Overview

Drone insurance is one of the most misunderstood areas for UK operators. Many pilots assume DJI Care replaces insurance, others are unsure what is legally required, and some only discover gaps in cover after an incident.

This article explains:

What insurance is legally required in the UK
The difference between recreational and commercial use
What typical drone insurance covers (and does not cover)
How this differs from DJI Care
What operators should consider before flying

Is Drone Insurance a Legal Requirement in the UK?

For commercial drone operations, insurance is legally required under EC Regulation 785/2004 (as retained in UK law).

This applies to:

Any drone being used for commercial purposes
Flights conducted by businesses
Paid work (mapping, inspection, filming, surveying, etc.)
Public sector operations (local authorities, contractors, etc.)

For purely recreational flying, insurance is not legally required, but it is still strongly recommended.

What Level of Insurance Is Required?

UK law requires commercial operators to hold insurance that complies with EC785/2004.

Most compliant drone policies will provide:

Public liability cover (commonly £1 million to £10 million+)
Cover specifically stating EC785/2004 compliance
Cover for UAS / RPAS operations

Typical levels seen in industry:

Sole traders / small operators: £1m–£5m
Larger organisations / public sector: £5m–£10m+

The correct level depends on:

Client requirements
Contractual obligations
Operational risk
Type of environment being flown in

Recreational vs Commercial Use

Recreational (Hobby Flying)

No legal requirement for insurance
Still personally liable for damage or injury
Home insurance rarely covers drone use
Strongly recommended to have specialist cover anyway

Commercial (Paid or Business Use)

Insurance is a legal requirement
Must comply with EC785/2004
Clients often request proof of insurance before work begins
Many contracts specify minimum cover levels

If someone is flying “occasionally for paid jobs”, they are still classed as a commercial operator.

What Drone Insurance Typically Covers

Most specialist drone policies include:

Public liability (injury to people, damage to property)
Legal defence costs
Accidental damage to third-party property
Sometimes:
- Hull cover (damage to the drone itself)
- Equipment cover (controllers, batteries, payloads)
- Theft (with conditions)

Public liability is the critical component from a legal perspective.

What Drone Insurance Often Does NOT Cover

This is where many operators get caught out.

Common exclusions include:

Flying outside the law (e.g. breaching CAA rules)
Flying without correct competency or authorisation
BVLOS flights without approval
Flying in restricted airspace illegally
Leaving equipment unattended leading to theft
Wear and tear or gradual degradation
Intentional damage
Poor battery care leading to failure

If an operator breaches regulations and causes an incident, the insurer may refuse to pay out.

Drone Insurance vs DJI Care (Important Difference)

These are often confused but they are completely different.

Drone Insurance:

Covers damage or injury caused to other people or property
Required by law for commercial use
Protects the operator from legal and financial claims

DJI Care:

Covers damage to your drone
Not insurance
Does not satisfy legal insurance requirements
Does not protect against liability claims

Many professional operators use both:

DJI Care to reduce downtime and repair costs
Insurance to protect against third-party claims

Client Requirements (Why This Matters in the Real World)

Many clients will request:

Proof of insurance certificate
Confirmation of EC785/2004 compliance
Minimum public liability (often £5m or £10m)

Common sectors that require strict insurance:

Construction
Utilities
Rail
Local authorities
Police and emergency services
Large corporates

Without correct insurance, operators can lose contracts instantly.

Fleet and Enterprise Insurance Considerations

Larger organisations often require:

Fleet policies (covering multiple aircraft)
Named pilot policies
“Any authorised pilot” policies
Worldwide cover
Payload and accessory cover
Higher liability limits

This is common for:

Police forces
Utility providers
Survey companies
National infrastructure operators

Common Real-World Mistakes

These are some of the most common issues seen in support:

Operator assumes DJI Care is “insurance”
Policy only covers recreational use but drone is used commercially
Insurance expired without operator realising
Pilot flying under company name but covered only personally
Client requests proof of EC785/2004 and operator cannot provide it
Pilot flying outside declared operational scope

Top 10 FAQs

Do I legally need drone insurance in the UK?
Yes, if you are flying commercially. It is a legal requirement.
Is drone insurance required for hobby flying?
No, but you are still personally liable if you cause damage or injury.
Does DJI Care count as insurance?
No. DJI Care only covers your drone, not third-party liability.
What level of cover do I need?
This depends on your operation, but £1m–£10m public liability is common in industry.
What does EC785/2004 compliant insurance mean?
It means the policy meets the legal aviation insurance requirements for commercial drone use.
Will insurance cover me if I break the CAA rules?
Often no. Many policies exclude cover if you are operating illegally.
Do clients really check insurance?
Yes. Many professional clients require proof before allowing work to begin.
Does insurance cover damage to my drone?
Only if you have added hull/equipment cover. Public liability alone does not.
Can I insure multiple drones under one policy?
Yes. Many insurers offer fleet policies for professional operators.
What happens if I fly commercially without insurance?
You may be operating illegally and could face legal and financial consequences if something goes wrong.