VSK launched insurance for individuals against falling drones and UAVs

One of the largest insurance companies, VSK, began selling separate insurance policies against the fall of combat drones and UAVs. Other major players that have launched insurance against such risks do not plan to make it a separate policy. Experts note that such policies may be limited geographically, and the cost of such risks may be quite high.

VSK (according to Expert RA, ranks seventh in terms of collections) began selling insurance policies for the property of individuals against the fall of combat drones and UAVs, as well as their parts. The coverage includes structural elements, interior decoration of real estate (apartment or house), as well as movable property. In addition, such insurance can be included as an additional option to property insurance for classic risks. The company TG “Insured Case” confirmed this to Kommersant. VSK also noted that they insure against the fall of drones and UAVs, regardless of how the competent authorities interpret this.

A number of companies already insure such risks, but so far no special policy has been created for them. In particular, in the summer of this year, insurance against drones and UAVs appeared at AlfaStrakhovanie, but as an additional option for property insurance. The insurance covers the fall of UAVs and other flying objects as a result of terrorist acts, if the event is recognized as such by government agencies, the insurance company said. At the same time, the company notes that there are no exceptions, in particular territorial ones, for such a policy. According to the head of the property and liability insurance payment department of Rosgosstrakh, Yulia Serova, the risk of falling aircraft, including UAVs, their parts, debris, as well as the risk of terrorism, are included in the standard risk package for classic property insurance products for individuals, as well as other risks of property insurance, in particular comprehensive insurance. If an event occurs “in the insurance territory specified in the contract,” it will be recognized as an insured event, she notes.

The risks of a UAV falling were previously included in the insurance programs of insurance companies, but the risks of a UAV falling as a result of a terrorist attack or sabotage, as well as military actions were usually not covered, clarifies B1 partner Tatyana Samsonova. In the current environment, when the fall of a UAV is associated with SVO risks, receiving compensation from the insurance company for losses caused by the fall of a UAV usually depends on how the insured event will be qualified by the competent authorities and whether the insurance contract covers the risks of terrorism, sabotage and military risks, she explains .

At the same time, AlfaStrakhovanie and Rosgosstrakh do not plan to make insurance of individuals against drones and UAVs a separate policy. A separate UAV fall insurance product limits the capabilities and needs of individuals for full property insurance and increases the cost of insurance, AlfaStrakhovanie explained.

According to experts, policyholders in any case should expect a number of nuances and exceptions from such products, including territorial ones. New territories where military operations take place, as well as areas that are often attacked by drones, have an increased likelihood of an insured event, a Kommersant source from among insurers points out. No one will insure dangerous territories, and for residents of even the Moscow region this is irrelevant, according to a Kommersant source from among experts.

Since February 24, 2022, regional authorities have reported drone attacks or sightings approximately 511 times. More often such messages came from the Belgorod region (289). The second most frequent drone attack (38 cases) was the Kursk region. The authorities of the Bryansk region reported attacks in the region 37 times, Crimea – 30 times.

At the same time, since any insurance product must bring profit to the shareholders of the insurance company, the cost of these risks will be transferred to the policyholder and may turn out to be significant, adds Ms. Samsonova. At the same time, for an insurance company, according to her, expanding insurance coverage may be associated with the risks of incorrect pricing of these risks due to the lack of sufficient statistics to correctly determine the tariff.

Yulia Poslavskaya