The good weather has returned and you’re thinking of taking the small unmanned aircraft (aka: UAS or drone) you received as a holiday gift out for a test flight (the Federal Aviation Administration predicted that up to a million people received one during the holiday season). Before you head to your backyard or the local park, did you remember to register your UAS with the FAA?

That’s right. Owners of small UAS, who had operated an unmanned aircraft exclusively as a model aircraft prior to Dec. 21, 2015, should have registered it no later than Feb. 19, 2016. People who purchased a UAS after Dec. 21, 2015, must register before the first flight outdoors. To help streamline the process, the FAA developed a web-based registration portal at faa.gov/uas/registration. Owners must be at least 13 years old to register their UAS.

In addition to the FAA, you should let our agency know you now own a drone—or any other valuable item you might have purchased or received since you last contacted our agency. And remember, your insurance needs will be different if you are a hobbyist who enjoys flying UAS or if you are using your drone commercially. We can help you figure out the difference. We can discuss your coverage options and help you determine the proper insurance coverage for all your possessions.