DJI is now offering drone insurance to cover crash repairs

Personal drones are quickly becoming one of the hottest high-tech toys around the world, and with more drones in the air, that means increased chances of accidents. That's why DJI, one of the leading drone manufacturers — and the makers of some of the most expensive models — has just announced its own protection plan that will cover the cost of repairs in the event of an accident, even when it's caused by the operator.

The insurance programs is called DJI Care, and it's available now for the Phantom 3 and Inspire 1 UAV models. Customers can get coverage for 6 or 12 month periods, with prices ranging from $99 to $699, depending on the model and length of time. That may seem expensive, but when the Inspire 1 costs over $3,000 and the Phantom 3 Advanced can be had for around $1,000, it's better to think of it as protection on an investment.

Besides, the insurance is fairly generous with damage repairs, as DJI Care will cover "dropping, squeezing, or crashing caused by operator error or other accidents." And this applies not only to the aircraft itself, but to the camera and gimbal as well, along with shipping costs. Accessories such as propellers, the battery, and remote control, unfortunately, are not included.

There's a few other details to take note of, such as that an unlimited number of repairs can be made while under coverage, but a plan can only be purchased once per model. Also, the cost of repairs cannot the price of the actual protection plan. However, the amount paid for DJI Care can be put towards the purchase of a brand new drone, which the company recommends if 80% or more of the aircraft is damaged.

DJI Care is available now for customers in the US, mainland China, and parts of Europe, while the company says it will be coming to more countries in the near future.

SOURCE: DJI