If you’ve heard about “droning,” you might think it’s something out of a sci-fi movie. But recently, a story in the U.S. Sun highlighted a growing trend that is hitting much closer to home.
Insurers are now using drones to capture video of your yard, your roof, and the overall exterior of your property. They then feed that footage through Artificial Intelligence (AI) to look for issues. The result? Some homeowners are receiving notices that say, “Fix your roof right now, or you’re canceled.”
My Personal Drone Headache
I recently had a very frustrating experience with my own homeowners insurer. They flew a drone over my house and used AI to grade my roof. Their conclusion? They claimed my roof dated back to 2004, making it 22 years old.
There was just one problem: I replaced my roof in 2017.
You cannot imagine the hassle it was to get this corrected. Even after I provided the proper documentation, they asked for it a second time. It became very clear to me that these companies now trust their drones and AI more than they trust their own customers.
Why the Data Matters
In politics, there is an old saying: A lie unanswered becomes the truth in 24 hours. The same applies to your insurance record. If your insurer “drones” your home and comes up with a report that is factually incorrect, you cannot simply ignore it.
If you let an incorrect report stand, you risk:
Policy cancellation: Being dropped by your insurer with very little notice.
Sky-high premiums: Paying more because the AI thinks your home is a higher risk than it actually is.
Claims denials: If a storm hits and the insurer believes my roof is 22 years old instead of seven, they will depreciate the value so heavily that they’ll pay me nothing. They’ll essentially tell me to “go have fun” paying for a new roof out of pocket.
What You Should Do
If you receive a notice from your insurer based on a drone or satellite inspection:
Don’t take it sitting down: If the information is wrong, challenge it immediately.
Provide proof: Keep your receipts, permits, and contracts for any major home repairs (especially roofs).
Be persistent: As I found out, you may have to send your documentation multiple times before they acknowledge the error.
Your roof’s “official” age is a vital piece of data. Make sure your insurance company has the right numbers, or it could cost you thousands of dollars down the road.
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