Everything you need to know about commercial drone insurance requirements, CAA compliance, and business protection in New Zealand 2025
Commercial drone insurance provides specialized coverage for business operations using unmanned aircraft. Unlike recreational coverage, it includes comprehensive liability protection and meets professional indemnity requirements.
| Industry | Min. Liability | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate | $2M - $5M | Professional indemnity often required |
| Construction | $10M - $20M | Site-specific risk assessment |
| Agriculture | $5M - $10M | Crop/livestock damage coverage |
| Infrastructure | $20M+ | Government contract compliance |
| Events/Media | $5M - $10M | Crowd safety certification |
Important: Requirements vary by industry and client contracts. Always verify specific requirements with your insurer and clients before beginning operations.
Real estate, agriculture, basic inspections
Construction, infrastructure, events
Emergency services, crowds, specialized ops
Often require $20M liability, security clearances, and specific indemnity clauses. May need Lloyd's of London backing.
Site-specific coverage, contractor's all-risk policies, and coordination with existing site insurance required.
Professional indemnity essential, plus privacy liability for property photography and marketing materials.
Crowd safety certifications, content liability, and international coverage for location shoots often required.
CAA certificates, pilot qualifications, operating procedures, risk assessments
Detailed inventory with purchase receipts, serial numbers, and current market values
Operating areas, typical missions, safety record, experience level
Complete detailed questionnaire with supporting documentation
Professional assessment, possible site visit or additional requirements
Final terms, payment, and certificate of insurance issued
Processing Time: 5-14 business days for standard applications. Complex or high-risk operations may take 3-4 weeks.
Yes, any income-generating activity with a drone requires commercial insurance. Even one paid job transforms your recreational drone into a commercial operation requiring appropriate coverage and CAA certification.
While no legal minimum exists, most clients require $2-5M minimum. High-risk operations (construction, crowds) typically need $10-20M. Government contracts often require $20M or more.
No, recreational policies specifically exclude commercial use. Using recreational coverage for business operations will void your policy and leave you personally liable for any damages or injuries.
Costs range from $1,500-15,000+ annually depending on coverage limits, equipment value, and risk profile. Basic real estate operations might pay $2,000/year, while high-risk industrial work could cost $10,000+.
You face personal liability for all damages, legal costs, and potential CAA penalties. This could include property damage, medical expenses, and business interruption costs - potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Not necessarily. Most commercial policies can be structured to cover multiple operation types. However, very high-risk activities (emergency services, hazardous areas) may require specialized coverage.
Standard applications take 5-14 business days. However, you must have CAA Part 102 certification first, which can take several weeks to obtain if you don't already have it.
Yes, many policies offer worldwide coverage. However, some countries have restrictions and additional requirements. Always check with your insurer before operating internationally.
Get comprehensive commercial drone insurance quotes from New Zealand's specialist providers