I was flying my Mavic 3 Pro for an aerial shot of the ceremony. A gust of wind (or signal loss) sent it drifting into the crowd. It struck the bride, cutting her arm. She needed stitches. My General Liability insurer said: “We have an Aviation Exclusion. We don’t cover drones.”
Key Takeaways
- The “Aircraft Exclusion”: Nearly all standard General Liability (GL) policies exclude anything involving aircraft, including UAVs (drones).
- You Need an Aviation Rider: You must buy a specific “Unmanned Aerial System” (UAS) endorsement or a standalone drone policy.
- SkyWatch.AI / Verifly: These are on-demand drone insurance apps. You can buy $1 million liability coverage for just one hour for around $15. This is the smartest approach for occasional flyers.
- Hull Insurance: Liability covers the bride’s arm. Hull Insurance covers the broken drone. They are separate coverages.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Hybrid Shooter Ignorance.”
Photographers assume their “Business Liability” covers all their business activities.
But Aviation is a high-risk category regulated by the FAA. Insurance companies isolate high risks.
If you fly without a Part 107 license, some policies void coverage for “Illegal Acts.” (Though some cover you regardless—check the policy).
The Investigation (My Analysis of Drone Risks)
I checked the flight logs and the policies.
Hill & Usher (Aerial Pak)
- The Product: An annual rider added to your photo policy.
- The Cost: ~
100−100−200/year depending on drone size. - The Benefit: Seamless coverage. No need to open an app before flying.
SkyWatch.AI
- The Flexibility: Pay per hour or month.
- The Telemetry: If you sync your flight logs and fly safely, your rate goes down.
- The Coverage: Liability + Hull (Drone repair).
PPA
- The Drone coverage: They offer a drone endorsement, but check the liability limits. It might be lower than required by some commercial venues.
[IMAGE: Photo of a broken drone on grass with a blurred wedding dress in background]
Comparison Table
| Feature | Standard General Liability | Aviation Rider / SkyWatch | DJI Care Refresh |
| Injury Liability | Excluded | Covered ($1M+) | Excluded |
| Drone Repair | Excluded | Covered (Hull) | Covered (Replacement) |
| Flyaways | Excluded | Covered | Covered (if bound) |
| Cost | N/A | ~$15/hr or Annual | ~$150/year |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Get Part 107 Certified: It legally validates your business. Insurers prefer it.
- Buy On-Demand Liability: If you fly rarely, use the Verifly or SkyWatch app. Buy the policy before takeoff.
- Check Venue Requirements: Venues often ask for $2M or $5M drone liability. Standard is $1M. You might need to bump it up.
- Hull vs. DJI Care: Use DJI Care Refresh for the drone repair (cheaper deductible). Use Insurance for the Liability (lawsuit).
FAQ
Does homeowners cover drones?
Maybe for hobby use. Definitely not for paid wedding use.
What if I fly indoors?
GPS fails indoors. Risk is higher. Ensure your policy covers “Indoor Flight.”
Can I fly over people?
FAA says no (unless specific waivers/cat 1-4 rules met). If you fly illegally over people and crash, insurance might deny for “Intentional Violation of Law.”