Skywatch Refusing Coverage?

[WMcIntosh]

Hi Everyone - I have used Skywatch six times in the past two years without a problem and have had no accidents or incidents while flying my drone for personal photography. I tried to order another month of coverage for my upcoming trip to Europe today and they said they were unable to cover me. Any idea of what is going on over there? If I am an American and I need coverage in Norway...are there other options for me? Sorry if someone has already asked this, but I searched and didn't see news of anyone else being denied coverage without a reason being stated by the company. I tried calling but got nowhere. I was wondering if they are having financial troubles. Why would they randomly deny my coverage after I have already used them six times without incident?

 

[Dave Pitman]

They do not insure outside of the US.

 

[WMcIntosh]

They do not insure outside of the US.

Hi Dave - Thanks for your reply. I chose Skywatch specifically because they stated that they had world wide coverage...unless something has recently changed. It looks like this notice is from the end of 2023: https://faq.skywatch.ai/hc/en-us/articles/360015257980-Does-SkyWatch-AI-provide-worldwide-coverage

 

[Dave Pitman]

In that FAQ, they say you need to contact them for coverage outside of the US.
I just looked on the mobile app, and if I select a location outside of the US, it says that coverage is not available.

They have always responded to my emails within a couple of days.

Please call support at 888-364-5033 or email us at [email protected] to learn more about or to obtain this worldwide coverage.

 

[waynorth]

If I am an American and I need coverage in Norway...are there other options for me?

If your drone is under 250 gram you do not need liability insurance in Norway:
"The requirement for approved insurance under luftfartsloven § 11-2, does not apply to unmanned aircraft weighing less than 250 grams, including payload, and operated in the open category."

Liability insurance

All drones other than CE-marked toys must be insured in accordance with (EC) No 785/2004. That means you need to have third-party liability insurance covering at least 0.75 million SDRs (Special Drawing Rights).

luftfartstilsynet.no

If you need insurance there is a company called Coverdrone that may help:

Coverdrone

Specialist Insurance Cover for Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA)

www.coverdrone.com

 

[WMcIntosh]

In that FAQ, they say you need to contact them for coverage outside of the US.
I just looked on the mobile app, and if I select a location outside of the US, it says that coverage is not available.

They have always responded to my emails within a couple of days.

The odd thing is...they never asked me, either on the app or on their website, where I was going. I just clicked on 1 million in coverage for a month starting in February, a dollar amount came up, and I clicked submit and instantly it came back as refused after "carefully" looking at my application. Nobody looked at my application...it took less than half a second for the reply. I used them last in November on a trip to Switzerland and had no issues at all, so this is a very recent development. Thanks for the email suggestion. I sent them an email and I'm waiting to hear back.

If your drone is under 250 gram you do not need liability insurance in Norway:
"The requirement for approved insurance under luftfartsloven § 11-2, does not apply to unmanned aircraft weighing less than 250 grams, including payload, and operated in the open category."

Liability insurance

All drones other than CE-marked toys must be insured in accordance with (EC) No 785/2004. That means you need to have third-party liability insurance covering at least 0.75 million SDRs (Special Drawing Rights).

luftfartstilsynet.no

If you need insurance there is a company called Coverdrone that may help:

Coverdrone

Specialist Insurance Cover for Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA)

www.coverdrone.com

Thanks for your reply! I think this was changed either last year or the year before to conform to the new EU drone requirements. If your 249 g drone has a camera, they want you to have insurance. I could be wrong, but that's what I found on several YouTube channels when I was checking over the past couple of years. I think I'll try Coverdrone next and see if they can help me.

 

[waynorth]

Thanks for your reply! I think this was changed either last year or the year before to conform to the new EU drone requirements. If your 249 g drone has a camera, they want you to have insurance.

The link I gave you with information about insurance for drones in Norway is from the Norwegian Luftfartstilsynet (same as FAA in US), so information from them is up to date and official, and they clearly says that drones under 250 grams do not need insurance.
And Norway is not a member of EU.

