, drone use, and the rules and regulations governing flying drones in the UK as described by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Hull Coverage
Hull coverage protects the drone itself in the event of damage or theft, and personal injury coverage compensates victims of accidents involving drones. The cost of drone insurance varies depending on the amount of coverage desired and how long for, but it is typically quite affordable.
Drone Insurance Policies
Drone insurance policies can provide cover for damages or injuries that occur as the result of using an unmanned aerial vehicle. This type of policy can provide protection for the drone operator, as well as anyone who is injured or suffers damage as a result of the drone. Third party liability insurance is one of the most important components of drone insurance, as it protects the operator from any legal expenses that may arise as a result of an accident.
Commercial Drone Insurance
Commercial drone insurance is designed to provide coverage for businesses that use drones for commercial purposes, while recreational drone insurance covers individuals who use drones for hobby or recreational purposes. As with all insurance policies, the cost of the premiums is proportional to the risks covered.
Rules for flying drones in the UK
If you’re in any doubt about the rules and regulations governing the flying of drones in the UK, you should visit these three sites and study their contents:
- For drone safety information from the CAA please go to caa.co.uk/drones
- For drone safety information from NATS please go to nats.aero/airspace/drones/ where you’ll find a clear and concise video describing the regulations.
- For the commercial site Drone Safe Register go to dronesaferegister.org.uk/
Best Recreational Drone Insurance UK
For your needs as a hobbyist, you’ll need a policy that’s sufficient to cover the risks but not so extensive that it covers risks that you would only be exposed to if you were a professional drone pilot or operator.
Recreational drone users need to insure their drones because they can be very costly to replace if they are damaged or lost, and many home insurance policies do not cover drones, so it is important to have separate coverage.
Commercial Drone Insurance Policies
Commercial pilots and operators will need the full suite of policies. The insurance cost will be an outgoing that will be built into their business plan. Buying drone insurance when you have thousands of pounds worth of kit is just plain commone sense but you’ll need public liability insurance and accident cover too.
You can purchase business liability insurance from a variety of insurance providers, not just those who specialise in drone insurance, but be sure to check the coverage limits.
Public Liability Insurance
Public liability insurance cover is insurance that protects business owners and employees from lawsuits arising from injuries or property damage suffered by a third party as a result of their actions or negligence. This type of policy also provides legal defence costs in the event of such a lawsuit.
Personal Accident Cover
Personal accident cover is a type of insurance policy that provides financial protection if an individual is injured or killed as a result of an accident. The policy may provide a lump sum payment in the event of death, or a regular payout if the individual is left unable to work due to their injuries. Benefits can also be paid to the individual’s family members in the event of death.
Accidental Damage, Loss, and Theft Cover
Accidental damage, loss and theft cover is a type of insurance policy that protects against accidental damage, loss or theft of the insured item, in this case, your drone(s) and any other equipment that you might carry with you when you’re out flying and filming, like cameras and other expensive kit. The policy may provide a fixed amount of cover for each incident or a set amount per year.
Things to consider before insuring drones
As a drone pilot, you need to do a little research before taking out drone insurance. You need a policy that includes the insurance requirements that are right for you and what you do, whether that’s commercial use or recreational use.
So, when considering this type of specialist cover, consider this list of suggested checks:
- Is the drone insurance cover for hobby pilots or commercial operations?
- What does the policy cover, and what does it not protect you against?
- Does it provide worldwide cover or is it just for the UK?
- Is public liability cover included or is it an option that incurs extra cost?
- Does the cover include camera insurance for any DSLR cameras?
- Does the drone insurance include multiple drones?
- Is the drone insurance company in a financial services register?
- Is it an annual policy and does it provide instant cover after payment?
- What is the company’s reputation?
- What are your impressions of their customer service?
1. Drone Cover Club
Drone Cover Club is a great option for anyone who wants to fly quadcopters, drones or model aircraft as a hobby, safely and responsibly.
