Hoping you all may be able to provide some insight here. Located in Dallas, TX.
This past weekend I was at a car show, my vehicle was parked and I was standing behind it. A large DJI drone came crashing straight down into my hood/driver’s side fender, leaving significant dents and scratches on both my hood and fender. Unfortunately my vehicle is expensive. A $140,000 Range Rover SVR with carbon fiber on the hood and a special order paint color. Estimated damages are over $10,000 as I need a new hood, fender, and clear PPF wrap redone on the entire hood (This did save the paint quite a bit but it’s still bad enough to need replacing). Couple photos attached of the damage.
Initially tried to go through the drone owner’s home insurance, but they have denied any and all liability because the owner didn’t operate the drone in a “negligent manner”, as it seems the drone simply malfunctioned. Aren’t there rules and regulations in place prohibiting people from flying these things over large crowds of people? If this had hit a bystander instead of my hood, it likely would have killed them. I am not sure if the drone was properly registered with the FAA, but in doing some research it sounds like the pilot may be required to report this incident to the FAA? If he was flying this illegally that would seem to constitute negligence to me, but their insurance company seemed clueless on any rules regarding this.
Trying to avoid filing a claim on my vehicle insurance for obvious reasons. This is a rare, speciality vehicle and I would rather not have a damage report showing up on my carfax thus devaluing the car, increase in rates, etc. Drone owner says they are filing a claim with DJI, but surely that is not going to cover the $10,000+ to repair my vehicle. I am not familiar with drones and the laws surrounding them and would appreciate any insight you all can provide.
Thanks.
This past weekend I was at a car show, my vehicle was parked and I was standing behind it. A large DJI drone came crashing straight down into my hood/driver’s side fender, leaving significant dents and scratches on both my hood and fender. Unfortunately my vehicle is expensive. A $140,000 Range Rover SVR with carbon fiber on the hood and a special order paint color. Estimated damages are over $10,000 as I need a new hood, fender, and clear PPF wrap redone on the entire hood (This did save the paint quite a bit but it’s still bad enough to need replacing). Couple photos attached of the damage.
Initially tried to go through the drone owner’s home insurance, but they have denied any and all liability because the owner didn’t operate the drone in a “negligent manner”, as it seems the drone simply malfunctioned. Aren’t there rules and regulations in place prohibiting people from flying these things over large crowds of people? If this had hit a bystander instead of my hood, it likely would have killed them. I am not sure if the drone was properly registered with the FAA, but in doing some research it sounds like the pilot may be required to report this incident to the FAA? If he was flying this illegally that would seem to constitute negligence to me, but their insurance company seemed clueless on any rules regarding this.
Trying to avoid filing a claim on my vehicle insurance for obvious reasons. This is a rare, speciality vehicle and I would rather not have a damage report showing up on my carfax thus devaluing the car, increase in rates, etc. Drone owner says they are filing a claim with DJI, but surely that is not going to cover the $10,000+ to repair my vehicle. I am not familiar with drones and the laws surrounding them and would appreciate any insight you all can provide.
Thanks.
