SkyWatch.AI, which is a data analysis, risk-assessment and active risk-reduction platform for the UAS industry, has signed an exclusive partnership deal with Starr Companies (Starr) to offer an “ingenious telematics-based UAV insurance platform.”

Through the partnership, Starr will expand its existing UAS insurance product, and offer a unique telematics-based insurance to UAS operators.

“We are very excited to partner with a visionary company such as Starr,” says Tomer Kashi, SkyWatch's CEO. “Their understanding of the importance of safety in aviation, amazing reputation, track record, and innovative approach makes them the perfect partner for SkyWatch.”

Right now, SkyWatch's mobile application is available on an invite-only basis on iOS and Android to both business and recreational operators. Capable of connecting to many UAS of choice, the application allows operators to get real-time hazard warnings based from the drone's telemetry, calculating a proprietary "safety score" for each flight.

According to the companies, the proprietary "safety score" can be used to set an industry benchmark for operators, who will be more aware of how they fly, and will be able to improve their score as they practice better, safer flights. Qualified operators can also purchase insurance based on this safety score, and Kashi says that “safer pilots, with high scores, can expect to see their insurance premiums decrease over time.”

SkyWatch's software uniquely gathers various data sources, and uses artificial intelligence (AI) based algorithms to analyze risks for UAS operators.

For example, in DJI UAS, these include more than 30 different UAS sensors to predict and assist in preventing potential failures before they occur, hyper-local weather including wind, precipitation, and temperature, 3-D airspace/ground, and crowd density.

“SkyWatch delivers the ability for Starr's aviation business unit to effortlessly obtain the proper data which can be used for better insights on the unique risk a UAV presents,” says Steve Blakey, President and CEO of Starr Insurance Holdings.

“We believe that SkyWatch brings a fresh approach to how insurance operates and their safety solutions put them at the forefront of the industry.”