The trap: most off-the-shelf UAS policies contain a pollution/chemical exclusion. Spray drift is a pollution claim. Without a specific chemical-application endorsement, your biggest real risk is uninsured.
The four layers
- Hull: the aircraft itself — theft, crash damage. Optional on older airframes, valuable on a $30k+ machine.
- Aviation liability: bodily injury and property damage caused by the aircraft. Commonly $1M per occurrence; many farms and co-ops require proof.
- Chemical / drift liability (the critical one): covers damage from the product you applied — the neighbor's grapes, the organic field, the vehicle paint. Ask explicitly for it and read the exclusions.
- Business basics: general liability, commercial auto for the truck/trailer, workers' comp if you have employees.
What underwriters will ask
- Your Part 107, Part 137, exemption, and state applicator/business license.
- Aircraft make/model and value; number of pilots and their experience.
- Acres sprayed per year and the crops/chemistries involved.
- Your recordkeeping and calibration practices — good answers lower your premium.
- Loss history.
Have your record system and calibration logs ready; carriers reward operators who look organized.
Cost expectations
Ag drone programs commonly land in the $3,000–$8,000/year range for a single-aircraft operation with $1M liability plus chemical coverage — driven by acreage, chemistries, and experience. That's roughly $1–$2.70/acre at 3,000 acres, which is why it belongs in your cost-per-acre math from day one.
Questions to ask the agent (write these down)
- Is chemical drift/pollution covered, or excluded? Show me the wording.
- Does coverage extend to the mixing/loading site, not just the flight?
- Is coverage per-occurrence or claims-made? Aggregate limit?
- Are additional insureds (landowner, co-op) easy to add?
- Any conditions I must meet — training, records, pilot minimums?
Ranges are typical market figures, not quotes — get bound coverage in writing before your first paid acre. Related: business license & financial responsibility.
Want it flown for you?
FAA Part 107 licensed. Applicator licence and Part 137 in progress — we fly the moment we’re cleared. Lock in a price now, or keep learning.