The new and increased development of the use of drones, especially small ones, for a large range of civilian applications (for example, aerial photography, surveying, mapping, transport) posed a regulatory challenge in Europe.
Regulators needed to ensure that when drone accidents happen, victims (which could include other airspace users or third-parties on the ground) need to be adequately compensated for any injury or damage caused.
During 2013-2014, Steer analysed the liability regimes and the legal requirements for third-party liability insurance existing today in Europe, as well as current industry practices and the insurance market itself, and made recommendations to the European Commission.
In making recommendations, our primary objective was to ensure that third parties were adequately protected. But, subject to this, we needed to make sure the development of the EU drones sector was supported, by facilitating the availability of adequate insurance coverage at an affordable price.
We consulted with a wide range of stakeholders including regulators, drone operators, insurers and brokers. We also undertook an analysis of the market and the national legislation that was in place.
Successes and outcomes
Steer’s advice to the European Commission primarily covered three key areas of liability, insurance requirements, and compliance and enforcement, but also including a number of other issues as well.
In our final report we made a number of recommendations, some very practical, others a lot more policy and regulatory focused, advising the Commission, EASA or Member States on changes to their regulatory or enforcement approach to drones.
Many of these recommendations have since been taken forward.
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