 

[WMcIntosh]

Hi Everyone - Just got a reply back from Skywatch - Their underwriter, Global Aerospace, no longer will cover private drone coverage. They will only cover commercial drone use. This is the exact same problem that I ran into with the PPA coverage - Commercial only. I will look around and try to do some brainstorming before my next trip.

Edited - I just re-read their reply and it looks like you might be able to get coverage if your drone use is "professional" in nature and you carry your Part 107 certificate. The certificate seems to be what the underwriter is after. They want to make sure that the operator has a complete understanding of safety, etc before covering them for liability. This might be where all insurance companies are going.

The link I gave you with information about insurance for drones in Norway is from the Norwegian Luftfartstilsynet (same as FAA in US), so information from them is up to date and official, and they clearly says that drones under 250 grams do not need insurance.
And Norway is not a member of EU.

Thank you for the info. I will definitely check into this as I am taking my Mini 3 Pro with me to Norway. It would put my mind at ease if I was sure I wasn't going to be hassled about insurance if I am questioned while I am over there.

 

[waynorth]

I will definitely check into this as I am taking my Mini 3 Pro with me to Norway. It would put my mind at ease if I was sure I wasn't going to be hassled about insurance if I am questioned while I am over there.

It is very unlikely you will be asked about insurance, or hassled in any other way when flying in Norway. But one thing to be aware of is that Norway is VERY strict about flying within 5 km from airports. If you do, you will be caught by one of the best drone detection systems in the world, and you will lose your drone and get a hefty fine around 1000 USD). And maybe even expelled from the country - that has happened. And do not fly over central Oslo!
Here is a map over areas where drone flying is not allowed:

Sensorforbudsområder

nsm.geodataonline.no

 

[WMcIntosh]

It is very unlikely you will be asked about insurance, or hassled in any other way when flying in Norway. But one thing to be aware of is that Norway is VERY strict about flying within 5 km from airports. If you do, you will be caught by one of the best drone detection systems in the world, and you will lose your drone and get a hefty fine around 1000 USD). And maybe even expelled from the country - that has happened. And do not fly over central Oslo!
Here is a map over areas where drone flying is not allowed:

Sensorforbudsområder

nsm.geodataonline.no

Thanks for the heads up. I have the map of restricted areas and even in other areas, I'm pretty paranoid about causing a problem with my drone. I was flying the drone near Hamnoy last year and heard a helicopter and immediately brought it down near water level. You can't be too careful...especially with reports of people hitting planes out here in California. I will definitely stay away from airports and will do my best not to fly over populated areas while I am there. I got a ticket last year for not parking far enough off of the road (I left one tire on the pavement) during a snow storm, so I know they are out there, but it's good to hear that I probably won't get hassled unless I am causing a problem.

 

[waynorth]

I got a ticket last year for not parking far enough off of the road (I left one tire on the pavement)

Haha, welcome to Norway

it's good to hear that I probably won't get hassled unless I am causing a problem.

There are so many tourists in Norway flying drones (especially in the north), so nobody cares as long as you follow the regulations and use common sense. Like you did in Lofoten when you heard the helicopter.

 

[Photobobhunt]

Insurance isn't a issue in most of Europe/ EU or UK with a sub 250gram drone. However in most places you must register the drone.
Not a big deal and not a high cost. Google drone flying in Norway. If Norway is in the EU you will need to register it but you can do it from there . Technically you will register it in the first country you visit , However not all countries have English instructions. For the EU I registered in Austria even though my first stop was France.
You may also need to take a test and get a pilots certificate. Its not hard ,mostly common sense. But if you have a 107 you don't need to study.
Again, France has a site Alpha Tango that will give you the test and certifications.
None of this is as hard as it seems may seem and the total cost is less than $50 us dollars or was last year.
All being said the "Karens" are alive and kicking worldwide so be prepared .
In the Last 18 months I flew in Iceland, The UK, South Africa but was approached and threatened by police in Hawaii in a remote location {I was in the right- He had a gun.....end of story).
Unfortunately, many recreational flyers don't know or care about the regulations and the perception of general drone operation is negative . And the latest news ( California fires, New Jersey Drone sitings, ) isn't helping.

My 2 cents...........Bob