01 Jul Out of Stock and Out of Luck? Why It’s Time to Rethink Drone Hull Coverage on DJI Spray Drones

The Unspoken Risk in Spray Drone Ownership

For years, DJI has been the backbone of the commercial spray drone market. Their equipment is widely used, reliable, and familiar to most operators. But that landscape is changing—and fast.

Over the past year, the number of DJI distributors carrying inventory in the United States has dropped dramatically. T50 models are becoming increasingly difficult to find, with many distributors reporting they are out of stock and will not be restocking. Add in the uncertainty surrounding pending NDAA legislation and recent executive orders, and it becomes clear that DJI’s future in the U.S. market is far from secure.

This shift raises a serious and immediate question:

What happens if your T50 crashes mid-season—and you can’t find a replacement?

For many operators, the answer is both financially and operationally devastating. And yet, most drone owners are unaware of just how fragile the current supply chain has become.

This is not just about equipment. It is about your ability to keep your business in motion when it matters most.

What’s Really at Stake: System Dependency, Not Just the Drone

Spray drones are not just tools—they are full systems. The DJI Agras T50 relies on an entire ecosystem to function: batteries, chargers, cooling units, remote controls, and often a trailer setup customized specifically for DJI hardware.

If a drone goes down, the first instinct is usually to repair it—and that’s almost always our recommendation. In most cases, repairs are faster, more affordable, and allow operators to get back to work using the equipment they already own and understand.

But even that approach is starting to show cracks.

We’ve begun hearing from leading distributors across the country that DJI parts are becoming harder to find. One distributor recently notified their dealer network:

“[Our company] is down to limited amounts of parts. We have been attempting to add more inventory this month but are still waiting for the manufacturer to reply to our requests.”

Others are reporting similar concerns: dwindling parts availability, delayed shipments, and limited response from the manufacturer. If repair parts are out of reach—or if the damage is severe enough—a full replacement becomes the only option.

And that’s where the real risk starts to compound.

Under ideal circumstances, replacing a drone meant swapping out the airframe while keeping your existing accessories. But with T50 inventory drying up across the U.S., that’s no longer a reliable solution. Distributors are sold out, and several have confirmed they will not be ordering more.

That means more and more operators will be forced to pivot to entirely new systems—from different manufacturers, with different compatibility requirements. Batteries, chargers, cooling systems, trailer wiring—none of it carries over. A drone loss is no longer just about replacing the aircraft. It’s about replacing the foundation of your entire operation.

And that’s a level of risk most hull policies were never designed to handle.

The Coverage Gap: Why $10K–$20K Hull No Longer Cuts It

For years, hull insurance has served as a reliable safety net. If your drone was damaged or totaled, a claim could cover the cost of a replacement airframe. You kept your accessories, plugged in your batteries, and got back to work with minimal disruption.

That model only works when replacements are available.

With DJI Agras T50 units now in short supply—and many distributors confirming they will not restock—operators are being pushed toward a more costly solution: transitioning to a new manufacturer altogether.

That means buying a complete system, not just a drone.

Take the XAG P150 as a real-world example. A full spray-ready package—including batteries, chargers, and supporting equipment—can cost over $40,000. Compare that to the average hull policy we see on DJI units, which typically sits between $10,000 and $20,000.

If you crash your T50 and need to pivot platforms, your policy may only cover half of what it will take to get you back in the air. That gap doesn’t just represent inconvenience—it can become a financial wall that halts your season, compromises customer contracts, and puts your entire business at risk.

Insurance is supposed to protect you from worst-case scenarios. But in this new landscape, many operators are more exposed than they realize.

Financial Fallout: What a Mid-Season Crash Really Costs

A drone crash is never just about equipment. In the middle of spray season, downtime can hit harder than the repair bill itself.

When your drone is grounded, you’re not just facing mechanical delays—you’re losing revenue, risking your reputation, and potentially breaching contract obligations.

Spray windows are narrow. If you miss them, crops suffer, yields drop, and clients take notice. For solo operators and custom applicators alike, the real cost of a crash often looks like this:

• Missed seasonal opportunities: Fungicide and herbicide timing is everything. Miss the window, and the job is lost for good.
  
• Damaged customer relationships: Reliability builds trust. Downtime erodes it—especially if your client has to scramble for a backup applicator.
  
• Unplanned expenses: Without immediate access to a replacement, you may be forced to outsource the work or rush-purchase a new system, often at inflated prices.
  

For many operators, these ripple effects are far more damaging than the drone crash itself. What started as a technical failure becomes a business interruption, and without adequate drone hull coverage, the financial fallout can be severe.

