Insurance

Why insure your drone

An agricultural drone is a working machine weighing tens of kilograms that flies over fields and close to roads, power lines and homes. Even when every rule is followed, a technical fault, a sudden gust of wind or a mistake in flight planning can cause damage to the property or health of third parties, or to the drone itself. The right insurance protects your business from costs that can be many times higher than the price of the drone.

Where to insure your drone

We work with Coverdrone, a partner specialising in drone insurance. On their website you can compare cover options and get a quote for your drone.

Insure your drone

Is drone insurance mandatory in Slovakia?

Drone operations in Slovakia are governed mainly by EU Regulations 2019/945 and 2019/947 and by Act No. 143/1998 Coll. on Civil Aviation (the Aviation Act). Operations are supervised by the Transport Authority (Dopravný úrad). Third-party liability insurance is mandatory under Regulation (EC) No 785/2004 for all aircraft with a maximum take-off mass (MTOM) of 20 kg or more, which includes DJI Agras spraying drones. For aircraft up to 500 kg, the minimum cover is 750,000 special drawing rights (SDR), roughly EUR 0.9 million.

For lighter drones, such as the DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral, Regulation 785/2004 does not require insurance directly. However, the Transport Authority may require it as one of the conditions of an operational authorisation in the specific category, and we strongly recommend it in the open category as well. Without insurance, you pay for any damage caused to a third party out of your own pocket. Always check the current requirements with the Transport Authority or your insurance broker.

Types of drone insurance

• Third-party liability insurance: covers damage to the health and property of others, for example to vehicles, buildings, power lines or neighbouring crops. It is mandatory for drones with an MTOM of 20 kg or more.
• Hull insurance: covers damage to or loss of the drone in a crash, collision, natural event or during transport, and, depending on the terms, also theft. It can include the remote controller, batteries, charging station and other accessories.
• Insurance of the leased item: when you finance a drone through GRENKE, the leased item is insured together with the lease contract (mobile-risk category).
• Manufacturer warranties and service plans are not insurance, but they can significantly reduce repair costs after an accident. We recommend combining them with hull insurance.

What to look for when choosing a policy

• Limit of cover: it must meet the minimum set by Regulation 785/2004 and match the places where you fly (close to roads, homes and infrastructure).
• Application of plant protection products: check whether the policy also covers damage caused by spraying, for example spray drift onto neighbouring crops, water sources or beehives. Many standard policies exclude it.
• Sum insured and excess: for hull insurance, the sum insured should match the current value of the whole set, including batteries and accessories.
• Territorial validity: if you also fly abroad, check that the policy is valid in other EU countries.
• Operating conditions: insurers usually require compliance with the law: operator registration, a valid pilot certificate, an operational authorisation and flight records. If you do not meet these conditions, the insurer may reduce or refuse the claim.
• Who is covered: make sure the policy covers everyone who flies the drone, including employees and external pilots.

Operator obligations related to insurance

Before your first flight, you must register as a UAS operator with the Transport Authority and display the registration number on the drone. Drones with an MTOM above 25 kg and flights that apply plant protection products fall into the specific category, which requires an operational authorisation from the Transport Authority. Pilots must hold the appropriate certificate, and spraying must also comply with the rules for the aerial application of plant protection products. Keep proof of insurance with you during flights, as it may be checked.

What to do if something happens

1. Stop the flight, secure the site and make sure everyone is safe.
2. Document the incident: photos, video and the flight log from the controller or app.
3. Inform the injured party and your insurer without undue delay. Also report an accident or serious incident to the competent authorities (the Transport Authority and, for accidents, the Aviation and Maritime Investigation Authority).
4. Do not repair the drone yourself before the insurer has inspected it. Have it diagnosed by an authorised service centre, which will issue a damage report for your insurer.