For $1 million in liability, expect roughly $10 to $15 per hour for on-demand coverage, about $45 to $80 per month for a monthly plan, or about $450 to $750 and up per year for an annual policy. Adding hull coverage for the drone itself, higher limits or riskier work raises the price. Recreational pilots can often pay less, or nothing extra, through club membership or a homeowners policy that doesn't exclude drones.
Typical prices in 2026
These are advertised starting prices from online drone insurers. Treat them as a starting range and get quotes.
| Policy type | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| On-demand hourly | About $10 to $15 per hour | A few jobs a year |
| Monthly | About $45 to $80 per month | Seasonal work |
| Annual liability ($1M) | About $450 to $750+ per year | Regular commercial work |
| Hull (damage to the drone) | Added to the premium, priced on the drone's value | Expensive drones and payloads |
One major online insurer, for example, lists $1M monthly plans starting around $62, hourly rates averaging about $14 depending on the area, and annual plans from about $750, with liability limits available from $500,000 to $5 million.
What changes your quote
- Liability limit. $1 million is the common client requirement. Higher limits cost more.
- Hull coverage. Covering a $3,000 drone costs more than covering a $300 one. Enterprise drones with thermal payloads cost the most to insure.
- Where you fly. Dense cities and busy areas cost more per hour than rural land.
- What you do. Roof inspections, events and work near people price higher than open-land mapping.
- Claims history and experience. A clean record usually earns lower annual rates.
- Extras. Named additional insureds for clients, worldwide coverage and payload coverage add cost.
Do you need it?
The FAA doesn't require drone insurance for recreational or Part 107 flights. In practice:
- Paid work: most clients, venues and property managers ask for a certificate of insurance, usually with $1 million liability.
- Hobby flying: a homeowners policy may or may not cover drone liability. Read does homeowners insurance cover drones. Academy of Model Aeronautics members get liability coverage for recreational flying under AMA rules; full members are covered up to $2.5 million per occurrence.
- Flying abroad: many European countries require liability insurance for drone flights. See drone insurance for Europe.
Insurance vs DJI Care Refresh
DJI Care Refresh isn't insurance. It replaces your damaged DJI drone for a service fee, and it doesn't cover damage you cause to others. Many pilots pair liability insurance with Care Refresh instead of buying hull coverage. A 1-year plan for the Mini 4 Pro is $98 in our store. See DJI Care Refresh.
How to save
- Buy hourly coverage if you only fly a handful of short paid jobs a year.
- Switch to annual once you fly most weeks.
- Skip hull coverage on small, cheap drones and use Care Refresh instead.
- Keep flight logs and a clean claims record.
Prices and rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not insurance advice.
More background: drone insurance basics and what a Part 107 license costs.
Related guides
- How much does a drone license (Part 107) cost?
- How much does a good drone cost in 2026?
- How much does a spray drone cost? DJI Agras prices
- How much does a thermal drone cost? The most affordable options worth buying
- Is the DJI Inspire 3 worth it (and why does it cost so much)?
- Does drone insurance or DJI Care cover a lost or flyaway drone?
Not sure which to pick?
Tell us what you'll fly and your budget. One of our drone pilots will reply with a recommendation.
Buying drones for a business, agency or store? Get wholesale pricing →
