Recently, the FAA approved Hylio - an agriculture drone manufacturer - to fly swarms of drones over farmland in the United States. This news will change the landscape for agriculture operators as we know it today. With the approval to fly drones over farms, operators can spray and seed their land in an efficient manner. We forcast the "agrodrone" industy to boom over the next decade and are happy to offer protection for all operators.

‍

What is an agrodrone?

‍

An agrodrone, also known as an agricultural drone or UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), is a type of drone specifically designed and used for agricultural purposes. These drones are equipped with various sensors, cameras, and other technologies to gather data about crops, soil conditions, irrigation needs, and other relevant factors in agricultural operations.

‍

Agrodrones can perform a range of tasks in agriculture, including:

‍

1. Crop monitoring: Agrodrones can fly over fields to capture high-resolution images or use multispectral or hyperspectral cameras to assess crop health, detect diseases, pests, or nutrient deficiencies.
2. Mapping and surveying: They can create detailed maps of farmland, providing farmers with valuable information about soil variability, topography, and drainage patterns.
3. Precision agriculture: Agrodrones enable farmers to apply fertilizers, pesticides, or water precisely where needed, minimizing waste and environmental impact.
4. Crop spraying: Some agrodrone models are equipped with sprayers to apply pesticides or fertilizers to crops with precision, reducing the need for manual labor and minimizing chemical usage.
5. Livestock monitoring: Drones can also be used to monitor livestock, check on their health, track their movements, or locate lost animals over large areas.

‍

Overall, agrodrones offer farmers and agricultural professionals a cost-effective and efficient tool for improving crop yields, reducing inputs, and optimizing farm management practices.

‍

What risks do they have?

‍

While agrodrones offer significant benefits to agriculture, they also pose certain risks. The drones still face a chance of injuring people, damaging property, or causing environmental damage (to name a few). Here are some risks agrodrones may have:

‍

1. Regulatory compliance: Operating drones in agricultural settings may be subject to various regulations and restrictions imposed by aviation authorities. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to legal issues or fines.
2. Safety concerns: Agrodrones flying over farmland pose safety risks to people, animals, and property below. Accidents such as collisions with structures, vehicles, or people can occur, especially if the drones are not operated properly or if they malfunction.
3. Privacy issues: Drones equipped with cameras raise concerns about privacy, as they can capture images or videos of individuals without their consent. Farmers must be mindful of privacy laws and ethical considerations when using drones in agricultural settings.
4. Data security: Agrodrones collect large amounts of data, including sensitive information about crop yields, soil conditions, and farm operations. Ensuring the security of this data is crucial to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, or misuse by third parties.
5. Environmental impact: While drones offer the potential for more precise application of inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, there is still a risk of environmental harm if these inputs are misapplied or if drones malfunction and release chemicals unintentionally.
6. Interference with wildlife: The presence of drones in agricultural areas may disturb wildlife, particularly birds or other animals sensitive to noise or movement. This disturbance can disrupt ecosystems or cause stress to wildlife populations.
7. Weather conditions: Agrodrones are susceptible to weather conditions such as strong winds, rain, or fog, which can affect their flight performance and reliability. Adverse weather may limit the ability of drones to operate effectively or safely in agricultural settings.

‍

Addressing these risks requires careful planning, adherence to regulations, proper training of operators, and implementing appropriate safety measures to ensure the responsible and effective use of agrodrones in agriculture.

‍

What insurance do they need?

‍

The best way to protect your business from unforseen losses is by transferring risk to an insurance company. As noted above, damage to property, injuries to people, and other errors could put an operation out of business quickly if insurance is not in place. The following types of insurance are commonly recommended for agrodrones:

‍

1. General Liability Insurance: This insurance provides coverage for bodily injury and property damage caused by the drone during its operation. It protects the operator from liability claims arising from accidents or incidents involving the drone, such as collisions with people, animals, or property.
2. Hull Insurance: Hull insurance, also known as drone insurance or UAV insurance, covers physical damage to the drone itself, including damage from crashes, malfunctions, or other accidents. It helps cover the cost of repairs or replacement of the drone.
3. Payload Insurance: Payload insurance covers the payload or equipment carried by the drone, such as cameras, sensors, or spraying systems. It provides coverage for damage or loss of these components due to accidents, malfunctions, or other covered perils.
4. Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance: E&O insurance, also known as professional liability insurance, protects agrodrone operators from liability claims related to errors or omissions in their professional services. It provides coverage for claims alleging negligence, mistakes, or failure to meet professional standards in drone operations or data analysis.
5. Cyber Liability Insurance: Cyber liability insurance provides coverage for losses resulting from data breaches, hacking, or other cyber incidents involving the drone's data or systems. It helps cover the costs associated with data recovery, notification of affected parties, legal expenses, and regulatory fines.
6. Aviation Liability Insurance: For commercial drone operators, especially those involved in more extensive operations or carrying heavier payloads, aviation liability insurance may be necessary. This type of insurance provides coverage for liability claims arising from aviation-related accidents or incidents, including property damage, bodily injury, or environmental damage.

