HOA drones are no longer a tech novelty; they’re becoming a mainstay in community association operations. Whether surveying rooftops, inspecting drainage, or documenting routine maintenance, these unmanned tools are helping associations cut down on manual labor while improving oversight. But as drone use expands, so does the conversation about insurance.
For agents, this emerging landscape is an opportunity to help clients rethink how their policies respond to evolving technology.
How HOAs Use Drones Today
From small townhome communities to sprawling high-rises, drones are finding a place in day-to-day property management. Boards use them to conduct aerial inspections, verify vendor work, and create records for architectural or landscaping compliance. Instead of sending someone up a ladder or across a roof, a drone can gather footage safely and quickly, especially valuable for hard-to-reach or elevated spaces.
These practical benefits come at a time when drone adoption is rising across industries. In HOAs, boards are increasingly turning to drones as part of a smarter, safer maintenance strategy. Still, even useful tools bring new layers of liability that insurance must account for.
Risks Associated With Drone Use
An HOA drone doesn’t have to crash into a car to create an issue. Claims can arise from far more subtle scenarios, like a device flying too close to a resident’s window or capturing unauthorized footage of neighboring properties. Whether the drone is flown by a board member, contractor, or vendor, the potential for bodily injury, property damage, privacy invasion, or even trespassing is real.
Importantly, even when associations hire third-party drone operators, liability can fall on the HOA. Courts may view a lack of supervision or written policy as a form of negligence, increasing the board’s exposure to legal action.
What Coverage May Be Missing
Here’s where it gets tricky: Most HOA general liability policies weren’t written with drones in mind. Under Federal Aviation Administration guidance, drones are classified as “aircraft,” which is a category often excluded in standard coverage. Claims involving drone use might not be covered at all unless the policy has been updated.
Agents should review policies with these questions in mind.
- Is drone use expressly excluded or endorsed?
- Does the definition of “aircraft” apply to drones?
- Are personal and advertising injury limits sufficient for privacy-related claims?
- Are third-party drone operators named as additional insureds?
Kevin Davis Insurance Services (KDIS) offers insurance solutions that consider these nuances. With experience serving over 40,000 community associations, KDIS helps agents tailor general liability, directors and officers, crime, and excess liability coverage to real-world association needs, including drone use.
How Agents Can Guide Clients
Annual renewals and midterm reviews are ideal times to dig into drone exposure. Agents should ask their HOA clients the following questions:
- Are drones used for inspections, documentation, or both?
- Who’s operating them, and are they certified under FAA Part 107?
- Is there a formal drone policy that covers flight zones, footage use, and data retention?
- Are vendors using drones on the HOA’s behalf?
These discussions go beyond coverage; they position agents as trusted advisors on operational risk and regulatory compliance.
Drone Use Brings New Exposures
Drones are making property management faster and more precise, but they also fly into uncharted legal and insurance territory. That’s where forward-thinking agents stand out. By working with a wholesale partner like Kevin Davis Insurance Services, agents can offer more than standard policies. They can deliver protection that actually fits the way modern HOAs operate.
Call us today to find out how Kevin Davis Insurance Services can help your clients stay ahead of drone-related exposures and build policies that are as forward-looking as the communities they serve.
About Kevin Davis Insurance Services
For over 35 years, Kevin Davis Insurance Services has built an impressive reputation as a strong wholesale broker offering insurance products for the community association industry. Our president Kevin Davis and his team take pride in offering committed services to the community association market and providing them with unparalleled access to high-quality coverage, competitive premiums, superior markets, and detailed customer service. To learn more about the coverage we offer, contact us toll-free at (855)-790-7393 to speak with one of our representatives.