If you own a home, you know that homeowners insurance usually requires inspections — at least once when you initially take out the policy, and often when renewal comes around. Inspections are not normally something you can avoid, as the insurer has a right to make sure they’re not taking on excessive risk. In the past, homeowners were usually notified of inspections, but now many insurance companies are using drones to check out the exterior of your home, making sure the proper maintenance is being done to the exterior walls and landscaping, and that you’re not using your property in a way that conflicts with your policy agreement. There are several reasons why drones are problematic for homeowners. First, they’re unreliable. The images are typically low-quality, often misinterpreting shadows and artifacts as damage. Drones are also unpredictable, since they can fly over your house at any time. Let’s say you’re in the process of repairing something on your home. The drone images can lead to false accusations of deferred maintenance or damage. Finally, drone inspections often happen without your knowledge, which removes your chance to make adjustments in advance of the inspection. There are precautions you can take:
- • Know the notice requirements for cancellations in your state.
- • Know how to file complaints so you don’t waste time if you receive a cancellation or increase notice.
- • Review the exterior of your home. For example, a trampoline or treehouse in your backyard might seem harmless (and safely hidden from public view), but if a drone spots them on your property, that could be an excuse to cancel your coverage or raise your rates.
