Insurers’ Aerial Photos of Homes Spark Push for New State Rules

Lawmakers in several states including California are proposing tighter rules for insurance companies using aerial images when deciding whether to provide coverage for homes.

The proliferation of drones and artificial intelligence tools has made it easier for insurance companies to inspect properties from afar for fire risk, or roofs that might be more prone to damage during a storm. But some lawmakers say they have received complaints from policyholders about coverage that was canceled or denied due to aerial inspections they never knew occurred.

“In many cases, the images were inaccurate, outdated or misleading,” California Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, a Democrat, ...