TN| Tennessee DCI Bulletin 25-03 advises Tennessee property insurers that aerial imagery can be a helpful tool for underwriting, nonrenewals, cancellations, and claims—especially after catastrophes—but it must only be one of several information sources and cannot, by itself, justify major decisions when images are outdated, unclear, or otherwise unreliable. Insurers must retain aerial images in their files consistent with recordkeeping requirements, provide them to policyholders when file access is required by law, and give homeowners a chance to review, dispute, and supplement the imagery, along with reasonable time to make repairs before adverse action. The Department stresses consideration of image age and clarity and explains that denying claims based solely on vague, blurry, low‑resolution, or outdated aerial images, or failing to share those images or give a reasonable, accurate explanation for denial or settlement, constitutes an unfair claims practice under Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-105 and may trigger statutory penalties.
Tennessee Issues New Guidance on Insurers’ Use of Aerial Imagery in Homeowners Insurance Decisions
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