Farmers Insurance to Deploy Mobile Robot for Catastrophe Claims
September 20, 2021
Farmers Insurance has announced plans to use a customized Boston Dynamics Spot mobile robot to assist with in-field catastrophe claims handling and non-catastrophe property inspections. The insurance company said it aims to improve the safety and efficiency of claims and inspections, while also becoming one of the first national insurers to deploy a robotic quadruped.
The company said Spot will join claims personnel beginning as early as fall 2021 to help assess damage from catastrophes such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and wildfires. The robot’s agility, advanced mobility, and perception to navigate various rough terrain will allow it to access spaces and environments inaccessible for claims employees, Farmers said. The robot will be equipped with several sensors and cameras, including a 360-degree camera and site documentation software to help reduce the time required to capture data and augment the in-field claims review process. In addition, the robot may be utilized to handle non-catastrophic events such as structure fires, collapsed structures, water loss, or other potentially hazardous environments in the future.
“Farmers’ focus on enhancing human-powered technology has led the organization to this very exciting milestone where we’re able to utilize new and emerging technology like a robot to further strengthen our commitment to our customers, all while helping to keep our employees safe,” said Samantha Santiago, head of claims strategy and automation at Farmers. “Adding such a dynamic robot to our stock of evolving tech – such as drones and satellite imagery – will help us build on our legacy and deepen our commitment to customers.”
The insurance company has introduced other technologies in recent years, including an aerial imagery program that leverages drones, manned aircraft and satellite technology to help enhance claims operational efficiencies. In late 2017, the company announced a virtual reality (VR) program to help train claims representatives for home damage assessments. The VR program is still being used today, and has been a vital tool to continue to train claims adjusters during the COVID-19 pandemic, Farmers said.
Farmers said it will explore applications that could help first-responder organizations during scenarios such as post-event search and rescue operations, accessing areas to assess danger for first responders or others, and/or pre-inspections to assess safety for anyone in the general vicinity.
