Your Insurance Company May Be Using A Flying Drone Above Your House, And It's Honestly So Freaky

Every few years, I get a notice from my insurance company informing me that — usually unbeknownst to me — an inspector has strolled around my property looking for potential hazards or issues of concern to my insurer. The notice will sometimes include a list of things they want me to address, perhaps like a tree branch that's too close to the roof.
Recently, I realized that my insurance company may be keeping tabs on my property in a way I never expected, by checking out my home from the air — and your insurance may be doing it, too.
Some insurance companies are now using drones to do property inspections from the air. In some cases, insurers are using the results of these inspections to refuse to insure the property altogether. This may be especially concerning for property owners in certain areas at high risk of natural disasters, where insurance options may already be limited as insurers have been dropping customers.
I talked to experts to find out why insurance companies are using drone inspections – and what you can do if an aerial inspection impacts you.
Drone inspections are becoming more common.
The use of drones for inspections on a widespread basis is becoming more routine.
'Property insurers have been using drone technology for many years in assessing damage from natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires to process claims quicker,' said Mark Friedlander, senior director of media relations at the Insurance Information Institute. 'The technology is now being used by many national and regional insurers to inspect the exterior condition of homes in making underwriting decisions for the property.'
Here's why insurance companies use drone inspections.
For insurance companies, drone inspections offer several benefits. Friedlander noted that this approach is more efficient and precise than inspections performed by humans and avoids the risks or potential hazards involved when an inspector must physically walk around a property.
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When enlisting a drone to help with a property inspection, insurers are especially interested in checking out parts of the property that are difficult to see from ground level. In particular, this is a great way for an insurer to get a bird's eye view of the roof.
'They would see if there's any patches or cuts into the roof that will lead to a claim tomorrow,' Mike Koba, of Koba Capital Insurance Brokerage, said.
Insurance companies have often used Google Maps to assess properties — but while those images may be several years old, a drone allows for real-time views of a property's current condition. Koba says insurers will sometimes perform an aerial inspection before deciding whether to insure a property at all — this is especially common with large commercial properties — but may also use this as part of the routine ongoing process to decide whether to renew an existing policy.
In addition to checking out the condition of the roof or other major components, drone inspections can also reveal something on the property that your insurance company didn't know about.
'While the focus is primarily on roof condition, aerial inspections may also capture unreported additions to homes such as swimming pools, gazebos, and trampolines,' says Friedlander. 'In some cases, this type of discovery could result in a premium adjustment or disqualify your property from being insured if it no longer meets the carrier's underwriting criteria.'
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What if a drone inspection finds an issue?
If your insurer notifies you that a drone inspection revealed an issue, that doesn't necessarily mean you should panic or prepare for higher insurance premiums. Koba says insurance companies will typically give the property owner a short period of time — often around 45 days — to correct the issue. If you believe the insurance company's information is incorrect, you can also present evidence or documentation to prove the accurate condition of the property.
Know your rights and options as a property owner.
If you're like me, the idea of a drone checking out your property without your knowledge might give you Big Brother vibes, but experts say it is most likely perfectly legal for an insurer to inspect your property this way.
Candise Shanbron, managing partner of Cernitz Law, says there are a variety of federal, state and local laws regarding the use of drones which in some cases prohibit drone users from conducting surveillance that would violate a reasonable expectation of privacy without the property owner's consent. However, she notes that there are often exceptions for licensed business entities that have a legitimate interest in the property — which would typically include insurance companies and insurance adjusters.
While laws about what — if any — disclosures or advance warning an insurer must provide about drone inspections are in many cases vague and vary by location, Shanbron says insurers will often make customers aware of this possibility out of an abundance of caution to avoid any legal liability.
Unfortunately, if an insurer decides to raise your premiums or cancel your policy based on issues found via a drone inspection, there's probably not much you can do about it from a legal standpoint, Shanbron said, as long as the insurer complies with any applicable laws regarding rates and coverage. If, however, an insurer tries to deny coverage of a claim based on a drone inspection (or any other grounds), she does encourage property owners to consult with an attorney specializing in insurance claims.
This article originally appeared in HuffPost.
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