I was flying a cinewhoop inside a luxury warehouse listing. I clipped a fire sprinkler head. Black sludge water exploded everywhere, ruining the floors and drywall. The fire department came. The owner is suing for $80,000 in water damage.
Key Takeaways
- Indoor Exclusion: Some aviation policies restrict coverage to “Navigable Airspace” or exclude “Indoor Operations.” You must verify your policy covers Indoor Flight.
- Damage to Rented Premises: If you rented the studio, standard GL limits fire/water damage to $50k or $100k. If you were just a hired vendor, your full Property Damage limit applies.
- “Water Damage” vs. “Impact”: The damage was caused by water, but the proximate cause was the drone impact. This is a covered drone liability claim.
- Cinewhoop Guards: Flying indoors without prop guards is negligence. If you cut someone, insurance will ask why you didn’t have ducts.
The “Why” (The Trap): “Aviation” vs “Premises”
Aviation insurance is designed for the sky.
When you fly indoors, you are essentially a flying weed whacker in a living room.
Trap: Some policies say “Coverage applies while in flight within the National Airspace System.” Indoors is not NAS.
You need a policy that defines “Flight” as “from takeoff to landing,” regardless of location.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I checked indoor coverage.
1. SkyWatch
- Policy: Covers indoor flight if GPS is not relied upon (ATTI mode competence).
- Limit: Full liability limit applies to the sprinkler damage.
2. General Liability (Non-Aviation)
- Trap: If you used a generic photographer’s GL policy, it almost certainly has an “Aircraft Exclusion.” It won’t pay a dime.
Comparison Table: Indoor Hazards
| Damage | Commercial Drone Policy | General Liability (Photographer) |
| Sprinkler Head (Impact) | Covered | Denied (Aircraft) |
| Water Damage (Result) | Covered | Denied |
| Drone Damage | Hull Coverage | Denied |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Shut Off Water: Know where the water main is before you fly indoors. Minutes matter.
- Call Fire Dept: A broken sprinkler often triggers the building alarm. You need to tell them it’s a false alarm (no fire).
- Dry It Out: Call a restoration company immediately.
- File Claim: Submit the claim as “Property Damage Liability.”
FAQ
Q: Do prop guards affect insurance?
A: They help your defense (“I took precautions”), but coverage usually applies even without them, unless specifically excluded.
Q: Can I fly over people indoors?
A: FAA rules don’t apply indoors, but liability does. If you hit someone, you are 100% liable.
[IMAGE: Photo of a fire sprinkler head with a drone prop stuck in it.]