Introduction
Over the last few years, drones have emerged as a game-changing device in multiple sectors, particularly in photography and videography. Aerial photographers now employ drones to shoot glorious, high-definition photos and majestic videos from positions and angles hitherto unattainable or prohibitively expensive to accomplish. For weddings, real estate, landscape photography, or even feature films, drones have transformed the art of photographing from the air.
But with the growing use of drones for commercial photography, there is also the need to protect these aerial vehicles and their pilots. Like any precious piece of gear, drones have risks associated with them—either from accidents, mechanical breakdown, theft, or third-party claims. This is where drone insurance becomes an important factor for photographers and videographers who use drones for their craft.
Drone insurance is an insurance policy that covers the operation of drones, and it protects drone operators from financial losses in case of an unexpected incident. Whether you’re an experienced aerial photographer or you’re just beginning to learn the skies using a drone, learning about drone insurance and why aerial photographers need it can help you make the right choice on what coverage is needed.
What is Drone Insurance?
Drone insurance is a type of niche coverage meant to cover drone owners against the myriad risks associated with owning and operating a drone. There are two broad categories of this type of insurance: Hull Insurance and Liability Insurance. These two categories insure the physical damage to your drone as well as third-party damage or harm resulting from the operation of your drone.
Drone insurance coverage can be configured to address the specific needs of the operator. They provide protection against all kinds of risks such as damage or loss of the drone, theft of equipment, injury to other people’s bodies, damage to property, and even the cost of legal representation due to accidents. Whether you are flying your drone for recreational use or commercially, with proper insurance coverage, you are protected from financial loss in case of unforeseen events.
How Drone Insurance Works
To grasp how drone insurance benefits aerial photographers, it’s necessary to demystify the various types of coverage and operation.
1. Hull Insurance (Physical Damage Coverage)
Hull coverage, or physical damage protection, insures the drone itself against mechanical failure, crashes, and accidents. Drones are advanced technology, and as with any other device, they can malfunction or get damaged while in use. Hull insurance will pay for repair or replacement of your drone if it gets damaged while airborne.
For example, in case your drone collides with a tree, building, or any other obstacle, hull insurance will pay for the repair of the drone or even replace the drone if it is irreparable. This comes in handy with aerial photographers, who depend on their drones for professional shoots since the price of a good quality drone can run from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. The peace of mind that goes with knowing that your gear is protected in the unlikely event that an accident should happen is worth a lot of money.
Apart from damage arising from crashes, hull insurance protects you against mechanical or electrical failures damage. Drones are highly complex devices, and even expensive drones can be prone to faults. Without an insurance policy, you would pay out-of-pocket to have your drone repaired or replaced.
2. Liability Insurance (Third-Party Coverage)
Liability insurance provides protection for the drone operator in case the drone causes harm or damage to another person or their property. Whether you’re photographing an event, conducting a real estate shoot, or flying in a public space, the risk of an accident that leads to third-party damage is ever-present. Drone liability insurance helps cover the costs of property damage, bodily injury, and legal expenses in the event of such accidents.
- Bodily Injury: In the event that your drone causes harm to someone—a bystander, a coworker, or client—liability insurance can pay for their medical bills, plus whatever legal expenses you may face if you’re sued because of the injury. Drones are generally safe, but they can be involved in accidents, and serious is the outcome if an injury occurs.
- Damage to Property: If your drone collides with a vehicle, building, or other property, liability insurance will pay for the repair or replacement. This is especially valuable for aerial photographers who might fly drones in densely populated or urban areas where the threat of damage to property is greater.
- Legal Costs: If, heaven forbid, you are sued as a result of an accident involving a drone, liability insurance can pay for the defense lawyer’s fees. Lawyering costs can quickly mount, and without insurance, the cost could be enormous.
3. Comprehensive Drone Insurance
Most policies for drones provide comprehensive coverage, which is a combination of hull and liability insurance. Comprehensive coverage is coverage that offers a blanket of protection for drone operators, insuring both the equipment itself and any liabilities incurred under one policy.
