Home insurance is a fact of life for homeowners and property owners – it’s there to protect your investment in your property should disaster strike or you need repairs. However, the insurance industry is growing increasingly risk-averse, thanks to the increasing severity of storms and disasters around the country and especially here in Hawaii. Between devastating fires, tropical storms, and heavy rainfall, the potential risk to our properties increases with every year.
Insurance companies look at a variety of factors when providing coverage to a home or property: the condition of the property, its value, its location in terms of flood plains or fire risks, and much more. All of this goes into an insurance policy’s underwriting and eventual pricing. A major point of consideration is roof health – its age, condition, any existing damage, and the potential need to replace it in the near future.
However, the tools now used to assess property health are largely unregulated and inaccurate, leading to an increase in policy cancellations and non-renewals that leave homeowners scrambling for coverage or making expensive – and often unnecessary – repairs to their property. As insurance companies embrace technology like satellite and aerial imagery, the implications are profound for residents of the islands, where homeownership is both a financial and emotional investment.
The Rise of Aerial Surveillance
Ever since the distancing recommendations of COVID-19, many businesses have leaned harder on technology to remove face-to-face interactions to protect people’s health and cut costs. Insurance companies are no different! The use of drones, aerial imaging balloons, and satellite imagery has dramatically increased in property evaluations since 2020.
This new imaging technology, paired with AI-driven analysis of the images, has started to become the industry standard. However, these tools are far from foolproof, especially in Hawaii, where homes are exposed to unique environmental factors. For example, natural salt deposits from ocean spray can mimic algae when viewed from above, and tropical vegetation near homes can cast shadows that look like damage in photos. Without in-person inspections, these nuances often go unnoticed, leaving homeowners at the mercy of flawed data.
Your Roof’s Role in Insurance Coverage
Insurers argue that maintaining policies in Hawaii is becoming costlier due to rising climate risks, including tropical storms, heavy rains, and prolonged humidity. Roofs, unfortunately, are a very visible indicator of your home’s health and integrity, and roofing repairs and replacement claims are skyrocketing in frequency and cost.
Hawaii homeowners have seen a surge in insurance non-renewals over the past few years, with many citing roof conditions as the reason. While our harsh climate does take a toll on Hawaiian roofs, the tools insurers use to assess them — unregulated satellite and aerial imagery — are often inaccurate.
Grainy photos taken from thousands of feet above can misidentify natural discoloration or shadows as algae or mold, resulting in unwarranted cancellations. This trend has left many homeowners blindsided. Losing coverage not only creates immediate financial stress but can also jeopardize home loans, as most mortgage lenders require active insurance policies.
Finding Solutions on the Islands
In some states, regulators have stepped in to protect consumers. Pennsylvania, for example, issued a reminder of insurance companies’ legal obligations to their clients and strongly recommended physical inspections for roofs flagged in aerial photos. Other states are also navigating these new waters. Hawaii, however, lacks similar consumer protections, leaving homeowners to navigate these challenges alone.
As the use of aerial imagery grows, so does the need for reform. Consumer advocates like the Hawaii State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) and organizations like United Policyholders are calling for stronger regulations to protect homeowners.
Proposed solutions include:
- Requiring insurers to share detailed evidence with policyholders before canceling policies
- Mandating physical inspections for roofs flagged as damaged
- Creating an appeals process for homeowners to challenge nonrenewal decisions
What Homeowners Can Do
If you’ve received a nonrenewal notice, experts recommend taking the following steps:
- Request Evidence: Ask your insurer for the images and specific reasons for their decision
- Get a Second Opinion: Hire a licensed contractor or inspector to assess your roof
- Document Everything: Keep records of all correspondence, inspections, and repairs
- Appeal the Decision: If you believe the nonrenewal is unjustified, file a complaint with the DCCA’s Insurance Division
As the home insurance industry evolves, the best thing homeowners can do is be prepared! Don’t wait for that non-renewal notice; take proactive steps to protect your home from flawed aerial photography, including:
- Maintain complete records of all renovation and maintenance work done on your property, and especially to your roof. These will help you refute claims of neglect or damage should they arise.
- Update your insurance advisor on any renovations and upgrades, especially those that improve your property’s safety or overall condition.
- Schedule regular home inspections and care to proactively identify problems and areas of concern. Routine roof cleaning and exterior inspections also reduce salt, algae, and moss buildup that may be flagged in aerial photographs.
Trust Softwash Hawaii as Your Partner in Defense
You’re not alone in your fight to maintain coverage! In addition to other Hawaiian families in the same insurance boat, local businesses are doing their best to support homeowners in their struggle against insurance claims. Drone operators take better-quality photos, home inspectors provide in-person peace of mind, and Softwash Hawaii offers superior maintenance and house washing services to help your home look as good as possible in aerial photographs!
Our team of expert cleaners knows how stressful home maintenance can be, especially if your home insurance depends on it. We offer professional soft washing and power washing services to keep your property looking its best. Plus, our water-soluble cleaning agent helps prevent the growth and damaging effects of moss, algae, and other organisms. Softwash Hawaii’s team also keeps an eye out for damage, problem spots, and the overall health of your roof and other structures.
Ready to get started? Contact us today! We offer free estimates to get your property sparkling clean and ready to impress, even through aerial photographs.
