Using Aerial Imagery to Combat Insurance Fraud

This technical report discusses the role of aerial imagery in detecting and preventing insurance fraud following natural disasters. It outlines how insurance companies, particularly Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, utilize the Geospatial Insurance Consortium (GIC) to access current and historical aerial images to assess claims. The report highlights the challenges faced by Special Investigations Units (SIUs) in managing a high volume of claims post-disaster, particularly in identifying fraudulent claims amidst legitimate ones. It details a case study involving Hurricane Irma, where the GIC's imagery was instrumental in expediting claims processing and verifying the authenticity of claims. The report also references a multi-department investigation, 'Operation Crossing the Rubicon,' which successfully dismantled a fraud scheme using aerial evidence. The findings emphasize the importance of rapid access to accurate imagery for insurers to enhance their fraud detection capabilities and improve customer service during recovery efforts.