I searched the forum and found a thread on the Phantom area about this, but it was inconclusive:

I'm wondering who's planning on getting "Drone Insurance"?

By this, I don't mean liability, I mean covering the drone in case of a crash. Even if someone offered a $1000 deductable, that's still cheaper than replacing a $2899 Inspire. A few people I talked to seem to think that a rider on the home insurance can be set up, but I'm using mine professionally so I'm not sure that's do-able.

Personally I'm quite nervous about flying mine, as it's a huge investment for me, and wife barely talked into this one.

In Canada we're already required to get Liability insurance if we're flying for commercial purposes.

Liability insurance?  Worth every penny, and typically inexpensive.  Best solution for most folks is to ensure your umbrella policy covers it.

Commercial liability coverage shouldn't be too expensive either.

Hull loss coverage?  Still relatively inexpensive when you consider the probability of loss over the course of a year.  It costs only $2,899 and you can purchase it from DJI or any DJI dealer.  Yes, I'm talking about buying a second Inspire 1.  Actually, a replacement hull only (no controller) should cost closer to $2,400.  If you are a commercial operator, full redundancy is paramount if you value your reputation,  You should have at least one working spare of every component you use on the job.

Mine is covered under my camera-specific insurance along with the rest of my photo-related gear. I think if you search for camera-insurance and see about those policies covering drones you may have more success (and cheaper deductibles) than by searching for drone-insurance.

I'm in the UK so it's not too relative but I use Photoguard Insurance.

ultraturtle Posted at 2015-1-2 21:33
Liability insurance?  Worth every penny, and typically inexpensive.  Best solution for most folks is ...

Join the AMA. You receive 2.5 million in liability insurance as a member. Damage insurance on the Drone, that would be interesting and I am willing to bet very expensive. I would do this, try to find some sort of a price and what it would cost you monthly for the insurance and put that amount in a separate bank account. I think you will come out way ahead of the game. I think with the thought in the back of your mind that you will most likely be more cautious with the thought that if you crash it, you replace it. I feel that with the thought that the insurance company will fix whatever I break things would get very nasty in the air. Personally, I keep a great distance from airstrips and crowds of people. If I am flying and a large group of people gather to watch, I land, pack up and leave.

Back to the Liability Insurance check with your insurance company for separate liability policy that covers you for anything that can happen. I carry a $ 1 million policy and it is only $200 a year. Plus as soon as I started with the Drone I joined the AMA which gave me another $2.5 million. So I have a total of $3.5 million, really not much theses days. This is the way to look at it. I have a $3.5 million Attorney as the Insurance Company is fight all they way to the end and if they lose they have to pay.

Another suggestion. I keep a log as to the date, how much time in the air, and the weather & wind along with the location. That way God forbid anything ever happens in the wrong direction I can show my experience. That will go a long way in your favor. FLY SAFE!

redleader Posted at 2015-1-2 22:30
Mine is covered under my camera-specific insurance along with the rest of my photo-related gear. I t ...

Redleader.
So does your insurance actually specify drone mounted camera?
Or does it specify 'drone' or both.
As they specialise in photographic equipment insurance I would be very surprised if they actually covered the drone itself.
Please can you confirm what is actually covered.

ambambcopter@bt Posted at 2015-1-4 00:49
Redleader.
So does your insurance actually specify drone mounted camera?
Or does it specify 'drone ...

Yes.

I can specify lots of equipment on my camera-specific insurance. My laptop, tablet, hard-cases for example are all covered.

My P2 was insured on my insurance, along with the Gimbal and GoPro it carried.

+1 on joining AMA. Not just for the insurance but to help in the furthering of the RC hobby as well!

MTShipp Posted at 2015-1-4 04:28
+1 on joining AMA. Not just for the insurance but to help in the furthering of the RC hobby as well!

Pardon my ignorance, but what is "AMA"? A google search turned up lots of different organizations with that acronym.

AMA is the Academy of Model Aeronautics

gwhiz2k Posted at 2015-1-4 04:37
Pardon my ignorance, but what is "AMA"? A google search turned up lots of different organizations  ...

No issue.

Both Roger and I are referring to the Academy of Model Aeronautics (http://www.modelaircraft.org) which is an organization that provides insurance to RC flyers as well as many other things RC related.  Check out the web site.

redleader Posted at 2015-1-4 04:05
Yes.

I can specify lots of equipment on my camera-specific insurance. My laptop, tablet, hard-cas ...

