Allstate said it has taken two strategic steps designed to advance its use of commercial drones for property claims.

The property/casualty insurance giant said it has teamed with EagleView Technologies to test drone flights that could handle the claims process in new ways. EagleView, based in Seattle and Rochester, N.Y., develops aerial imaging and data analytics technology, according to its web site.

Allstate, in its announcement of its EagleView collaboration, said that their arrangements reflects “a major shift for the industry as it embraces drone technology to further improve customer service.”

Also, Allstate joined the Property Drone Consortium, which gained Federal Aviation Administration approval earlier this year for further research on the use of drones to handle quicker assessments of roof damage and other exterior property.

EagleView is among the Property Drone Consortium’s members, which include insurance carriers, construction companies and other companies working to develop guidelines for the use of commercial drones in the insurance and construction industries, according to the PDC’s web site.

The group is continuing its research on drone safety, focusing on areas such as avoiding collisions, visual line of sight and other areas, Allstate said.

Allstate committed a year ago to aiding in the research and development of uses for commercial drones in assessing damages and claims after disasters.

In recent months, carriers such as Erie Insurance, AIG, USAA and State Farm have obtained FAA approval to test or use drone technologies for claims and underwriting processes. Allianz and AIG are among those who launched the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Insurance Association, or UASIA, last fall, a new trade association focused on the surging commercial drone industry.

Source: Travelers