The Insurance Research Council (IRC) has released a new report, Insurance Applications of Aerial Imagery: Survey of Homeowners, highlighting how awareness and understanding of aerial imagery use in insurance can significantly impact homeowner perceptions of trust, fairness, and acceptance.
Survey Overview
The national survey revealed that 75% of homeowners regularly use aerial imagery through mapping applications. Despite this widespread use, only 60% reported being aware that insurers employ aerial imagery—such as satellite, drone, and aircraft photography—for property assessments. This gap in knowledge underscores a broader issue in consumer awareness.
Key Findings
- Perceived benefits: Nine in 10 homeowners identified at least one advantage of aerial imagery in insurance. Reported benefits included early problem detection, faster claims processing, and better hazard identification. More than half of respondents said the technology supports fairer pricing.
- Awareness levels: While 60% of homeowners recognized insurer use of aerial imagery, 40% reported knowing little or nothing about its application. Awareness varied across age groups, with younger homeowners showing higher familiarity rates.
- Impact of awareness: Homeowners who understood how aerial imagery is used in underwriting were nearly twice as likely to believe it contributes to fairer pricing. Those with greater familiarity also expressed more positive views across all insurance-related uses of aerial imagery.
- Concerns about use: Accuracy ranked as the top concern, with 31% citing it as their primary worry. Privacy concerns were noted by 24% of respondents, making accuracy a greater source of unease.
Industry Perspective
“Consumers see value in aerial imagery when they understand how it’s used in insurance,” said Pat Schmid, president of the IRC, chief insurance officer at the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), and president of The Institutes RiskStream Collaborative. Schmid emphasized that transparency and consumer education can help bridge knowledge gaps, build trust, and highlight the benefits of faster claims, fairer pricing, and better risk prevention.
About the Insurance Research Council
The IRC is an independent, nonprofit research organization affiliated with The Institutes®. It is supported by leading property and casualty insurance companies and associations. The IRC provides research to inform stakeholders on public policy issues affecting insurers and consumers, but does not lobby or advocate legislative positions.
About The Institutes
The Institutes® is a global nonprofit with nearly 20 affiliated business units. Its mission is to educate and connect professionals across risk management and insurance disciplines. The organization provides tools, services, and training to help prevent losses and foster resilience worldwide.
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