News and Music Discovery
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

State Farm Insurance May Use Drones to Help Assess Damage

Impreza54, Wikimedia Commons

State Farm Insurance, with offices in Kentucky, has won federal approval to test the use of drones in damage assessments. 

Company Spokesman Kip Diggs says the un-manned aircraft will be especially helpful during natural disasters when areas are inaccessible.

“Where you might have had to wait to get into an area, we’ll be able to get in and see what we’re dealing with and that of course will speed up the claims process," said Diggs. 

The company also plans to use drones as a safer way to inspect roof damage.

“When you have a roof claim, you’ll have a claim rep who will come out and go out and walk on the roof," said Diggs. "As you might image it can get pretty dangerous.”

Testing will begin soon at State Farm’s company headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois.  According to State Farm, it’s the first insurer in the U.S. to receive FAA permission to test drones for commercial use.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
Related Content