Homeowners Insurance Coverage And Unmanned Drones

The use of unmanned aerial systems, or UAS, has evolved from the battlefields of the Middle East to the backyards of America. These systems, more commonly known as “drones”, allow users to take still photos and videos from high vantage points for little or no cost. However, when these systems cause damage to a neighbor’s house or car, the question arises of how such accidents can affect the victim’s homeowners insurance coverage. Some policies may not offer homeowners insurance coverage in the event of a drone accident.

Homeowners Insurance Coverage Varies By Carrier

Most policies offer homeowners insurance coverage in the event of an accident that damages the policy holder’s property. Nearly all policies offer coverage if, for example, a wheeled vehicle crashes into the home. Policy holders should check if their homeowners insurance coverage provides protection for other vehicles, such as drones. Older policies may not have the language that covers such incidents, as widespread access to drones has been a relatively recent phenomenon.

Homeowners Insurance Coverage and Aircraft

Many policies provide homeowners insurance coverage in the event of damage from an aircraft, including airplanes and helicopters. Some policies contain exceptions from homeowners insurance coverage for “hobby aircraft” or flying vehicles not used to carry cargo or live passengers. Since most drones are used for recreational purposes, damage to a home from a drone accident may not qualify for coverage under a standard policy.

Homeowners Insurance Coverage and Liability

Another aspect of homeowners insurance coverage is the protection it provides if a visitor is injured on the policy holder’s property. The injured party can sue the homeowner for damages if, for instance, the party slips and falls on wet concrete near a swimming pool. The homeowners insurance coverage protects homeowners from damages from such suits. If the homeowner operates a drone aircraft, the policy holder much check to see if the policy protects them in the event of a drone accident that leads to an injury.

Homeowners Insurance Coverage and Invasion of Privacy

Most homeowners rely on fences for privacy. A drone aircraft can easily fly over these fences and take unwanted images of a neighbor’s yard. Some carriers provide homeowners insurance coverage for “personal injuries,” such as invasions of privacy. These policies also provide exceptions to this type of homeowners insurance coverage. These exceptions can include any intentional acts by the policy holder, as well as any conduct that can be interpreted as granting consent for the invasion of privacy.

Source: Claims Journal

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