FAQs about Our Free Services to Residential Homeowners

No, this is a free service that we offer to homeowners.  We will provide you with the data that we obtain at your request.  We will offer to assist you in making repairs to identified damage.

No, we are good people, just doing our job, and providing a free service.

No, just like the satellite flying over your house taking pictures right now that didn’t ask your permission, and the unmanned aircraft that flew over and took pictures last month; airspace is considered public.  Drone pilots in the US are legally permitted to fly over any area and take pictures, provided they are not in restricted airspace and comply with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) regulations.  The FAA indicates that drone operators do not need to obtain property owner consent to take photos or videos of publicly visible property or property that is visible from public airspace.

Know Your Rights - Commercial Drone Operation in Alabama

Aerial AI Solutions is engaged in commercial aerial photographic surveying for our various customers, typically insurance companies and/or private homeowners.

Drone pilots in the United States are legally permitted to fly over any area and take pictures, provided they are not in restricted airspace and comply with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) regulations and other applicable laws.

The FAA's Part 107 regulations govern the commercial operation of drones, establishing rules for safe and responsible drone flights. These regulations generally permit drone pilots to fly over private property as long as they maintain visual line of sight with the drone and operate at a safe altitude.

The FAA has also issued guidance suggesting that drone operators do not need to obtain property owner consent to take photos or videos of publicly visible property or property that is visible from public airspace. This is because there is no expectation of privacy in the air, as long as the drone operators are complying with the FAA's airspace requirements and federal privacy laws.

If a drone pilot is performing commercial operations and flying over a property without actively focusing the camera on people, at a height where it can’t clearly see into someone's windows, where the intent is not to surveil or intimidate, it can not be considered harassment, invasion of privacy, or violation of their reasonable expectation of privacy as it is property that is visible from public airspace.

No statewide restrictions: Alabama does not have any specific statewide laws regarding drone operation beyond the federal regulations.

Local municipality laws in Alabama regarding Commercial Drone Operation:

City of Oxford, AL - The city ordinance prohibits UAV operations over any city or municipality property including city parks, recreational areas, or any other areas designated by the chief of police. The ordinance also authorizes local law officials to enforce FAA regulations on UAV operations.

City of Orange Beach, AL - Commercial UAV use requires securing a permit and possibly paying a fee, particularly for operations that are done several times in a year. Launching, landing, or operating a UAV is prohibited at or within 500 feet of any venue, outdoor special event, or gulf beach area unless approved by the FAA and city administrator.

City of Gulf Shores, AL - The municipal ordinance prohibits launching, landing, or operating a UAV at or within any venue, outdoor special event, or Gulf Beach area unless the activity has been permitted by the FAA and city administrator.

City of Daphne, AL - No person shall launch, land, or operate a remote-controlled aircraft within or upon any City park unless authorized by prior written consent of the City. Commercial drone photography during a special event requires a special event permit.

It is illegal to shoot at Drones. The FAA classifies them as aircrafts with the statutory and regulatory definitions of an aircraft. This makes shooting at them a felony which, if convicted, could result in a fine and/or 25 years in prison.

Let the experts at Aerial AI Solutions analyze your roof and speak with your insurance company.  If your roof has damage from a weather event, you may be eligible for full replacement.

ABSOLUTELY!  We can be finished with a new roof at little or no cost to you in a week or two, and having a new roof will be a huge benefit in trying to sell your house.

Yes.

It's a common and understandable concern! The short answer is: filing a hail damage claim likely will not cause your homeowners insurance rates to go up for your specific hail claim, but several factors influence it.  Here's a breakdown of what to consider:

Severity and Frequency of Claims: Hail damage is a No-Fault Claim / Act of God and carries significantly less impact to insurance rate calculations.  A single, significant hail claim might lead to a modest increase or no increase, especially if it results in a new roof (which can sometimes lead to a new roof discount which would likely offset the loss of any "No-Claims" discounts). However, filing multiple claims in a short period (e.g., two or three within three years) is much more likely to result in a noticeable premium hike, or even lead to your policy being non-renewed.

Regional Rate Adjustments: Even if you personally haven't filed a claim, if your entire geographic area experiences widespread hail damage and many of your neighbors file claims, insurance companies will more commonly raise rates for everyone in that region to offset their increased payouts. This is a collective risk adjustment.  Therefore, it is likely that your rates will go up regardless of if you file a claim or not.  (So you might as well)

Your roof has been compromised ever so slightly by hail damage.  It will continue to degrade faster.  The tiny fractures in the shingle from the hail will get larger. Granular loss around the hail impacts will continue at a more rapid pace.  You will eventually have to replace it.  

Insurance companies are starting to buy aerial imagery data (from companies like Aerial AI Solutions) and to be able to prove pre-existing conditions and deny claims.  Insurance companies are also buying AI Analytics technology (from companies like Aerial AI Solutions) and will be able to prove existing damage before insuring a home. Having a damaged roof will make it increasingly difficult to obtain affordable homeowners insurance in the future.

With the Insurance Industry trends of reducing weather related roof damage coverage, such as eliminating RCV terms from policy renewals and implementing depreciating schedules, It will never be less expensive than it is right now to replace it.  With all of the hail damage and roof replacements in the area it is likely that your insurance company will have Regional Rate Adjustments / Collective risk adjustments, so rates may go up regardless of if you file a claim or not.  So you might as well get the benefit of what you have already been paying for, and replace your roof now before it is substantially more expensive to replace it in the future.

Act now, your time is quickly running out.  You typically have 12 to 24 months from the date of the Severe Weather Hail Event to complete roof replacements for the insurance company to cover it.

Replacement cash value (RCV) – The total amount for the insurance estimate is called the RCV. Keep in mind that the RCV is just an estimate—it’s not yet the final settlement. The final settlement is calculated by subtracting your deductible from the contractor’s invoice. 

Depreciation – The amount that won’t be released until the repairs or replacement is completed. 

Actual cash value (ACV) payment –  The ACV payment is the first insurance check you’re expected to receive. Your first insurance check is calculated by deducting your deductible and the depreciation from the RCV. In most cases, the amount is just enough to get roof repair work started. 

Supplements – In case the adjuster missed some items or overlooked some minor damage, your insurer might make some adjustments to your insurance payout. You shouldn’t worry too much about supplements or adjustments—they’re a normal part of the insurance claims process. In fact, most insurers have a team that’s dedicated to processing supplements and adjusters.

Yes.  If your policy requires a deductible, you will have to pay your selected roofer that amount.  However many of our recommended roofers offer finance options or paid referral programs to lessen the burden. Based on insurance trends, it will never be less expensive to replace your roof than right now.

We are committed to providing exceptional customer service. Our team is friendly, knowledgeable, and always available to answer any questions you may have.

Intelligence Elevated.