California Lawmakers Move to Regulate Aerial Imagery Used by Insurers

A California lawmaker has introduced legislation aimed at adding new transparency and consumer protections around insurers’ use of aerial imagery. Assembly Bill 1559 would require insurers to notify homeowners before taking or obtaining aerial images of their property and would restrict how those images can be used in underwriting and coverage decisions.

Introduced by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, chair of the Assembly Insurance Committee, the bill responds to growing concerns that insurers are relying on outdated or misleading aerial images to cancel or non-renew policies. Calderon argues that while aerial imagery can reveal property conditions not visible during traditional inspections, it can also produce errors that directly affect coverage availability.

For claims adjusters and underwriting teams, the proposal would impose clear operational changes. Insurers would be prohibited from basing cancellations, non-renewals, or coverage reductions on aerial images more than 180 days old. Policyholders would also gain the right to receive copies of the images used in coverage decisions and to request in-person verification if they dispute what the images show.

The bill has notable political backing. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas is a co-author, and California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is sponsoring the measure. If enacted, AB 1559 would likely force carriers to reassess how aerial imagery vendors are used, how inspection data is documented, and how non-renewal notices are handled.

For adjusters, the bill highlights increased scrutiny around image accuracy, documentation standards, and policyholder communication. It may also lead to more in-person inspections and disputes tied to roof condition, maintenance issues, or wildfire risk assessments derived from aerial data.