FAA Grants Erie Conditional Approval for Drones

Erie Insurance has received conditional approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to use drones, also referred to as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for claims and underwriting purposes.

The insurer said drones will enable it to offer even better service while keeping a personal touch.

See also: Insurers Lead Fight for Drone Regulatory Acceptance

"At ERIE, we see drones as high tech meets human touch," said Gary Sullivan, VP of property and subrogation claims. "Drones will help our claims adjusters get an early look at potential damage without putting themselves in harm's way due to unsafe conditions, such as on a steep roof or at the site of a fire or natural disaster. The sooner we can get in and assess damage, the sooner we can settle claims and help make our customers whole again so they can move on with their lives. We're proud to be one of the first insurance companies at the forefront of this next chapter in claims innovation."

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