Does My Property Insurance Company in Fort Lauderdale Spy on Me?

In some cases, there is a financial incentive for property insurance companies to conduct surveillance on policyholders in Florida. This situation can be stressful for homeowners, especially if they are simply trying to obtain fair compensation for legitimate, covered losses. What might this surveillance look like? How could it affect your claim? These are questions you might want to ask your property insurance lawyer in Fort Lauderdale.

When Do Insurance Companies Spy on Homeowners? 

Insurance companies may spy or conduct surveillance on homeowners if they suspect some type of fraud or misconduct. They may also conduct surveillance by default if the claim involves major damage or the complete destruction of a home. Property insurance fraud is a legitimate issue in Florida, and you can expect these companies to investigate even the smallest details with a fine-toothed comb. You are unlikely to face the same type of scrutiny for a minor claim.
Insurance Companies Are Increasingly Using Satellite Surveillance to Spy on Homeowners 

A new trend in the insurance industry is the use of satellite images to spy on homeowners. From the insurance company’s perspective, this makes sense for several reasons. First, it is simply more affordable than sending a representative to your home. Satellite imagery is not so advanced that it can capture many details of your home from the sky – including damage.

The use of satellite imagery also makes sense because you are completely unaware of it. As a result, there is no way to prepare your home before a representative arrives for an inspection. You cannot hide any evidence, disguise the source of damage, or carry out similar acts.

Of course, satellite imagery also has considerable flaws – and a camera in outer space will never match the eyes of an experienced inspector. Many insurance companies will rely on this satellite imagery first and foremost – often dismissing reports made by in-person inspectors when it suits them.

Drones Are Also Becoming Popular 

Within the last few years, insurance companies have also started using drones to conduct inspections on properties in Florida. As per Wink News, a representative of United Policyholders explained “A lot of people are finding out that their insurers are basically spying on them from the sky and then using what they see to drop them or raise their premiums.” Florida insurance companies became industry leaders in this practice, sending fleets of drones through neighborhoods devastated by hurricanes.

Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Property Insurance Lawyers Today

At Geyer Fuxa Tyler, our legal team is made up of a diverse combination of attorneys who are well-positioned to protect the legal rights and financial interests of policyholders. If your property insurance claim was denied, we can help. For a free consultation, please call us today at (954) 990-5251. With an office in Sunrise, we represent policyholders in Broward County and throughout the state of Florida.

Sources: 

winknews.com/2024/05/22/insurers-are-using-drones-to-inspect-homes/

finance.yahoo.com/news/florida-homeowner-dropped-insurer-over-105500151.html