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10 Questions to Ask When Exploring Spray Drone Insurance
Apr 18, 2024
No matter how careful you are, accidents can and do happen.
Whether it’s a sudden equipment failure, unexpected weather changes, or an unforeseen obstacle, your spray drone and business could be at risk. With the right insurance, you can operate with confidence, knowing that you’re covered should anything go wrong.
When exploring drone insurance options, it’s crucial to ask the right questions to ensure you have the coverage you need.
Here are ten important questions to ask your insurance agent:
1. WHAT TYPES OF COVERAGE DO YOU OFFER?
Different insurance providers offer various types of coverage. Some companies only offer basic coverage or liability-only coverage. Others offer comprehensive coverage that includes damage to the drone and liability for bodily injury and property damage.
Bottom line: Ask for a comprehensive insurance policy, so you’re prepared for unexpected incidents. It provides a safety net, protecting you from significant financial loss and helps you get back to business as quickly as possible.
2. IS AGRICULTURE COVERAGE INCLUDED?
While there are many “drone” insurance options available, many of them offer zero agriculture coverage. It’s important to find insurance that provides comprehensive chemical coverage.
Bottom line: Make sure comprehensive chemical coverage is included before buying. This safeguards you from harm to treated crops or neighboring fields, and property damage or personal injuries resulting from chemical exposure.
3. ARE THERE ANY EXCLUSIONS OR LIMITATIONS IN THE POLICY?
Some policies limit or exclude coverage on certain chemicals, types of damage and coverage under specific circumstances. For example, some policies exclude chemicals like Glyphosate, Picloram, and Tordon or a policy might not cover damage caused by operator error or limit coverage to incidents that occur during commercial use.
Bottom line: Make sure to ask if any chemicals are not covered by the policy – especially Glyphosate, Picloram, and Tordon.
4. WHAT IS THE COVERAGE LIMIT AND DEDUCTIBLE FOR EACH TYPE OF COVERAGE?
Coverage limits and deductibles can vary greatly between policies. Some policies may offer high coverage limits but come with high deductibles, while others may offer lower limits with lower deductibles. Understanding these details can help you choose a policy that fits your budget and coverage needs.
Bottom line: Ask if a low deductible, high coverage policy is available.
5. ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OR RESTRICTIONS ON COVERAGE, SUCH AS PILOT CERTIFICATION OR DRONE REGISTRATION?
Some insurance providers may require drone operators to hold certain certifications or register their drones to be eligible for coverage. Be sure to check if there are any such requirements before buying a policy.
Bottom line: Understand what certifications and registration requirements are needed to be covered (ex: A remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating as required by FAR Part 107)
6. HOW ARE CLAIMS PROCESSED AND WHAT IS THE TURNAROUND TIME?
The claims process can vary between insurance providers. Some may offer quick, online claims filing and processing, while others may require claims to be filed by mail and take longer to process. Understanding the claims process can help you choose a provider that offers the level of service you need.
Bottom line: Downtime is lost income. Make sure you know how quickly your claim can be processed.
7. WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR ADDING MORE DRONES TO THE POLICY?
If you plan to add more drones to your fleet in the future, it’s important to understand how to add them to your policy. Some policies may only cover one type of drone (ex: DJI, but not XAG) or may only include certain models (ex: T40, but not T30).
Bottom line: Make sure it is easy to add more drone models if you plan to expand your business.
8. HOW RESPONSIVE IS CUSTOMER SUPPORT, ESPECIALLY IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES OR CLAIMS?
In case of an accident or claim, having responsive customer support can make a significant difference. Be sure to ask what options are available while the drone is being repaired.
Bottom line: After an accident, make sure you’ll have a responsive team that understands your business and can help you get back in the air quickly. Ask if a drone rental option is available and what their replacement policy is.
9. HOW MUCH COVERAGE DO I NEED?
Determining how much insurance coverage is needed can depend on various factors. Always discuss the crops you will be spraying, and the cost of a potential drift claim to ensure adequate financial protection.
