CJ Sveen, a homeowner in California, has had his home insurance canceled based on photos of his property allegedly taken by a drone. The reasons for cancellation include the presence of a “dilapidated car” in the policyholder’s yard, as well as multiple tires.
However, Sveen claims that the car in question, a 1966 Chevrolet Corvair, is being restored, and he changes his own cars’ tires every season. The termination letter also mentioned that the yard was cluttered with debris that resembled wood and cardboard and noted a truck with debris in the bed.
Home insurance for many Californian residents is getting hard to come by, with wildfire season underway. New policies are being denied, while many longstanding customers have been dropped. However, Sveen’s property is not located in a fire zone, and he hasn’t filed a claim in 15 years.
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According to Sveen, his insurer, California State Automobile Association (CSAA) Insurance Group, would not allow him to clear up his property either, claiming it was too late to reinstate the policy.
Sveen was initially puzzled when he was notified of the termination, as no one from his insurer had inspected the yard. However, when he called the company, he was informed that a drone had been sent to take pictures.
ABC 7 News reports that when Sveen asked to see the images, the request was denied, and later he was told that there was no drone but merely “aerial photos.” The insurer later told ABC 7 News that images may have been captured by a fixed-wing airplane or satellite and again declined to share the “propriety aerial imagery.”
Sveen admits that his garden is cluttered but reasons that it’s a part of his lifestyle. As a DIYer, he installed solar panels on the house himself and “likes to tinker.” His 1966 Chevrolet Corvair was his first car, and is in the process of restoration while the wheels and tires found in his backyard are in rotation for his various vehicles. And while Sveen feels his privacy was invaded, state law does not ban such aerial photography unless it is done so as a “peeping tom.”