Drones and insurance abroad: All you need to know

It’s vacation time again! Many Dutch people are heading to distant, sun-drenched places to enjoy some well-deserved rest. Of course, your brand new drone will also go with you on vacation, to capture your adventures from the air. While taking spectacular aerial photos, things can always go wrong. It is therefore useful to insure your drone. In this blog we will tell you everything you need to know about insuring drones, so you can fly with peace of mind this summer, even abroad!

Damage and injury caused by drones

While flying, in exceptional cases it can still happen that you lose control of your drone. A drone can cause quite some damage, both to the environment and to people. It is possible to claim on your liability insurance. Check your liability insurance policy in advance to see if you are insured for damage caused by drones and up to what amount the damage is covered.

To ensure that things run smoothly, it is very important that you know the general regulations for drone flying and abide by them. If in an accident it is found that the pilot did not follow the rules, the insurance will not cover the damage.

Drones and travel insurance

It is not (yet) a given that your travel insurance will also cover drones! Look carefully to see if you have travel insurance that explicitly includes drones. Comparison site Independer has been kind enough to share a list of travel insurance policies that cover drones with us. Click here for this list! 

Drones on the plane

If you go on vacation by plane, there are some things you should consider if you want to take your drone with you. Drones can often be taken in your hand luggage. Drones are powered by a so-called LiPo battery. The technology used for these batteries makes them highly flammable and therefore a major point of concern for customs authorities. Make sure your batteries are always discharged to 50% before the flight, and put the batteries in the special LiPo-bags.

Laws and regulations

As mentioned earlier, it is wise to be aware of the general rules that apply when flying a drone. Governments and insurance companies are trying to keep up with the rapid rise of drones among hobby users. Each country has its own unique regulations, and it is advisable to read up on them in advance. For example, in a country like Spain you are not allowed to fly above the beach, and in Australia there is a total ban on drones! On websites such as Dronetraveller you can see exactly if there are any issues you need to be aware of at your vacation destination.  

Have a great vacation!