Drone maker DJI has developed its own insurance policy, covering users’ drones against damage caused by operator error, signal interference, collision, accidents, or drops.
The insurance plans are available for new and unactivated aircraft, and those that have been in use for less than 48 hours.
The DJI Care Protection Plans come in six-month and one-year variants that cover damage to the aircraft body, gimbal, or camera. However, damage to accessories such as the controller or battery is not covered. Customers can get cover for up to drone’s retail price. In case of a totally destroyed drone, defined by DJI as damage to over 80% of parts, customers can exchange for a new unit if the coverage is unused or get a discount equivalent to the remaining unused coverage.
The insurance plans are currently available to customers in the US, parts of Europe and Mainland China and DJI plans to launch into other markets soon.
Such programs have the potential to disrupt the broker landscape in much the same way as Volvo has hinted that it might offer insurance to its automated car customers. However the drone insurance appears to be for the hull only, meaning a standalone policy would be required for liability.
