Last updated: 29th April 2026
Drone Insurance is more than a box-ticking exercise; it provides you with a financial and legal safety net every time you operate your drone.
While we’ve made it straightforward to get protection when operating your drone, it’s still possible to make an avoidable mistake, which could leave you underinsured or exposed to unnecessary risk.
In this article, we’ve covered seven of the most common Drone Insurance mistakes we see at Coverdrone, along with practical tips to help you avoid them.
1. Choosing the Cheapest Policy Without Checking What’s Included
Most of us like saving money, so when it comes to getting insurance for operating your drone, it’s understandable to be drawn to the lowest price. However, cheap drone insurance can come with costly gaps. Entry‑level policies may exclude key risks, limit where you can fly, or offer insufficient liability cover.
When comparing drone insurance, look beyond the headline price and review:
- What is and isn’t covered
- Liability limits
- Are these offered on any one claim or aggregate basis
- Damage, loss, and theft protection
At Coverdrone, we clearly break down what’s covered by the policies we offer, so you know how you’re protected. For anything you’re unsure about, our in-house Support Team is available to help. Contact us, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about your policy.
2. Misunderstanding the Excess (‘Amount to be Deducted’/Deductible)
Your excess (‘amount to be deducted’ or deductible) is the amount you contribute to a claim. Some policies can appear attractive by having a very low premium or monthly payment, but they might include a high excess that could leave you significantly out of pocket after an incident (we would encourage you to check your policy wording or policy schedule for this).
We would also encourage checking the excess amount on a policy and ensuring you’re happy with it before purchasing. At Coverdrone, you can clearly see your excess amounts in your quotation documentation before you buy your policy and also in your policy documentation, providing clarity about your cover.
3. Failing to List All Your Drones on the Policy
Your Drone Insurance only applies to the drones listed on your policy schedule. If you buy a new drone, upgrade your equipment, or operate multiple drones, you must declare each one. Check out our guide to keeping your policy up to date.
This is an easy oversight, but an important one to avoid. If a drone isn’t listed in your policy, it isn’t covered, so it’s worth checking and rechecking your policy details whenever your setup changes.
You can easily add a drone or equipment to your policy in your Coverdrone online account at any time. If you need help adding a drone or amending your policy, please get in touch with our dedicated Support Team.
4. Skipping Public Liability Insurance
Accidents happen, even to experienced pilots. If your drone injures someone or damages someone’s property, the financial consequences can be serious. That’s why public liability cover isn’t just a requirement for commercial operators; it benefits all drone operators, providing peace of mind and protection should the worst happen.
EC 785/2004 is the regulation that requires commercial drone operators in Europe to have public liability and aviation liability insurance, so there’s financial protection if a third party is injured or property is damaged. Each liability option provides the following cover:
Public liability:
- Protects you if a third party makes a claim, including:
- Damage to property
- Injury to third parties
Aviation liability:
- Protects you from third party liability arising from incidents such as:
- War, sabotage, malicious acts and hi-jacking
If you’re a commercial operator, ensure you buy cover that complies with EC 785/2004. You can read more about the EC 785/2004 regulations in our guide to ‘Ensuring You Are Compliant With EC785/2004’. In addition to ensuring your operation can take off in the first place, having adequate liability cover protects your finances and reputation as a drone operator.
5. Not Updating Your Policy as Your Situation Changes
We appreciate that buying or hiring new equipment is exciting, but your insurance must reflect what you operate to remain valid.
Equally, for commercial operators, changes in your business can directly affect your insurance needs. That might include:
- Adding operators to your policy
- At Coverdrone, we cover the organisation; you don’t need to declare the number of operators or any changes to operators on a commercial policy
- Expanding your drone services or operations
- For example, at Coverdrone, you must notify us if you intend to conduct BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations
Regularly reviewing your policy ensures continuous and appropriate protection. If you need to make changes to your policy at any point during the policy period with Coverdrone, our specialist Support Team is here to help. Just contact us with your request, and we’ll assist you.
6. Overlooking Optional Add‑Ons That Could Be Essential
Optional extras such as cover for hired‑in drones or accessories might not feel essential at first, but they can make a big difference when circumstances change.
Ensure that you carefully consider whether:
- You rent or hire equipment
- You intend to move cargo with your drone
- Your operations put you at risk of chemical drift
- You would benefit from professional indemnity cover
Tailoring your Drone Insurance to your real‑world use helps ensure your policy is correct and avoids issues if you need to make a claim.
7. Using a Non‑Specialist Insurance Provider
While a general insurer might be your first choice, sometimes it takes a specialist to really understand you or your business. This applies to drone operators, too. Specialist Drone Insurance providers possess specialist knowledge, enabling them to provide support tailored to the needs of drone operators and policies specifically designed for them.
Choosing a specialist Drone Insurance provider like Coverdrone gives you:
- Policies designed specifically for drone use
- Clear cover terms
- Support from experts who understand the industry
When something goes wrong, you get access to an in-house Claims Team with specialist knowledge when it really matters.
Protect Your Drone Flights the Smart Way
Drone Insurance isn’t just about compliance; it’s about confidence, protection and peace of mind. By avoiding the common Drone Insurance mistakes we’ve detailed in this article, you’re on your way to ensuring that you’re properly covered and prepared for your next drone flight.
Our online quote system is straightforward to follow. Click the button below to get started today. Alternatively, if you need help choosing the right Drone Insurance policy, our dedicated Support Team is here to answer your questions; please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