They have several drone insurance options available ranging from 2-day to annual. The 2-day drone insurance is ideal for drone coverage for a weekend, for example and will only set you back £18.95. Their annual option is only £29.95, making Drone Cover Club fantastic value for money.
The Principle Benefits of the Club are;
- £12 million Public Liability Insurance
- £10,000 Personal Accident Insurance
- FREE Personal Accident and Injury Solicitors Service
- Optional Accidental Damage Cover for Drones with a value up to £5,000
Their fully automated online system makes joining quick and simple. As soon as payment has been processed, and you have provided details of your CAA Online Theory Test Pass and Flyer ID, your Evidence of Insurance Certificate is available for immediate download, enabling you to take off confidently as soon as possible.
It’s not just cost effective Insurance you’re buying into though, as a Drone Cover Club member you can also make the most of a brilliant range of Member Benefits, including discounts on commercial drone insurance, drone training courses and drone repairs.
Web: dronecoverclub.co.uk
2. Coverdrone
Coverdrone is a UK drone insurance provider that offers plans for both commercial and recreational pilots. Its coverage options include data protection and invasion of privacy, plus many other core options. Coverdrone also offers Flysafe, a companion app for airspace maps, environmental conditions, low-flying manned aircraft, and dynamic restrictions.
Web: coverdrone.com
3. Eversure Camera Insurance
Eversure offers drone insurance policies that protect pilots from any potential accidents or damages that may occur while flying. Their policies are designed to be comprehensive and provide coverage worldwide. They have two levels; one for commercial drone pilots that includes public liability cover, and one for recreational drone pilots that excludes it.
Web: eversure.com/drone-insurance/
4. Moonrock Drone Insurance
Moonrock was set up by UAV Pilot, our CEO Simon Ritterban after he noticed a distinct lack of insurance providers for pilots and operators. They also provide cover for both recreational and commercial drone pilots. The company’s insurance is underwritten by the Munich Re Innovation Syndicate at Lloyd’s, and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The hobby drone insurance policy provides hull coverage (repair or replacement), unintentional flyaway, theft (from a secure location), accidental damage, and third party liability protection. It also cover legal costs and expenses, and the coverage is valid in the UK and EU.
5. Drone Insurance UK from Photoguard
Photoguard is a company that offers insurance for drones that are used for photographic or filming purposes. The company requires that users comply with all legal requirements and CAA guidelines for drone operation to be covered under the policy. The policy does not cover commercial or business use of drones, so it doesn’t provide full liability coverage, but it is an affordable form of hull coverage.
Web: photoguard.co.uk/drone-insurance
Other Insurance Providers
Gadget Cover
While Gadget Cover don’t insure drones, they do insure GoPro cameras, mobile phones, VR headsets, and many other gadgets which you may have among your extensive accessories while you’re out and about. These could be the items in your car that are left unattended while you’re conducting your aerial photography.
- Laptops
- Tables
- Cameras
- GoPros
- VR headsets
- SatNav
Notes
As advised by the CAA, to fly a drone in the UK, you must either pass a theory test or register your drone with the CAA. registering your drone with the CAA requires that you hold a Flyer ID and an Operator ID. To obtain a Flyer ID, you must pass a theory test. You will also need to label any drones you’re responsible for with your Operator ID.
Conclusion
Drones are becoming increasingly popular, both commercially and recreationally. While drones can be a lot of fun and very useful to businesses, they also create some risks if not operated safely or due to causes outside the control of recreational and hobby pilots. So it makes good business sense to have drone insurance if you’re flying your drone for commercial purposes and it provides peace of mind to have liability coverage if you’re flying
Drone insurance companies provide liability coverage if your drone causes damage or injury to people or property. Commerical drone insurance is essential for anyone who flies a drone for business purposes as it probably involves flying near buildings, structures, and other properties, making commercial operators liable for any damages their drones cause. Hull coverage can provide recompense of the cost of repairing or replacing your drone if it is damaged or lost.
Personal liability insurance is also important for anyone who owns a drone. This type of insurance provides coverage if you are sued for causing personal injury or property damage. It can also provide defence costs if you are sued.
