I left my M300 ($15,000) in the back seat of my SUV while I grabbed lunch. Window smashed. Drone gone. I called my Auto insurance. “We cover the car glass. We don’t cover business property inside.” I called my Drone Liability insurer. “We cover crashes, not theft (unless you bought Hull).”
Key Takeaways
- Auto Exclusion: Personal and Commercial Auto policies exclude “Business Personal Property.” Your drone is business property.
- Liability vs. Hull: “Liability” insurance never covers theft. You need “Hull” (Physical Damage) coverage on the drone itself.
- “Ground Risk” Coverage: Hull insurance often has two parts: “In Flight” and “Not In Flight.” You need “Not In Flight” (Ground) coverage to cover theft from a car.
- Locked Vehicle Warranty: Most policies require the vehicle to be locked with visible signs of forced entry. If you left it unlocked, claim denied.
The “Why” (The Trap): The Gap
You have Auto Insurance (covers the car).
You have Drone Liability (covers the BMW you hit).
You have a gap: The Drone Itself.
Unless you specifically add “Hull Coverage” for the value of the drone ($15k), it is uninsured while sitting in your car.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I checked theft coverage.
1. DJI Care Refresh
- Coverage: Covers crashes and flyaways.
- Theft: NO. If it’s stolen, DJI Care does nothing.
2. State Farm (PAP – Personal Articles Policy)
- Coverage: Can schedule the drone.
- Theft: Covered.
- Trap: If used for business, the PAP might deny it. You need a Business Inland Marine policy.
3. Commercial Drone Hull (Global Aerospace)
- Coverage: Covers theft, fire, crash.
- Deductible: Usually 5% or 10% of insured value.
Comparison Table: Stolen Drone Payouts
| Policy | Theft Coverage? | Deductible |
| Auto Insurance | No | N/A |
| Drone Liability Only | No | N/A |
| DJI Care | No | N/A |
| Hull / Inland Marine | Yes | $500 – $1,000 |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Police Report: Mandatory. You cannot file a theft claim without a police report number.
- Serial Number: Provide the SN to the police. Mark it as stolen in the DJI database so it can’t be activated by the thief.
- Check “Forced Entry”: Take photos of the broken glass. Prove the car was locked.
- File Hull Claim: Contact your aviation broker.
FAQ
Q: Can I track it?
A: DJI AeroScope can track it if it flies, but usually, thieves just sell parts.
Q: Is the controller covered?
A: Yes, if you included it in the “Insured Value” of the system.
[IMAGE: Graphic: “Auto Policy” (X on Drone) vs “Hull Policy” (Check on Drone).]