The local Sheriff asked for drone volunteers to help find a missing hiker. I launched my Mavic. I crashed into a ravine. I also accidentally damaged a hiker’s car in the parking lot. I called my insurer. They asked, “Were you being paid?” I said no. They said, “Then it’s not a commercial flight. Commercial policy denied.”
Key Takeaways
- Commercial vs. Recreational: Commercial policies cover “Business Use.” Recreational use (hobby) falls under Homeowners (maybe) or AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics).
- The “Volunteer” Gap: If you aren’t paid, commercial insurers might say it’s not business. If you are flying for a government agency, recreational insurers might say it’s “Public Operation” (excluded). You are in limbo.
- “Public Safety” Endorsement: You need a policy that explicitly covers “Volunteer Search and Rescue” or “Public Safety Operations.”
- Good Samaritan Laws: These protect you from being sued by the victim (usually), but they don’t fix your drone or pay for the car you hit.
The “Why” (The Trap): “Compensation”
Commercial Aviation requires “Compensation or Hire.”
If there is no money, it’s not commercial.
However, AMA insurance (recreational) excludes “Operations for any government agency.”
So, volunteering for the Sheriff voids both your policies unless properly endorsed.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I asked how to cover SAR volunteers.
1. AIRS (Emergency Services Insurance)
- Product: Drone insurance for Fire/Police.
- Verdict: Best for departments.
2. SkyWatch / Commercial Policy
- Fix: I asked the underwriter. They said, “If you log it as a business flight (building hours/portfolio), we will cover it.”
- Lesson: Log every flight as “Training/Business,” even if unpaid.
3. Agency Liability
- Question: Does the Sheriff’s insurance cover me?
- Answer: Generally NO. You are a volunteer using your own equipment.
Comparison Table: Volunteer Coverage
| Policy | SAR Coverage | Condition |
| Homeowners | Denied | Excludes “Aircraft” |
| AMA (Hobby) | Denied | Excludes Gov Ops |
| Commercial Policy | Yes (Usually) | Must log as “Training/Business” |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Self-Dispatching is Risky: Never just show up. Only fly if requested by the Incident Commander.
- Get a “Task Number”: Ask the Sheriff for the official Incident Number. Log this in your flight log. It legitimizes the operation.
- Log as “Pro Bono”: Mark the flight as “Commercial – Pro Bono” in your logbook. This argues it is a business activity (building goodwill), keeping your commercial policy active.
- Join a Team: Join an organized volunteer group (like SWARM). They often carry a group liability policy.
FAQ
Q: Is my drone covered if I lose it in the woods?
A: Hull insurance covers it, regardless of mission, as long as the flight was legal.
Q: Can I write off the drone loss on taxes?
A: Talk to a CPA. A casualty loss for a volunteer activity is complex.
[IMAGE: Photo of a drone pilot wearing a high-vis vest at a SAR command post.]