Aerial Damage Assessment, for a Claim That Holds Up
Aerial and thermal documentation of water, storm, hail and fire damage that finds what cannot be seen from the ground and records the full extent of the loss. We connect you to CAA-licensed operators working with a certified thermographer and an independent adjuster or engineer, so the documentation becomes a report you can submit.
- 100% CAA commercial license (CAAI)
- Active commercial third-party insurance
- Response within one business day
Who this service is built for
Homeowners & building committees
Water, moisture and storm damage to private and common property.
Businesses & industrial plants
Fire and flood losses, and consequential business-interruption damage.
Farmers & growers
Hail, storm, flood and frost damage to crops and farm structures.
Adjusters & lawyers
Documented aerial and thermal evidence for a claim file.
Deep technical knowledge
Why the first offer is almost always below the full loss
An adjuster sent by the insurer inspects what is accessible from the ground within a limited time, and assesses what they can see. Damage that spread beneath the roof covering, moisture travelling inside insulation, or a damaged roof section that cannot be safely climbed simply never make it into the report. The gap between what is visible from below and the full extent of the loss is exactly the gap between the first offer and full compensation. Aerial and thermal documentation closes that gap with evidence rather than argument.
What aerial and thermal imaging reveal that the ground does not
A drone photographs the entire roof and facade at high resolution within minutes, including areas that are dangerous or impossible to reach after an event. A thermal camera adds a second layer: water trapped in insulation or behind plaster changes the local temperature, so it shows up in the thermal image long before a visible stain appears. The result is a map of how far the damage actually spread, not just of the point where it was noticed.
What turns documentation into a claim: a chain of three links
An impressive aerial photo is still not a claim. For documentation to hold up against an insurer and in court it needs three links. The first is a CAA-licensed, insured pilot, so the footage cannot be dismissed on the grounds of unlawful operation. The second is a certified thermographer (ITC), because a thermal image without qualified interpretation is just colors. The third is a property adjuster or engineer who is independent of the insurer and signs the report. We connect you to companies that bring this full chain.
What an aerial damage survey includes
- High-resolution aerial documentation of the full extent of damage
- Thermal imaging to locate trapped water and hidden moisture
- Mapped defect report with a precise location per item
- Inspection of a damaged roof without climbing it or taking risk
- Interpretation signed by a certified thermographer (ITC)
- Signature of an independent property adjuster or engineer
- Documentation prepared for submission to the insurer and to court
Deliverables you receive
Equipment and sensors used
| Optical imaging | Thermal imaging | |
|---|---|---|
| What it finds | Visible damage, breaks and displaced tiles | Trapped water and hidden moisture |
| Best for | Documenting extent and physical condition | Locating the leak source and its spread |
| Needs qualified interpretation | Not necessarily | Yes, a certified thermographer (ITC) |
How much does aerial damage assessment cost
The cost has two components: the aerial and thermal survey, and the adjuster's report built on it. Property adjusters commonly charge a percentage of the claim amount, so cost rises with the scale of the loss. These are observed market ranges that give order of magnitude only. The precise quote comes free through the marketplace.
| Aerial and thermal damage survey | By property size |
| Adjuster report for a flood or small fire loss | 2,500 - 5,000 โช |
| Property adjuster fee | Percentage of the claim |
| Agricultural damage survey | By plot scope |
- Extent of the damage and size of the property or plot
- Event type (water, storm, hail, fire, agricultural loss)
- Report depth and signature by a certified inspector, adjuster or engineer
- Whether thermal imaging is needed alongside optical documentation
- Urgency and how soon the team reaches the site after the event
Every flight is coordinated in advance with the required authorities, and in restricted areas that includes security clearance and NOTAM issuance as needed. The operators in the network handle the bureaucracy, so the project starts on time and fully approved.
Related topics in this field
Water & moisture damage
Locating the leak source and mapping moisture spread with thermal imaging, without breaking walls.
Storm & hail damage
Documenting roofs, canopies and pergolas after a storm, without climbing a damaged roof.
Agricultural natural damage
Hail, storm and frost damage surveys mapping the whole plot, not just a sample.