One of Pennsylvania’s largest insurers says it has received the Federal Aviation Administration’s blessing to launch its first DJI Phantom 2 quadrocopter drones, which will putter across the skies to spy out your damaged home or car.
Erie Indemnity Co. hopes airborne digital cameras will help it avoid sending so many human adjusters to accident scenes. They’ll also “help with underwriting,” or pricing risk, Erie spokeswoman Leah Knapp told me.
Erie, the 12th largest U.S. auto insurer and 14th largest home insurer, joins AIG, State Farm and USAA in winning FAA backing for drone testing, claims adjustment and underwriting. The company last month won “conditional approval” from FAA “to use unmanned aircraft systems — commonly referred to as drones — in our inspections, risk assessment and management, loss prevention and underwriting evaluations,” according to Gary Sullivan, vice president of property and subrogation claims, in this column
Drones “will enable us to provide even better service while keeping a personal connection,” Sullivan added. “Drones will help our claims adjusters get an early look at potential damage without putting themselves in harm’s way due to unsafe conditions, such as a steep roof or at the site of a fire or natural disaster. These are the types of situations where small unmanned aerial vehicles can provide a safe and effective alternative” and “fully document the results,” while speeding claims and settlement.