Munich Re unit allowed to use drones for US claims

Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance [HSB] has received permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to use drones to investigate claims, manage risks and prevent loss. HSB, a leading engineering and technical risk insurer and a unit of Munich Re, will use drones, with consent from property owners, to inspect locations that may be inaccessible or unsafe for personal inspection.

The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company (HSB), part of Munich Re, has received federal permission to fly drones to help customers identify exposures, manage risks and prevent loss, the specialty insurer said today.

HSB, a leading engineering and technical risk insurer, received an exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration to allow commercial operations of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). HSB will use UAS with a property owner’s consent to inspect locations that may be inaccessible or unsafe for a personal inspection to support its insurance claim and underwriting activities.

"Drones can save time and money when inspecting properties that are spread out such as thousands of panels on a solar power farm covering many acres," said Jay Jablonski, vice president of HSB Professional Loss Control. "When equipped with sensor technologies, such as visual and infrared cameras, they give our engineers an efficient and powerful tool to analyze risks and system performance."

The drone inspections would benefit HSB’s industrial and renewable energy policyholders, the insurance companies HSB supports with property loss control services, and HSB’s parent company, Munich Re.

Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB), a member of Munich Re’s Risk Solutions family since 2009, is a leading specialty insurer providing equipment breakdown, other specialty coverages, inspection services and engineering-based risk management that set the standard for excellence worldwide. We focus on clients and partner with them to craft inventive insurance and service solutions to cover existing and emerging risks posed by technological change. Today, as throughout our 150 year history, our mission is to use our engineering knowledge and insights to help clients prevent loss, advance sustainable use of energy resources and build deeper relationships that benefit business, industry, public institutions and consumers. HSB holds A.M. Best Company’s highest financial rating, A++ (Superior). For more information, visit http://www.munichre.com/HSB and connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Munich Re stands for exceptional solution-based expertise, consistent risk management, financial stability and client proximity. This is how Munich Re creates value for clients, shareholders and staff. In the financial year 2015, the Group – which combines primary insurance and reinsurance under one roof – achieved a profit of €3.1bn on premium income of over €50bn. It operates in all lines of insurance, with over 43,000 employees throughout the world. With premium income of around €28bn from reinsurance alone, it is one of the world’s leading reinsurers. Especially when clients require solutions for complex risks, Munich Re is a much sought-after risk carrier. Its primary insurance operations are concentrated mainly in the ERGO Insurance Group, one of the leading insurance groups in Germany and Europe. ERGO is represented in over 30 countries worldwide and offers a comprehensive range of insurances, provision products and services. In 2015, ERGO posted premium income of €17.9bn. In international healthcare business, Munich Re pools its insurance and reinsurance operations, as well as related services, under the Munich Health brand. Munich Re’s global investments (excluding insurance-related investments) amounting to €215bn are managed by MEAG, which also makes its competence available to private and institutional investors outside the Group.

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