Comprehensive coverage is ideal for aerial photographers who regularly use drones for professional work. Since they’re exposed to higher risks—whether it’s flying in busy areas, handling expensive equipment, or working in diverse weather conditions—comprehensive coverage helps protect against both damage to the drone and the financial impact of third-party accidents.
4. Additional Coverage Options
Aside from hull and liability insurance, there are a few other coverage forms that drone pilots can add to their policies, depending on what they need:
- In-Flight Insurance: Protects the drone in case of damage while it’s airborne. Having in-flight protection is essential since drones are at their most susceptible state when in flight, and accidents can strike at any moment.
- Theft Insurance: Covers in case your drone gets stolen. Drones, being small and portable, can be easily taken, especially if they are left alone or at an insecure spot.
- Personal Injury Insurance: This insurance will shield you in case you, as the operator of the drone, get injured when operating the drone. It may reimburse medical expenses and lost wages if you are hurt and cannot work.
- Equipment Insurance: In case you employ extra equipment, like expensive cameras or other equipment attached to the drone, equipment insurance can safeguard against loss or damage of these pieces of equipment during a flight.
- Weather-related Damage Insurance: This insurance is particularly vital for drone pilots in areas with harsh weather conditions. It insures against damage caused by unexpected weather conditions such as strong winds, storms, or rain.
Why Aerial Photographers Need Drone Insurance
Drones for aerial photographers are not pieces of equipment, but the centerpiece of their livelihood. Drones enable photographers to shoot amazing aerial views and glorious videos for several different clients ranging from real estate brokers to film makers. Still, drones cannot avoid accidents and are susceptible to getting damaged, stolen, or even involved in a mishap causing third-party damage or bodily injury.
Following are a few reasons why drone insurance is required for aerial photographers:
1. Protecting Costly Equipment
Aerial photography drones tend to be expensive. Professional drones with high-definition cameras, gimbals designed for aerial photography, and accessories can set buyers back thousands of dollars. The cost of repairing or replacing a damaged drone without insurance can be prohibitive, especially if the damage is substantial or the result of an accident.
Hull insurance protects photographers in case their drone is damaged, either in a crash, mechanical breakdown, or even theft. This coverage ensures that photographers do not have a huge financial loss, hence they can continue running their business.
2. Reducing Financial Risk from Liability
Liability insurance is especially crucial for aerial photographers who frequently operate in public places or at events where the risk of damage or injury is possible. If your drone is involved in an accident—whether it’s injuring someone, damaging property, or even causing an event to be disrupted—liability insurance pays for damages, medical bills, and any attorney fees incurred in the incident.
For instance, picture a situation in which your unmanned aerial vehicle hovers uncontrollably and dings a vehicle parked within your shoot area. Without liability coverage, you will have to compensate for the loss of the car from your pocket. With appropriate coverage, your insurance policy will keep you out of the pocket pinch brought by such incidents.
3. Compliance with Law and Industry Best Practices
In most countries and jurisdictions, insurance for drones is obligatory for commercial drone pilots. In the United States, for example, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires commercial drone pilots to be bound by rigorous guidelines, perhaps including possessing sufficient insurance coverage. Moreover, certain venues, events, or customers might necessitate that drone pilots produce evidence of insurance before you are permitted to work on their site or at their event.
With drone insurance, aerial photographers can be assured that they are meeting local laws and regulations and upholding their professional image. It also provides reassurance for the clients when they hire a photographer because they know they are hiring a qualified, insured professional who is serious about safety and responsibility.
4. Peace of Mind
Operating a drone can be thrilling, but with risks inherent to it. As an aerial photographer, you do not want anything on your mind during a photo shoot except the fear of an accident or a malfunction. Drone insurance gives you peace of mind knowing that you are financially covered in the event something goes wrong.
Insurance lets you do what you do best—taking great aerial photos—without having the ongoing fear of the potential danger. Whether you are working on a significant commercial job or taking an informal photo shoot, having the security of insurance coverage allows you to relax and enjoy your work while keeping stress levels to a minimum about potential accidents.
