WV| The West Virginia Insurance Bulletin No. 25-02 provides formal guidance on the use of aerial imagery by homeowners insurers, emphasizing the need for accuracy, transparency, and fairness. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner highlights that while aerial imagery can expedite claims and enhance safety—especially during catastrophic events—it must be used judiciously and not as the sole basis for insurance decisions.
Insurers are reminded to:
- Use aerial imagery only as one tool among several, supplementing it with recent, clear information such as physical inspections when necessary.
- Ensure transparency with consumers by notifying homeowners when aerial imagery is used for nonrenewal or other actions, providing them access to the images, and allowing them to dispute or update information.
- Rely on recent and clear aerial imagery, as older or unclear images are insufficient to justify nonrenewal or other significant actions, with the burden of proof resting on the insurer to demonstrate property condition changes using up-to-date evidence.