How virtual inspections can benefit insurance customers
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Within the insurance industry we are constantly looking at ways to innovate and make our customers’ lives easier. An AI virtual inspection does just that, saving the insured time when reporting a loss while also offering a sense of privacy while including them in the process.
One of the most significant benefits to AI virtual inspections compared to traditional home inspections is the time saved. Traditionally after experiencing a loss, the insured must file a claim with their insurer, schedule an appointment with an adjuster, wait for the inspection to happen and the estimate to be created.
With virtual inspections, that timeline is drastically shortened. As quickly as the homeowner can file a claim, they can also document the loss themselves using virtual inspection software or a carrier’s app. They also have the option to schedule a virtual inspection with a desk adjuster at their convenience. This process can take between 10-20 minutes depending on the size and type of loss, using the homeowner’s smartphone. Once the inspection is done, the images are run through AI to immediately scope the loss.
For many homeowners, this speed is not just convenient, it provides crucial time savings. The faster the inspection is done, the faster the estimate is given, allowing restoration to happen sooner and the homeowners to resume life more quickly. In situations where the home is uninhabitable, such as fire damage, saving time can mean the world to the homeowner.
Privacy is another benefit of AI virtual inspections. Traditionally, an adjuster needs to come into the home for the inspection, which for some homeowners can feel intrusive or uncomfortable. With virtual inspections, the homeowner doesn’t need to open their home to a stranger. They feel they maintain a level of privacy and comfort by not showing their entire home but merely the
portion that is damaged. This additional comfort creates a positive overall experience for the homeowner, building trust with their insurance company.
A third, often overlooked benefit to virtual inspections is the sense of inclusion the homeowner feels during the claims process. When a homeowner experiences a loss, they want to do anything they can to fix their problem. Traditionally, having to wait for an adjuster and wait for the estimate can cause them to feel powerless. By having the homeowner perform the inspection, they are not only contributing to a faster resolution but feel like they contributed to that shortened timeline. This active participation can lead to a greater understanding of the
overall process and a stronger sense of comfort related to the outcome.
Overall, virtual inspections represent a significant advancement in the insurance industry with multiple benefits to the insured. They speed up the claims timeline immensely by removing the wait that comes with scheduling an adjuster to inspect the home and create an estimate. The added privacy of not having someone come into the home during an inspection is valuable to homeowners and offers a sense of comfort. Lastly, the sense of inclusion and active participation from the homeowner during an AI virtual inspection provides peace of mind that the job is being done right. All of these benefits and more are why AI virtual inspections are a way of the future in the insurance industry.
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