DRONE AND AERIAL FILMING
INSURANCE FOR EVERY ALTITUDE
Coverage built for what's actually in the air. FAA Part 107 commercial drone hull and liability, helicopter aerial cinematography, fixed-wing camera platforms, and specialty rigs — placed through aviation-specialty markets that underwrite aerial production every day.
- FAA PART 107 COMMERCIAL DRONE
- CINEMA DRONE HULL & LIABILITY
- HELICOPTER AERIAL CINEMATOGRAPHY
- FIXED-WING CAMERA PLATFORMS
- HEAVY-LIFT & PROFESSIONAL RIGS
- FPV & RACING DRONE COVERAGE
- OPERATOR-OWNED ANNUAL POLICIES
- PROJECT-BASED AERIAL POLICIES
DRONE COVERAGE ISN'T A FILM POLICY ENDORSEMENT
Aerial production sits in its own underwriting world — typically aviation-specialty carriers rather than standard film carriers. The structure, the documentation, and the risk class are all different.
Drone and aerial filming insurance is structured differently from a typical production package policy. Aerial work is generally underwritten by aviation-specialty markets that look at pilot credentials, aircraft specifics, mission type, and operational protocols — not the typical film production checklist. Adding a drone or helicopter to a project frequently means a separate policy line, written in coordination with the broader production program.
For commercial drone work in the United States, the FAA Part 107 framework governs commercial small unmanned aircraft operations. Carriers writing aerial film coverage typically expect Part 107 certification for the remote pilot in command, documentation of the drone equipment, and operational details — including whether operations involve flight over people, beyond visual line of sight, or at night.
For manned aerial cinematography — helicopter or fixed-wing — the underwriting expectations expand: pilot credentials, aircraft type, mount system, mission profile, and crew on board. We coordinate aerial coverage with the rest of the production stack — equipment, liability, workers comp, and excess limits — so the program holds together when the cameras are flying. See film equipment insurance for related ground-side coverage.
WHAT "AERIAL" ACTUALLY COVERS
Aerial cinematography is a category, not a single operation. Each platform carries its own carrier appetite, credential requirements, and underwriting expectations.
PART 107 COMMERCIAL DRONE
Commercial small unmanned aircraft operations under the FAA Part 107 framework. The most common aerial film category for indie and mid-budget productions.
REMOTE PILOT IN COMMANDCINEMA DRONE PLATFORMS
Heavy-lift and professional cinema drone systems carrying full-size cinema cameras, gimbals, and broadcast-grade payloads. Higher hull values and operator credentials expected.
CINEMA-GRADE HULLHELICOPTER AERIAL
Manned helicopter aerial cinematography with mounted camera systems — gyroscopic mounts, nose mounts, door mounts. Aviation-specialty underwriting required.
MANNED AVIATIONFIXED-WING CAMERA
Fixed-wing aircraft with mounted camera systems for high-altitude, long-distance, or high-speed aerial cinematography.
AIRCRAFT-MOUNTEDFPV & RACING DRONES
First-person-view and racing drone cinematography — high-speed, high-maneuverability flight common in action sequences and chase work.
SPECIALTY OPERATIONSINDOOR DRONE OPS
Drone cinematography inside soundstages, warehouses, and other indoor environments. Different operational and underwriting profile than outdoor flight.
CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTNIGHT OPERATIONS
Drone work conducted at night — requiring specific FAA waivers or operational approvals, anti-collision lighting, and additional operational protocols.
PART 107 NIGHTOVER PEOPLE / OVER MOVING VEHICLES
Operations involving flight over people or moving vehicles — typically requiring specific FAA category designation and elevated underwriting scrutiny.
CATEGORIZED OPSSPECIALTY AERIAL
Tethered drones, balloon-mounted cameras, and other non-standard aerial cinematography platforms. Often placed with specialty aviation markets.
NON-STANDARDHULL COVERAGE VS. LIABILITY COVERAGE
Drone and aerial coverage is generally written as two coordinated parts — hull coverage protects the aircraft itself, while liability coverage protects against claims from others. Most professional aerial programs include both.
HULL COVERAGE
Coverage for physical damage to the aircraft itself — drone, helicopter, or fixed-wing — including the camera and gimbal payload. Protects the operator's investment in the equipment.
- Physical damage to the aircraft
- Damage to camera and gimbal payload
- Crash, water immersion, fly-aways
- In-transit damage in some structures
- Replacement-cost or agreed-value basis
LIABILITY COVERAGE
Coverage for third-party bodily injury and property damage caused by the aircraft — to people on the ground, vehicles, structures, or other aircraft. Typically required by film carriers, locations, and FAA-related contracts.
