Drones in Agriculture, an Insurance Perspective by Casey Roberts, Principal at Laurus Insurance Consulting. Drones are becoming more commonplace in farming and agriculture. Does it matter if it is the farmer's drone or one provided by a third party? What are the insurance complications? How might some of the data be used and considered by insurers now and in the future?

1. Drones in
Agriculture, an
Insurance Perspective
Casey Roberts, Principal and Founder of Laurus Insurance Consulting

2. CONCERNS 01 Increase of the use of drones in agriculture
02 Used by the farmer
03 Used by a 3rd party under contract
to the farmer
04 What are some of the potential
insurance complications

3. COMMON USES IN AGRICULTURE
Monitor buildings,
fencing,
equipment and
other farm
property
Chemical
application
Monitor
livestock
Monitor
land and crops
Soil conditions and
irrigation issues
Crop health and yield
(pesticides, herbicides,
fertilizer, etc.)

4. LEGAL AND REGULATORY ISSUES
Privacy is a huge
concern
Insurance is not
mandatory —
at least for now
They have the ability to house
facial
recognition
technology
infrared
sensors
high-
powered
cameras
license
plate
readers

5. LEGAL AND REGULATORY ISSUES
Drone Aircraft Privacy and
Transparency Act (2013)
Invasion of
privacy /
harassment
Nuisance
Trespass
Data collection /
inadvertent
eavesdropping

6. LOSS EXPOSURES
Injury to passengers of
manned aircraft due to
interference by UAS
Damage to property on
which “operations” are
being performed
Damage to the UAS from
collision with ground or
other aircraft
Injury to people or property
on the ground caused by UAS

7. MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES
Some will provide
Bodily Injury — but
not Personal Injury
Even if they do provide
coverage — it is limited
Do not provide coverage
(unendorsed)
Trespass
Nuisance
Invasion of privacy

8. INSURING UAS
Special
UAS policy
Aviation liability
coverage
Aviation hull
coverage
Commercial
property via an
inland marine
policy
Physical damage,
legal liability,
products liability
At least 25 insurers
currently offering

9. INSURANCE CHALLENGES
Data Breach /
Cyber
Personal InjuryAircraft / Aviation
— this is normally
where we find
coverage
Hull
Liability
who can access
the data
trespass, nuisance,
invasion of privacy
Workers
Compensation
Property
Insurance
injury to employeesnormally excluded
Equipment
Breakdown
is the drone covered
equipment

10. CONCERNS 01 Increase of the use of drones in agriculture
02 Used by the farmer
03 Used by a 3rd party under contract
to the farmer
04 What are some of the potential
insurance complications