Drones – also known as unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS –   are a red-hot holiday gift. In fact, the Consumer Technology Association reports that the number of small hobbyist drones will triple from 1.1 million units in 2016 to 3.5 million units by 2021. Planning on giving (or receiving) one this year? Here’s what you need to know.

I got a drone for the holidays. Is it covered under my homeowners or renters policy?

If you’re someone who owns a UAS, you may be wondering whether ERIE would cover yours in the event it got damaged or hurt someone or their property.

The good news is that ERIE  does  cover drones that are used for personal use under both our homeowners and renters policies.

ERIE has historically covered model airplanes, and a UAS meets the definition of a model airplane. So coverage for drones would be provided under your ERIE homeowners insurance , renters insurance , and/or personal catastrophe liability (commonly known as umbrella insurance) policies.

                Related: The Ultimate Guide to Hazard-Free Holidays

Coverage, however, would not apply if you used your drone as part of your business operations – for example, taking photos in a photography business or inspecting a warehouse as a wholesaler-distributor. Other policy conditions or exclusions could also apply to limit or exclude coverage in specific circumstances.

Drone Safety Tips

If you’re a new pilot, the Federal Aviation Administration offers these tips for safe flying:

If you have specific questions about your drone being covered, want to learn more about how your coverage works, or to get a quote for new coverage, contact an  Erie Insurance agent  in your community. In the meantime, happy flying!

*Please see our Important Notice.

This story was originally published in 2016. It was updated with new information on Dec. 14, 2018.

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