Drone insurance coming to Zimbabwe

Step by little step, commercial drone applications ate taking root in the southern African state of Zimbabwe.

At least so much that the aviation regulator and the insurance industry are beginning to notice.

From disparate services by private players, who include Precision Aerial Zimbabwe, Scout Aerial Africa, Drone Solutions Zimbabwe, Alley Capital Group, and Afrostain Farmtech; drone applications in Zimbabwe are now making inroads into government departments and state-owned entities in the country.

The agriculture ministry acquired a batch of DJI Agras to deal with the problem of quelea birds that have ravaged people’s crops; the police service has also deployed drones to provide cavalry to national key points; while the country’s rail transport parastatal recently used drone technology to catch people vandalising its property in the capital Harare.

And the Civil Protection Unit got its own fleet of drones to help with disaster recovery efforts. That is aside from the power utility, that was one of the first organisations to purchase drones and obtain a Remote Operator’s Certificate (ROC) to inspect and monitor its network of electricity infrastructure.

Of course, such increased activity in commercial drone applications as seen the country’s aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) putting up notices to remind people of the legal way to apply drones to their commercial operations.

And now, it seems the insurance industry is also coming to the party.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe recently had to remind people of their responsibilities when using drones in the country

In a recent update, Zimbabwean drone services start-up Precision Aerial Zimbabwe revealed that it’s training wing, Precision Aerial Academy, had recently put insurance professionals from a local bank through specialised training on drone technology, in their preparation for the introduction on drone insurance into their repertoire of financial services.

“FBC Bank has acknowledged that drones are the future and has demonstrated its commitment by sending managers from its insurance sector to train with Precision Drone Training,” said Precision Aerial.

“During these training sessions, FBC’s insurance managers gained hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge about various aspects of drone technology. They learned about the different types of drones, their capabilities, and their applications across various industries.

“The training covered critical areas such as flight safety, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance. Managers were also educated on the technical aspects of drone operations, including maintenance, data management, and emergency response protocols.”

FBC now joins insurance broker, Firstlink, which was the first company to offer drone insurance services to its clients sometime around 2021.

“This initiative by FBC Bank highlights the importance of equipping insurance professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to serve the drone industry effectively,” the start-up added.

“By investing in such training programs, insurance companies can better understand the unique risks associated with drones and develop comprehensive policies that cater to the needs of drone operators in Zimbabwe.”

Precision Aerial reckons this first training of insurance professionals in drone technology should bring enough specialised knowledge into an important industry that is currently not pulling its own weight in propelling the drone space forward in the country.

Drone insurance options in Zimbabwe are not great at the moment; and – being a drone services company itself, Precision Aerial admitted as much.

“While the drone industry in Zimbabwe is growing, the insurance sector appears to be lagging behind,” the company says.

“Traditional insurance policies often fall short of addressing the unique requirements of drone operations. Many insurance companies in Zimbabwe are still catching up with the rapid pace of drone technology and its capabilities and implications.

One of the major challenges is the lack of expertise and specialised knowledge among insurance providers.

“Drones operate in a unique regulatory environment, and their usage involves intricate technical aspects.

“Insurance companies need to understand these intricacies to offer tailored policies that adequately cover the risks associated with drone operations. This includes knowledge of flight regulations, drone pilot certification, and potential hazards specific to different industries.”

And the answer to bridging this skills gap is for insurance companies to invest in knowledge acquisition through training.

“Understanding the technical aspects of drones, including their capabilities, limitations, and operational risks, is essential for developing effective insurance policies. Collaborations with drone experts and industry stakeholders can facilitate this learning process.

“Insurance companies must also stay alert of the evolving regulatory landscape governing drone operations in Zimbabwe.

“Compliance with local laws and regulations is crucial for both drone operators and insurers. By keeping up with regulatory changes and advancements in drone technology, insurance companies can design policies that provide comprehensive coverage while mitigating risks effectively.”

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