Robotics · technology · liability · cyber
Robots move. Insurance must think along.
For mobile or humanoid robots, such as Unitree G1 EDU-U6 or D-U6, one standard policy is often not enough. We structure own damage, technical defects, liability, cyber and AI-related risks into a transparent concept.
Own damageFall, collision, operator error
TechnologyMachinery breakdown and electronics
LiabilityInjury and property damage to third parties
Cyber & AIHacking, remote access and software consequences
Cover components
Separate own damage, technology and liability.
The more precisely the loss type is described, the easier it is to identify which policy or combination is needed.
Casco or all-risk concept
Depending on terms and individual agreement, this may address unforeseen own damage such as falls, collisions or external damage. Exclusions and deductibles must be checked expressly.
Machinery breakdown
For mechanical and electromechanical damage, such as material defects, operator error, blockage, overload or internal operating damage, only within the agreed scope.
Electronic equipment insurance
Protects electronic components and control equipment against insured property damage. Software, data, wear, maintenance and pure malfunction need separate assessment.
Third-party liability
Relevant where the robot injures people or damages third-party property. Activity, location, autonomy, tools and interaction with customers affect the risk description.
Cyber and data components
Hacking, unauthorised remote access, malware, data loss, privacy incidents and business interruption may require different cover components.
AI-enabled operation
For learning or partially autonomous functions, responsibilities, approvals, safety limits, logging and the link between software decisions and loss must be documented.
Liability risk
If a robot causes damage to third parties, the issue goes beyond technology.
The key questions are who uses the robot, who operates it, in what environment it moves and what kinds of bodily injury or property damage may arise.
Bodily injury
For example, if a humanoid robot hits someone, causes a fall or injures a person during a demonstration.
Property damage
For instance, when the robot damages third-party equipment, vehicles, measuring devices or goods.
Organisation & responsibility
Important factors include the intended use, supervision, safety concept, operator training and whether existing liability insurance already responds or needs to be extended.
Practical point: Especially for demonstrations, customer visits, office use or events, third-party liability should be checked explicitly before the first deployment.
Robot leasing
Financing and leasing should also be part of the insurance review.
If robots are leased or financed instead of purchased, ownership, contractual duties and the leasing company's requirements must be reflected in the insurance concept.
Who owns the robot?
Depending on the model, the lessor may remain the owner. This affects policy wording and who receives compensation in the event of a loss.
Which damage must be covered?
Own damage, total loss, theft, transit, electronics and machinery breakdown often become particularly important because financing obligations continue even after a loss.
Residual value and settlement
In the event of a claim, compensation, residual value, deductible and any settlement with the leasing company or financier must be clarified.
Technical understanding
Robot insurance requires more than insurance knowledge.
Herbert Helm trained as an electrical installer and gained hands-on technical experience on installation sites. This background helps when assessing electronics, sensors, controls, power supply and electro-mechanical interfaces.
Important: This technical background supports insurance risk assessment and communication with manufacturers, technicians and experts. It does not replace manufacturer approval, safety testing or an engineering expert opinion.
Risk information
Ten points must be clear before submission.
Insurers need a transparent technical and operational description. A model name alone is usually insufficient.
Robot and value
Manufacturer, model, serial number, purchase price, replacement value, accessories, spare parts and planned extensions.
Use and environment
Own premises, lab, production, warehouse, events, customer areas, outdoor use, stairs, uneven ground and transport.
Movement and tools
Speed, payload, grippers, tools, impact or pinch points, protected zones and emergency stop.
Control and autonomy
Manual, remote, partially autonomous, AI-enabled, cloud connection, updates, interfaces and external developers.
Cyber security
Access control, user rights, encryption, logs, patch management, network segmentation and incident response.
Operating organisation
Operator training, maintenance, testing, manufacturer instructions, risk assessment, supervision, incidents and loss prevention.
Submission
From technical data sheet to cover concept.
Not every component is available for every robot or use. Market enquiries and policy wording must therefore be documented.
Collect data
Value, technology, use, control, environment and loss potential.
Loss scenarios
Fall, collision, defect, third-party damage, manipulation and outage.
Order components
All-risk/casco, machinery, electronics, liability, cyber and BI.
Approach the market
Risk description, questionnaire, safety concept and requested limits.
Check the policy
Exclusions, deductibles, duties, actual/replacement value and clauses.
Important: Terms such as “fully comprehensive” or “cyber clause” are not uniform promises of cover. Only the specifically agreed terms, limits, exclusions and clauses are decisive.
Service
Expert resources and direct contact.
The start page already contains the core topics. Additional detail is available under case law, knowledge and team.
FAQ
All questionsRobot insurance explained clearly.
Can a fall of the robot be insured?
This may be possible depending on the product, risk description and terms. External impact, operator error, internal cause, wear and deductible must be distinguished.
Is machinery breakdown insurance enough?
Not necessarily. Electronic components, external damage, liability, cyber, data and business interruption may require additional components.
What if the robot is hacked?
Recovery, data and system damage, business interruption, privacy, extortion, third-party damage and the cause of physical damage must be separated.
Is AI automatically covered?
No. The use, autonomy, software, external services and actual policy wording are decisive.
