Drone Footage Leads to Florida Homeowner's Insurance Woes

In November 2025, a Florida homeowner named Otis Browning is on the verge of losing his homeowners insurance coverage after a drone inspection of his property. Two months prior, Browning's insurer, Security First, had contracted a company called Bees360 to conduct a "drone-assisted underwriting report" on his home.

The report cited issues with Browning's roof, including damaged, loose, and missing shingles. However, Browning claims he has inspected the roof with a professional and could not find any significant problems. Despite this, Security First has decided not to renew Browning's policy, citing the condition of the roof.

Security First's president, Melissa Burt DeVriese, says Browning has until the policy's expiration in March 2026 to repair or replace the roof. She argues that drones provide better images of a home's exterior than a human with a camera, and that this technology is becoming more popular in the insurance industry.

The situation Browning faces is part of a broader "coverage collapse" in Florida, as insurers pull out of the state, raise rates, and drop coverage due to the high costs of hurricane damage. This trend is not limited to Florida, with similar challenges in other states prone to extreme weather events. Experts suggest that reducing the risk of disasters through actions like transitioning to clean energy can help address the underlying insurance crisis.