I was flying a festival. Suddenly, my video feed cut. The drone didn’t Return to Home. It veered off and landed in a parking lot a mile away. By the time I got there, it was gone. Logs suggest “Signal Interference” or spoofing. Was it hacked? Is it covered?
Key Takeaways
- Theft vs. Disappearance: Insurance covers “Theft” (proven crime). It excludes “Mysterious Disappearance” (lost drone). If you suspect a hack but can’t prove it, the insurer might call it a “Flyaway/Loss” and apply a higher deductible or denial if you don’t have “Flight” coverage.
- Cyber Liability: Standard Drone Hull insurance covers physical damage. It usually excludes “loss due to cyber attack/hacking.” You would need a Cyber Liability endorsement to cover the loss of hardware due to hacking.
- AeroScope: Law enforcement uses AeroScope to track drones. Thieves can use similar tech to find the pilot or jam the signal.
- Police Report: You must file a police report for “Grand Theft.” Without it, insurance treats it as a lost toy.
The “Why” (The Trap): “Electronic Disturbance”
Aviation policies often exclude: “Electronic disturbance, sunspots, or magnetic interference.”
If a hacker jams your signal (interference) causing a crash/theft, the insurer might cite this exclusion.
You need “All Risk” Hull coverage that specifically deletes this exclusion or covers “Hijacking.”
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I asked about signal jamming coverage.
1. Standard Hull Policy
- Verdict: “If you can’t find the drone, it’s a ‘Disappearance.’ We typically exclude disappearance unless you have the wreckage.”
- Result: Denied.
2. AIG / Cyber Edge
- Verdict: Cyber policies cover “Digital Asset Loss,” but rarely the physical drone.
- Gap: There is a major gap in the industry for “Physical loss due to Cyber Attack.”
Comparison Table: Hacking Coverage
| Scenario | Hull Policy | Cyber Policy |
| Drone Jammed & Crashed | Covered (Crash) | No |
| Drone Hacked & Stolen | Denied (Disappearance) | No |
| Data Stolen from Drone | No | Covered |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Use OccuSync Enterprise: Use encrypted transmission protocols (DJI Enterprise) rather than consumer Wi-Fi signals.
- File Police Report: Report it as theft immediately. “Drone was hijacked.”
- Find the Wreckage: Use a separate GPS tracker (LTE based) on the drone. If you can recover the drone (even broken), it becomes a “Theft/Damage” claim (Covered) rather than “Disappearance” (Denied).
- Lock the Drone: Use the manufacturer’s “Lock” feature to brick the drone if stolen.
FAQ
Q: Is signal jamming legal?
A: No, it’s a federal crime. But that doesn’t help you get paid.
Q: Does Remote ID help?
A: It helps police find the drone (or you), but it also broadcasts your location to thieves.
[IMAGE: Graphic showing “Signal Jammer” interrupting the link between controller and drone.]