In today’s film and video industry, drones have become more than just a high-tech bonus — they’re often essential. From sweeping aerial shots to dynamic real estate reels, drones give filmmakers a creative edge that traditional equipment simply can’t match. But with that edge comes a very real set of risks — both financial and legal.
So, do you actually need drone insurance to use one during production? The short answer: not always by law — but in practice, it’s quickly becoming a must-have.
It’s one of those gray areas where what’s technically optional can still carry real consequences. We’ve seen more and more clients — from production teams to independent creatives — run into coverage gaps they didn’t realize were there until after something went wrong.
At Frankel & Associates, we help clients navigate those blind spots, whether through broader liability coverage, production insurance, or tailored solutions that account for drone-related risks. If you’re already investing time and budget into aerial work, it might be worth making sure your insurance strategy is keeping up.
It’s Not Legally Required — But It’s Expected
Here’s the reality: drone insurance isn’t something the FAA officially requires for commercial filming. (If you’re wondering — the FAA is the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency that oversees everything from air traffic control to drone operations in the U.S.)
Since drones are technically classified as aircraft, they fall under the same general umbrella of regulation. And while the FAA focuses more on safety and licensing than insurance, if you’re operating professionally — on a set, for a client, or in a public location — chances are you’ll need proof of coverage anyway. In places like Los Angeles, it’s often a standard part of securing location permits, renting production space, or even getting hired in the first place.
And even if it’s not explicitly required, the financial risks of not having coverage far outweigh the cost of a proper policy. A drone crash doesn’t just damage gear — it can damage property, injure bystanders, or trigger lawsuits. The last thing you want is to be halfway through a shoot and find yourself on the hook for thousands in unexpected expenses.
What Drone Insurance Covers
Not all drone insurance is created equal — and not all risks are obvious until they happen. Whether you’re looking into commercial drone insurance, UAV insurance coverage, or specific drone insurance for filmmakers, it helps to understand how these policies break down.
Most policies fall under a few core categories, each designed to protect different aspects of your project — from liability to equipment, and everything in between.
Liability Coverage
This is the big one — it protects you if your drone injures someone or damages property during a shoot. Whether you’re filming at a commercial venue or capturing a marketing video on the streets of LA, liability coverage is the baseline every drone operator should have.
You might not think it’ll happen — until it does. One distracted moment during a location shoot and your drone clips a parked car, or worse, grazes a bystander. These are the kinds of incidents no one plans for, but they can derail production and lead to real legal trouble. Liability insurance keeps a simple mistake from becoming a financial nightmare.
Hull Insurance (aka Equipment Coverage)
Think of this as collision insurance for your drone. It covers damage to the drone itself — including crashes, technical malfunctions, or even theft. This is especially important for high-end equipment or custom rigs with cameras and gimbals attached.
If you’ve ever watched a drone go down mid-shot because of a battery glitch or gust of wind, you know the sting. One crash, and you’re not just replacing a drone — you’re losing a day of shooting, scrambling to rent gear, and dealing with repair costs you didn’t budget for. Hull coverage helps you recover without halting everything.
Payload and Ground Equipment Coverage
If your drone setup includes specialized attachments, like cinema-grade lenses or mapping sensors, you may need additional coverage for those components separately. Similarly, ground gear — monitors, batteries, controls — can be insured too, ensuring your entire setup is protected.
Anyone who’s had a case of batteries go missing, or watched a gimbal get knocked over during setup, knows this isn’t just about what’s in the air. It’s everything on the ground, too — the small stuff that adds up fast and can throw off your shoot when something’s suddenly out of commission.
Aircraft Liability Insurance
Here’s something many producers overlook: most general liability policies exclude aircraft, and insurance companies do classify drones as such. So, unless you’ve added a separate aircraft liability rider, your general business coverage probably won’t help you if there’s an incident involving your drone.
We’ve seen production teams assume their standard policy covers everything — only to find out after an incident that drones were excluded from the fine print. It’s an easy oversight, especially when you’re juggling permits, crews, and gear. But it’s also one of the most common gaps in coverage — and one of the easiest to fix if you catch it early.
When Insurance Isn’t Optional
Even though federal regulations don’t require drone insurance, plenty of local governments and clients do. For example, if you’re filming in San Francisco, you’re expected to carry a separate Certificate of Insurance specifically for drone operations, plus endorsements naming the City & County of San Francisco as additional insured.
They even require minimum aggregate limits of $2 million, and the drone pilot must be FAA Part 107 certified, with all documentation submitted alongside your film permit application.
Similar requirements are popping up in cities throughout California, including parts of Los Angeles County, where drone-related liability coverage is often a condition of permitting or location use.
These rules aren’t just red tape — they reflect real safety concerns. Drones can pose a hazard in dense environments, near stadiums or airports, or over crowds. As a result, insurance is becoming a standard gatekeeper for professional drone work. If you’re not sure what kind of coverage applies to your next shoot, we’re always here to walk through the details with you.
Clients Expect You to Be Covered
Even if local permits don’t ask for drone coverage, many production clients will. It’s increasingly standard for film production contracts to require drone operators to show proof of insurance before takeoff — especially on commercial sets.
That’s where drone insurance also becomes a matter of image. Having the right coverage signals professionalism, safety awareness, and preparedness — all qualities that build trust with clients and partners.
And for businesses that regularly use drones in marketing, events, or real estate, it’s not just about one shoot. Having a long-term policy — or bundling drone coverage into your broader Small Business Insurance or Film Production Insurance plan — makes good operational sense.
Plenty of professionals we’ve worked with started out thinking drone insurance was something only large studios needed. But after one close call — a gust of wind, a low battery, or an unexpected technical glitch — the value of protection becomes crystal clear. And it’s not just about compliance. It’s about protecting your gear, your team, and your reputation before a problem ever happens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I legally need drone insurance to film in California?
Not under federal law — but many cities and film permitting agencies (like San Francisco) require it. Many clients also ask for proof of coverage.
What type of drone insurance do I need for production work?
At minimum: Liability Insurance. You may also want Hull Insurance, Payload Insurance, and Aircraft Liability depending on your gear and project scope.
Will my general liability insurance cover drone-related incidents?
Usually not. Drones are considered aircraft, and most standard business liability policies exclude them. You’ll need a specific drone rider or Aircraft Liability policy.
Can drone coverage be added to my existing film production insurance?
In some cases, yes — especially with the right brokerage. But often it requires a separate rider or standalone policy, depending on the scale and frequency of use.
What if my drone crashes and delays production?
Some policies offer coverage for equipment replacement or even loss of income due to delays, but it depends on the plan. Always review your terms carefully.