Redleader.
What do you do for public liability insurance.
I checked with Photo Guard and liability is excluded but damage to the drone is covered.
Though as yet they haven't formulated cover for the Inspire and they were going to get back to me.
The BMFA do liability but it specifies authorised BMFA activities / sites.
In essence the public liability insurance is the most important.
Particularly if any authority takes a closer look.
It indicates a more sober and responsible attitude in their eyes.

ambambcopter@bt Posted at 2015-1-6 04:51
Redleader.
What do you do for public liability insurance.
I checked with Photo Guard and liability ...

I don't think you'll get liability insurance without CAA permission for aerial work. If you have that then there are insurers that will take the liability, but without it they either won't touch you or will charge you a fortune.

MTShipp Posted at 2015-1-4 04:44
No issue.

Both Roger and I are referring to the Academy of Model Aeronautics (http://www.modelair ...

these guys look great thanks.  do you know about what they are charging for there insurance

i have just taken out public liability insurance and both drones are covered when airborne! £1200 per year.

octovisions Posted at 2015-1-7 04:41
i have just taken out public liability insurance and both drones are covered when airborne! £1200 p ...

who have you insured yours with?

dronecover

octovisions Posted at 2015-1-7 06:44
dronecover

What are the German regulations for commercial work? Are you legal?

I feel that if not 100% legal, and you've sold a photo once or made even €0.01 from flying a drone then any liability insurance isn't worth the paper it's written on as the insurance company will void it immediately if they need to pay out and suspect you were flying commercially and "Illegally".

redleader Posted at 2015-1-7 08:08
What are the German regulations for commercial work? Are you legal?

I feel that if not 100% legal ...

Ah red hello, where are you? I'm certainly not in germany so i have not got a clue what your going on about!

Are you a troll?

Sure seems so to me and most others on here! have you even ordered one because you sure seem jealous about something to me!

And yes thanks i'm legal.

Oh and i get it you think i'm the German company but I'm not hence the £ sign in my !st post!

Hey Rodger,

Can you recommend an insurance company? I'm currently paying a lot more.  Hmmmm...

Playful Monster Posted at 2015-1-6 05:24
these guys look great thanks.  do you know about what they are charging for there insurance

https://www.modelaircraft.org/joinnew.aspx

I just talked to my home and auto insurance company, Liberty Mutual Insurance and added my Inspire to my homeowners insurance. It cost $50 for a year and has no deductabul. It covers any loss I may have including flyaways and crashes. FYI: I called it a Flying Cramera Drone.

Thanks to those who posted the AMA link - I just went on and joined it is $58.00 per year - Annual so even if you buy at a later date it will still cost $58.00 for the membership (And Insurance) it is valid until 12/31/2015. They issue a card with your name on it with a membership #
My appreciation to you, and peace of mind while flying.

I couldn't find this info on the AMA site... Do they cover you in Canada as well?

gwhiz2k Posted at 2015-1-16 09:57
I couldn't find this info on the AMA site... Do they cover you in Canada as well?

I did not see Canada information

MTShipp Posted at 2015-1-4 04:44
No issue.

Both Roger and I are referring to the Academy of Model Aeronautics (http://www.modelair ...

my understanding is that ama covers at sanctioned flying fields only..correct my if i wrong.

s.s.gibbs1@gmai Posted at 2015-1-17 13:53
my understanding is that ama covers at sanctioned flying fields only..correct my if i wrong.

Just spoke with them - they cover beyond the sanctioned fields

My understanding is that the AMA policy does not cover commercial use, just recreational. So if you are on a real estate shoot or at a construction site filming progress photos, you are not covered. The cost of the inspire is not astronomical. You just need to self insure. You definitely need a back-up UAS if you plan on aerial photography as a business. A client is not going to want to wait 6 weeks until your bird is repaired.

As you start out, set money aside and build up a fund for an additional UAS and for repairs. Once this money is in place, you don't have to worry about such things. Just get a million dollar liability policy in case of a malfunction that causes property damage or personal injury.

Here in the UK, you can join the BMFA (British Model Flying Association). You join as an individual member or via a local club. Insurance for indemnity is included and they even offer commercial insurance as an extra.

You can check the details on their site: http://www.bmfa.org

Hope this helps those flying in the UK.
Mike.

Muzzy Posted at 2015-4-1 15:44
Here in the UK, you can join the BMFA (British Model Flying Association). You join as an individual  ...

Thanks that helps

I joined BMFA, £32 for a year with £25 million Liability, well worth it

rodger Posted at 2015-1-2 22:42
Join the AMA. You receive 2.5 million in liability insurance as a member. Damage insurance on the  ...

