Best drone insurance for flyaway and damage? Is there a consensus on which insurance to buy?

[TomSull]

Hi, I recently ordered a Mavic 4 Pro from an Amazon seller. Given that they give the full 30 day return policy from Amazon itself, which is restated by the vendor; they also said the unit is new and still in the factory sealed box so I finally decided to take the plunge. However, as of yet, I'm still unsure what "planet" it was originally sold in, but I need coverage that will work on USA, Earth.

However, I do want to get coverage as close to Care Refresh as possible (or better/cheaper). Is there a consensus as to which insurance is the best to get? My primary criteria for "Best" is the successful follow through on a claim, and if anyone has experience with the Mavic 4 Pro, due to its unique situation for US customers, that would be of great benefit as well.

Many thanks! Have a wonderful day!

Tom

 

[mavic3usa]

Currently, I personally believe a stand alone insurance policy from State Farm is the best option. If you want to do a quick search on this forum, there are numerous threads on the topic including the pros and cons.

 

[Starz]

Of all the used DJI products I’ve purchased where the previous owner left an SD card that showed some of their operating habits, I’m convinced they had no business doing what they were doing. Typically, flying within inches of obstacles that would easily destroy the hardware that emptied their wallet. One example that amazed me was an individual that flew 2000 feet away, stopped, then flew sideways without turning to point the camera where he could see what was coming and flew sideways into a tree. All that at six feet above the ground.
Insurance,,,,, just pay attention to what you’re doing and fly safe.

 

[mavic3usa]

One example that amazed me was an individual that flew 2000 feet away, stopped, then flew sideways without turning to point the camera where he could see what was coming and flew sideways into a tree. All that at six feet above the ground.

100%.

 

[TomSull]

Of all the used DJI products I’ve purchased where the previous owner left an SD card that showed some of their operating habits, I’m convinced they had no business doing what they were doing. Typically, flying within inches of obstacles that would easily destroy the hardware that emptied their wallet. One example that amazed me was an individual that flew 2000 feet away, stopped, then flew sideways without turning to point the camera where he could see what was coming and flew sideways into a tree. All that at six feet above the ground.
Insurance,,,,, just pay attention to what you’re doing and fly safe.

I want the insurance as a backup due to the investment level of $$$s in the drone. I have only had one occurrence where I needed repair work done. That was due to interference that prevented me from making a corrective maneuver while flying close to the tops of trees. I had the drone visually sighted, so I'm surprised I got an interference error. I was bringing the drone down a bit over some trees, and tried to stop the descent but weirdly, the drone didn't respond and kept dropping in altitude, resulting in the drone clipping a branch (Mavic 2 Pro btw) and fell about 80 feet. I was pushing up on the stick and the drone was not responding, but I was getting interference warnings in the display and later in the logs (I was thinking it might have been residential WiFi). There was one grommet that broke that helped stabilized the gimbal. The repair was very inexpensive, so I didn't use my care refresh plan. That was about 5 years ago, I've had no issues since as I'm now a more experienced pilot and I'm pretty careful. But again, due to the investment and that the drone won't be a US drone, I want the extra reassurance just in case there are issues, including fly-aways (which I've never experienced, but seen examples here).

 

[moldorf]

I'll echo the comment about State Farm. I have up to $5000 of drone coverage, full replacement, for $60/yeqr

caveat 1 is I have had home and auto with State Farm for decades so I was a steady customer. I'm not sure if somebody who isn't regular customer could get that policy

caveat 2 is that it is for recreational use of a drone. No commercial use covered

and the issue right now is the provisions of the policy is that I file a claim, presenting the replacement cost of the new drone, and they issue a check. The problem of course is customs issues and the difficulty of getting a replacement drone. I have 2 drones insured, a Mavic 3 and a Mini 3 Pro. When I got the policy DJI had just discontinued the Mavic 3 in favor of the Mavic 3 Pro. At the time the Mavic 3 Pro was available with one battery. Now it's difficult to find a Mavic 3 Pro that isn't part of a FMC

 

[mavic3usa]

Anyone can get a standalone policy from State Farm to cover their drone; no prior relationship required.

 

[Starz]

while flying close to the tops of trees

This is a good example of how the entire insurance industry survives.
The decisions we make all have a cost. It’s the insurance industry that has figured out a cost for those decisions and how to make money by waving a policy in our faces to calm our nerves.

