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Who insures it · 6 named markets · read 2026-10-28

Who insures drones (commercial UAS)?

Drones (commercial UAS) is a risk most standard carriers decline on sight. The markets below say in their own published appetite or program pages that they write it; each line links to that page with the date it was read.

6 markets publicly write drones (commercial UAS): Global Aerospace, SkyWatch.AI (SkyWatch Insurance Services, Inc.), BWI Aviation Insurance, Avion Insurance, Prime Insurance Company and others. 4 program administrators, 1 MGA, 1 E&S carrier. 1 through surplus lines.

By Sam Alishahi, independent insurance broker

The markets

Who says they write it

From each market's own appetite, product or program page (or a trade article quoting it), read on the date shown. Appetites change: the linked page controls. A market listed here isn't necessarily one this agency is appointed with; a licensed broker reaches most of them directly or through a wholesaler.

MarketWhat they say they writeWherePaperSource
Global Aerospace
MGA		UAS insurance for personal and commercial drone operators and other stakeholders: whole system including payload and ground equipment, invasion of privacy, single drones or fleets on one policy; collaboration with SkyWatch with policies underwritten by Global Aerospace (aviation underwriting manager; page does not self-label)
“Global Aerospace provides UAS insurance that protects the entire system, including payload and ground equipment.”		not statednot statedglobal-aero.com · read 2026-10-28
SkyWatch.AI (SkyWatch Insurance Services, Inc.)
Program administrator		Commercial drone insurance across construction, aerial mapping, agriculture, deliveries, public safety and drone shows; self-described licensed insurance agency; carrier not named on page
“Skywatch provides commercial drone Insurance across multiple Industries including: Construction Aerial Mapping, Agriculture”		availability of coverage and product options may vary by statenot statedskywatch.ai · read 2026-10-28
BWI Aviation Insurance
Program administrator		Drone insurance for Part 107 operators: liability, hull/equipment, fleet liability, scheduled equipment and multi-operator master policies; dedicated UAV division; self-described aviation insurance agency appointed with carriers (carriers not named)
“we provide fast, flexible, and affordable drone insurance policies for Part 107 operators”		all 50 statesnot statedbwifly.com · read 2026-10-28
Avion Insurance
Program administrator		UAV/drone liability and physical damage (hull) for aerial photography and other commercial purposes and pleasure use; self-described as directly representing the UAV and drone underwriters; Lloyd's of London named in text
“Avion Insurance offers comprehensive UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) liability policies at the most competitive prices”		not statednot statedavioninsurance.com · read 2026-10-28
Prime Insurance Company
E&S carrier		Aviation liability, hull and physical property for many aircraft types including experimental and home-built; 'Drones' listed as a covered class for commercial drone use
“With the increasing use of drones for commercial use, this coverage is essential”		all 50 states (page: 'Prime Insurance Company writes in all 50 states of the USA')Surplus linesprimeis.com · read 2026-10-28
Aviation Insurance Resources (AIR)
Program administrator		UAS/UAV insurance: physical damage to the unmanned aircraft, payload, cameras and ground equipment; third-party liability; large commercial fleets and government contract operations by phone; AIR represents multiple aviation insurance markets (carriers not named)
“UAS and UAV insurance protects owners of unmanned aircraft from a wide range of aerospace risks.”		all 50 states (homepage: 'Licensed in all 50 states and staffed by pilots to serve you better!')not statedair-pros.com · read 2026-10-28

SkyWatch, BWI and Avion describe themselves as agencies rather than carriers or MGAs; 'program administrator' is the nearest allowed label. Thimble returned HTTP 403; Starr Insurance was not checked (search budget exhausted).

How drones (commercial UAS) gets placed

Standard markets first where any will look at it; when they won't, the placement goes through surplus lines, where a licensed surplus lines broker places it with an eligible non-admitted insurer and files the state's surplus lines tax and stamping forms. In California, risks on the Department of Insurance export list can go to surplus lines without the usual diligent search of admitted carriers. Surplus lines policies aren't backed by a state guaranty fund, so the insurer's financial rating matters more.

What an underwriter will want before quoting: a full description of the operation, years in business and the owners' experience, revenue or payroll, loss runs (five years where available, currently valued), the contracts or venue requirements that set the limits, and photos or safety plans where the hazard is physical.

I'm licensed in 49 states and Washington, DC and your request stays with my agency, not passed to another agent. In Florida, where my licenses are still being issued, a partner agency in your state helps in the meantime.

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