AUVSI and BWI Announce Drone Insurance Deal

March has been a huge month for the drone insurance industry.

Last week, London-based insurance-tech start-up Flock announced the launch of Flock Cover, a smart-device app that can provide insurance on-demand to commercial UAS pilots operating in the UK.

Today, aviation/drone insurance firm BWI Aviation Insurance announced a partnership with the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International which is hailed as “the world’s largest nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to advancing the unmanned systems and robotics community.”

The partnership will offer AUVSI members and BWI clients discounts on drone insurance and other products. AUVSI represents corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries involved in industry, government and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets. BWI offers insurance options for manned and unmanned aviation sector users.

“We are thrilled to expand the products and services available to AUVSI members and provide A+ insurance policies and coverage to those actively engaged in the drone and unmanned systems community,” said Matt White, owner of BWI.

AUVSI members can obtain a five percent discount on drone insurance policies and have direct access to commercial and small business insurance policies through a dedicated insurance portal.

“AUVSI’s partnership with BWI will provide commercial drone operators with access to insurance policies that will protect their businesses and help them fly safely and responsibly,” AUVSI CEO Brian Wynne said.

AUVSI has become the most popular, de facto trade association for commercial drone users.

This week, the organization will co-host a UAS symposium with the FAA. The symposium will deploy a “unique opportunity for drone operators and interested members to interact directly with the FAA about drone regulations, and participate in hands-on, collaborative discussions with the experts on the challenges you face today.”

In January, the group appointed a steering committee to create the Trusted Operator Program for drone training programs. The working group will “normalize best practices and a code of conduct for drone pilots – a process which is common among most trade groups.”