DJI Drone Insurance: Everything You Need to Know

Complete 2026 guide to insuring your DJI Mini, Mavic, Phantom, or other DJI drones in New Zealand

Quick Facts About DJI Drone Insurance

$150-400
Annual cost for recreational DJI drones
24-48hrs
Typical claim processing time
90%+
Market share of DJI drones insured

Why DJI Drone Insurance is Essential

Common DJI Drone Risks

  • Flyaway incidents: GPS or signal loss causing total loss
  • Gimbal damage: Delicate stabilization systems breaking
  • Water damage: Unexpected weather or water landings
  • Collision damage: Birds, trees, buildings, power lines
  • Theft: High resale value makes DJI drones targets
  • Battery issues: Swelling, fire, or sudden power loss

Insurance Benefits

  • Replacement cost: Get latest model if yours is discontinued
  • Worldwide coverage: Protected while traveling
  • Liability protection: Coverage for damage to others' property
  • Fast replacement: Many insurers offer next-day service
  • Accessories covered: Batteries, propellers, cases included
  • Peace of mind: Fly confidently knowing you're protected

Insurance Costs by DJI Model

Entry Level DJI Drones

DJI Mini Series

Mini 4K, Mini SE, Mini 2

$150-220/year

Typical value: $400-800

DJI Mini 3

Mini 3, Mini 3 Pro

$180-280/year

Typical value: $600-1,200

DJI Mini 4 Pro

Latest mini with advanced features

$220-320/year

Typical value: $900-1,500

Mid-Range DJI Drones

DJI Air Series

Air 2S, Air 3

$280-400/year

Typical value: $1,200-1,800

DJI Mavic 3

Mavic 3, Mavic 3 Classic

$350-500/year

Typical value: $1,500-2,500

DJI Mavic 3 Pro

Triple camera system

$450-650/year

Typical value: $2,500-3,500

Professional DJI Drones

DJI Inspire Series

Inspire 2, Inspire 3

$800-1,500/year

Typical value: $4,000-15,000

DJI Matrice Series

M30, M300, M350

$1,200-3,000/year

Typical value: $8,000-25,000

DJI-Specific Insurance Coverage

What's Covered

  • DJI Care Refresh Alternative: Third-party insurance often cheaper than DJI's own coverage
  • Gimbal & Camera: Specialized coverage for DJI's advanced camera systems
  • Intelligent Flight Modes: Coverage even when using ActiveTrack, QuickShots, etc.
  • DJI GO/DJI Fly App: Incidents related to app malfunctions covered
  • OcuSync/Lightbridge: Signal loss and flyaway protection

Common Exclusions

  • Firmware Updates: Damage during or after unauthorized firmware modifications
  • Third-party Accessories: Non-DJI propellers, batteries, or modifications
  • Commercial Use: If using recreationally-insured drone for business
  • Gradual Deterioration: Normal wear and tear, battery degradation
  • Pilot Error: Some policies exclude crashes due to inexperienced flying

How Can I Look Up My Insurance on My DJI Drone?

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. 1
    Find Your Serial Number: Check battery compartment or DJI GO/Fly app under "Aircraft Status"
  2. 2
    Check Policy Documents: Your insurance certificate will list the drone serial number
  3. 3
    Contact Your Insurer: Call with serial number to confirm coverage status
  4. 4
    Use Online Portal: Most insurers have online account access to view policies

DJI Serial Number Locations:

DJI Mini Series: Under battery, in DJI Fly app
DJI Air/Mavic: Battery compartment sticker
DJI Phantom: Inside battery compartment
DJI Inspire: On aircraft body near battery
All Models: DJI GO 4 or DJI Fly app → Settings → Aircraft Status

DJI Care Refresh vs Third-Party Insurance

Feature DJI Care Refresh Third-Party Insurance
Cost (Mini 3) $109 for 1 year $150-250/year
Liability Coverage ❌ Not included ✅ Up to $10M available
Theft Coverage ❌ Not covered ✅ Full theft protection
Excess/Deductible $79-149 per claim $250-1000 (adjustable)
Claims Limit 2 replacements max Unlimited (annual limit)
Global Coverage ✅ Worldwide ✅ Worldwide

Recommendation: For recreational users, DJI Care Refresh covers accidental damage well but lacks liability protection. Commercial users or those needing theft/liability coverage should consider third-party insurance.

DJI Mini 2 & Mini 3 Pro Insurance

The DJI Mini series is the most popular drone range in New Zealand, and for good reason. Under 250g means fewer restrictions, but you still need proper insurance protection.

DJI Mini 2 / Mini 2 SE Insurance

Typical value:$600-900 NZD
Annual premium:$150-200/year
Recommended coverage:Hull + $1M liability

Great entry-level drone. Insurance makes sense given the relatively low premium vs replacement cost.