AMA's insurance ONLY covers you if you fly in accordance with AMA guidelines.  If you're shooting video with your Inspire, it's unlikely you are flying under AMA guidelines (such as flying only in areas specifically set aside for RC flight).  Read the fine print and don't get blindsided.

redleader Posted at 2015-1-2 22:30
Mine is covered under my camera-specific insurance along with the rest of my photo-related gear. I t ...

In the USA the companies that write camera insurance are quickly learning to expressly exclude drones, for all the obvious reasons.  Likely a FLYING camera will require a (very expensive) rider - soon, if not already.  Make sure to expressly ask and not ASSume what is covered.

PeteGould Posted at 2015-4-27 22:07
In the USA the companies that write camera insurance are quickly learning to expressly exclude dron ...

I agree Pete, the Insurance Companies will be catching on soon. The pricing will be horrific! What is the answer, if any at all?

rodger Posted at 2015-4-28 09:34
I agree Pete, the Insurance Companies will be catching on soon. The pricing will be horrific! What ...

I wish I knew, but I'll offer a guess or three.  First, once the FAA offers certification they will probably only offer insurance to certified operators.  Second, as with car insurance, premiums will probably start high and decrease as you build a track record with them.  Third, if you crash a couple of times, expect to quickly become uninsurable.

I've been dealing with this for some time now.

In the USA be very careful about what is being covered. Just because an agent tells you your insurance covers drone accidents doesn't mean it does. And if you are doing commercial work you are flying illegally which may make making a claim dicey.

I had a regular business owners policy with a major carrier that was canceled simply for inquiring about drones, so if you currently have insurance you are jeopardizing it just by asking. If you cause damage or injury with your drone then the injured party is going to go after whatever insurance you have whether it specifically covers drones or not. So insurance companies do not want exposure to these high risk activities.

There are three companies I found that will expressly cover drone flight. Off the top of my head the only one I recall the name of is Aerial Pak and they are likely the one I am going to go with because they will cover you for unlimited drones, the other two charge per drone. Also, none of them will cover indoor flight and none of them will cover damage to your drone if you crash. They will only cover your ass if you damage property or injure someone. And worst thing is that you can't get a straight answer from them about if you are covered while engaged in illegal commercial activity. They say you are probably covered but believe it or not Aerial Pak has never had a claim on the drone insurance they provide so there are no test cases.

If you do any other ground based photography Aerial Pak will insist that you also have separate insurance for that. And they conveniently have something called Package Choice which is insurance specifically for photographers and videographers. Package Choice actually existed long before Aerial Pak so it's not shade. I'm going to have to get it since my other insurance was canceled.

All of this applies to the US. No idea what it's like elsewhere but DO YOUR HOMEWORK. I feel like a lot of agents have no idea that their policies will not cover drones and they are misleading their clients.

PeteGould Posted at 2015-4-28 09:46
I wish I knew, but I'll offer a guess or three.  First, once the FAA offers certification they will ...

Time will tell

redleader Posted at 2015-1-4 04:05
Yes.

I can specify lots of equipment on my camera-specific insurance. My laptop, tablet, hard-cas ...

I have contact different insurance companies and they do cover liability but it's hard to find some that will actually cover the drone. If you guys know a company then please ,et me k ow. HILL AND USHER OFFERS A DRONE insurance for liability but it ain't cheap. They offer protection for your video equipment but it has to be ground equipment not the bird!

ambambcopter@bt Posted at 2015-1-6 04:51
Redleader.
What do you do for public liability insurance.
I checked with Photo Guard and liability ...

Check Hill & Usher they offer liability up to 2 million with 2 incidents per year. 866-977-4725 ext 108 it's insurance for photographers.

ambambcopter@bt Posted at 2015-1-6 04:51
Redleader.
What do you do for public liability insurance.
I checked with Photo Guard and liability ...

Check Hill & Usher they offer liability up to 2 million with 2 incidents per year. 866-977-4725 ext 108 it's insurance for photographers.

roy@netraction. Posted at 2015-4-28 19:32
I've been dealing with this for some time now.

In the USA be very careful about what is being cover ...

I think I will be doing the same. I was recommending Hill and Usher which is a video insurance company, they said that they offer the aerial pack I think it's around 1200 a year. And if you get ground coverage for other video  stuff it's around 800 per yearI think. They can cover any ground equipment, but not your drone. I haven't started doing work with my drone yet but the moment I have my first gig I will immidiatly insure my drone. Also for the payment you can do monthly but the way it works it's that you get approve for a loan to pay everything in advance and then you just pay monthly to that third party company.