That heart-stopping moment when your DJI drone clips a tree branch or vanishes over the horizon costs most pilots $800–$1,500 in out-of-pocket repairs. Standard warranties won’t cover these accidents—leaving you footing the bill for shattered props, waterlogged electronics, or total losses. DJI’s official drone protection solution, DJI Care Refresh, transforms this financial risk into predictable $59–$199 replacement fees. In the next 10 minutes, you’ll discover exactly which crashes are covered, why the 48-hour activation window is non-negotiable, how flyaway replacements work for Mini 2 owners, and why renewing before expiration saves you from restarting the clock. Stop gambling with your investment—this is how to fly with real confidence.
Why DJI Care Refresh Beats Standard Warranties
DJI’s standard warranty only covers manufacturing defects—leaving accidental damage completely unprotected. DJI drone protection through Care Refresh fills this critical gap by covering collisions, water immersion, flyaways, and natural wear. Pay a single upfront fee when buying your drone, and you’ll only owe small replacement costs when accidents happen. Unlike third-party insurance, this factory-backed plan includes return shipping, OEM parts, and expedited service—getting you back in the air in 5 days instead of weeks.
48-Hour Activation Deadline Explained
You must activate Care Refresh within 48 hours of first powering on your drone. After that initial flight, the activation window slams shut. Try purchasing later, and DJI support requires manual verification with no approval guarantee. Once purchased through store.dji.com or the DJI Store app, your activation code arrives instantly via email—no waiting. Skip this step, and a single tree strike could cost you 3x the price of the protection plan.
New vs. Renewed Coverage Limits
First-time buyers choose between 1-year or 2-year plans. But after expiration, only 1-year renewals are available—capping total coverage at three consecutive years. The DJI Neo breaks this pattern entirely: it cannot be renewed at all. If you keep your drone long-term, that initial 2-year purchase becomes crucial since you lose the ability to buy multi-year coverage later.
Accidents Covered Under DJI Drone Protection
Tree Strikes and Hard Landings
Whether your drone smashes into a building or pancakes onto concrete, Care Refresh covers all collision damage. Each incident consumes one of your replacement slots. For Mini 3 Pro owners, a typical crash replacement costs $149—not $1,299. Look for scorch marks on motors or cracked landing gear to confirm impact damage before filing.
Saltwater and Freshwater Immersion
Total water coverage applies whether your drone dips in a lake, gets caught in rain, or plunges into ocean surf. DJI replaces the entire unit after you pay the model-specific fee—no partial repairs. Saltwater exposure requires immediate rinsing with fresh water before shipping, but coverage remains intact. Skip this step, and corrosion could void your claim.
Mini 2 Flyaway Replacement Process
Only Mini 2 and Mavic Air 2 owners get flyaway coverage. When your drone disappears beyond recovery, DJI requires proof via flight logs showing GPS signal loss. After verification, pay the $99 service fee and receive a factory-fresh replacement. Crucially, each flyaway counts as one full replacement against your plan’s total—using half your slots in a single incident.
1-Year vs. 2-Year Plan Breakdown
| Benefit | 1-Year Plan | 2-Year Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Total Replacements | 2 | 4 |
| Flyaway Replacements | 1 | 2 |
| Coverage Length | 12 months | 24 months |
| Renewal Cost | $79–$199/year | Not available after expiry |
| Best For | Budget buyers, experienced pilots | New flyers, accident-prone areas |
The 2-year plan saves money long-term if you expect multiple incidents. But the 1-year option minimizes upfront cost—ideal if you fly cautiously in open areas. Both plans share identical $59–$199 replacement fees per incident.
5-Day Replacement Process for Drone Protection Claims
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Express Replacement Steps (Non-Flyaway Claims)
- Log your claim online within 7 days (excludes flyaways or data analysis cases).
- Pay the replacement fee shown instantly—Mini 3 Pro: $149, Air 3: $199.
- Package damaged drone using the prepaid shipping label (include all parts).
- Receive replacement in 3–5 business days—brand-new or “like-new” performance.
Pro Tip: Snap photos of damage before shipping. Missing components delay replacements.
Standard Repair Flow for Flyaways
For Mini 2 flyaway claims, skip step 2 above. Instead:
– Submit flight logs showing signal loss beyond 100m
– Wait for DJI verification (24–48 hours)
– Pay service fee upon approval
– Get replacement without returning anything
Average turnaround remains 5 working days from verification—not shipment receipt.
Current DJI Models Eligible for Drone Protection
DJI Care Refresh covers more than just drones. Always confirm eligibility during checkout since model support shifts with new releases:
- Drones: Mini 2, Mini 3 Series, Air 2S, Air 3, Mavic 3 Series
- Stabilizers: RS 4, RS 4 Pro, RS 3 Mini, RS 4 Mini
- Phones: Osmo Mobile 7/7 Pro
Warning: DJI Neo owners get no renewal option—coverage ends after initial term.
Renewal Traps That Void Your Drone Protection
The 15-Day Expiration Cliff
You must renew within 15 days after expiry to maintain continuous coverage. Wait longer, and you restart the 48-hour activation clock on a brand-new plan—with no guarantee of approval. DJI won’t cover crashes during that gap period. Set a phone reminder 2 weeks before expiry.
The 3-Year Coverage Ceiling
No matter how many renewals you buy, total coverage maxes at 36 months. A 2-year plan + one 1-year renewal hits this cap immediately. Long-term drone keepers should prioritize the 2-year initial purchase to maximize protection years.
Hidden Perks Most Owners Never Use
- 15% repair discount on out-of-plan services (e.g., $120 instead of $140 for gimbal recalibration).
- Free factory maintenance every 12 months—critical for motor calibration on heavy-use drones.
- Global coverage in 30+ countries—file claims while traveling without local service hassles.
- Accident-free rewards like discounted renewals after 12 months (details in Terms of Service).
Expert Note: Factory maintenance prevents “phantom” errors that mimic hardware failures—saving false claim submissions.
How to Buy & Activate Without Missing Deadlines
Always purchase Care Refresh during drone checkout—either on store.dji.com or the DJI Store app. Adding it later risks missing the 48-hour window. The mobile app bundles extra value with free Virtual Flight simulator access. During activation:
1. Power on drone for first flight (triggers 48-hour clock)
2. Immediately complete purchase on DJI platform
3. Check email for activation code—no physical documents
4. Register code in DJI Fly app under “Device Management”
Never wait until after your first flight—those 48 hours include weekends and holidays.
Quick Reference: DJI Protection Plan Limits
| Coverage Metric | 1-Year Plan | 2-Year Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Max Replacements | 2 (1 flyaway) | 4 (2 flyaways) |
| Replacement Fees | $59–$199 | Same |
| Renewal Window | 15 days post-expiry | Same |
| Total Coverage Cap | 3 years | 3 years |
Smart Drone Protection Strategy Based on Your Skill Level
New pilots should always choose the 2-year plan—your first 50 flights carry the highest crash risk. The extra replacements justify the $50–$100 premium over two 1-year plans. Experienced flyers in open terrain can start with 1-year coverage, but renew immediately at expiry to avoid the 48-hour restart. Commercial operators need the 2-year plan plus annual renewals—downtime costs more than protection fees.
Most critical: Activate before your first flight ends. That 48-hour countdown starts at power-on—not purchase date. Waiting even one day risks denial when you need drone protection most. With replacement fees as low as $59, this isn’t insurance—it’s the only sane way to fly. Activate now, crash later, and keep flying without fear.
