Geico Drone Insurance: How to Buy, File a Claim, and Save Money

Drones are becoming more popular and accessible for both recreational and commercial purposes. Whether you use your drone for fun, work, or both, you need to protect yourself and your investment from potential risks and liabilities. That’s where drone insurance comes in.

Drone insurance is a type of coverage that protects you from financial losses or legal claims arising from your drone operations. Depending on the type and level of coverage you choose, drone insurance can cover:

• Physical damage to your drone or its equipment
• Liability for bodily injury or property damage caused by your drone
• Invasion of privacy or personal injury claims related to your drone
• Loss of income or business interruption due to your drone
• Theft, vandalism, or malicious acts involving your drone

Not all drone insurance policies are created equal, however. Different providers may offer different features, benefits, exclusions, and limitations. You need to compare different options and find the best one for your needs and budget.

One of the options you may consider is Geico drone insurance. Geico is a well-known and reputable insurance company that offers various types of coverage, including drone insurance. But is Geico drone insurance right for you? Here are some things you need to know before you buy.

What Does Geico Drone Insurance Cover?

Geico drone insurance is designed for recreational drone users who fly their drones for hobby or personal use only. If you use your drone for any commercial purpose, such as photography, videography, surveying, mapping, inspection, delivery, or agriculture, you need to look for a different provider that offers commercial drone insurance.

Geico drone insurance covers physical damage to your drone caused by accidents, such as collisions, crashes, or malfunctions. It also covers liability for bodily injury or property damage caused by your drone to third parties, such as pedestrians, vehicles, buildings, or other drones.

The coverage limits for Geico drone insurance are:

• $500 for physical damage to your drone
• $1000 for liability per occurrence

These limits are relatively low compared to other providers that offer higher coverage limits up to $25 million. If you have an expensive drone or fly in high-risk areas, you may want to look for a provider that offers higher coverage limits.

What Does Geico Drone Insurance Not Cover?

Geico drone insurance does not cover:

1. Commercial use of your drone
2. Damage or liability caused by intentional acts, negligence, or illegal activities
3. Damage or liability caused by war, terrorism, nuclear hazards, or natural disasters
4. Damage or liability caused by flying your drone in restricted areas or violating FAA rules
5. Damage or liability caused by flying your drone under the influence of drugs or alcohol
6. Damage or liability caused by flying your drone without proper registration or certification
7. Damage or liability caused by flying your drone without proper maintenance or repair
8. Damage or liability caused by flying your drone with unauthorized modifications or attachments
9. Damage or liability caused by flying your drone with defective or faulty parts or equipment
10. Damage or liability caused by flying your drone with inadequate skills or training
11. Damage or liability caused by flying your drone with insufficient battery power or signal strength
12. Damage or liability caused by flying your drone with interference from other devices or networks
13. Loss of income or business interruption due to your drone
14. Theft, vandalism, or malicious acts involving your drone
15. Invasion of privacy or personal injury claims related to your drone

Some of these exclusions are common among most drone insurance policies, while others are specific to Geico. You need to read the policy wording carefully and understand what is covered and what is not before you buy.

How Much Does Geico Drone Insurance Cost?

Geico does not disclose the cost of its drone insurance on its website. You need to contact them directly and request a quote based on your specific details and needs. The cost of Geico drone insurance may vary depending on factors such as:

1. The type and model of your drone
2. The value and condition of your drone
3. The frequency and duration of your flights
4. The location and environment of your flights
5. The purpose and scope of your flights
6. Your experience and skill level as a pilot
7. Your claims history and record as a pilot

Generally speaking, the cost of Geico drone insurance may be lower than other providers due to its lower coverage limits. However, you may also get lower value and protection from Geico compared to other providers that offer higher coverage limits and more features.

How Do You Buy Geico Drone Insurance?

You can buy Geico drone insurance online through their website. 

How Do You File a Claim with Geico Drone Insurance?

If your drone is damaged or causes damage to someone else’s property or person, you need to file a claim with Geico as soon as possible. You can file a claim with Geico drone insurance in three ways:

• Online: You can report your claim online through the Geico website. You will need to provide your policy number, contact information, details of the incident, and photos or videos of the damage if available. You can also track the status of your claim online and communicate with your claims adjuster.

