ZestyAI, a provider of climate and property risk analytics powered by AI, has partnered with American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company (AFR), an insurance provider in Oklahoma’s rural sector for over a century.
This collaboration utilises ZestyAI’s aerial imagery and risk modelling solutions to improve AFR’s property risk assessment and streamline its underwriting processes.
With nearly complete aerial imagery coverage across the contiguous US, ZestyAI’s platform offers superior accuracy, high-quality images, and specialised risk models for wildfires, wind, and hail, enabling AFR to assess risk at a highly granular, property-specific level.
Kimball Lynn, Director of Underwriting & Operations at AFR, said: “While our primary focus was aerial imagery, we quickly realised that ZestyAI’s solutions for assessing peril-specific risks like wind, hail, and wildfire made them a multifaceted underwriting solution. In Oklahoma, where wind and hail are constants, their severe convective storm risk-scoring capabilities stood out.”
Lynn added: “We also valued their broader coverage footprint and more consistent image quality. The shift to more accurate, up-to-date imagery has improved our underwriting approach. ZestyAI’s training and platform are intuitive, which made for a smooth adoption, and the onboarding experience and ongoing support have made for a strong partnership so far.”
Carriers often face difficulties when aerial imagery providers cover only 75%-80% of the U.S., leaving gaps in rural regions and providing outdated visuals.
ZestyAI addresses this challenge by integrating data from all major aerial imagery providers, achieving near 100% coverage with more up-to-date imagery. This comprehensive approach ensures precise, detailed insights into property risks—such as roof condition, debris on lots, and driveway quality—allowing insurers to have an accurate, current view of each property.
This enhances underwriting accuracy and risk assessment, enabling more effective insurance decisions in both urban and rural areas.
Attila Toth, Founder and CEO of ZestyAI, said: “AFR’s foresight in preparing for emerging risks is setting an example for other carriers and demonstrates their dedication to innovative risk management and protecting their communities. We’re proud to partner with a company that shares our commitment to proactive, data-driven risk management.”
