Drone owners at risk after insurers stop offering cover

If you unwrapped a drone this Christmas, you might struggle to insure it. Photo / Getty

Despite the hefty price tag, they are one of the most desired gifts this Christmas.

But if you unwrapped a drone, you might struggle to insure it.

The unmanned aircraft are being excluded from home cover policies amid fears that users could be liable for privacy and personal injury claims.

Insurers are rushing to exclude aircraft and remote controlled vehicles to protect their underwriters from exposure to huge legal payouts.

Frank Cannon, who is an expert in aviation law, said: 'With drones being so prolific, and in the hands of so many amateurs, potential fools and children, a lot of insurance companies will have decided to simply exclude them while they see the risk developing.

'Even one of these tiny toy drones could cause a serious accident. You could have one flying into a pram and injuring a baby, or breaking a window or car windscreen. There are lots of nasty things that could happen.'

Mr Cannon told the Daily Telegraph that where a child is controlling a drone at the time of an accident the adult who bought the gadget could be liable for any damage - if that damage was foreseeable.

Guidelines from the Civil Aviation Authority state that drones, which were originally designed for military use, must never be flown out of the sight of the person at the controls.

They must be flown at least 50 metres away from a person, vehicle or building, and at least 150 metres away from a large group of people.

Maplin, a major drone manufacturer in the UK, has sold around 20,000 this year, double its 2014 total. It produces 30 different models, ranging in price from £350 for the Glimpse XL to up to £1,180 for the Phantom 3 Professional.

Anders Nilsson, of comparison website GoCompare, said some insurers were using existing provisions to exclude drones, such as excluding 'motorised and remote-controlled vehicles'. Churchill will insure drones only under its contents policy, which means there is no protection outside the home.

Amlin excludes aircraft from both its contents and legal liability policies. However, Aviva, the UK's largest insurer, does include drones in policies, classing them as toys.

A CAA spokesman said: 'Anyone operating a drone must do so responsibly and observe all relevant rules and regulations. The rules for flying drones are designed to keep all air users safe and anyone flouting these rules can face severe penalties including imprisonment.'

- Daily Mail