Broker-arranged
Drone insurance for commercial operators
Flying a drone for money, whether it’s real estate photography, surveying, inspections or agriculture, needs the right CASA credentials and the right insurance. Here are the covers commercial drone operators hold, CASA’s weight categories, and how a licensed broker arranges it.
- Aviation liability, not ordinary public liability
- Hull cover for the drone and payload
- One short form, then a licensed broker takes it from there
What insurance does a drone operator need?
Aviation liability cover for injury or damage your drone causes to people and property, because standard public liability policies usually exclude aircraft, and a drone is an aircraft. Hull cover for the drone, its camera and sensors against crash, loss and theft. Professional indemnity if clients rely on your survey, mapping or inspection data. And the ordinary business covers: your vehicle, your other equipment and workers compensation once you employ staff.
Clients and councils often ask for proof of aviation liability, commonly $10 million or $20 million, before you fly on their site.
CASA credentials by drone weight
CASA sets the rules for flying commercially. The summary below follows CASA’s weight categories.
| Drone weight | Flying for money | Credential |
|---|---|---|
| 250 g or less (micro) | Allowed in the excluded category | Operator accreditation |
| Over 250 g to 2 kg (very small) | Allowed in the sub-2 kg excluded category | Operator accreditation; no RePL or ReOC needed |
| Over 2 kg to 25 kg (small) | Excluded category only over your own land and without payment; otherwise a RePL and ReOC are required | RePL and ReOC for hire work |
| Over 25 kg (medium) | Requires a RePL with a rating for that drone type | RePL and ReOC |
A ReOC is the business-level certificate for operations beyond the excluded category. CASA says it can take up to 70 business days to process. Insurers ask which category you fly in.
What’s usually covered, and what isn’t
Usually covered
- Injury or damage to others caused by the drone, under aviation liability.
- The drone, camera and payload, under hull cover.
- Loss of the drone from a fly-away or crash, subject to conditions.
- Advice and data you supply, under professional indemnity.
Usually not covered
- Flying outside CASA rules or your credentials.
- Wear and tear and battery degradation.
- Fines from CASA or a council.
- Privacy complaints, unless your policy adds them.
How to get drone cover through us
Drone insurance questions
Does public liability cover drones?
Usually not. Standard public liability policies exclude aircraft, and a drone is an aircraft. Aviation liability is the cover that responds.
Do I need a licence to fly a drone commercially?
It depends on weight. CASA’s sub-2 kg excluded category lets you fly commercially with operator accreditation. Heavier drones flown for hire need a RePL and ReOC.
Is drone insurance compulsory?
CASA doesn’t make it compulsory, but clients, councils and site owners commonly require aviation liability before you fly.
Can I insure the camera and sensors?
Yes, under hull cover, which can list the drone and its payload at agreed values.
Why is drone insurance arranged by a broker?
Aviation liability is written by specialist insurers who ask about your credentials, drones and operations, so a licensed broker arranges it.
Keep reading
More industries arranged by a broker
Sources
Drone operators