Organising an event involves a lot of moving parts. Whether you are planning a wedding, running a festival or managing a corporate event, you need to know that the suppliers you bring on board are reliable, professional and properly prepared. That includes the suppliers who use drones.
Aerial photography and videography have become increasingly popular at weddings and events, offering spectacular footage of venues, guests and special moments. But while a drone can add something special to an event, it also introduces additional risks. For event businesses, checking that a supplier has suitable commercial UAV insurance is a sensible part of the booking process.
Why Drone Insurance Matters At Events
Drones are aircraft, and even the most experienced operator cannot control every possible situation. Weather conditions can change, equipment can malfunction and unexpected incidents can happen during a flight.
At an event, there may be guests, staff, buildings, vehicles and expensive equipment nearby. A drone operating above or around these areas needs to be managed carefully, with appropriate safety measures and insurance in place.
For an event organiser, the important point is that a supplier’s insurance is not simply their own concern. If something goes wrong during an event you are responsible for, you may find yourself dealing with questions about who was operating the drone, who arranged the booking and who may be liable for any resulting damage or injury.
That is why it is worth checking insurance arrangements before the event rather than assuming every professional-looking drone operator is automatically covered.
Wedding Photographers And Videographers
Wedding photographers and videographers are perhaps the most obvious example. Couples increasingly want aerial footage of their venue, outdoor ceremony, reception or wedding party. A drone can capture the setting beautifully and provide a different perspective from traditional photography.
However, wedding venues can be busy environments, with guests moving around, cars arriving and valuable property on site. A drone incident could cause damage, injury or disruption on a day that has been carefully planned for months.
If you are an event planner, wedding coordinator or venue manager, ask your photographer or videographer whether they use drones and, if so, whether they have suitable commercial UAV insurance.
It is a straightforward question that can help establish whether they have considered the risks involved in their work.
What About Other Event Suppliers?
The need to check drone insurance is not limited to wedding photographers. Many different event suppliers may use UAVs as part of their services, including:
- Event videographers: Aerial footage for promotional films, festivals and corporate events.
- Venue marketing teams: Drone photography and video for showcasing outdoor spaces and facilities.
- Festival and event production companies: Aerial content for marketing, social media and post-event coverage.
- Corporate event photographers: Drone footage for conferences, launches, team-building days and company celebrations.
- Tourism and hospitality businesses: Aerial imagery of hotels, resorts, grounds and event venues.
If a supplier is bringing a drone onto your event site, it is worth establishing who is responsible for its operation and whether the business has appropriate insurance.
What Should Event Businesses Ask Their Suppliers?
You do not need to become an insurance expert to carry out a basic check. A few simple questions can help you understand whether your supplier has made suitable arrangements.
Does The Supplier Have Commercial UAV Insurance?
Ask whether the business has insurance specifically covering its commercial drone operations. Personal or recreational drone insurance should not automatically be assumed to cover paid work.
Can They Provide Evidence Of Cover?
A professional supplier should be able to explain what insurance they hold and, where appropriate, provide evidence of their cover. If your venue or client requires proof of insurance, establish this before the booking is confirmed.
Does The Cover Match The Work?
A drone used to film a wedding may have different operating requirements from one used for industrial inspections. Ask whether the supplier’s insurance is suitable for the type of work they will be carrying out and the environment in which the drone will be used.
Who Is Responsible For The Drone?
Make sure it is clear whether the photographer, videographer or another company is operating the UAV. If a supplier subcontracts the drone work, ask who is responsible for the flight and insurance arrangements.
Why This Is Good Business Practice
Checking insurance does not mean you expect something to go wrong. It is about taking reasonable steps to reduce avoidable risks and making sure everyone involved understands their responsibilities.
Event businesses already check contracts, public liability insurance and other supplier credentials. Drone insurance should be considered in the same way when a UAV is part of the service being provided.
It can also demonstrate professionalism to clients. Couples, corporate customers and venue owners want to know that their event is being managed carefully. Being able to explain that you check the insurance arrangements of drone-using suppliers can provide additional reassurance.
Find Out More About Commercial UAV Insurance
If you are an event business, wedding planner or venue owner, checking that suppliers have appropriate drone insurance is a simple step that can help protect your events and your reputation.
For photographers, videographers and other businesses using drones commercially, having the right cover in place is equally important.
To learn more about the insurance available for commercial drone operations, visit commercial UAV insurance from Drone Cover Club.