• By phone: You can call the Geico claims phone number at (800) 841-3000 and speak to a representative who will guide you through the process. You will need to have the same information as above ready when you call. You can also call this number to check on your claim or ask any questions.

• By app: You can use the Geico mobile app to report and track your claim. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices and allows you to access your policy, take photos of the damage, request roadside assistance, and more.

Once you file your claim, Geico will assign a claims adjuster to investigate your case and determine your coverage and liability. The adjuster will contact you to discuss the details of your claim and may request additional information or documentation. The adjuster will also inspect your drone and any other property involved in the incident.

Depending on the outcome of the investigation, Geico will either approve or deny your claim. If your claim is approved, Geico will pay for the repairs or replacement of your drone up to your coverage limit, minus any deductible you may have. Geico will also pay for any liability claims from third parties up to your coverage limit, minus any deductible you may have.

If your claim is denied, Geico will explain the reason for the denial and inform you of your rights and options. You may be able to appeal the decision or file a complaint with your state insurance department if you disagree with Geico’s decision.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Claim with Geico Drone Insurance?

The time it takes to settle a claim with Geico drone insurance may vary depending on several factors, such as:

1. The complexity and severity of the incident
2. The availability and cooperation of the parties involved
3. The completeness and accuracy of the information provided
4. The extent and quality of the evidence available
5. The applicable laws and regulations in your state

Generally speaking, Geico aims to resolve claims as quickly and efficiently as possible. According to its website, Geico settles most claims within 48 hours. However, some claims may take longer depending on the circumstances.

You can help speed up the process by:

1. Reporting your claim as soon as possible
2. Providing all the relevant information and documentation
3. Cooperating with your claims adjuster and following their instructions
4. Keeping track of your claim status and communicating with your claims adjuster
5. Reviewing and signing any settlement documents promptly

What Are Some Alternatives to Geico Drone Insurance?

Geico drone insurance may not be suitable for everyone. If you are looking for a different type of coverage, a higher coverage limit, or a more flexible option, you may want to consider some alternatives to Geico drone insurance. 

Here are some examples:

• SkyWatch.AI: SkyWatch.AI is a provider that offers both recreational and commercial state farm drone insurance. You can choose between monthly plans or on-demand plans that let you pay by the hour. SkyWatch.AI offers liability coverage up to $10 million and hull coverage up to $100,000. You can also customize your policy with add-ons such as equipment coverage, privacy liability coverage, personal injury coverage, and more.

•  BWI FBWI Fly: ly is a provider that specializes in aviation insurance, including commercial drone insurance. BWI Fly offers annual drone insurance policies that are underwritten by A+-rated aviation insurance companies. BWI Fly offers liability coverage up to $25 million and hull coverage up to $10 million. You can also tailor your policy with add-ons such as equipment coverage, non-owned coverage, war risk coverage, and more.

• Thimble: Thimble is a provider that offers short-term drone insurance for hobbyists. You can buy coverage by the hour, day, or month depending on your needs. Thimble offers liability coverage up to $1 million and hull coverage up to $25,000. You can also add equipment coverage for an additional fee.

These are just some of the alternatives to Geico drone insurance that you may consider. However, there are many more options available in the market. You should compare different providers and policies and find the one that best suits your needs and budget.

Conclusion

Geico drone insurance is a type of coverage that protects recreational drone users from physical damage to their drones or liability for bodily injury or property damage caused by their drones. Geico drone insurance offers low coverage limits of $500 for physical damage and $1000 for liability per occurrence. Geico drone insurance does not cover the commercial use of drones or any damage or liability caused by intentional acts, negligence, illegal activities, natural disasters, restricted areas, FAA violations, or other exclusions.

You can buy Geico drone insurance online, by phone, or by app. You can also file a claim with Geico in the same way. Geico claims to settle most claims within 48 hours, but some claims may take longer depending on the situation. You can help speed up the process by providing all the relevant information and cooperating with your claims adjuster.

Geico drone insurance may not be suitable for everyone. If you are looking for a different type of coverage, a higher coverage limit, or a more flexible option, you may want to consider some alternatives to Geico drone insurance, such as SkyWatch.AI, BWI Fly, or Thimble. You should compare different providers and policies and find the one that best suits your needs and budget.

We hope this article has helped you understand what Geico drone insurance is, what it covers, what it does not cover, how to buy it, how to file a claim with it, and what are some alternatives to it. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you.

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