HDI is developing insurance solutions for the deployment

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1 HDI is developing insurance solutions for the deployment of drones Liability protection for industry, commerce and the selfemployed Private drone users require special liability protection Hannover, 10 March 2016 Four, six or eight rotors, a camera, remote control anybody who HDI Global SE HDI-Platz Hannover Talanx Group Communications T F martin.schrader@talanx.com wants to purchase a drone initially gives careful thought to the technical details. Very often, not enough consideration is given to insurance cover. However, it s also worth reviewing this aspect at an early stage. Airborne drones or more correctly: a simple version of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) can already be obtained at an affordable price. If the aerial vehicles need to satisfy professional standards, purchasers have to dig deeper into their pockets, but a professional drone can already be acquired for a four-digit sum. Handling these devices is also relatively simple and quadcopters, hexacopters and octocopters are now extremely popular with private and professional users. However, there are very extensive legal regulations on using drones. They range from banned no-fly zones around airports, prohibitions around collections of people or industrial facilities, through official aerial licences, to the drone pilot s licence announced by the government. Moreover, the mandatory liability protection insurance required by lawmakers from the outset can also be a challenge for drone users. The liability of the keeper or pilot of a drone is very far-reaching if a third party is injured or suffers loss as a result of the operation of a drone. Under certain circumstances, the keeper may even be liable for property damage or personal injury irrespective of who guilt is actually attributable to, explained Frank Manekeller, Head of the Liability, Accident and Property Damage Division at HDI Versicherung AG. This is because despite the fact that the technology is mature and easy to 1/5

2 operate, it is impossible to completely eliminate the scenario in which a drone crashes uncontrollably to the ground. If the drone is not covered by liability insurance protection, the keeper or pilot of the drone has to pay compensation for the loss, damage or injury caused out of their own pocket. Insurance solutions for industry, commerce and the self-employed The industrial insurer HDI Global SE has therefore developed a coverage concept for professional use of multicopters especially tailored to the needs of industrial and commercial users. This concept enables one or more than one UAS to be conveniently covered so that they can be operated for a variety of different applications, including for example research purposes, monitoring industrial facilities, pipelines or powerlines, and for photo or film shoots. Depending on the individual risk, we offer bespoke insurance covering a wide range of different deployment options for unmanned aerial systems, explained Lydia Baur-Empt, Head of the Department of Aviation Contract and Property at HDI Global. Coverage sums range from the mandatory statutory lower limit amounting to around one million euros right up a range in the triple-digit million euros. HDI Versicherung AG has already integrated the cover into its new professional liability product for architects and engineers. Andreas Huth, Head of the Department of Product Management Liability Planning, commented: We are increasingly seeing architects and engineers using multicopters within their routine work every day. For example, drones are regularly used to record dimensions for land or buildings, or to gain a better overview of a property. HDI has therefore included this coverage as a fixed element in its insurance concept for this group of customers. 2/5

3 Private drone users require special liability protection Drones are also gaining increasing popularity with private individuals they can already be purchased in electronics supermarkets for less than one hundred euros. However, a special liability insurance is also absolutely essential for private drone pilots. Private liability insurance does not provide adequate cover in most cases. A convenient and costeffective option is provided by becoming a member of the German Model Pilots Association (DMFV). Membership automatically includes special liability cover for private use of model aircraft and model aerial vehicles this also includes multicopters. On request, HDI Global offers appropriate insurance solutions for private individuals who are not members of the DMFV. More information about insurance solutions for drones About HDI Global SE As an industrial lines insurer, HDI Global SE meets the needs of industrial and corporate customers with insurance solutions that are specifically tailored to their requirements. In addition to HDI's prominent position in the German and broader European market, the company also has operations in more than 130 countries through foreign branch offices, subsidiary and peer companies, and network partners. The company is thus able to offer its customers local policies for their global operations, which ensure that the established service and insurance protection is extended for all covered risks world-wide. About HDI Versicherung AG HDI Versicherung AG offers property insurance solutions for retail customers and company clients. The product range spans motor insurance policies, through private liability and householders insurance to complete solutions for small and mid-sized companies, and special, vocation-based solutions for the self-employed. 3/5

4 Both companies are part of Talanx Group. With premium income of EUR 29.0 billion (2014) and more than 21,300 employees, Talanx is one of the major European insurance groups. The rating agency Standard & Poor s has given the Talanx Primary Group a financial strength rating of A+/stable (strong) and the Hannover Re Group one of AA / stable (very strong). Talanx AG is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the MDAX as well as on the stock exchanges in Hannover and Warsaw (ISIN: DE000TLX1005, German Securities Code: TLX100, Polish Securities Code: TNX). You can find additional information by going to: and For media enquiries please contact: HDI Global S.E. Martin Schrader Tel.: martin.schrader@talanx.com HDI Versicherung AG Andreas Ahrenbeck Tel.: andreas.ahrenbeck@hdi.de Disclaimer This news release contains forward-looking statements which are based on certain assumptions, expectations and opinions of the Talanx AG management. These statements are, therefore, subject to certain known or unknown risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors, many of which are beyond Talanx AG s control, affect Talanx AG s business activities, business strategy, results, performance and achievements. Should one or more of these factors or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results, performance or achievements of Talanx AG may vary materially from those expressed or implied in the relevant forward-looking statement. Talanx AG does not guarantee that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor does Talanx AG accept any responsibility for the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. Talanx AG neither intends, nor assumes any obligation, to update or revise these forward-looking statements in light of developments which differ from those anticipated. 4/5

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