Drones: Quadrocopter insurance at a glance - benefits and costs

Drones, so-called multicopters, are subject to compulsory insurance in Germany. We have put together an overview of the costs and benefits of various insurance providers.

Insurance for multicopters - you have to consider that

Since 2005, unmanned aerial objects, including drones, whether quadrocopters or hexacopters, have to be insured. So before you go outside for the first time with your drone to let it fly, you should consider the following points:

• Insurance for drones differentiates between private and commercial use. Think about whether you want to do it as a hobby or a business.
• With some insurance companies, taking and publishing aerial photographs is already considered commercial. Unless explicitly mentioned, you should ask again.
• Before you take out new insurance, you should check with your liability insurer whether drone flights may also be covered.
• In order for the insurance to cover the costs incurred in the event of damage, you must comply with all legal requirements and conditions.
• Drones must not exceed the maximum permissible total weight of 5 kilograms. Usually, drones are a lot lighter.

German model sport organization - insurance for private use

You can currently get cheap insurance for your drone from the German Model Sport Organization:

• Costs: 40 euros annual contribution for a coverage of 2 million euros. For a surcharge of around EUR 12, you double the coverage to EUR 4 million for personal injury and / or property damage.
• Benefits: Legal protection insurance is included in both cases.
• Your flight model, your ship model or your car model up to 150kg is insured if you fly on private property. The maximum weight on other approved areas is 5kg.
• Both indoor and outdoor flights are insured worldwide, except in the United States - perfect for your vacation.
• Here you will find further information and the application.

Drohnen-versichern.de - insurance for private use

The website drohnen-versichern.de offers XXL liability insurance, which is more expensive, but offers a huge coverage of over 20 million euros.

• Costs: 82 euros per year for a cover amount of 20 million euros.
• Services: Indoor and outdoor flights, with or without a camera. FPV flights, i.e. flights with video glasses in First Person View, are also insured.
• Insurance pays for accidents and damage worldwide, except in the United States and Canada. Plus even flights in controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
• Functions such as autonomous flying, flight via autopilot, waypoints and the FollowMe mode are also insured.
• The number of your drones is irrelevant, all are insured. Likewise, all drones of the life partner and the children in the same household (minimum age 16 years), as well as other RC models.
• You can find more information and the application on the website.

Cheap drone insurance for traders

If you want to use your drone commercially, you also need commercial insurance. Compared to private insurance, this is of course more expensive. The cheap insurance is offered by drohnen-versichern.de:

• Costs: from 121.50 euros per year with a coverage of 1 million euros. Higher coverage amounts and express issuance are offered at an additional cost.
• Benefits: Both indoor and outdoor flights are insured, in uncontrolled and even in controlled airspace. But that doesn't mean that you can climb in uncontrolled airspace without permission.
• Insurance is only available across Europe and only for one flying object. The number of pilots is unlimited.
• Information and the application for insurance can be found on the website.

DMFV: insurance for commercial use

The German Model Aviation Association also offers cheap insurance for the commercial use of drones.

• Costs: from 140 euros plus 19% insurance tax with a coverage of 4 million euros.
• Benefits: Both the creation of photo and film recordings as well as the use for research purposes are insured.
• The insurance covers an unmanned flying object as well as a named pilot.
• Detailed services can be obtained by email from the provider:
• Further information, for example the exclusive variant of the insurance, is available on the DMFV website.

Kickstarter drone in the video

If you have not yet bought a drone, we will give you the best tips for buying drones in the next practical tip.