What Can Be Done: Preemptive Risk Mitigation with Drone Hull Coverage

When it comes to running your business, hope is not a plan. And when replacement drones are scarce and system costs are rising, waiting until something breaks is no longer a viable strategy.

The smart move? Take a proactive approach by adjusting your drone hull coverage to reflect today’s realities—not last year’s price sheet.

Instead of insuring just the drone, consider the cost of replacing your entire operational system. That means factoring in batteries, chargers, cooling stations, and everything else required to get back in the air. For many operators, that figure now lands closer to $35,000 to $45,000—not the $10,000 to $20,000 policies still common in the field.

At FlightLine Assurance, we work closely with drone operators to:

• Evaluate true replacement cost based on your current setup
  
• Adjust policy limits to avoid coverage gaps
  
• Ensure your operation stays protected, even if you’re forced to pivot to a new platform
  

Planning now means avoiding panic later. With updated coverage, you’ll be in a position to recover quickly, stay compliant, and keep your business running—no matter what the supply chain throws your way.

Strategic Coverage: How to Pivot Without Financial Collapse

Insurance should reflect the realities of your operation—not outdated assumptions or theoretical risks. If your policy is still based on what your drone cost two seasons ago, you may be setting yourself up for a serious shortfall.

The reality is, replacing your drone today likely means replacing your entire system—and your coverage should match that.

Key options to consider:

• Raise your hull values to reflect full-system replacement. For example, increasing coverage from $20,000 to $40,000 would more accurately reflect what it costs to switch to a new platform like the XAG P150.
  
• Yes, this would roughly double your annual premium, increasing by around $2,000 per year. But consider what that investment really means.
  
  At $15 per acre, a standard rate for many commercial applicators, that additional premium is offset after just 133 acres—or about 4.5 hours of flying time at 30 acres per hour.
  That is less than one day of work to secure your entire operation for the year. A predictable, manageable cost—especially compared to losing an entire season while scrambling to recover from a total loss.
  
• Explore spare parts or backup unit endorsements. These additions can protect partial losses or second-unit deployments and provide greater flexibility during critical windows.
  
• Understand the payout structure. Know exactly how your carrier defines a total loss, and how funds are released. In a market this volatile, speed and clarity are everything.
  

Strategic coverage is not about spending more—it’s about investing in continuity. The ability to keep flying, keep earning, and keep your clients happy is worth far more than the cost of a premium increase.

FlightLine Assurance is here to help you build a policy that supports your success—not just your recovery.

How FlightLine Assurance Can Help

At FlightLine Assurance, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all insurance. Your operation is unique—and your coverage should be too.

Whether you’re running a single drone or managing a growing fleet, we provide guidance that’s tailored to your specific equipment, business model, and risk exposure. We take the time to understand your setup, so we can help you build a policy that reflects the reality of your work in the field.

Because we work with multiple top-rated carriers, we have the flexibility to adjust coverage as the market shifts. That means you’re not locked into outdated limits or rigid structures—we can adapt your policy as your needs evolve.

And when the unexpected happens, we move quickly. Our team is built around fast, responsive support, because we understand that every day your drone is down is a day of lost revenue. We’re here to help you navigate claims, coordinate with carriers, and get back in the air as fast as possible.

At the end of the day, we’re not just here to sell policies. We’re here to protect your livelihood.

Final Thoughts: Insurance is Meant to Mitigate Risk—If It’s Structured Right

Insurance is not just a requirement—it’s your safety net. But that net only works if it’s strong enough to catch what’s coming.

Too many operators are flying with outdated policies, unaware that a single crash could leave them on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars. They assume their coverage will make them whole—until they realize it was built for a different market, a different price point, and a different reality.

Right now, the landscape is shifting fast. Inventory is disappearing. Costs are rising. DJI’s long-term presence in the U.S. remains uncertain. If your drone goes down and you’re forced to pivot to a new system, will your policy actually support that move?

At FlightLine Assurance, we believe that protecting your business means planning for the world as it is—not as it used to be. Updating your drone hull coverage now, before the season is in full swing, may be the most important financial decision you make this year.

We’re here to help you make it with confidence.

Ready to reassess your drone hull coverage?
Whether you’re flying a single unit or managing a fleet, now is the time to make sure your policy reflects today’s realities—not last year’s prices.

Contact FlightLine Assurance for a personalized policy review. We’ll help you evaluate your exposure, adjust your coverage, and build a plan that protects your business—no matter what the season brings.

Because when the unexpected happens, preparation is everything.