Drone insurance is an essential part of commercial drone operations. Even recreational drones can benefit from hull insurance in case of drone damage. Therefore, drone pilots should ensure that they have good liability and hull cover before every flight. Given below are some of the best drone insurance providers in Australia.
Factors to consider before purchasing drone insurance
Coverage: Some companies only offer liability coverage that covers property damage or bodily injuries caused by their drone. Therefore, if the insurance company offers both liability and hull coverage (physical damage to your drone) it may be a better option. You may also find add-on coverage options for equipment, remote controls, etc.
Plans: This is another important factor to keep in mind while choosing drone insurance. For recreational drone pilots, purchasing an expensive annual plan wouldn’t be the best option. Therefore, hourly, monthly, and annual plans must be looked at and some companies also offer customized plans.
Coverage Amount: This is a good factor to watch for. The heavier the drone is the riskier it is for the people and property on the ground. Therefore, choosing a drone insurance provider which has a high liability coverage can help mitigate the concern of damage in case of a mishap.
Type of Drone: The type of drone insurance you buy largely depends on the type of drone you have and the operation. If it is a medium-sized drone, weighing around 2kg, operating around a lot of people and buildings, you may want a high liability and hull insurance. However, if you’re an FPV pilot flying in controlled and closed surroundings, recreational drone insurance with just hull coverage will do just fine. Therefore, analyze the type of drone and its operation to better understand your needs.
Best Drone Insurance Providers in Australia
1. Coverdrone
Coverdrone is one of the best drone insurance providers globally. It offers plans for both commercial and recreational pilots. Its coverage options include data protection and invasion of privacy, plus many other core options. It also provides drone insurance in the UK, EU, New Zealand, and Canada. Coversure also offers Flysafe, a companion app for airspace maps, environmental conditions, low-flying manned aircraft, and dynamic restrictions. Learn more about Coverdrone here.
- Specialist drone insurance provider
- Cover for commercial and recreational drone operations
- Global coverage
- Flysafe companion app
- Training cover with no drone or operator limits
2. Avcover
Avcover is an aviation insurance company based in Australia with over 20 years of experience. Avcover offers insurance for both commercial and recreational drone operations. It has a liability cover of up to $20 million. Avcover also provides hull insurance for drones. However, to find out more about the plans and policies provided by the company, you can request a quote here.
- Specialized aviation insurance company with 20 years experience
- High liability cover of up to $20 million
- Provides hull insurance
- Cover for commercial and recreational operations
3. Drone Insure Australia
Drone Insure is a UAV insurance service offered by Precision Autonomy. The company was formed in 2002 in Australia and now offers annual or ‘pay as you fly’ insurance packages. Drone Insure covers all kinds of drone operations and tailors its plans based on the needs of the pilot. They provide both ground and flight cover. Drone Insure also claims to provide a customized quote in as little as 60 seconds which makes applying and purchasing plans online much easier. Learn more about Drone Insure here.
- Annual and On-demand insurance plans
- Ground, flight, and liability cover
- Flexible plans
- Get a quote in 60 seconds
4. Allsure
Allsure is a 122-year-old insurance business with drone insurance as its new addition. Allsure covers two primary areas: public liability and vehicle/equipment. Additionally, you can include add-on features such as hull cover, payload, personal injury, spare parts, etc. You can request a quote online with a list of documents mentioned by the company here.
- Insurance company with 122 years of experience.
- Covers both commercial and recreational drone operations
- Multiple areas covered
- Plans can be customized
5. AB Phillips
AB Phillips works with Australian Association for Unmanned Systems (AAUS) to provide custom drone insurance plans for commercial drone operations. AB Phillips provides insurance for: public liability, hull damage, payload damage, flight cover, and transit cover. It also offers discounts to members of AAUS. Learn more about AB Phillips here.
- Custom drone insurance plans for commercial drone operations
- Covers multiple areas
- Discounts for AAUS members
