Thailand Drone Insurance: Legal Requirements, Coverage & Claim Process (2026 Update)
- thailanddroneinsur
- Nov 15
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Drone insurance in Thailand is compulsory. It is a mandatory legal requirement under the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
No drone—whether used by tourists, hobby pilots, content creators, or enterprise operators—may be registered or operated without a valid 1-year liability insurance policy issued by an insurer recognized under Thai law.
This 2026 guide explains the legal standards, required documents, coverage types, claims process, and how to remain fully compliant with CAAT and NBTC regulations.
Why Drone Insurance Matters
Thailand enforces strict aviation safety rules. Drone insurance protects:
The public
Property owners
The airspace integrity
You, the operator, from legal liability
Operating a drone in Thailand always involves risk. CAAT mandates insurance to ensure that all drone operations—tourist or commercial—meet national safety standards.
Mandatory Legal Requirements
Under CAAT regulations, every drone with a camera, regardless of weight, must carry 1-year liability insurance to qualify for registration and flight approval.
Minimum Liability Requirement
1,000,000 THB third-party liability coverage (minimum).
Covers injury or property damage caused by drone operations.
1-Year Policy Period (Strict Requirement)
CAAT does not accept:
Short-term insurance
30-day insurance
Travel insurance
Any temporary or event-based insurance
Even if a tourist flies only 7–14 days, they must purchase a 1-year policy.
This is because:
CAAT drone registration is valid for 2 years, and
Insurance must remain valid during operations.
No insurance = no CAAT registration = no legal flight.
Insurance as One of Three Mandatory Documents for All Flight Permissions
To apply for any type of flight approval in Thailand, you must present three documents:
CAAT Drone Registration Certificate
NBTC Remote Controller Registration
Valid 1-Year Thai Drone Insurance Policy
These are required for:
National Park drone permits (DNP)
Historical Parks & World Heritage Sites (Fine Arts Department)
Municipal/provincial flight approvals
Special events or restricted areas
Commercial filming applications
If any document is missing or expired, the approval request will be rejected automatically.
Coverage Overview (CAAT-Approved Policies)
Most CAAT-recognized policies include:
Third-Party Liability (Mandatory)
Covers bodily injury and property damage caused during drone operations.
Legal Defense
Covers legal expenses related to claims or investigations.
Optional Hull Coverage
For enterprise users — covers loss or damage to the drone itself.
Thai-Only Validity
Foreign drone insurance policies are not accepted.
Full Policy Certificate Must Match Registration
The following details must match CAAT records exactly:
Policyholder name
Drone serial number
Coverage dates
Insurer details
Discrepancies result in CAAT or NBTC rejection.
Filing a Claim (Required Evidence)
If an incident occurs:
Notify the insurer immediately.
Report the accident to CAAT for verification if applicable.
Submit policy documents, CAAT registration, and an accident report.
Provide flight log data — mandatory proof for all insurers in Thailand.
Most insurers process claims within 15 working days (subject to investigation).
Filing a Claim
Notify your insurer as soon as possible.
Report the event to CAAT for air-incident verification if applicable.
Submit all required documents: policy number, drone registration, and accident report.
Provide a complete flight log as evidence; it must be traceable from the pilot’s remote-control account and show the flight path, timestamp, and operational data.
Most insurers process claims within 15 working days, subject to investigation and document completeness.
How to Stay Fully Compliant
Renew insurance 30 days before expiration.
Keep copies of the policy and CAAT registration available during flight.
Ensure drone serial numbers and owner data match across CAAT, NBTC, and the insurance certificate.
Summary
Drone insurance is not simply a financial safeguard — it is a core legal requirement for operating any camera-equipped drone in Thailand.
With CAAT’s strict enforcement and NBTC coordination, operating without valid insurance exposes pilots to:
Rejected CAAT registration
Denied flight permissions (national parks, historical parks, local authorities)
Fines under Thailand’s Aviation Act
Full liability for damages
Staying compliant protects:
Yourself
The public
National airspace safety
Frequently Asked Questions
Is drone insurance required in Thailand?
Yes. All camera-equipped drones must have valid 1-year insurance before CAAT registration.
Can tourists buy drone insurance in Thailand?
Yes. Thailand Drone Insurance Services (TDS) provides tourist-friendly 1-year policies.
Does CAAT accept 30-day or short-term insurance?
No. CAAT only accepts 1-year policies.
Is insurance required for hobby flying?
Yes. All drones with cameras require 1-year liability insurance.
Is hull insurance mandatory?
No. Optional for enterprise operations.
Do I need a flight log for insurance claims?
Yes. Insurers require verifiable flight log data.
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