Bottom line: The cost of a drift claim on any crop can lead to financial loss. However, a drift claim on a corn crop will be relatively low compared to a claim on almonds, apples or other specialty crops can have significantly more value per acre. Make sure your policy has liability limits that provides the coverage you need.
10. HOW DOES THE COVERAGE COMPARE TO A RANTIZO SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE?
Rantizo Fly More Subscriptions and Insurance + AcreConnect™ software bundles provide insurance coverage priced per drone with comprehensive chemical and aircraft liability coverage that includes bodily injury and property damage at a low deductible with high coverage limits.
Bottom line: Get a quote from Rantizo before you buy from someone else.
By asking these questions, you’re arming yourself with the knowledge to make an informed decision. The
right insurance policy
provides peace of mind, risk mitigation and financial protection as you use your drone.
To explore insurance options available within Rantizo subscription packages or
request a quote, visit
Rantizo.com/Our-Services.
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As spray drone technology continues to evolve, operators often encounter challenges requiring expert support. From calibration uncertainties and warranty repairs to technical troubleshooting and regulatory questions, the complexities can be daunting. Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or just starting out, here’s how a support package can benefit your business. 1. Calibration Questions Calibrating your drone helps ensure correct readings for more precise spray coverage. A support team can provide peace of mind that you’ve completed the process correctly, allowing you to fly with confidence. For example, calibrating your drone helps in getting a correct report on targeted vs. actual gallons per acre sprayed following a job. Common questions asked: How do I calibrate the spray system of the drone? How often do I need to calibrate my drone? Why should I calibrate my drone? 2. Warranty Repairs If your drone malfunctions or breaks down, maintain your warranty and investment by having a Certified Technician to assist with repairs. Find a team that can help you facilitate the process and provide clear instructions to help you get back to work efficiently. Common questions asked: Why am I receiving an error message? My drone is having malfunctions that I can’t figure out. Can you help? What documents do I need to complete for warranty repairs? Why is my pump not spraying? 3. Technical Troubleshooting Technology isn’t perfect and errors do occur. Troubleshooting errors alone can be a headache. Having a drone expert you can call for help will make it easier to solve these tricky problems and get you back in the air faster. Common Questions asked: Why is my drone giving me a pump error message? Why am I getting ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) errors? Why is my charger not fast charging? Why am I getting kicked into manual flight mode? Why is my RTK not connecting? Why won’t my drone take off? 4. Regulatory Questions Starting an FAA-compliant spray drone business can be intimidating. But with the right support team, you can confidently ask any regulatory question, basic or advanced. Common questions asked: How close can I fly to an airport? What do I need if the FAA shows up and questions me? How far away from roads do I need to be? How long does my medical card last? Why did my registration get denied? 5. Basic Operation Questions Quick questions deserve a quick answer. Especially when that question could directly affect your in-field performance. When choosing a support team, ensure that you reach a real person via call, text or email who can supply that quick answer to get you back in the air. Common questions asked: How to only spray a field boundary? What is the optimal gpa to spray fungicide? What should I set my swath width at if I’m spraying a pasture? What should my chemical mixture be to spray 30 acres of wheat at 2gpa? Where should I set up my RTK? 6. In-Field Repairs Downtime is lost revenue. With a support package, you can get the support you need to get back in the air quickly. Call in with a quick repair question or troubleshoot a larger issue with a Certified Technician. They can advise on in-field repairs or schedule your drone for repairs at our shop. Common questions asked: How do I change the propellers? Why aren’t the pumps spraying at max rate? How do I change the hopper gate on the dry spreader? How do I lock the battery in? 7. Product Recommendations At times, a fresh perspective is essential. Ensure that the drone support package you choose comes with a dedicated support line, offering top-notch advice on products such as generators, nozzles, components, or personal protective equipment. Common questions asked: What is the best propeller to use? What nozzles are best for fungicide? What is the best generator for my set up? Where can I buy a mixing tank? This season, make sure you have reliable support that you can count on. For more information on support packages available from Rantizo, visit www.rantizo.com/our-services or request a quote today.
More equipment options now available for spray drone operators.
Without the proper insurance coverage, the risk of a crash can lead to significant financial loss for your business. Find out why insurance matters and how to choose the right insurance.
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