- Third-party bodily injury
- Property damage from the aircraft
- Damage to filming locations
- Damage to other aircraft (rare but real)
- Defense costs for covered claims
HOW AERIAL COVERAGE ACTUALLY GETS BOUND
Aviation-specialty carriers don't bind aerial coverage from a one-line request. Here are the elements they typically need to evaluate and place the risk.
PILOT CREDENTIALS
FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate for drone work, or FAA pilot certifications and ratings for manned aerial. Documentation of currency and experience.
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE
Total flight hours on the specific aircraft type, prior commercial film production experience, and loss history if any.
AIRCRAFT DETAILS
Make, model, serial number, total airframe time, and replacement value of the drone, helicopter, or fixed-wing aircraft being covered.
PAYLOAD DOCUMENTATION
Camera, gimbal, lens, and payload specifics with values — particularly important when cinema-grade payloads are mounted to the aircraft.
MISSION PROFILE
Type of work being performed — beauty shots, action sequences, chase work, indoor flight, night operations, flight over people. Each affects underwriting.
FAA WAIVERS & APPROVALS
Documentation of any specific FAA waivers required for the operation — night operations, BVLOS, flight over people, or other non-standard operational categories.
OPERATIONAL PROTOCOLS
Documented pre-flight checklists, weather minimums, observer protocols, and emergency procedures the operator follows for each flight.
TERRITORY & LOCATIONS
Where the aerial work will take place — domestic vs. international, controlled airspace, restricted areas, or environmentally sensitive locations.
AERIAL OPERATIONS THAT REQUIRE EXTRA UNDERWRITING
Some aerial operations carry heightened risk that requires specific FAA approvals, additional documentation, and tighter underwriting. Here are the most common scenarios.
FLIGHT OVER PEOPLE
Operations where the drone passes over people not directly involved in the shoot — typically requires specific FAA category designation.
FLIGHT OVER MOVING VEHICLES
Drone operations over moving cars, trucks, or other vehicles — common in chase sequences and action filmmaking.
NIGHT OPERATIONS
Drone work after civil twilight — anti-collision lighting and specific operational protocols required under Part 107.
BEYOND VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT
BVLOS operations where the drone flies beyond the operator's direct visual contact — typically requires specific FAA waiver.
CONTROLLED AIRSPACE
Operations in airspace requiring ATC authorization — near airports, in restricted zones, or in coordinated airspace.
CHASE & ACTION WORK
High-speed chase sequences, racing drone operations, and action cinematography that pushes operational limits and risk profile.
SWARM OR MULTI-DRONE
Multiple drones flying simultaneously — coordinated operations with elevated complexity and underwriting requirements.
INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
Aerial work outside the United States — different regulatory frameworks, territorial coverage, and equipment importation considerations.
HELICOPTER & FIXED-WING COVERAGE
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HELICOPTER AERIAL CINEMATOGRAPHY
Coverage for manned helicopter operations with mounted gimbal systems, gyroscopic stabilizers, nose mounts, and door mounts.
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FIXED-WING CAMERA AIRCRAFT
Long-distance, high-altitude, and high-speed aerial cinematography from fixed-wing platforms with camera mounts.
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NON-OWNED AIRCRAFT LIABILITY
Coverage for productions hiring aircraft and operators they don't own — protecting the production company against aviation exposure.
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FILMING FROM AIRCRAFT
Coverage extension when crew or talent are aboard aircraft for camera work or as on-screen passengers.
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EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATIONS
Helicopter operations with external camera loads, slung equipment, or specialty rigging — separate underwriting category.
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COORDINATION WITH PRODUCTION
Aerial coverage coordinated with the broader production insurance program — including liability, equipment, and excess limits.
QUESTIONS AERIAL OPERATORS ASK
DO I NEED INSURANCE TO FLY A DRONE COMMERCIALLY FOR FILM?
WHAT IS FAA PART 107?
DOES MY HOMEOWNERS OR BUSINESS POLICY COVER COMMERCIAL DRONE WORK?
HOW MUCH DOES DRONE FILM INSURANCE COST?
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HULL AND LIABILITY COVERAGE?
CAN ONE POLICY COVER DRONES AND HELICOPTERS BOTH?
DO I NEED A SEPARATE POLICY FOR FLIGHT OVER PEOPLE OR AT NIGHT?
CAN I GET ANNUAL DRONE COVERAGE INSTEAD OF PROJECT-BASED?
CAMERAS IN THE AIR. COVERAGE THAT FOLLOWS.
From Part 107 commercial drone work to helicopter aerial cinematography to fixed-wing camera platforms — placed through aviation-specialty markets that underwrite aerial production every day. Submit the intake form with your aerial details and we'll move on it today.
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