In this section, you will read about insurance – which types are suitable, what they cover and why you might want to take out an insurance policy.

According to the rules in force in our country, every SFE weighing more than 4 kg, as well as every SFE performing a commercial flight (regardless of weight) must be insured. Although insurance is not compulsory for most SFEs in the open category, it is a good idea to be insured in case of an accident. If you are not the owner, but only the remote operator, it is a good idea to make sure that the SMEE you are going to fly is insured or not. Insuring the SFE (if required) is the responsibility of the operator, but also of the individual pilot. 

What is insurance?

Insurance is essentially about risk sharing. That is, many people pay a smaller amount, the so-called premium. The premiums are then pooled into a fund and if one of the insured causes an injury or accident, money from the common fund will compensate the sufferer to compensate for that loss.

The amount paid for the premium depends on the likelihood of an accident, but also on the cost of the potential damage. Insurance is often optional, but it can also be compulsory, as in the case of motor liability insurance. This is what we will look at in more detail in this section: liability insurance for operators and operators of SSEs.

Which insurance is appropriate?

There are many different types of insurance, but for those who fly Semi-Aircraft, there are mainly two that you need to be aware of: liability insurance and own damage insurance. 

There is no requirement for operators to have own damage insurance – but third party liability insurance for any HMS weighing more than 4 kg, and for any HMS performing a commercial flight (regardless of weight) is mandatory.

Liability insurance must cover at least 1.000.000€ for bodily injury claims and at least 150.000€ for property damage to third parties.

 If an accident occurs while conducting an illegal or unauthorised flight, it is not covered by the insurance company.

Insurance for accidents causing damage to third parties …

Liability insurance covers damage you cause to others, but not damage caused to you. If an accident happens – your HSI may cause damage to someone else’s property – liability insurance covers the cost of the damage your HSI did to the other person’s property, but not the cost of the damage to the HSI itself.

If you don’t have liability insurance, the cost of compensation in an accident can be very high – so high that it can be difficult to cover. In some cases, you may have to pay compensation if you injure or damage someone else or their property.

However, if you have flagrantly or otherwise broken the law, your liability insurance will not apply. In these cases, you must bear the costs yourself.

… own damage insurance

Non-life insurance, also known as general insurance or property insurance, covers everything you own. For example, if your SSEA is damaged in an accident, fire or stolen, the damage will be compensated by 

Choose the right insurance company

Different insurance companies have different conditions about what damage is covered or limited in their insurance policies. Therefore, find out the terms of the companies’ policies and choose the one that best suits you and your purpose – especially because many companies have specific limitations on SMI.

Different Rules in each state.

Different countries, even within the EU, may have their own rules and requirements for insurance. So, in addition to checking the laws in the country you’re flying to, check where your insurance applies geographically.