Risk & Business Magazine Gifford Associates Spring 2016 | Page 30

R
& Drone Coverage
B Small Businesses Using Drones Need to Consider Insurance Implications
BY: INTACT INSURANCE

I

t wasn’t long ago that we would laugh
at shows like the Jetsons that featured
small flying objects taking over our air
space. But fiction has swiftly turned into
reality and now Unmanned Air Vehicles—
more commonly referred to as drones—
are helping business big and small with
their operations.
Drones are a type of aircraft with no
onboard crew or passengers, and can be
piloted remotely or autonomously. They
are used in many types of businesses:
from real estate to mining, from
telecommunications to farming. But one
aspect that many have not considered as
they include drones in their operations
is the insurance needed to protect
themselves from liability, as well as the
machine itself.
As part of its ongoing commitment to
product innovation, Intact Insurance
has launched drone insurance for its
commercial lines customers. Their
Unmanned Air Vehicle coverage is a
leading insurance product in the market

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SPRING 2016

that caters specifically to small and
medium-sized businesses that currently
use or plan to use drones to complement
their business operations.
“The number of businesses using drones
is increasing due to improving technology,
lower price points and expanded uses
within commercial operations,” said
Alain Lessard, Senior Vice-President,
Commercial Lines for Intact Insurance.
“We have identified a growing customer
demand and gap in non-specialty markets
for this type of coverage. We are confident
this product will help address current and
future market demand.”
There are currently many applications
for drones within commercial operations.
As the technology evolves and costs to
consumers lower, the uses continue to
expand. Some commercial uses include:
aerial imaging and filming, agricultural,
industrial, freight transport to deliver
goods, environmental, public service
and insurance underwriting and claims
investigations.

In the past, drone operators would need
to go to a special aviation insurer to get
the coverage they needed. With Intact
Insurance’s policy, Unmanned Air Vehicle
coverage may be added to both property
and liability insurance, so the business
doesn’t have to worry about getting
another policy to insure drone operations.
Drone coverage is the latest addition
to the company’s line of leading-edge
products and services that provide unique
solutions which add value to businesses.
Other recent innovative commercial
initiatives launched include its cyber
endorsement, which protects