MALVERN, PA — A new report from the Insurance Research Council (IRC) reveals that while most U.S. homeowners recognize the potential benefits of aerial imagery technologies—such as satellite, drone, and aircraft photography—significant knowledge gaps remain about how insurers use these tools.
Awareness and Acceptance Gaps
According to the national survey, 75% of homeowners regularly use aerial imagery in mapping applications, but only 60% are aware that insurers leverage the same technologies to evaluate properties. The report highlights a direct connection between awareness and positive perceptions: homeowners familiar with aerial imagery in insurance applications are nearly twice as likely to view it as a driver of fairer pricing.
Age also plays a role. Younger homeowners reported higher familiarity with insurers’ use of aerial imagery than older respondents, underscoring a generational divide in awareness and comfort levels.
Perceived Benefits Versus Concerns
The study found that nine out of ten homeowners see at least one benefit of aerial imagery in insurance. Commonly cited advantages include:
- Early problem detection on properties
- Faster claims processing
- Improved hazard identification
- Fairer pricing models
However, concerns remain. While privacy is an issue for 24% of respondents, accuracy emerged as the top concern, with 31% citing it as their biggest worry.
Building Transparency to Foster Trust
The IRC emphasizes that better education and transparency can close the trust gap and improve consumer sentiment toward aerial imagery in insurance.
“Consumers see value in aerial imagery when they understand how it’s used in insurance,” said Pat Schmid, president of the IRC. “Efforts to increase transparency and consumer knowledge can bridge the confidence gap, improve customer trust and help homeowners realize the benefits of faster claims, fairer pricing, and better risk prevention.”
Industry Implications
The findings signal a growing need for insurers to engage in proactive communication with policyholders about how emerging technologies are used. By clarifying practices and demonstrating tangible benefits, insurers can build confidence while enhancing customer experiences.
As aerial imagery continues to reshape property assessment and risk management, the report underscores that consumer education will be critical to balancing innovation with trust.
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