New regulations for the use of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Drones are leading towards a boost of more than $82 billion for the U.S. economy, in addition to creating more than 100,000 new jobs within the next decade. This is great news, despite the potential air traffic nightmares happening on the invisible highways above.
According to a recent UAV Drones Market report, the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Drones market will be worth $5.59 billion by 2020. Most people mistakenly think that the military owns the market when it comes to aviation technology, but now fields like disaster relief, air quality, real estate, and of course film & television are taking advantage of the many benefits that aircrafts have to offer.
Our team can help you find every aviation exposure that you face … including some you may not have thought needed coverage, such as maintenance facilities, hangars, related buildings and personal property located near those locations.
Keyterms to Know about Aviation Coverage …
Hull Coverage
Property damage to an aircraft a business entity owns or operates is excluded under the Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), commercial general liability (CGL) policy by way of the damage to property exclusion, which precludes coverage for property damage (PD) to property in the insured’s care, custody, or control (CCC). Thus, many aircraft insurance policies include physical damage or “hull” coverage.
Hull rates are usually below 10%, but aren’t offered on home built drones or when the majority of flights are over water. Hull coverage may also be written as a separate policy. Coverage may apply on a named perils or an open perils/all risks basis. Hull coverage is typically subdivided to address aircraft while in motion and while not in motion.
Personal & Advertising Injury (Privacy Insurance)
A few providers offer this coverage, but at an additional premium charge. This covers users in the event of a lawsuit over published images.
Named Operator Only
Underwriters generally approve each operator on a case by case basis depending upon their experience and training in this industry. Additionally, manned aircraft flight time is considered a plus.
Coverage Limitations
The safety of everyone in the proximity of drones is the most important when it comes to insurance coverage, so often insurance applications are not approved. For instance, operating drones over crowds and/or indoors is often excluded.
Corporate Aviation / Industrial Aid
Aircraft owned and operated by companies maintaining a fleet of aircraft flown by professional flight crews. Coverages can include, but are not limited to hull, liability, expanded territories, and extensive coverage enhancements.
Charter Services
This includes aircraft operating under the guidelines of the FAR 135 certificate, including passenger and cargo for hire. Other uses which fall under this area would include, but are not limited to: power line / pipeline patrol, aerial photography, aerial advertising, predator control, fish spotting, and fire patrol.
Helicopters
We can provide coverage for a wide spectrum of uses for helicopters, which include, but are not limited to: industrial aid uses, pleasure and business uses, commercial charter, instruction, sightseeing, movie filming, Electronic news gathering (ENG), traffic patrol, fire patrol, control burning, animal herding, predator control and frost patrol.
Airport Property & Liability
We can help you choose from a wide range of Airport coverages, and we can also arrange extensive coverage for Fixed Based Operations including; Repair and Service, Parts (not installed), Sale of New and Used Aircraft, Sale of Fuel & Oil, Contractual, Independent Contractors and Premises Medical.
Special Risks
Defined as a unique class of aircraft with specific risks requirements, which could include:
Seaplanes
Military Surplus Aircraft
Experimental Aircrafts Derived from Kits
Antique Aircrafts Built 1903 – 1954
Classic Aircrafts Built 1955 – 1960
Special Aircraft for Air Racing, Air Show Performers & Other Competitions
Let us assist you in reviewing your current policies for exposures, search for gaps or overlaps in your coverage, and then recommend solutions.
Any questions?
What Can You Tell Me About The 333 Exception?
By law, any aircraft operation in the national airspace requires a certificated and registered aircraft, a licensed pilot, and operational approval. Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (FMRA) grants the Secretary of Transportation the authority to determine whether an airworthiness certificate is required for a UAV to operate safely in the National Airspace System (NAS).
- The FAA stated in early 2014 that they would begin fast-tracking commercial UAV through the “Section 333” exemption process. Specifically, they prioritized the fields of filmmaking, power line and flare stack inspection, and precision agriculture.
- For UAV commercial operators with a current FAA COA, the FAA will grant blanket flying permission to the applicants whose drones weigh less than 55 pounds and who agree to keep flight under 200 feet AGL, daytime only and stay away from airports.
- Starting Jan 2016, the FAA is attempting to register all drones, civilian and commercial, in the United States.
What Are The Restrictions to Who Can Fly an Insured Aircraft?
- 16 Years or Older
- Those who can speak, write and understand the English language
- Those in physical and mental condition that does not interfere with safe flight practice
- Those who have been vetted by the Transportation Security Administration
- Those who have completed either of the following certificate programs and have a current small UAS certificate
- Those with a Part 61 pilot license have to complete a flight review and pass the small
- UAS online training course approved by the FAA
- Those who pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center
How can I be sure to follow the best practices when it comes to people’s privacy that may be involved with my filming?
- Tell other people you’ll be taking pictures or video of them before you do.
- If you think someone has a reasonable expectation of privacy, don’t violate that privacy by taking pictures, video, or otherwise gathering sensitive data, unless you’ve got a very good reason.
- Don’t fly over other people’s private property without permission if you can easily avoid doing so.
- Don’t gather personal data for no reason, and don’t keep it for longer than you think you have to.
- If you keep sensitive data about other people, secure it against loss or theft.
- If someone asks you to delete personal data about him or her that you’ve gathered, do so, unless you’ve got a really good reason not to.
- If anyone raises privacy, security, or safety concerns with you, listen to what they have to say, as long as they’re polite and reasonable about it.
- Don’t harass people with your drone.
