Insurance Drone Reports: What Adjusters Need for Storm Claims

Insurance adjusters assess damage claims by comparing the claimed damage against policy terms. A drone inspection report that is structured for insurance purposes processes faster and has fewer requests for additional information than a generic condition report.

What Adjusters Look For

The adjuster needs to answer three questions:

1. Was the damage caused by the insured event? (storm, hail, impact, fire)
2. What is the extent of damage? (area affected, number of items damaged)
3. What is the reasonable cost of repair or replacement?

A well-structured drone report addresses all three.

Report Structure

Event Summary

Include the date and nature of the weather event. Reference Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) data for hail reports, wind speeds, or rainfall totals. This establishes the insured cause.

Inspection Details

Record the inspection date, time, weather conditions, operator details (RePL number, company ReOC), and equipment used. This establishes the chain of evidence.

Damage Documentation

For each area of damage:

• High-resolution photo with the defect clearly visible
• Annotated location on the roof plan or elevation drawing
• Classification: storm damage vs pre-existing condition
• Measurement or count (e.g., "12 cracked tiles in Zone B, approximately 4m2 affected")

Distinguishing storm damage from pre-existing wear is critical. Adjusters will reject claims where storm damage is mixed with age-related deterioration without clear differentiation.

Damage Extent Map

An overhead roof plan with colour-coded damage zones is one of the most useful deliverables for adjusters. Red for critical damage, amber for moderate, green for undamaged. This gives a clear visual summary of the claim scope.

Cost Indication

While the operator is not a quantity surveyor, including a general scope and approximate cost range helps the adjuster set a reserve. "Approximately 40m2 of tile replacement required. Market rate for tile supply and installation in this area: $80 to $120/m2."

Pre-existing Condition

One of the biggest friction points in storm claims is pre-existing damage. If the roof was already in poor condition before the storm, the insurer may reduce the payout or reject the claim.

Annual drone inspections create a baseline record. When storm damage occurs, comparing current images against the pre-storm baseline clearly shows what is new damage versus pre-existing wear. This documentation can add thousands of dollars to a successful claim.

Turnaround

Adjusters want reports quickly. The industry standard for a post-storm drone report is 3 to 5 business days. For urgent claims (e.g., structural damage requiring emergency make-safe), same-day or next-day turnaround should be available.

Pre-formatted report templates speed up delivery. Operators who regularly produce insurance reports should have a standardised format that adjusters are familiar with.

Strata and Multi-Unit Claims

For strata complexes and multi-unit dwellings, a single drone survey covers all buildings. The report groups damage by building, which allows the strata manager to lodge a single claim covering the entire complex. This is far more efficient than multiple individual assessments.