Aerial measurements help insurers manage storm-related claims

By The Coffee Shops™. 

Experts explore how aerial roof measurement technology may help insurance carriers reduce claim delays, lower inspection costs and improve policyholder retention during catastrophe events. 

A new report from Scope Technologies explores how aerial roof measurement technology is being positioned as a response to growing pressure on insurance carriers handling catastrophe-related roof claims. Published by RoofScope, the report focuses on how delays tied to traditional field inspections can affect claim cycle times, operational costs and customer retention during major weather events. 

According to the whitepaper, catastrophe claims surged significantly during 2024, with insured losses reaching $108 billion and average claims cycle times extending beyond 44 days. The report argues that traditional inspection methods, which rely on scheduling, travel, ladder access and manual roof measurements, create operational bottlenecks that become more severe during high-volume storm events. 

They found that field roof inspections typically cost between $150 and $350 per claim. For carriers processing thousands of claims after a hailstorm or other catastrophic weather event, those expenses can scale quickly while inspector shortages extend turnaround times by weeks. The report also notes that longer delays may contribute to additional living expenses, emergency mitigation costs and secondary property damage. 

Aerial roof measurements can certainly serve as a reliable way to reduce those delays by removing the need for on-site measurement collection during early claim processing stages. According to the report, the company’s system is designed to reduce per-measurement costs while maintaining turnaround times under 12 hours, even during catastrophe surge periods. 

The whitepaper also examines the broader financial impact of faster claims processing. According to the analysis, improved cycle times may contribute to stronger policyholder retention rates for insurance carriers managing large claim volumes. 

“Volatility increases the value of precision,” said Jerod Raisch, chief executive officer of Scope Technologies. “When material costs rise and labor tightens, measurement mistakes become expensive. In uncertain environments, accuracy and speed aren't luxuries; they're safeguards. That's exactly where we operate.” 

Read the full whitepaper to learn more about aerial roof measurement technology and catastrophe claim management!