SB409: SB409 "Insurers' Use of Aerial or Satellite Images Act"; enact

Some Georgia insurers use aerial photos from drones or satellite images to decide whether to cancel, decline, or raise the price of a homeowner's insurance policy, often without the homeowner seeing the images or having a clear way to challenge the decision. This bill, called the "Insurers' Use of Aerial or Satellite Images Act," adds a new section to Georgia's insurance code (O.C.G.A. § 33-9-45) to regulate that practice. Insurers licensed in Georgia that rely on aerial or satellite images for underwriting or pricing decisions on residential property would have to give homeowners date-stamped copies of the images showing the problem, set up a point of contact and appeal process, allow at least 60 days to fix the issue, and offer to renew or reverse the decision once the homeowner proves the problem is fixed. The Insurance Commissioner would write rules to enforce it. The law would take effect July 1, 2026, and apply to policies issued or renewed on or after October 1, 2026.

• Requires insurers to include date-stamped aerial or satellite images showing the specific problem when they deny, cancel, or raise rates on a homeowner's policy based on those images.
• Requires insurers to describe exactly what repairs are needed and the standards those repairs must meet.
• Creates a required appeal process so homeowners can dispute errors or misunderstandings behind the adverse decision.
• Gives homeowners a minimum of 60 days to fix the identified problem, even if that runs past the normal nonrenewal notice period under O.C.G.A. § 33-24-46.
• Requires insurers to offer a renewal or reverse the adverse decision once a homeowner proves the problem has been corrected.
• Directs the Insurance Commissioner to write rules on how homeowners submit proof of repairs and set size standards for the images.

Homeowners whose primary residence is insured by a Georgia-licensed insurer, insurance companies that use drone, aircraft, or satellite imagery in underwriting or pricing, and the Georgia Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan, which covers residential properties that struggle to find standard coverage.

Homeowners facing a policy cancellation, nonrenewal, or premium increase based on aerial imagery would gain the right to see the actual images, understand what needs fixing, appeal the decision, and get at least two months to make repairs before losing coverage or facing higher rates.

• Section 2 adds new Code Section 33-9-45 defining terms like 'adverse underwriting decision,' 'aerial images,' 'satellite images,' 'nonrenewal,' and 'reduction in coverage.'
• Subsection (b)(1) requires insurers to include date-stamped images and repair standards in any adverse underwriting decision notice, using images taken within nine months of the decision.
• Subsection (b)(2) requires insurers to set up a contact point and process for homeowners to submit proof of completed repairs, with matching image quality standards.
• Subsection (b)(3) requires an appeal process for correcting errors or misunderstandings tied to the decision.
• Subsection (b)(4) guarantees homeowners at least 60 days to cure the identified condition, even beyond the standard nonrenewal notice period.
• Subsection (b)(5) requires insurers to offer renewal or reverse the decision once the homeowner proves the problem is fixed.
• Subsection (c) applies the law to the state's Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan for residential properties.
• Subsection (d) directs the Insurance Commissioner to issue enforcement rules, including image size standards and proof-submission methods.

1. 2026-02-25House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-24House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-20Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
4. 2026-02-20Senate Third Read (Senate)
5. 2026-02-09Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
6. 2026-02-06Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
7. 2026-01-16Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2026-01-15Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)Primary sponsor
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)

1. PassedSenate voteFebruary 20, 2026

   49 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 4 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #566

• homeowners insurance
• drone and satellite imagery
• insurance regulation
• property insurance cancellations