Flock Joins Fight: £10,000 of Drone Insurance for Companies Working in Coronavirus Crisis Response

Miriam McNabb

5 years ago

UK-based insurtech firm Flock is joining the fight against coronavirus. The company has pledged £10,000 of free drone insurance to pilots working on COVID-19 crisis response. Pilots can learn more and find out if they are eligible here.

In an extraordinary show of additional industry support, Flock CEO Ed Leon Klinger writes that the company will offer round-the-clock customer support for the duration. Flock is also allowing customers to freeze their annual policies during the crisis, in support of businesses who have taken a hit due to the numerous global shutdowns.

“If business is quieter than normal and you’re not flying, you shouldn’t have to pay for insurance that you’re not using,” writes Klinger.

Many drone companies are contributing to the crisis. Drones have been used to deliver medicines and supplies to quarantined areas in China. Chinese delivery company JD rapidly expanded drone delivery routes to remote areas in the country during the crisis. Terra Drone used delivery drones to supply quarantine supplies in China without person to person contact.

DJI and JD have also used drone technology to spray disinfectant over public areas in an effort to reduce the spread. As the coronavirus can live for a significant time on surfaces, disinfection is a major tool in containment efforts. DJI has converted crop spraying drones to be able to spray disinfectant, covering more area in less time – and with lower risk of exposure to workers.

Drones equipped with loudspeakers have also been used in several countries to make public announcements – and in some cases, to enforce government lockdowns. And throughout the crisis, aerial photographers have provided dramatic images of empty streets and cities.

As they have in many natural disasters, drones are proving a valuable tool. If you are a pilot interested in learning more about how to help, AIRT and DRONERESPONDERS have started a Covid-19 task force.

Miriam McNabb

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

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