How Openly adjusters settle claims faster and more accurately
Using Nearmap Property Intelligence, Openly empowers adjusters with real-time insights that help accelerate response times, improve decision confidence, and deliver an exceptional policyholder experience.
The challenge
Scaling rapid, informed decisions after catastrophe events
In December 2021, a tornado tore through the Midwest. Openly could see which policyholders sat in the storm’s path — but gaining property-level visibility still required time and field assessments.
Openly’s claims team had deep catastrophe expertise and established response processes. However, leadership saw an opportunity to augment that expertise with property intelligence and rapid-response imagery to make decisions even faster and with greater precision.
“All of us on my team had experience with other vendors in the past. But we chose Nearmap primarily for the reason in that there’s a lot of flexibility and we could foresee the innovation and continuous improvement of the tool versus some of the competitors that were a little more stagnant.”
Gina Reyes, VP of Claims, Openly
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The solution
Real-time intelligence — from first notice to final settlement
Openly invests in technology that gives its adjusters better information, faster visibility, and greater confidence in their decisions. After the December 2021 tornado, the goal was straightforward — equip the team with what it needs to respond to policyholders quickly and clearly when they need it most.
It’s why Openly deepened its use of Nearmap Property Intelligence and added ImpactResponse to its core catastrophe response capability.
Nearmap post-catastrophe intelligence
Captured as early as 24-48 hours after a major weather event, Nearmap ImpactResponse delivers an accurate picture of damage to insured properties. Openly claims teams can respond and triage resources rapidly. Adjusters can assess damage remotely before a single inspector is deployed and kickstart the claims process even before FNOL (First Notice of Loss).
“Customers have to evacuate their homes, and they’re sitting there waiting. It can be days after the event before they can get back into the area. So having Nearmap and the impact assessment, we are able to help the customer and let them know if their home is standing or not.”
Gina Reyes, VP of Claims, Openly
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Historical insights for documented evidence
Adding to more than 10 years of historical content, Nearmap imagery is captured at a sub-7cm ground sampling distance and refreshed up to 6 times a year. Openly adjusters get a detailed view pre-event conditions and helps identify what changed — fences, outbuildings, roofing condition, property objects — giving them documented evidence for every settlement. It can also help confirm when a roof was last replaced, useful when resolving one of the most common disputes in property claims.
“With the evolution of policy changes, especially in hail-prone areas, roof replacement cost is not as readily available. So when we settle a claim, we have to be very accurate on the age of the roofing... We are able to go into Nearmap, look at that address and go back to when the customer thinks their roof was replaced and start looking at dates to see when the roof changed.”
Gina Reyes, VP of Claims, Openly
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The impact
Rapid support for a superior customer experience
With the ability to assess post-disaster conditions remotely, Openly’s claims teams can reach out to policyholders with meaningful information much faster. Claims can be prioritised and expedited with confidence and accuracy even if access isn’t yet possible. This level of visibility and transparency provides customers with peace of mind when they need it most.
“That has been not only a tool for us to really understand the impact of an event for us, it helps us inform our investors, inform our reinsurers. It helps us as a team plan our resources and how we’re going to handle an event.”
Gina Reyes, VP of Claims, Openly
Settlements grounded in evidence, not interpretation
Having reliable imagery of a property’s pre-event condition means settlements are grounded in objective, trusted property data.
Openly adjusters have evidence to stand on when disputes arise. Pre-existing damage, prior repairs, and changes over time are visible and documentable — protecting both the policyholder and the insurer.
“A lot of times that we can tell from the past if the roof has multiple repairs on it, if there’s shingles missing prior to the storm, so we can really have an accurate understanding and proof that we can align on. So that really helps our adjusters, not only with confidence, but accuracy and a good leg to stand on with the customer and with any other third parties that are trying to dispute our assessment.”
Gina Reyes, VP of Claims, Openly
A single, common source of truth for underwriting and claims
Openly now uses Nearmap across both underwriting and claims, with both teams working from the same property intelligence. The consistency that creates strengthens decision-making and internal alignment throughout the policy.
“I think the advantage of underwriting and claims using the same tool is sometimes we have questions in claims about underwriting decisions we’re talking the same language and looking at the same photos and there’s a lot more consistency within our organisation.”
Gina Reyes, VP of Claims, Openly
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See what property intelligence can do for your claims operation
Learn how Nearmap ImpactResponse and aerial property intelligence help claims teams make faster, safer, and more defensible decisions — from triage through settlement.
About Openly
Openly is a premium homeowners insurance provider. Its centralized platform offers comprehensive coverage, market-leading technology, and exceptional service. Founded by industry veterans in 2017, Openly is dedicated to delivering modern and transparent homeowners insurance and empowering independent agents across America.