The Massachusetts Insurance Agents Association recently announced a new affinity relationship with Pictometry, The Aerial Oblique Photography Company to offer agents “access to a vast database of 3D-like, high resolution aerial images.” Headquartered in Rochester, NY, Pictometry provides geo-referenced aerial, oblique image libraries and related software.
As Pictometry explains itself, “Unlike tradition geospatial information systems that rely on only an orthogonal, or top-down view of an area, Pictometry captures images obliquely, or from an angle, and creates more natural three-dimensional views so that users can see land features and structures clearly and in their entirety.” It is a web-based technology which streamlines the process of gathering information for property submissions and ACCORD forms more efficiently and with greater accuracy.
Best of all, Pictometry says that with only a few minutes training, an agent or any new user can learn to access the detailed imagery for a region as well as to switch between views of maps to specific images such as doors, manholes, fences and fire hydrants and can be fully integrated with other existing systems you may have.
An added benefit for MAIA agents who may want to use this new tool is that on May 23, 2011 Pictometry acquired GeoEstimator, a leading providing of roof measurements based on aerial imagery.
“The combination of Pictometry and GeoEstimator is a perfect match for our growing insurance and construction verticals,” explained Rick Hurwitz, Pictometry CEO. As a result of the acquisition Pictometry boasts that GeoEstimator’s innovative technology combined with Pictometry’s high resolution imagery and measuring capabilities will create a system with reporting capabilities to create drawings and accurate calculations of roof area, lineal footage of ridge, valley, eave, rake, hip and step flashing. The end result is a downloadable file that can be easily adjusted to accommodate any additional information that’s needed.
What can it do for your agency business?
- Allows an agent to view any property from up to 20 different perspectives and zoom in up to 1,000 percent
- To accurately measure square footage, distances (to water, coastlines, exposures and hazards) height, area, pitch/slope/area of a roof and bearing
- Add detailed, annotated photos to submissions or reports
- Obtain external property information needed for ACCORD forms
- Obtain the information you need to calculate ITV and replacement costs
- Confirm measurement data to limit E&O exposures
- Used parcel data to identify the owner of properties for prospecting purposes
- Help insurers meet their need for accurate, visual and timely flood zone and other hazard determinations.
To find out more about Pictometry you can visit their website here. In the meantime here is an agent testimonial about the benefits of Pictometry:
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Massachusetts agents interested in purchasing this web-based technology can first see a demonstration of the product via their computer with one of Pictometry’s representatives. You also should mentioned that you are a MAIA member in order to receive the special discounted price. Pictometry can be purchased either in block of time or with unlimited access and prices vary accordingly, but representatives told Agency Checklists that they can also tailor a product package to best suit an agency’s needs based upon their size and the projected use of this service.
