Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-07-10
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
The Small Unmanned Aircraft Order is now in effect, and the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) requires insurance for certain drones as of May 30, 2022. Wondering what drone insurance entails and which ones need coverage? Our Bowtie team breaks it down with essential info and comparisons to help you enjoy worry-free drone flights!
Drone Regulation Requirements
According to The Small Unmanned Aircraft Order (Chapter 448G) , the Hong Kong Government’s Civil Aviation Department has established corresponding regulatory requirements for small unmanned aircraft operations based on their weight and operational risk levels. This includes regulations for registration and labeling of small unmanned aircraft, registration, training, and assessment of remote pilots, basic equipment requirements, and insurance. Below are the provisions by the Civil Aviation Department for small unmanned aircraft:
| Standard Operation | Advanced Operation | ||
| Class A1 1 | Class A2 2 |
|
|
| Civil Aviation Department Permit | Not required | Not required | Required |
| Registration and Labeling | Not required | Required | Required |
| Basic Equipment Requirements | Not required | Required | Required |
| Training and Assessment | Not required | Not required | Required |
| Insurance | Not required | Required, but the requirements will take effect on a date to be specified later. The minimum insurance coverage must reach HK$5 million | Required, with the minimum insurance coverage needing to reach HK$10 million |
- 1 Small drones weighing less than or equal to 250 grams, and that comply with the relevant operating regulations during operation
- 2 Small drones weighing more than 250 grams but less than or equal to 7 kilograms, and that comply with the relevant operating regulations during operation
The operating regulations mentioned in the standard operations in the above table are actually requirements under the Small Unmanned Aircraft Order. The operating regulations for small drones are as follows:
| Standard Operations | |||
| Class A1 | Class A2 | ||
| Operating Time | Daytime only | ||
| Drone must remain in visual line of sight | Required | ||
| Maximum Flight Height | 100 feet | 300 feet | |
| Minimum lateral distance from persons not involved in the flight or from structures/vehicles/vessels not under the remote pilot’s control | 10 meters | 10 meters | 30 meters |
| Maximum Speed | 20 kilometers per hour | 20 kilometers per hour | 50 kilometers per hour |
| Number of drones a remote pilot can operate simultaneously | 1 | ||
| Maximum size of the drone | 1 meter, with the farthest distance between any two ends of the rotors up to 1.2 meters | ||
| Carrying persons or animals | Not allowed | ||
| Dropping or lowering any items from the drone | Not allowed, unless permitted | ||
What is Drone Insurance?
The Small Unmanned Aircraft Order (Chapter 448G) that regulates drones came into effect on June 1, 2022. To help the public smoothly transition to the new regulatory requirements, the law includes a special 6-month grace period , though this doesn’t apply to offenses involving hazardous behavior, restricted flight areas, or enforcement measures – all to protect aviation and public safety.
The Small Unmanned Aircraft Order outlines that drone insurance is designed to cover legal liabilities from accidents caused by operating drones in Hong Kong, including compensation for third-party deaths or injuries. It also details the required insurance amounts, with mandatory insurance rolled out in two phases. The first phase is already in effect, meaning drones in advanced operations need at least HK$10 million in third-party liability insurance . The second phase will kick in on a later specified date, requiring drones in standard Category 2 operations to have at least HK$5 million in third-party liability insurance .
Anyone who commits an offense under the Small Unmanned Aircraft Order could face a fine of up to HK$100,000 and up to 2 years in prison .
Drone Insurance Comparison
| P Insurance Company | D Insurance Company | ||
| Coverage Amount | HK$5,000,000 | HK$5,000,000 | HK$10,000,000 |
| Coverage Scope |
|
|
|
| Annual Premium | HK$900
(Based on 1 to 2 named remote pilots) |
HK$750 | HK$900 |
| Deductible | Deductible for unnamed remote pilots and third-party accidental property loss or damage is HK$5,000 | Not mentioned | |
| Usage | Private recreational use | Amateur use | |
| Main Exclusions |
|
|
|
How to Get Drone Insurance?
To get drone insurance, you need to declare several pieces of information, such as:
- Hong Kong ID card
- Mailing address
- Drone information (brand, model, serial number, year of manufacture, weight, etc.)
- Operator information (name, date of birth, occupation, relationship to the policyholder)
Generally, the steps to get drone insurance are as follows:
- Find an insurance plan that suits your needs and compare coverage amounts, protection content, and prices
- Fill out and submit the insurance application form
- Wait for the insurance company to complete the underwriting process (such as verification and premium payment)
- Complete the insurance purchase
Common Questions About Drone Insurance
Do all drones need insurance?
No, drones weighing less than or equal to 250 grams do not need to be insured.
How many drone pilots are there in Hong Kong right now?
The Civil Aviation Department states that as of May 30, 2022, there are 5,900 people registered as remote pilots and 4,700 small drones registered on the ‘SUA One-Stop’ platform.
Sources
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