Which house insurance companies are excluding RC models/drones from theft cover?

[jamesb72]

Have heard a few people mention house insurance is starting to exclude drone or RC models from theft cover.

Just had my renewal with Tesco house insurance so asked about this, as I cannot see anything in the paperwork mentioning exclusions for RC models or drones. I was told on phone that RC planes or helicopters are covered for theft, but 'Drones' are not, and the person I spoke to had checked this with underwriter recently as someone else had asked. I asked if this could be added as a specified item, and was told not.

I searched and couldn't find any details, so thought it would be worth a thread if anyone knows insurance companies do or don't exclude RC models and what determines if its covered or not (I'm assuming drone is anything with Camera built in).

[elmattbo]

It's probably that the insurance companies have cottoned on to the fact that a number of 'theft' claims are user error and the drone has RTH'd to China.


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[Coyote]

It's probably that the insurance companies have cottoned on to the fact that a number of 'theft' claims are user error and the drone has RTH'd to China.


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Exactly

[electrotor]

I was told on phone that RC planes or helicopters are covered for theft, but 'Drones' are not, and the person I spoke to had checked this with underwriter recently as someone else had asked.

All insurance policies have (or should have) a section with definitions in which you will find what they mean by various words and terminology. Your policy should therefore have "drone" defined clearly and unambiguously. It is dangerous to assume, especially when getting "legal". Your assumption may not be the same as your insurance companies, so as long as they define there are no assumptions. The policy will also state in various places what are exclusions or what is not covered. Again drone should appear somewhere if it is not covered. If your policy fails to define or fails to exclude drones then they cannot do this on a whim or loose interpretation, as clearly evidenced by their own policy document. I have in the past got an insurance company to pay up by simply quoting their own policy wording to them - it was breakdown cover BTW. I also know of legitimate claims for models because they were not excluded.
DO NOT ACCEPT THEIR FIRST ANSWER. Ask for it in writing and if necessary as an amendment to your policy.

[elmattbo]

I did the same with car insurance. I just kept saying 'I know what you are saying, but where does it say that in my policy document?' 


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