Drone insurance - How useful is it really?
Not too long ago, drones were reserved for specialists. Now, private individuals have also gotten a taste for them. However, one thing is mandatory: appropriate drone insurance. You can find out what you need to know about it here.
Is drone insurance mandatory?
If you own a drone, you'll probably want to fly it. Whether for taking great photos or shooting aerial videos, drones are becoming increasingly popular with private individuals. Therefore, some people assume there's nothing wrong with using these technical devices without drone insurance.
However, this is not the case: German law mandates insurance for all drones. It makes no difference whether you use your drone commercially or privately. Size and weight are also irrelevant. The fact is: If you want to fly a drone, drone insurance is necessary. Liability insurance is required even before the first test flight.
Legal requirements for drone insurance
If you're looking for suitable drone insurance, you'll inevitably encounter the EU's 2021 Drone Regulation . This regulation establishes a uniform framework for the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles, which includes drones. Therefore, manufacturers must classify their devices into risk categories, ranging from C0 to C4. The following factors play a role in this classification:
- size and weight
- Visibility
- Transport of goods
The risk class of your drone can determine which drone insurance is suitable. Therefore, the manufacturer's specifications must match the insurer's information.
Which insurance is mandatory for drones?
Are you planning to buy a drone and therefore need drone insurance? Sooner or later, you'll face the question of which type of insurance to choose. Many people assume that standard personal liability insurance is sufficient. However, caution is advised here.
Since drones, which you can buy from us at Piecarté , are a very new phenomenon and have only recently become available for private use, many older liability insurance policies do not cover drones. Therefore, it is important to check your insurance policy before your test flight and, if necessary, extend it.
The best alternative, however, is dedicated drone insurance. With this model, you're always on the safe side. Drone insurance is tailored to the intended use of your drone, and the price depends on the desired coverage amount. For very specific uses, drone insurance can be expensive. If you only need it for taking aerial photos, the costs will be manageable.
Another reason to consider drone insurance: While standard personal liability insurance only covers damage you cause with your drone, it doesn't cover damage to the drone itself. Drone insurance, however, covers that as well: There are special comprehensive insurance policies for drones.
Do I need registration in addition to drone insurance?
Having drone insurance isn't the only requirement before you can take to the skies with your drone. Generally, both the owner and the drone must be registered.
Here, too, risk classes play a role. Drones are divided into the categories "open," "special," and "requiring registration." Most drones for private use fall into the "open" category. Owners of these drones only need to register for drone insurance if the drone weighs 250g or more or carries a camera. Registration is mandatory for "special" and "requiring registration" devices.
Registration takes place with the Federal Aviation Office and can be done online. The registration number you receive must be affixed to a visible part of your drone. Once you have completed this and taken out drone insurance, you're finally ready to fly.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.
