During FMH’s April 2026 InsureCast podcast, claims managers from across the country discussed how precision data, drones, satellite imagery, and artificial intelligence are helping improve the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of claims handling.

Matt Miller, FMH Regional Claims Manager for the Great Lakes region, explained how even in just the last five years he’s seen an increase in farmers using precision ag data for crop insurance.

“Shout out to our precision guy, Joe Callow. He does a phenomenal job with getting around to see folks and getting them set up,” he said. “That’s the key, right? Having your monitor set up and being ready to submit precision data makes it so much cleaner in the end, and an easier process for everyone.”

Brandon Thomas, FMH Field Claims Supervisor, added how claims involving precision records are more efficient for adjusters to handle.

“My adjusters almost try to fight over those precision claims,” Thomas said. “They’re a little easier to work. They’re a lot cleaner.”

The discussion also highlighted the growing role of Technology Assisted Loss Verification (TAL), including the use of drones, satellite imagery, and AI-supported features in claims systems. Enhancements to the FMH claims platform added the ability to import digital records, using AI to scrape production data from PDFs, and process claims directly from mobile devices in the field. Drones continue to be an asset in the field in saving time.

Still, the panel acknowledged that trust remains an important part of the claim experience. While technology continues to improve, many producers still prefer working directly with experienced adjusters.

“They still trust Matt more than the satellites right now,” Thomas joked during the discussion.

As crop insurance continues evolving, adjusters believe technology will not replace relationships, but instead help deliver faster claims processing, stronger documentation, and better service during difficult crop years.