DJI Mini 3 Pro Insurance

Typical value:$1,100-1,600 NZD
Annual premium:$180-280/year
Recommended coverage:Comprehensive + $2M liability

Most popular drone in NZ. Vertical shooting and obstacle avoidance don't prevent all accidents - insurance essential.

DJI Mini 4 Pro Insurance

Typical value:$1,300-1,900 NZD
Annual premium:$200-320/year
Recommended coverage:Comprehensive + $2M liability

Latest Mini with 4K/100fps. Higher value = more important to insure properly.

DJI Mini 4K Insurance

Typical value:$450-600 NZD
Annual premium:$120-160/year
Recommended coverage:Hull + $1M liability

Budget-friendly option. Low insurance cost makes it a no-brainer to protect.

Common Mini Series Claims:

  • Wind-related crashes: Mini drones are light and can be blown off course in gusts over 30km/h
  • Flyaways over water: Popular for beach shots but risky - signal loss over water is common
  • Bird strikes: Small size makes Minis less intimidating to territorial birds like magpies and tui
  • Theft from vehicles: Compact size = easy to steal from cars

DJI Mavic Series Insurance

The Mavic series represents DJI's prosumer/professional lineup. Higher value means insurance is even more critical.

DJI Mavic 3 Classic

Hasselblad camera, no telephoto

Popular Choice
Value: $1,800-2,200
Premium: $280-380/year
Coverage: Comprehensive + $2-5M

DJI Mavic 3 Pro

Triple camera system, professional grade

Premium
Value: $2,800-4,200
Premium: $400-600/year
Coverage: Comprehensive + $5M

At this price point, insurance is non-negotiable. One gimbal repair can cost $800+.

DJI Mavic 3 (Standard)

Dual camera with telephoto

Value: $2,200-2,800
Premium: $320-450/year
Coverage: Comprehensive + $2-5M

Why Mavic Owners Need Insurance:

Mavic drones are expensive to repair. A gimbal replacement costs $600-1,000, camera sensor repair $400-800, and body damage $300-500. One crash can easily exceed your annual premium multiple times over.

DJI Air Series Insurance (Air 2S, Air 3)

The Air series bridges the gap between Mini and Mavic - excellent cameras in a portable package. Insurance costs reflect this middle-ground pricing.

DJI Air 2S Insurance

Typical value:$1,200-1,600 NZD
Annual premium:$200-300/year
Best coverage:Hull + $2M liability

1-inch sensor in a compact body. Popular for travel photography - worldwide coverage important.

DJI Air 3 Insurance

Typical value:$1,600-2,200 NZD
Annual premium:$250-380/year
Best coverage:Comprehensive + $2-5M liability

Dual cameras and 46-min flight time. Longer flights = more exposure time = insurance essential.

DJI Care Refresh vs Third-Party Insurance: Detailed Comparison

Many DJI owners wonder whether DJI Care Refresh is enough, or if they need separate insurance. Here's the complete breakdown:

DJI DJI Care Refresh

  • +Easy claims through DJI app
  • +Covers accidental damage
  • +Includes flyaway protection (some models)
  • +Water damage covered
  • -No theft coverage
  • -No liability protection
  • -Limited to 2 replacements
  • -Must use DJI service centres
  • -Replacement fee required ($79-199)

Cost: $109-239/year (varies by model)

Rec Third-Party Insurance

  • +Theft protection included
  • +Liability coverage ($1M-$10M)
  • +Unlimited claims (within limits)
  • +Choice of repair shops
  • +Accessories fully covered
  • +Worldwide coverage
  • +No-claims bonus available
  • ~Higher excess (adjustable)
  • ~Claims process varies by insurer

Cost: $150-400/year (varies by drone)

Our Recommendation:

For most pilots: Third-party insurance provides better value and protection. DJI Care Refresh is useful as an add-on for easy damage repairs, but it doesn't replace proper insurance due to the lack of theft and liability coverage.

Best combo: Third-party insurance + DJI Care Refresh gives maximum protection - use Care Refresh for minor repairs (lower fee), insurance for theft/liability/major claims.

DJI Drone Insurance FAQ

Do I need insurance for my DJI Mini drone?

While not legally required in NZ for recreational use under 25kg, insurance is highly recommended. DJI Mini drones are expensive to replace and can still cause property damage or injury.

Does DJI insurance cover flyaway incidents?

Yes, most comprehensive DJI insurance policies cover flyaway incidents caused by GPS failure, signal loss, or app malfunctions. However, pilot error flyaways may be excluded.

Can I insure a used DJI drone?

Yes, most insurers cover used DJI drones up to 5-7 years old. You'll need proof of current condition and may require a professional assessment for older or high-value models.

What happens if DJI discontinues my drone model?

Most policies offer "new for old" replacement, meaning you'll get the current equivalent model. For example, a crashed Mavic Air might be replaced with the latest Air model.

Are DJI accessories covered?

Typically yes - standard accessories like batteries, propellers, gimbals, and cases are included. Third-party accessories may require additional coverage or separate listing.

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