EagleView Technologies created the aerial roof measurement industry in 2008 and has since become the independent, third-party standard for the insurance industry to efficiently and accurately manage roof damage claims. In January 2013, the company merged with Pictometry International Corp. This new combination of measurement solutions, high-quality aerial imagery, and property data allows forensic investigators to have a comprehensive overview of each property both before and after major CAT events and investigations.

The technology behind EagleView's 3D aerial roof measurement reports provides investigators with a solid understanding of the property that is under investigation before they make their first visit, which builds a solid foundation for planning and preparedness. The reports include high-resolution property photos captured and processed using Pictometry's patented methods. These processes include taking Pictometry photos at an angle to show the north, south, east and west views of the property. This allows investigators to get a clear idea of the aspects of a building just from utilizing the imagery.

In addition to the top-down and side views provided by the high-resolution color photographs, the reports include detailed diagrams for length, area and pitch of the roof. The diagrams serve as critical documentation in final reports prepared by forensic investigators.

Michael Spensieri, P.E., Regional Engineering Manager with DONAN and a 15-year forensic investigator, uses an EagleView 3D measurement report on every roof that he is investigating. “I see it as such a valuable tool for accurately depicting roof slopes and locations,” said Spensieri. “It's sometimes very difficult to accurately describe in a final report the location of where I am on the roof, especially on some of the more complex roofs but the diagram makes it very easy,” Spensieri says.

The notes diagram that is included for every property simply breaks down the sections of the roof and assigns a letter to each one. Spensieri is able to refer to the lettered section as a reference to where a situation occurred on the roof. “I'll reference the EagleView notes diagram in the final report and it gives the reader the ability to understand exactly where I am,” he explained.

Spensieri has found benefits in using the report before he visits the property. “It really helps us in two ways,” he explains. “First, it allows us to see the property before we go and determine the appropriate staff to send to the job; and second, we can make sure that the staff we send is properly equipped, from safety equipment down to what length ladder is needed.”

Efficiency is a key benefit that forensic engineers are seeing from the use of EagleView Roof Reports. The visual image and measurements of the roof means investigators are saving time in the field and able to complete more projects in a day. “Anything that makes me more efficient is a benefit to our clients, who get faster results at a lower cost,” Spensieri says.

Timely investigating and reporting is important to insurance carriers as well because it ultimately leads to increased customer satisfaction. When a customer submits a storm-related claim, it's usually out of necessity and can be just one aspect of a very stressful situation. With an expedited claims and investigation process, insurance companies get the answers they need quickly and property owners get their claims resolved in a timely manner.

For more information on EagleView and Pictometry's solutions for forensic engineers, call 866-659-8439 or visit www.eagleview.com or www.pictometry.com.

Special Reports /

Tech Enables Forensic Engineers To Enhance Investigative Reporting

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