Tokyo, October 31, 2018 - Rakuten AirMap, Inc. today announced the launch of “AirMap Free Compensation Liability Insurance*1” an insurance product for individuals using the AirMap app for drone operators.
This insurance product is provided free of charge*2 to individual users of AirMap app that enables drone operators to check information such as weather forecasts and permitted flying areas, to create and submit flight plans*3. In addition to compensation liability insurance for death or injury of another person or damage to the property of another person as a result of a fallen drone or collision, a cause of anxiety for many drone operators, coverage includes accident compensation for the operator themselves for death or disability. For an accident, the insurance provides for liability compensation of up to 5 million yen and accident compensation of up to 100,000 yen*4. This policy is underwritten by Rakuten General Insurance Co., Ltd., member of the Rakuten Group.
After users have received the necessary permission from the authorities to fly their drone, and are submitting a flight application through the AirMap app, they are given the option to take out the insurance. Their policy goes into effect upon inputting necessary information such as their date of birth. If an accident is to occur as a result of the drone flight within 24 hours of the start of the flight as scheduled based on the flight application, the user can contact “Rakuten Sompo Anshin Dial” to initiate customer support.
In December 2017, Rakuten AirMap launched its Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) system*5, which consists of the AirMap app and the “UTM Dashboard” cloud system. The UTM Dashboard is offered to airspace managers, such as local governments or universities with large campuses, and allows them to set flight rules and permitted flying areas. Through the dashboard, airspace managers can also approve flight applications made through the AirMap app by drone operators and check operator profiles. The UTM Dashboard is being utilized at the drone field managed by Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, and at Hida Nagareha Drone Park managed by Hida City, Gifu Prefecture.
Rakuten AirMap is committed to the continued improvement of the airspace environment and services to ensure that drone operators can fly their devices safely and securely.
1. Under AirMap Free Compensation Liability Insurance, the policy owner is Rakuten AirMap and the insured party is the individual user of the AirMap app (who wishes to take out the insurance policy). The shorthand for the policy is “Comprehensive accident insurance”. The premium is to be paid by the policy owner, Rakuten AirMap.
2. In airspace where the “UTM Dashboard” is in use, flight applications will be sent to all managers of said airspace. In other airspace, notifications of the drone flight can be sent to other operators in the area.
3. Provision of this insurance service may be cancelled in the event of oversubscription.
4. For details of the conditions of compensation, applicable compensation periods and more, please refer to the following website.
URL： https://hoken.rakuten.co.jp/airmap/liability/
5. For further details of the UTM system, please refer to the website below.
URL： https://www.rakuten-airmap.co.jp/
Outline of AirMap Free Compensation Liability Insurance
Official name: Comprehensive accident insurance
Eligibility: Individuals making a flight application using the AirMap app, who decide to take out the insurance policy, enter necessary information such as their date of birth and operate a drone during the time scheduled in their application, may take out this insurance.
*This insurance product is not for organizations commercial use.
Period of insurance cover: 24 hours from the start time of the flight applied for by the drone operator through the AirMap app
Coverage: Personal liability compensation – up to 5 million yen per accident during period of cover
Death or disability – up to 100,000 yen
*The recipient of the sum payable at death is the legal heir. Sum payable for disability varies according to the severity of the disability.
Premium: None
*Premium is paid by Rakuten AirMap, Inc.
Agency: Rakuten Insurance Planning Co., Ltd.
Underwriter: Rakuten General Insurance Co., Ltd.,
Website: https://www.rakuten-airmap.co.jp/operators/insurance/
Instructions for using the AirMap app for drone operators
For those already using the AirMap app
Please update the app to the following versions:
Android™ version: 2.3.2, iOS version: 2.3.2
For those who do not yet have the AirMap app
Please install the AirMap app onto your smartphone or tablet device.
Android™ version (free)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.airmap.airmap
iOS version (free)
https://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/airmap/id1282232697
System requirements
・iPhone, iPad, iPad mini or iPod touch with iOS9.3 or later
・Devices with Android™4.3 or later
*Not available to devices using iOS 9.2.1 or earlier/Android 4.2 or earlier.
*iOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the United States and other countries.
*Android™ is a trademark or registered trademark of Google LLC.
*iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and App Store are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc.
October 31, 2018
- Rakuten AirMap, Inc.