Insurance Adjusters To Use Drones

lightning and tornadoNorthwest, Iowa — If you have to make an insurance claim next year you may see your adjuster using a drone to inspect the damage after disasters ranging from fires to floods to tornadoes.

Shawn Broadfield, vice president of innovation & claims at Allstate, says the remote-controlled aircraft are small, maneuverable and can carry high-definition cameras to help survey properties and assess claims.

Iowa averages 46 tornadoes a year but in 2004, the state saw a record number — 120 twisters. Severe storms, which can be common in Iowa, are often accompanied by hail, which can cause damage to shingles, siding, windows and more. Broadfield says a drone could be a very useful tool after a hail storm.

While the company wants to address customer concerns about privacy and safety, he’s hopeful Iowans will accept the use of this promising drone technology as a way to improve service.

Allstate’s drone program is in the testing phase. Not every adjustor will have one in the trunk of his car, but soon, he says the small aircraft will be used when there’s a need in Iowa and elsewhere.

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