What should change in our insurance review before flights over people?

First establish the operating basis for the mission. FAA’s Part 107 waiver information describes operation-specific conditions, including distinctions for operations over people; a waiver is not insurance evidence.[2][3]

Send aircraft category, mission conditions, pilot plan, location, and customer responsibilities to the broker. Ask whether proposed wording includes that specific operation and identify aviation exclusions.[2][3]

List injury to third parties, damage to customer property, and aircraft or payload damage as separate quote questions. Give the broker ownership, location, and mission details for each.[1][3]

Read the Drones Insurance Buying Guide

Sources and Further Reading

  1. Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulations (Part 107) — Federal Aviation Administration. Part 107 scope for small UAS under 55 pounds, registration, remote-pilot requirements, and operating limits.

    FAA operating scope and requirements for small UAS under Part 107; not insurance guidance.

  2. Part 107 Waivers — Federal Aviation Administration. Commercial operators: waiver categories and operation-specific conditions, including operations over people.

    Operation-specific waiver categories and conditions; authorization does not establish policy response.

  3. Commercial Insurance Guide — California Department of Insurance. Revised June 14, 2024: commercial property, inland marine, boiler and machinery, commercial general liability, products/completed operations, commercial auto, umbrella, and workers compensation.

    General California CGL, property, and inland-marine concepts; aircraft exclusions and actual policy wording matter.

  4. Small Business Insurance — National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Small business insurance FAQ: professional liability for service or advice errors and distinctions from general liability.

    NAIC distinguishes general liability from professional liability for service or advice errors; use it to frame a generic professional-services question.

  5. Cybersecurity — National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Center for Insurance Policy and Research. Cyber risk categories; relationship to commercial property and general liability; customized cyber policies.

    NAIC outlines cyber loss categories and explains that cyber policies are customized.

  6. Cyber Insurance: Cybersecurity for Small Business — National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Small business cyber handout: first-party and third-party coverage, vendor-held data, and duty-to-defend questions, pages 1–2.

    NAIC’s small-business handout frames questions about first-party costs, third-party claims, vendor-held data, and defense.

Spot, a product of Tools for Enlightenment, publishes this guide and works in the commercial insurance market. This is general buyer education; policy terms and state-specific obligations determine coverage and requirements.

Updated 2026-09-28. Editorial Policy

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