Drone insurance for the way you fly.
Liability, hull and payload coverage for remote pilots who fly for work under Part 107, and a straight answer for hobby flyers on what their home policy does and doesn't do.
Quick answer Commercial drone work isn't covered by personal homeowners or renters policies; for Part 107 operators, coverage comes from a dedicated drone policy with liability for people and property on the ground and hull coverage for the aircraft.
- Anyone acting as remote pilot in command of a non-recreational drone flight needs a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating.
- Flying a drone for a client or a business generally puts the pilot under Part 107, which also changes the insurance needed.
- A homeowners or renters policy may cover injury or damage a recreational drone causes, but some exclude aircraft or drones, and personal policies don't cover commercial use.
- Flying outside federal or local drone rules can undermine drone insurance coverage, and using a drone for illegal activity voids it.
- Under Part 107, a drone flight that seriously injures someone, causes loss of consciousness, or damages other property beyond $500 must be reported to the FAA within 10 calendar days.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Hobby flight and paid flight are insured differently
Federal law lets you fly without FAA certification only when the flight is strictly recreational, you follow a community-based organization's safety guidelines, keep the drone in sight, stay at or below 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace and have passed the aeronautical knowledge and safety test. Once there's a client, a paycheck or a business purpose, you're outside that exception, and the remote pilot in command needs an FAA remote pilot certificate.
Insurance follows the same line. A homeowners or renters policy may answer for a hobby drone that hurts someone, depending on the insurer's wording, but personal policies don't cover commercial drone work. For Part 107 operators I place a dedicated drone policy: liability for people and property on the ground, and hull coverage for the aircraft, cameras and sensors.
- Part 107Anyone acting as remote pilot in command of a non-recreational flight needs a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating.
- 24 monthsHow long a passed knowledge test or recurrent training keeps a remote pilot current.
- 10 daysDeadline to report a Part 107 flight that caused serious injury, loss of consciousness, or over $500 of damage to property other than the drone.
- 400 feetThe ceiling for recreational flyers in Class G airspace, along with keeping the drone within visual line of sight.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Pilots: each remote pilot's certificate number and date of last recurrent training.
- Drones: make, model, FAA registration and replacement value.
- Payloads: cameras, thermal or lidar sensors and ground equipment, with values.
- Operations: the kind of work you fly and any FAA waivers or authorizations you hold.
- Contracts: what your clients ask for on certificates, including additional insured.
- History: any crashes, reported accidents or claims.
Drone insurance, answered
Does my homeowners policy cover my drone?
Sometimes, for recreational flying. The liability part of a homeowners or renters policy may cover injury or damage your drone causes, but some policies exclude aircraft or drones, and personal policies don't cover commercial use. I'd read your policy's aircraft wording before relying on it.
If I sell a few photos, am I still a hobbyist?
The recreational exception applies only to flights that are strictly recreational. Flying for a client or a business generally puts you under Part 107, which also changes the insurance you need.
Does a drone policy cover privacy complaints?
It depends on the policy. Accidentally capturing a neighbor on camera is treated differently from intentional intrusion, which isn't covered. Ask about personal injury and invasion of privacy wording when you compare quotes.
What happens to coverage if I break an FAA rule?
Flying outside federal or local drone rules can undermine coverage, and using a drone for illegal activity voids it. Your waivers and authorizations should match the work you insure.
What should I do after a crash?
Under Part 107, a flight that seriously injures someone, causes loss of consciousness, or damages other property beyond $500 must be reported to the FAA within 10 calendar days. Report it to your insurer at the same time.
Is this different from your aviation page?
Yes. Aviation insurance covers manned aircraft, hangars and flight schools. This page is only about drones.
Do you offer drone insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Tell me what you fly. I'll shop it.
Your drones, their values and the work you fly are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued.
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
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Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.