The Elite Dangerous insurance FAQ answer is straightforward: player help discussions describe ships as insured automatically, and you pay the displayed rebuy cost to recover a ship after it is destroyed. [1][2] Check that cost before you launch so you know what the game will ask you to pay if the ship is lost. For the next step, see Elite Dangerous Insurance: How Rebuy and Recovery Work.
Think of the rebuy as a cost to keep in mind whenever you take a ship into a risky situation. For example, before heading into a fight, make sure you know the amount shown for your ship rather than assuming recovery is free. This gives you a clear figure to weigh against the risk of the trip.
The key points are simple: coverage is automatic, but recovery requires payment. Check the rebuy cost before launch, then make your decision with that amount in mind. The rest of this FAQ looks at what happens after destruction and the choices you face when recovering a ship.
What happens to your ship after destruction?
After your ship is destroyed, the game presents an insurance screen where you can review the recovery option. [3] If you confirm recovery, your ship and its loadout can be restored, so the replacement can return with its previous outfitting rather than as a bare hull. [4]
Review the recovery details
Pause on the insurance screen and read the details shown before you confirm. That gives you a chance to check what the offered recovery includes; for example, if you had fitted a different set of weapons or utility modules, verify that the displayed option matches what you expect. [3]
Treat the screen as the decision point, not a prompt to click through automatically. If anything about the offered recovery is unclear, take a moment to inspect it before choosing. This is especially useful after a costly refit, when you want to be sure you are selecting the ship setup you intended to recover. For more detail, see Saitek X45 Drivers: Setup and Troubleshooting.
What should you check before choosing a rebuy?
Before you commit to a risky flight, use the rebuy amount shown in your right-hand console to decide whether you’re comfortable with the stakes. The first tab shows “re-buy cost” at the bottom left, so you can make that call using the displayed figure rather than a guess. [2]
Make the call at the insurance screen
When the insurance screen appears, focus on the choice in front of you: can you cover the rebuy amount it displays? If yes, decide whether recovering the ship is still worth the cost to you; if not, pause and consider your options before confirming. The screen is where you make the immediate decision, not a reason to rush through it. [3]
For example, if you’ve been flying a ship you’re not willing to lose, check the displayed amount and ask yourself whether paying it would leave you comfortable continuing your session. If you’d rather not risk that cost, choose a safer activity instead of taking the ship into another fight. That’s a practical risk decision, not a guarantee that a particular choice is best for every commander.
Keep this moment simple: read the amount, decide whether you can pay it, then choose how to proceed. You don’t need to calculate a separate estimate while the screen is open; use the amount shown there as your reference. [3]
Common questions about Elite Dangerous insurance
Do you purchase insurance separately?
No separate purchase is described in player help discussions: coverage is automatic, and the pilot pays to recover the ship after it is lost. [1] [2] For example, you do not need to look for a separate insurance item before a flight; check the rebuy information shown in-game instead. That keeps the decision focused on the recovery option the game presents, rather than a separate policy menu.
Does recovery restore your old ship configuration?
The Elite Dangerous wiki says you can recover your old ship loadout. [4] That means the previous configuration may be available with the ship, rather than requiring you to rebuild every choice from memory. Review the recovery details before confirming so you know what option the game is offering. You may also find this useful: Elite Dangerous Insurance for Modules: What to Know.
Is the rebuy always 5% of the ship and its equipment?
Do not assume that a community guide’s 5% figure is universal: the guide gives that figure, but you should use the current in-game value for your situation. [3] [2] If your display shows a different amount, use the displayed amount rather than calculating from a general rule. The same habit helps when you change ships or equipment, since the practical question is what the game currently asks you to pay.
Check your rebuy before you launch
Before you launch, use the rebuy amount shown in your ship’s right-hand console as your practical reference for deciding how much risk to take. Open the first tab and look at the bottom-left area for the “re-buy cost” display. [2]
Treat that displayed figure as the number to keep in mind when you choose whether to head into a dangerous situation. For example, if you’re weighing a risky combat run, pause at the console first and make your call based on the amount shown for your ship—not a guess or a remembered figure. The display gives you a concrete reference point for that decision. [2] Learn more in Star Citizen vs Elite Dangerous for Beginners: Which to Pick?
Make this a quick pre-launch habit: open the right-hand console, find the rebuy cost, and note it before setting out. If you switch to a different ship, check the display again rather than carrying over the amount you remember from your last flight. Then use the current in-game figure when you decide whether to take the risk.