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The DJI Care Refresh is an assistance plan for situations covered by the service terms, including certain accidental damage. Simply paying for the plan does not mean any incident entitles you to a new drone: the model, purchase region, activation, account associations and replacement fees matter.
To decide if it is worthwhile in Portugal, compare the total cost with the type of use you will give the drone. The decision becomes clearer when you separate accident assistance, rights against the seller and liability for damage caused to third parties.
What you should confirm in the coverage
The official Care Refresh FAQ describes one- and two-year plans, with replacement limits and additional payment for using the service. Flyaway coverage, when available for the model, has its own conditions. Confirm the offer associated with the serial number before purchasing.
Open the official terms and look for answers to these specific situations:
- The drone hits a tree and you manage to recover it.
- The equipment suffers damage from contact with water.
- The drone disappears during flight and you do not recover it.
- An accessory is damaged, but the drone continues to function.
These questions help identify what is included, what you need to send and how much you pay in each case. Do not treat the word “accident” as a universal authorisation for replacement.
Purchase and activation: the first 48 hours
The DJI purchase guide indicates, for aircraft, purchase before activation or within the first 48 hours after it. A code acquired from a retailer also needs to be associated within the applicable conditions. Keeping the card in the box does not equate to activating the service.
If this period has already passed, check the possibility of video validation or inspection through support. Do not assume the drone is automatically excluded, nor that approval is guaranteed. Keep the service confirmation, serial number and invoice together.
Flyaway requires preparation before the incident
DJI requires prior associations between aircraft, account and controller for the applicable flyaway replacement service. Confirm them in the app’s device management. Do not leave this verification until after losing the drone.
If you bought it second-hand, agree with the seller on transferring the associations and confirm the plan status with DJI. Our guide on accounts for used DJI drones explains what to check before finalising the purchase.
Portugal and purchases from other countries
DJI includes European Union countries in the service availability, but requires consistency between the product’s purchase region and the plan’s region. Do not assume international coverage for an imported drone. Confirm the serial number’s eligibility, the contractual region and the assistance process before paying.
How to calculate without depending on a promotion
Note three values from the current offer: plan price, replacement fee for damage and flyaway fee, if covered. Add any foreseen expenses from the conditions. Compare this sum with the repair or replacement cost you could bear.
A user who frequently travels with the equipment may value the predictability of the assistance more. Those who fly only a few times should consider whether they prefer to set that money aside. These are budget choices; it is not possible to conclude that the plan is worth it for everyone without knowing the price, the equipment and the usage.
Care Refresh and legal warranty are different things
In consumer purchases from a professional, rights regarding lack of conformity follow the applicable legal regime. A paid plan does not eliminate these rights. The Decree-Law No. 84/2021 regulates this matter in Portugal. A fault without accidental cause should be assessed by the seller; do not automatically agree to pay for a replacement without understanding the context.
Do not also confuse equipment assistance with civil liability coverage for damage to third-party persons or property. Confirm that protection separately, according to the operation you are going to perform.
Before each flight, the pre-flight check remains useful, with or without a plan. Keep relevant records if an incident occurs and ask the support team for instructions before discarding or repairing the equipment.
Conditions consulted on 2 October 2026. Always confirm the contract associated with your model and region.
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