Allstate Continues Use of Drones After Hurricane Matthew

Insurer expands effort across multiple states this week.

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Oct 20, 2016, 09:05 ET

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Allstate is taking to the sky over Savannah, Georgia, and parts of South Carolina to inspect roof tops and homes damaged by Hurricane Matthew. Allstate is using multiple drones to help in the assessment of claims filed by customers. The drones can capture up to 4K-resolution images, which means an adjuster can look at a simple photograph and zoom in for extreme detail on any individual shingle.

Allstate logo.

{Visit the Allstate Newsroom to download video of Allstate's drone in action on Tybee Island, Georgia, following Hurricane Matthew (https://www.allstatenewsroom.com/news/allstate-continues-use-of-drones-after-hurricane-matthew/). Sound bites are available along with video of and from the drone.}

"When I started back in 1999 with the National Catastrophe Team, I used a polaroid camera to take pictures of the damage," says Allstate Catastrophe Adjuster Charlie Urban. "Now, seeing us use drones is unbelievable. I'm really excited to see where the technology might go in the future."

Allstate had previously tested the use of drones in Texas after a hail storm, to help determine their potential use as a tool in the adjusting process. It was the first use case with a customer under the Federal Aviation Administration's revised rules for commercial drone use (referred to as Part 107). Allstate believes drones can be especially helpful in evaluating wide-spread damage or areas that may be restricted after a major storm. All of it leads to faster and more efficient claims settlement for Allstate customers.

"Our customers have been very receptive and interested in this innovative use of technology and how it will help shape the way we identify damage in the future," says Allstate Chief Claims Officer Glenn Shapiro. "We have been active in the drone space, testing and researching use cases for a while now. To be able to use drones with our customers who have actual storm damage is a big step forward."

Allstate policyholders can file a claim and begin the claim process by calling 1-800-54-STORM (1-800-547-8676), visiting a mobile claim center, contacting any Allstate agent, using the Allstate^SM Mobile app or logging on to Allstate.com.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16 million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Now celebrating its 85th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate^®." Allstate agencies are in virtually every local community in America. In 2015, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners gave $36 million to support local communities.