 

[a2tomm]

Hi, I recently ordered a Mavic 4 Pro from an Amazon seller. Given that they give the full 30 day return policy from Amazon itself, which is restated by the vendor; they also said the unit is new and still in the factory sealed box so I finally decided to take the plunge. However, as of yet, I'm still unsure what "planet" it was originally sold in, but I need coverage that will work on USA, Earth.

However, I do want to get coverage as close to Care Refresh as possible (or better/cheaper). Is there a consensus as to which insurance is the best to get? My primary criteria for "Best" is the successful follow through on a claim, and if anyone has experience with the Mavic 4 Pro, due to its unique situation for US customers, that would be of great benefit as well.

Many thanks! Have a wonderful day!

Tom

I have been using STATE FARM for the past 7 years and have had to use it twice and must say it is rock solid ,what ever price you paid for the drone is the price you get back from STATE FARM .First time Air 2s was shot down over a farm ,second time I was running from a water bird and hit a power line over water .Each time I was refunded the entire amount .I just added my new Mini 5 pro to the policy $49 bucks for the entire year .STATE FARM ROCKS

 

[tstr14]

I have been using STATE FARM for the past 7 years and have had to use it twice and must say it is rock solid ,what ever price you paid for the drone is the price you get back from STATE FARM .First time Air 2s was shot down over a farm ,second time I was running from a water bird and hit a power line over water .Each time I was refunded the entire amount .I just added my new Mini 5 pro to the policy $49 bucks for the entire year .STATE FARM ROCKS

Did you just contact a local agent or go online?

 

[JimWest]

For the price being reported on State Farm policies, I'm assuming that it has no liability coverage. That's my big concern. I'm currently paying around $600 for a photography policy that includes $1 million or so liability. Includes replacement cost for all my photography equipment except the drone. Any better suggestions?

 

[GadgetGuy]

Anyone can get a standalone policy from State Farm to cover their drone; no prior relationship required.

Anyone except everyone in CA!

 

[tstr14]

For the price being reported on State Farm policies, I'm assuming that it has no liability coverage. That's my big concern. I'm currently paying around $600 for a photography policy that includes $1 million or so liability. Includes replacement cost for all my photography equipment except the drone. Any better suggestions?

I don't know of any companies that will provide liability insurance for amateur pilots. The coverage mentioned from State farm is drone replacement coverage only. All the companies that I have spoken with about liability coverage required the person flying be a 107 pilot.

 

[GadgetGuy]

I have been using STATE FARM for the past 7 years and have had to use it twice and must say it is rock solid ,what ever price you paid for the drone is the price you get back from STATE FARM .First time Air 2s was shot down over a farm ,second time I was running from a water bird and hit a power line over water .Each time I was refunded the entire amount .I just added my new Mini 5 pro to the policy $49 bucks for the entire year .STATE FARM ROCKS

If angry men are shooting at your drone and angry birds are attacking your drone, aren't you also worried that they will come after you next? Hope your life insurance is paid up, too!

 

[Dbez1]

I have State Farm but it doesn’t include when I fly 107, which is very seldom these days. It’s very affordable.

 

[a2tomm]

Did you just contact a local agent or go online?

I live 10 minutes away ,you will have to have a hard copy of the reciept ,serial number and when and where you purchased it ,It takes about a half hour ,take photos of everything ,,,,IT IS WELL WORTH IT ,When filing a claim it takes just a few minutes almost NO questions asked OH YEAH THIS IS FOR A PLEASURE TYPE FLYER .
NEVER EVER MESS WITH THE 107 BS
been there done that years ago the 107 non since is only is you fly for a company empolyee

 

[mavic3usa]

I don't know of any companies that will provide liability insurance for amateur pilots. The coverage mentioned from State farm is drone replacement coverage only. All the companies that I have spoken with about liability coverage required the person flying be a 107 pilot.

The AMA provides $M liability insurance for recreational flyers who are CBO members.

 

[GadgetGuy]

The AMA provides $M liability insurance for recreational flyers who are CBO members.

Yes but only for recreational flights, not for business, where it is needed.

 

[TomSull]

Well, it turns out that State Farm is not taking any new customers in my state. What's the next best insurance? Allstate?

 

[GadgetGuy]

Well, it turns out that State Farm is not taking any new customers in my state. What's the next best insurance? Allstate?

Are you sure that is true, and not just that the agent you contacted didn't want to sell it? The agents don't make any money off of it. No one else offers comparable insurance that can be used for drones. No one.