Risk Managers Cautious About Use of Drones

When it comes to commercial drones usage, 61 percent of risk managers are concerned about the potential for invasion of privacy, according to a 2017 survey conducted by Munich Reinsurance America (Munich Re, US). Other concerns include inadequate insurance (15 percent), personal injury (15 percent) and property damage (9 percent).

In August 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued operational rules allowing for commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones in U.S. airspace for operators who complete a certification process. The FAA anticipates commercial drones’ sales to reach 2.7 million by 2020.

“With the use of commercial drones soaring, it is revolutionizing how many companies conduct and grow their businesses,” said Gerry Finley, senior vice president, Casualty Underwriting, Munich Re, US. “Drones can be used by farmers to monitor fields for pest management, or by an energy company to monitor a solar panel ‘farm.’ We may even see drones deliver packages for an online retailer on a daily basis.”

Finley said that as the use of drones evolves, the insurance industry will need products and services to help customers manage the property and liability risks involved.

The majority of risk managers surveyed (62 percent) expect commercial drone usage to become common practice for businesses in less than five years – a significant increase from the 37 percent who believed this in 2015. Eleven percent consider drone usage already common.

Since approval of the FAA’s new operational rules last year, one in two (46 percent) risk managers would consider or explore the use of drones within their own businesses, and 7 percent are already using drones to conduct business.

“New FAA regulations have encouraged the commercial use of drones across a broad spectrum of industries,” said Tim Brockett, senior vice president, Reinsurance Division, Munich Re, US. “However, they may be at risk since most commercial insurance policies don’t cover or offer very limited liability protection for drones.”

Munich Re launched a drone liability endorsement to help address this need.

The survey was conducted at the Risk Management Society (RIMS) Annual Conference in Philadelphia in April.