DJI launch paid customer care, for some

What’s more important than your DJI drone suffering a mishap? Who’s going to fix it and how? This is where our brand new DJI Care service comes in. Whether it’s damages to your aircraft, gimbal, camera or pilot error such as drops and crashes, DJI Care has got you covered. Available now for existing and new DJI drone owners. At present, this service is limited to the United States, Europe (excluding the United Kingdom) and Mainland China. We will notify you once other regions become available for the DJI Care service. Find out more: store.dji.com/service

One wonders if the service is not in Australia and the UK  because they have different consumer protection provisions. Looks like DJI is clawing back some of the discounts it recently created with a service plan. On the face of it a very good idea.

It will cover:-

DJI Care covers damage to the aircraft, gimbal or camera due to dropping, squeezing or crashing caused by operator error or other accidents.

DJI will offer free repairs if the equipment is sent to DJI within the period of validity.
Accessories such as remote controller, propellers, battery and charger will not be covered by DJI Care.

Here’s what it will cost

If you total your Phantom or Inspire and are within the terms, DJI will replace it.

Your aircraft is considered “completely damaged” if over 80% of the aircraft parts are damaged. We usually recommend replacing your aircraft if it is completely damaged.

For the 6-month plan, if your aircraft is completely damaged or presumed to be completely damaged and needs to be exchanged with a new one, the coverage amount left in your DJI Care plan can be used for the exchange in the first 5 months during the period of validity. However, if your aircraft is completely damaged or presumed to be completely damaged and needs to be exchanged with a new one 30 days before the period of validity expires, you will be compensated at either the coverage amount left or 80% of the purchase price of the aircraft, whichever is lower.

For the 1-year plan, if your aircraft is completely damaged or presumed to be completely damaged and needs to be exchanged with a new one, the coverage amount left in your DJI Care plan can be used for the exchange in the first 10 months during the period of validity. However, if your aircraft is completely damaged or presumed to be completely damaged and needs to be exchanged with a new one 60 days before the period of validity expires, you will be compensated at either the coverage amount left or 60% of the purchase price of the aircraft, whichever is lower.

Time to start watching the forums to see what the uptake is like and if DJI come through with the cover.