Dilemma- I'm 86 and my M3 is out of Care Fresh today

[Dale D]

I simply went to State Farm and took out a loss/damage policy. It was $60 for a full year and, that 60 dollars was in effect up to a maximum of $3000. If I wanted coverage above $3000 it was pretty cheap incrementally. IIRC $5000 coverage would have been around 85 dollars for the year

I insured both my Mavic 3 and my Mini 3 Pro. For the Mavic 3, I listed replacement as the Mavic 3 Pro because of the Mavic 3 being discontinued by DJI. I figure that if I lost the drone, it would be the drone plus a battery. That's $2360.

I also figured that if I lost both the Mavic 3 and Mini 3 Pro in a single year I should stop flying

now, I have been a State Farm customer for 40 years. Auto and home. So it's remotely possible I goy a 'loyalty' price

I tried State Farm and they would not insure my drone without a complete homeowners policy, which I have carried for years with USAA. USAA says that I am insured under my homeowners for drone damage to others and for loss.

 

[JoelP]

Dale, I am 76 and also own the Mavic 3. It is a great drone, but I rarely fly now that my fellow drone buddy passed away last year. It is challenging to find legal places to fly in California near me. I take it to Idaho where there is more BLM land, and I can fly more freely.

I never renewed a Care Refresh plan. My thinking was that it was useful while I was gaining trust in a new drone, but not so needed afterward. I have had close calls with a branch or two but never crashed it. At the current replacement value if I lost this drone, it would be so terrible.

I thought of you when planning my first trip to Kenya and Tanzania this September, thinking of bringing my drone and going through whatever hoops to be legal. While I am a part 107 pilot my plan was to only fly as a hobbyist. It seemed to me that I could only fly from camps, if then. Then I learned that my baggage limit for Road Scholar is 32 lbs. I decided that the drone would add too much weight to merit taking it.

Keep posting photos from your travels to inspire the rest of us who do not travel as much as you.

 

[Dale D]

Dale, I am 76 and also own the Mavic 3. It is a great drone, but I rarely fly now that my fellow drone buddy passed away last year. It is challenging to find legal places to fly in California near me. I take it to Idaho where there is more BLM land, and I can fly more freely.

I never renewed a Care Refresh plan. My thinking was that it was useful while I was gaining trust in a new drone, but not so needed afterward. I have had close calls with a branch or two but never crashed it. At the current replacement value if I lost this drone, it would be so terrible.

I thought of you when planning my first trip to Kenya and Tanzania this September, thinking of bringing my drone and going through whatever hoops to be legal. While I am a part 107 pilot my plan was to only fly as a hobbyist. It seemed to me that I could only fly from camps, if then. Then I learned that my baggage limit for Road Scholar is 32 lbs. I decided that the drone would add too much weight to merit taking it.

Keep posting photos from your travels to inspire the rest of us who do not travel as much as you.

Hi Joel:

I am familiar with your posts. Thanks for your reassurances. Many of your comments seem similar to my situation.
You made the right decision re: carrying a drone on safari. I managed to take my old Mini to Tanzania and got some footage of our camp and the river, but I would never have dared to fly over wildlife. Then, as I have told in this forum, I had my Mini 2 confiscated on a trip to Kenya at the Nairobi airport. It's a long story but I had to give it up, and re-claim it on the way home, which was a major hassle. It took 3 hours to get it back once I arrived at the airport. I am going to take it this time (the Mini 4 Pro) to Zimbabwe, and I have some assurance I can get it through customs. I will only use it around the camps.

I am not 107 and never had the desire to study for it. After 4 years of pre-med and 4 years of med school and 4 years of residency (ophthalmology) I never wanted to take another examination.

Dale
Miami

You can view my videos here.

Dale Davis,M.D.

Advanced amateur photographer, world traveler, and avid enthusiast of time lapse photography.Also, retired M.D. ophthalmologist.

vimeo.com

and my photos here
Dale Davis Photography

 

[bcfd29]

Three years ago I was the very proud owner of the flagship Mavic 3. I dutifully purchased my 2 year Care Refresh coverage, and my 3rd renewal was a year ago. I put that date on my calendar and yesterday it came due. I wrote to DJI to see if I could extend the Care Refresh for another (4th) year and was told I could not. I have used the M3 infrequently (about a dozen flights a year).

Many of you younger forum members may not relate, but I am a sort of healthy 86 year old (no life threatening illnesses). I have an active travel schedule planned for this year (Poland, Utah Parks, Zimbabwe safari), but two of those trips are international and I will not be taking the M3 due to weight and government restrictions. ( I will be taking the Mavic Mini 4 Pro).
With no insurance available, I am thinking about selling my "in perfect condition", M3 and three still good batteries. I doubt I will buy the new M4. I do not need the money.

So my question is , what should I do? Keep flying the M3 until it crashes or is lost, or sell the M3.
I look forward to your thoughts and recommendations .

Dale
Miami

Dale: Your a great photog and pilot! If you enjoy it keep it and have fun till it does not fly... More tools in your crayon box are better than one.

 

[Dale D]

Dale: Your a great photog and pilot! If you enjoy it keep it and have fun till it does not fly... More tools in your crayon box are better than one.

Thank you for that! I am a so so photographer, but I'll take it!

 

[msinger]

So my question is , what should I do? Keep flying the M3 until it crashes or is lost, or sell the M3.

Do you crash or lose drones often? If so, selling it might be the way to go.

 

[Dale D]

I am overly cautious and I have never lost the drone. I tried a hand catch unsuccessfully and it was a small "crash:"from a low a height of 5 feet. Although I try to keep VLOS, I admit to depending on RHT when I lose it. I;ve decided to keep the M3 without insurance( I have no choice). It is covered under my homeowners policy

 

[akdrone]

Three years ago I was the very proud owner of the flagship Mavic 3. I dutifully purchased my 2 year Care Refresh coverage, and my 3rd renewal was a year ago. I put that date on my calendar and yesterday it came due. I wrote to DJI to see if I could extend the Care Refresh for another (4th) year and was told I could not. I have used the M3 infrequently (about a dozen flights a year).

Many of you younger forum members may not relate, but I am a sort of healthy 86 year old (no life threatening illnesses). I have an active travel schedule planned for this year (Poland, Utah Parks, Zimbabwe safari), but two of those trips are international and I will not be taking the M3 due to weight and government restrictions. ( I will be taking the Mavic Mini 4 Pro).
With no insurance available, I am thinking about selling my "in perfect condition", M3 and three still good batteries. I doubt I will buy the new M4. I do not need the money.

So my question is , what should I do? Keep flying the M3 until it crashes or is lost, or sell the M3.
I look forward to your thoughts and recommendations .

Dale
Miami

I rarely use my Mav3 since I have the Mav3 Pro but it's nice to have a backup. I kept my Avata in spite of having the Avata 2. I let friends use both my Avata and Mav 3 at times.... If you don't need the money...just keep it .

 

[Dale D]

Thanks AKDrone

I am actually following that advise. I do not have so many drones (Mavic Mini 4 Pro and Mavic 3), so I need to be more cautious.