Georgia's aerial image insurance rule (starts January 1, 2027)
From January 1, 2027, a Georgia insurer that uses an aerial photo to non-renew your home policy must send you the dated image, it must be under 12 months old, and current customers get at least 60 days to fix the problem.
In short
- Applies to notices sent on or after January 1, 2027, under House Bill 1344, adopted May 12, 2026.
- The notice must include date-stamped aerial images taken within 12 months of the notice date.
- The insurer must tell you what you can do to reverse the decision, give you a contact for sending proof of repairs, and offer an appeal process.
- Current policyholders get at least 60 days after notice to fix the condition, and the insurer must offer renewal if you prove it's fixed.
What if my letter arrives before January 1?
The new protections don't apply to it yet. You can still ask for the image and its date, dispute errors with your own photos and a roofer's opinion, and complain to the Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire. If your renewal date falls after January 1, ask the insurer in writing whether the new rule will apply to your renewal.
Common reasons in aerial-photo notices
| What the letter says | What to check |
|---|
| "Roof condition: poor" or "wear" | Image date; whether a roofer finds actual damage or remaining life |
| "Staining, algae, moss" | Usually cosmetic; get it cleaned and photographed, ask a roofer to confirm no structural damage |
| "Debris" or "tarp" | Whether it's still there, or was ever there (shadows and leaves get misread) |
| "Overhanging trees" | Trim receipts with before and after photos |
Got a letter? Roofd checks your notice against Georgia'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.
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