Page 32 - Insurance Times February 2021

Lightweight units typically range from two to 15 pounds, especially police have been using drones in their fight against
with the ability to easily fit in the back of a car. the coronavirus pandemic. Drones are being used in outdoor
Highly efficient propulsion systems enable quiet hover commercial activities, operational mistakes and equipment
capability and flight durations typically range from failures may cause damages to third parties. Considering this
around 40 to 200 minutes. HDFC has launched this cover under aviation insurance,
which is a first in the industry, to safeguard drone owners
Dual forward and side-look high-resolution color and and pilots from any third-party liability while flying a drone
thermal imagery cameras with image stabilization are commercially. In June 2020, HDFC ERGO had launched a
ideal for video recording during day and night. third-party liability claims cover in partnership with tech
Line of sight ranges from 0.5 miles to 10 miles. startup TropoGo.
Requires minimal use of runway strips, with options for
vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). This product will be available for commercial drone owners
and operators and will work on a pay-as-you-go model. HDFC
Data connectivity is typically through low-power, digital, Ergo offer the country's first on-demand pay-as-you-fly third-
wireless and video links. party liability cover for drone owners and operators, Insurance
products are slowly becoming available for protection against
Before every single flight, drone pilots are required to physical injuries by drones. This is India's first on-demand 'Pay
request permission to fly via a mobile app, which will As You Fly' Third-Party Liability cover for drone owners and
automatically process the request and grant or reject it. operators which is Smart, Affordable & Fit-for-Purpose. The
India is calling their system "No Permission, No Takeoff" policy offers coverage for third party property damage and
(NPNT). If a drone pilot tries to fly without receiving bodily injury/death arising from the use of drones. We will
permission from the Digital Sky Platform, he or she will indemnify the Insured for the sum which he/she will be legally
simply not be able to take off. All drone operators will liable to pay due to the damage caused by the Remotely
register their drone and request permission to fly for each Piloted Aircraft (RPA) whilst operating the same. The
flight through India's Digital Sky Platform. Permission to fly coverage offered is subject to maximum limit of Indemnity,
in controlled airspace can be obtained by filing a flight plan which currently is for Rs. 10,00,000/-.
and obtaining a unique Air Defense Clearance (ADC)/Flight
Information Center (FIC) number.
TATA AIG in collaboration:
Application of Drones in various Industries Similarly, Tata AIG General
Insurance and Drone Federation
of India had partnered in January
2020 to create insurance
products and services for the
drone industry. Tata AIG and
Drone Federation of India (DFI)
have collaborated to create
world-class insurance products
and services for the Drone
Industry. DGCA regulations
make insurance mandatory
during operation of remotely
piloted aircraft systems.

Our collaboration with DFI to
launch tailor-made insurance products for drone operators,
Country's first drone Insurance cover: subject to necessary approvals from insurance regulator,
Tata AIG has been insuring the device against damages for furthers our mission to create a better tomorrow for our
the past two years as well as covering third-party liability. customers by delivering innovative risk solutions. With the
Third-party insurance liability claim is mandatory for drone government taking active steps to support drone
operations in the country. Various government bodies and manufacturing and drone operations in India, we will soon
The Insurance Times, February 2021