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Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Recreational Drones?
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According to MoneyGeek’s research, recreational drones are covered by homeowners insurance. However, a drone isn’t covered if it’s used for business purposes.
Since your drone is considered personal property, it falls under personal property coverage, which protects your belongings against damages such as theft, fire and more.
If your drone accidentally injures someone, you might be covered under your personal liability coverage, which protects you against paying for medical expenses upfront.
Typically, recreational drones are already included in homeowners insurance policies. Be sure to read the fine print of your policy to know which damages are covered.
In this article:
When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Recreational Drones?
Generally, homeowners insurance covers recreational drones under the personal property or personal liability coverage components. Damages that are covered vary depending on the insurance company, but MoneyGeek listed common incidents below.
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- Your drone is stolen
- Your drone is damaged by a covered loss
- You accidentally injure a third party while using your drone
It’s important to note that your drone will only be covered if it’s operated for enjoyment and other personal purposes. Your homeowners insurance policy won’t cover a drone that’s used for business, even if you own it and store it in your home. It is also wise to adhere to local and state laws when you use your drone recreationally.
When Doesn’t Homeowners Insurance Cover Recreational Drones?
Damage or loss to your recreational drone is covered by your homeowners insurance policy’s personal property coverage. Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover drones that are used for commercial purposes. For example, home insurance providers don’t cover drones that videographers use to film outdoor concerts or weddings.
Take time to go through your homeowners insurance policy to know which specific perils are covered and which ones are not.
How to Protect Your Recreational Drones
While homeowners insurance can provide a financial safety net, it’s better to prevent damage or loss to your recreational drone in the first place. MoneyGeek outlines different ways that you can protect your drone and also avoid injuring another individual with it. One way to prevent damage to your recreational drone is by conducting a test run.
Know how to operate a drone
You should understand how to properly control a drone by reading its instruction manual or watching the manufacturer’s tutorial. This will reduce the risk of it accidentally injuring you or a third party.
Do a test run
It’s best to test out your drone in an open space, away from densely populated areas. This allows you to pinpoint any defects while it’s being used.
Monitor weather conditions
Check out the weather report for the day to avoid damaging your drone with rain, hail or lightning.
Where to Buy Homeowners Insurance
Insurance companies like State Farm and Hippo offer homeowners insurance. Before purchasing homeowners insurance, MoneyGeek advises homeowners to shop around and compare quotes between insurance providers. Doing so will help you get a policy that best suits your individual needs.
National comparisons show that homeowners pay around $175 per month for homeowners insurance. However, your final rate depends on how many items you own, the value of your home and more. To get a ballpark figure, check out MoneyGeek’s personal property calculator below.
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sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "Drones and Insurance." Accessed May 24, 2022.