A Soaring Hobby: Insurance Considerations for Recreational Drones

If there’s a buzz in the air – it might just be a drone or two.

The personal use of drones is increasing as the hobby gains popularity. In 2024, more than 1 million drones were registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with nearly 390,000 of them being used for recreational purposes.

The FAA defines recreational, or hobby drone use as flying the remote-controlled model aircraft for enjoyment, not for work, business purposes, or for compensation for hire. All drones weighing 0.55 pounds (250 grams) or more must be registered with the FAA.

Whether you are a new drone owner or have been operating these remote-controlled model aircraft for a while, it’s important to understand the risks and liabilities.

Insurance Considerations for Recreational Use

Getting insurance for your drone is easy. A homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy – subject to a deductible – typically covers radio-controlled model aircraft in the event of loss, theft, or damage. Additionally, if a drone causes damage to your car, your comprehensive auto insurance policy may cover the repair costs. Your auto insurance may also cover damage to your car from someone else’s drone, subject to your deductible.

A more serious concern is the risk of liability if your drone crashes into a person or someone else’s property. In such cases, you are responsible for the accident. Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may provide liability coverage, up to specified limits.

While some homeowner’s policies may exclude coverage for damage from an aircraft, your policy may cover damage caused by a radio-controlled aircraft. Always check with your agent or insurance company to make sure your policy contains this coverage.

For questions or more information on this and any insurance topic, please contact the Connecticut Insurance Department at insurance@ct.gov or by calling 860-297-3900 or find us online.