‍

The specific insurance needs of agrodrones may vary depending on factors such as the size and type of operation, the payload carried, the level of risk exposure, and regulatory requirements. It's essential for agrodrome operators to work with insurance professionals knowledgeable about drone insurance to assess their risks adequately and obtain appropriate coverage tailored to their needs.

‍

How much does insurance cost for an agrodrone business?

The cost of insurance for an agrodrone business can vary significantly based on several factors, including:

‍

1. Drone Value: The value of the drone itself is a primary factor in determining insurance premiums. More expensive drones typically command higher insurance premiums due to the increased cost of repair or replacement.
2. Coverage Limits: Higher coverage limits will result in higher premiums. Agrodrone operators may choose different coverage limits based on their risk tolerance and the value of their assets.
3. Coverage Types: The types of coverage selected, such as liability, hull, payload, errors and omissions, and cyber liability, will impact insurance costs. More comprehensive coverage will generally lead to higher premiums.
4. Operational Risk: Insurance premiums may vary based on the level of operational risk associated with the agrodrone business. Factors such as the size of the operation, the frequency of flights, the complexity of operations, and the nature of the payload can influence premiums.
5. Operator Experience and Training: Insurance companies may consider the operator's experience and training in assessing risk and determining premiums. Operators with a proven track record of safe operations or who have completed relevant training programs may be eligible for lower premiums.
6. Claims History: The insurance claims history of the agrodrone business, including any past accidents, incidents, or claims, can impact insurance premiums. A history of frequent claims or high-value claims may result in higher premiums.
7. Location: The geographical location where the agrodrone business operates can also affect insurance costs. Factors such as local weather conditions, airspace congestion, regulatory environment, and proximity to high-risk areas may influence premiums.
8. Insurance Provider: Different insurance providers may offer varying rates and terms for agrodrone insurance coverage. It's essential for agrodrone operators to compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best coverage at the most competitive rates.

‍

Due to the wide range of factors influencing insurance costs, it's challenging to provide a specific dollar amount for insurance premiums for an agrodrone business without knowing the specific details of the operation. Agrodrone operators should consult with insurance professionals or brokers specializing in drone insurance to obtain accurate quotes tailored to their business needs and circumstances.

‍

How do I get insurance for my agrodrone business?

‍

The process to get insurance is an easy and straightforward process. You get us the information we need to engage insurance providers and we'll supply the best possible quote(s). We're also real people that probably live in your city, and we value relationships, so meeting in person is always an option. At the end of the day, our job as brokers and advisors is to educate you on what everything means. It also helps us to understand your business and insurance needs, so we can get underwriter comfortable with quoting. We'll help you understand insurance and risk management practices, and be there for you as the business grows.

‍

Some traditional businesses can move through the process faster as a lot of underwriting is supported by artificial intelligence, but most policies today will be reviewed by an actual person. We have decades of experience working with the underwriters at each insurance company, and pitch your business to each of them. We work with and for you.

‍

The standard process to produce quotes for your business is as follows:

‍

1. Advisor Introduction: this can be a quick phone call, email, video conference or in person meeting. You'll decide if you enjoy the advisor and trust their advice. This is also where you'll be able to ask questions, provide information about your operation, and go over the process to get insured.
2. Data Collection & Underwriting: this is where you'll get into the fine details about underwriting questions and information that will be necessary to engage the insurance market. You'll be able to chose from filling out PDF's, going through our smart-form technology, or provide it all over the phone, email, or in person.
3. Quote Proposal & Review: once your advisor has the information needed for underwriting, they will work with the insurance market to produce quotes. This can take a day or up to a week, depending on the time and operation.
4. Finalize Coverage: here you'll decide the coverage to move forward with. Final steps include signed documents, payment, and selecting a specific start date.

‍

ADIVSOR TIP: Be prepared to spend 5-10 minutes with your advisor to break the ice and get the ball rolling. Once aligned, your advisor will create clear next steps and create a timeline for quotes. If your business is new, and has unique risks, then you should expect a little back and forth.

‍

Get in touch with your advisor, or send over the details digitally today.