Acera Insurance’s Aliya Daya spoke with Piling Canada magazine about the growing role of drones in construction and the need for insurance strategies that keep pace with innovation.
She noted that the construction industry is undergoing a technological shift, and drones are at the forefront. From mapping jobsites to improving safety and reducing theft, drone technology is reshaping how construction projects are managed.
“From inspecting hard-to-reach areas, drones can access things like rooftops and scaffolding, and under-bridge areas with a lot more ease and it reduces the need for ladders, lifts or human risk exposure.”
Aliya Daya, Senior Client Executive
Insurance considerations for using drones in construction
Risks are evolving as drones become an essential tool that contractors use for:
- Surveying
- Monitoring
- Securing construction sites
In Canada, Transport Canada has mandated a liability limit for drone operators, but the required amount is insufficient when it comes to covering potential claims and damages.
“Transport Canada only mandates a minimum $100,000 limit. I would suggest that it is nowhere near adequate. Generally speaking, we are insuring our clients for a million to two million in liability.”
Aliya Daya, Senior Client Executive
In addition to liability insurance, Aliya says contractors using drones on construction sites should also have hull coverage and payload coverage.
- Hull insurance provides coverage if the drone is damaged or stolen.
- Payload insurance provides protection for the high-value equipment mounted to drones, such as cameras and sensors.
“The first [mistake] is not getting insurance altogether. A lot of [contractors] forget that it is required. Additionally, I would say failing to insure the actual physical equipment itself or the hull coverage. Oftentimes, you don’t realize what can happen in the air to a drone. It can hit a bird, or it can hit scaffolding accidentally. It can hit a crane. And so there will be damage, especially if you’ve got a high-value, specially equipped drone.”
Aliya Daya, Senior Client Executive
Navigating drone risks in construction is complex and requires an insurance advisor who understands the nuance, Aliya said. That’s where Acera Insurance comes in.
Contact a member of our team for guidance on protecting your business when using drones on construction sites.
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Piling Canada Magazine
Flying Forward