Insurance Company Uses Drone to Cancel Policy After House Inspection

A homeowner in Oakley, East Bay, claims that his longtime home insurance company, CSAA Insurance Group, canceled his policy based on photos taken by a drone over his property. The company cited hazards in his yard, including debris and a dilapidated car, as reasons for termination. The homeowner, who had never filed a claim in 15 years, was shocked by the use of a drone and the lack of transparency from the company. CSAA initially claimed to have used a drone but later backtracked, stating that they may have used aerial imagery from a fixed-wing airplane or satellite. Insurance companies are increasingly using aerial photography to assess risk, but concerns about privacy invasion arise.