Short answer: In India, a drone's protection comes in three layers: a warranty for manufacturing defects, insurance for accidents and third-party liability, and a repair service for everything else. DJI drones bought from HobiTech carry HobiTech's own 1-year warranty, and the Drone Rules, 2021 apply the Motor Vehicles Act's third-party insurance provisions to every drone except nano drones. When something breaks, HobiTech's repair service works to a 72-hour turnaround.
Last updated: 19 October 2026.
Key takeaways
- DJI drones bought from HobiTech come with HobiTech's own 1-year warranty; remote controllers count as accessories and are not covered.
- Extended cover from HobiTech costs 2.5% of the drone's price before GST for one extra year, or 5% for two years or an AMC plan.
- Under the Drone Rules, 2021, third-party insurance provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 apply to drones; nano drones (250 g or less) are exempt.
- A draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation) Bill, released for consultation in September 2025, proposes compulsory third-party cover for drone operations.
- HobiTech repairs drones with a 72-hour turnaround; Indian-brand products carry their manufacturer's warranty, which HobiTech helps you claim.
Warranty, insurance and repair: what each one covers
Many buyers assume a warranty will pay for a crash. It usually won't. Each layer of protection answers a different question:
| Protection | What it is for | Who provides it | Typical trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warranty | Manufacturing or component defects | HobiTech (DJI drones bought from HobiTech); the manufacturer (Indian brands) | A fault that appears in normal use |
| Extended warranty / AMC | Longer defect cover after year one | HobiTech | Faults after the standard warranty ends |
| Third-party insurance | Injury or property damage your drone causes to others | A general insurer | An accident involving people or property |
| Hull or equipment insurance | Damage to or loss of your own drone | A general insurer (optional) | Crash, water damage, theft |
| Repair service | Fixing damage, wear or out-of-warranty faults | HobiTech | Any time the drone needs work |
A hobbyist with a nano drone may need only the warranty and a good repair partner. A commercial operator should treat insurance as a cost of doing business.
HobiTech's warranty on DJI drones
HobiTech is a genuine DJI dealer, and every DJI drone bought from HobiTech comes with HobiTech's own 1-year warranty.
Points to know before you need it:
- Remote controllers are not covered. The RC-N3, DJI RC 2 and other controllers count as accessories under the standard warranty.
- Warranty is for defects. Like most warranties, it is designed for faults in normal use, not accidental damage such as crashes or water landings. The exact terms and the claim process are on our warranty claims page.
- Keep your invoice and serial number. You will need them to start a claim.
- Indian-brand products carry their manufacturer's warranty. HobiTech helps you raise and follow up the claim with the brand.
Extending your cover
If you fly often or rely on the drone for work, an extended warranty or AMC plan keeps you protected beyond year one. One extra year costs 2.5% of the drone's price before GST; two years, or an AMC plan, costs 5%. On a DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo at ₹1,03,990 before GST, one extra year works out to about ₹2,600 before GST.
Drone insurance in India: what the rules say
India's Drone Rules, 2021 bring drones under the third-party insurance provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The Government's own summary puts it this way: drones other than nano drones are covered by the Act and are "eligible for third party insurance and compensation in case of damage to life and property". Nano drones, weighing 250 g or less, are exempt.
The rules link drone insurance to the motor-vehicle framework but do not spell out a separate drone policy or minimum cover. That may change. In September 2025 the Ministry of Civil Aviation released a draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation) Bill for public consultation, which says no one shall operate an unmanned aircraft system unless it is covered by a third-party insurance policy, with exemptions to be notified. Check whether it has become law before you fly commercially.
Practical guidance:
- Commercial operators flying micro or larger drones should carry third-party liability cover. Clients on infrastructure, mining and government projects may ask for proof of cover before work starts.
- Hull cover for your own drone is optional but worth pricing for expensive enterprise kit such as the DJI Matrice 350 RTK or Matrice 4 series.
- Read the exclusions. Insurers may require a registered drone, a certified pilot where the rules demand one, and flights in permitted zones. A flight that breaks the rules may not be covered.
Registration matters for insurance too. Every drone, including nano drones, must be registered on DGCA's Digital Sky (eGCA) portal, and commercial flying of a micro or larger drone needs a DGCA Remote Pilot Certificate. See our guide to DGCA drone rules in India for 2026.
Repair: what to do when your drone is damaged
Crashes happen, even to careful pilots. HobiTech's drone repair service handles DJI and other drones with a 72-hour turnaround.
- Stop flying. A bent arm or damaged gimbal can get worse in the air. Power down and remove the battery.
- Check the battery. If it is swollen, punctured or hot, do not charge it.
- Note what happened. Record the date, place and circumstances, and keep the flight log in the DJI app. Insurers and repair technicians both find this useful.
- Contact HobiTech. Call +91 70225 26509, email support@hobitech.in or use our contact page. We reply shortly during working hours, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day.
- Decide warranty or paid repair. If the fault is a defect within the warranty period, it is handled under warranty; otherwise it is a paid repair, and you can ask for an estimate first.
How to keep your drone out of the repair shop
- Update firmware on the drone, controller and batteries before a big shoot.
- Calibrate the compass when you fly in a new location, away from metal structures.
- Set a sensible return-to-home altitude above the tallest trees and buildings nearby.
- Store batteries at a partial charge and away from heat, especially in Indian summers.
- Avoid flying in rain unless the drone has an IP rating; consumer models such as the DJI Mini series do not.
Shopping for a new drone? Browse all drones at HobiTech, all with free DTDC shipping.
Further reading
Sources: insurance position per the Government of India's summary of the Drone Rules, 2021 (indiaai.gov.in) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation's draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation) Bill, 2025 (civilaviation.gov.in); weight categories per the PIB Drone Rules backgrounder (pib.gov.in); warranty and repair terms per HobiTech's published policies.
Frequently asked questions
Is drone insurance mandatory in India?
The Drone Rules, 2021 apply the Motor Vehicles Act's third-party insurance provisions to drones other than nano drones. A draft bill from September 2025 proposes compulsory third-party cover. Commercial operators should carry it.
Does HobiTech's warranty cover crash damage?
Warranties are designed for defects; crash damage is generally a matter for our repair service or a hull insurance policy. Check the warranty claims page for full terms.
Is the remote controller covered by the warranty?
No. Remote controllers, including the RC-N3 and DJI RC 2, count as accessories and are not covered by the standard warranty.
How long does a drone repair take at HobiTech?
HobiTech works to a 72-hour turnaround for drone repairs.
Do nano drones need insurance?
Nano drones of 250 g or less are exempt from the third-party insurance provisions, but they must still be registered with DGCA.
