What happens if a spark node gets damaged for remote owners?

Quick question for the community: If a Spark Node gets damaged—especially for those of us who are remote owners—what’s the process? Is there a warranty that covers things like hardware failures, or does it fall under an insurance plan?

Also, are there certain types of damage, like weather-related issues, that aren’t covered? Just trying to figure out how secure this investment is and what kind of risks might be involved.

Appreciate any info!

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I’m wondering too, they are not covered as far as I know so it requires external insurance… but I don’t know how this would work in Pakistan…

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Hello @tery and @Wool_Spectrum ,

Great questions! Based on insights from the latest AirNode AMA, here’s what we’ve learned:

  • Node Lifespan: AirNodes, including Spark Nodes, have an expected lifespan of 10–14 years, depending on environmental conditions and usage. Some network nodes in operation today have already lasted over 8 years.
  • Insurance & Coverage:
    • Currently: Active nodes deployed as part of the World Mobile network are insured by World Mobile.
    • Future Insurance: Once insurance is available via the checkout process, new node operators will need to opt for their own coverage.
    • Regional Variability: Insurance specifics will depend on your location. For example, in Pakistan, coordination with WorldCall and local insurers may be necessary to secure coverage for IoT or networking equipment.
  • Damage & Replacement:
    • Some hardware defects may be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.
    • Environmental damage, theft, or accidental loss may not be covered unless an additional insurance policy is in place.
    • Operators will need to plan for long-term maintenance and potential upgrades.
  • Long-Term Sustainability: Rewards from running a node should accumulate over time, ideally covering maintenance, upgrades, and eventual replacements.

If you’re concerned about weather risks, theft, or accidental damage, looking into additional insurance options may provide extra protection.

Hope this helps! :rocket:

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Thanks, so my understand is that at the moment, the Sparks are covered by WM. In the future, this might change for the next airdrops. Is that correct?