My insurance company used a drone or aerial photo to drop me. What can I do?
You can usually push back. Ask for the image and its date, prove the roof's real condition with your own photos and a roofer's opinion, and send a written appeal before coverage ends. Several states now limit how insurers use these images.
Why this is happening
Insurers buy imagery from planes, satellites and drones and run software that scores each roof for wear, staining, debris, tarps and overhanging trees. A low score can trigger a non-renewal or a demand to repair or replace the roof, often without anyone visiting the house. The images can be months or years old, and software misreads shadows, leaves and algae streaks.
Check these four things in your letter
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|
| When was the image taken? | Colorado expects images under 12 months old, and Georgia will require dated images under 12 months from Jan 1, 2027. An old image may show a problem you already fixed. |
| What exactly did they find? | "Poor condition" is vague. Ask for the specific condition and where on the roof. |
| Is it cosmetic? | Algae and staining usually don't affect how the roof performs. Colorado says images shouldn't be used to judge structural damage from cosmetic signs. |
| Did a person inspect it? | If not, a licensed roofer's written opinion is strong evidence. |
Got a letter? Roofd reads your notice, checks it against your state's rules and drafts your appeal letter and evidence checklist for free, in about ten minutes.
Start your appealWhat to do this week
- Write down your deadline. The date coverage ends is on the notice. Everything below needs to happen before it.
- Ask for the image in writing. Email or mail your insurer: "Please send the aerial image(s) used for this decision, the date each was captured, and the specific condition you found."
- Get your own evidence. Dated phone photos of every roof slope, plus a written opinion from a licensed roofer or home inspector on remaining life. Keep receipts for any repairs.
- Send a written appeal. Cite the rule below, attach your evidence, and ask them to rescind the notice. Send it so you can prove delivery.
- Escalate if they don't answer. File a complaint with your state insurance department and, in parallel, ask an independent agent to quote other carriers so you aren't left uninsured.
Your state's rules
Georgia · Colorado · Florida
Sources