Ground Truth
A blog by Nearmap
From imagery, to insights, to answers. Explore the latest posts and new perspectives emerging in the world of location intelligence.All
Newest
)
A before and after view of the L.A. fires impact
Nearmap post-catastrophe imagery captures the devastating impact of the Los Angeles fires. This visual story shows the incredible before-and-after imagery and intelligence used to support response and recovery efforts.
)
Why imagery and data from one source matters
Not all data is created equal. The source, quality, and ownership of that data determine whether it empowers or hinders decision-making.
)
Reduce failed deliveries with AI
Learn how AI-driven insights and aerial imagery can streamline heavy material logistics for safer and more time and cost efficient operations.
)
Understanding deep learning in GIS
Learn how deep learning models can mimic the human brain, learning from massive datasets to recognise objects and trends in things like aerial imagery.
)
Plan for risk with an intelligent view
Asset managers can meet new fulfilment benchmarks with easy-to-use geospatial intelligence — accurate, shareable insights at a click.
)
Minimise cost blow-outs with automated EME change detection
Leverage the power of high-resolution aerial imagery and AI to reduce downtime, improve telco network reliability and minimise cost blow-outs.
)
Nearmap & Betterview: One year later
later Jan 2025 David Tobias, GM of Insurance Jan 2025 David Tobias, GM of Insurance A year ago, Nearmap took a bold step by acquiring Betterview , a leader in property intelligence solutions for P&C insurance. At the time, CEO Andy Watt put it perfectly: “Integrating the Betterview platform and AI solutions into the Nearmap technology stack will enable better visualization of the truth on the ground with a richer, more powerful set of AI capabilities that combine the best of both companies.” It was a turning point for both companies — and the industry. Over the past year, we’ve worked together to achieve milestones that wouldn’t have been possible alone. As we look toward 2025, it feels like the perfect moment to reflect on where we’ve been and share a glimpse of where we’re headed. "Best user interface" “We picked the Betterview platform because we thought it was the best user interface for our underwriters to interact with. But when you see what Nearmap does with the frequency of imagery updates and potential in the AI space, it’s even better. These teams coming together to own the whole stack is exciting to see.” — Chad Combs, Vice President, Personal Lines Underwriting, Ohio Mutual Video Testimonial The first end-to-end solution Even before Nearmap acquired Betterview, our longstanding partnership delivered meaningful results for insurers. But it didn’t take long for both teams to see the bigger opportunity: joining forces. Together, we could tackle the industry’s most pressing challenges — like rising property losses, severe weather risks, and inflation — with solutions that went beyond what either company could achieve alone. That vision became a reality in early 2024 with the launch of the first true full-stack property intelligence platform for insurance . By integrating Nearmap high-resolution imagery and pre-processed AI-driven insights with Betterview’s advanced SaaS platform and AI models, we created something truly unique: a solution for faster, smarter insights that empower decision-making at every level. The result? The Betterview platform by Nearmap . Today, this platform provides insurers with unrivaled tools to detect property conditions, model risks, and act quickly with confidence. More than 200 carriers now depend on this unified platform to manage risk, predict and prevent losses, and provide a better experience for their customers. Gen6: An expanded library of AI insights At Nearmap, our focus has always been on one thing: delivering real, practical value to our customers. In 2024, we took a significant step forward with the launch of our 6th generation of AI insights , a milestone reflecting years of learning, iteration, and commitment to solving our customers’ toughest challenges. Why does this matter? This latest evolution of our AI in the Betterview platform empowers insurers to better detect, assess, and mitigate risk across their portfolios. With access to the largest library of property condition detections in the industry, insurers can see risk more clearly and act more decisively. Here’s what’s new: The largest AI detection library : With over 130 property condition detections — including peril-specific risk scores — insurers now have greater visibility into potential risks. Enhanced AI models : Improvements across the board mean higher accuracy and confidence for everything from roof condition to wildfire vulnerability. Validated peril scores : Covering bushfires , cyclones , hail , and wind , these scores are not only predictive of claims but can also be used in rating plans. With these tools, underwriters gain a more holistic understanding of each property’s risk profile. That means faster, more accurate decisions, streamlined workflows, and fewer surprises down the road—all critical to managing costs and improving outcomes. “Gain greater insights” “The advancements that Nearmap continues to make, like the investment in Betterview, help them become a stronger company with more machine learning and artificial intelligence. It is only going to help us gain greater insights into our exposures.” — Rob Jacobson, President & CEO, Rockford Mutual Video Testimonial Proven credibility: Delivering on what matters At Nearmap, trust and reliability aren’t industry buzzwords — they’re at the core of what we do. Over the past year, we focused on two critical goals that demonstrate our commitment to insurers: expanding our imagery coverage and validating our peril models with state regulators. First, we tackled imagery coverage. By integrating data from Hexagon’s Content Program into the Betterview platform, we extended our reach into rural areas, regions that have historically been plagued by infrequent and low-resolution imagery capture. Paired with Nearmap data, which already covers 95% of the Australian population , insurers now have a clearer, more comprehensive view of properties nationwide. What does this mean for insurers? It’s about more than just having great imagery. By combining this expanded coverage with predictive risk scores, regional hazard data, and tools like permit data and replacement cost analysis, insurers can: Streamline underwriting decisions with greater confidence. Cut down on the time and cost of physical inspections. Offer policyholders meaningful mitigation advice. We didn’t stop there. In the US, our second focus, validating AI-powered peril models, led to significant progress. To date, our AI-powered peril models have received regulatory approval in 30 states and Washington, D.C. These filings, completed in collaboration with Milliman Appleseed, allow insurers to quickly adopt advanced models to assess and price risk. Additionally, these models are proven to predict claims for wildfire, wind, hurricane, and hail, and serve as a lifeline for insurers navigating today’s volatile climate. They not only offer deep insights but also help insurers act faster and smarter, ensuring they stay ahead of the next big challenge. Real-world impact: Responding to severe storms 2024 was a year of relentless storms, testing insurers across the country. With one of the most active hurricane seasons on record, the need for rapid, accurate data became clearer. That’s where the Nearmap ImpactResponse System stepped in. The solution delivers rapid, actionable data to help insurers allocate resources effectively and support recovery efforts. Take Hurricane Milton, for example. When the storm devastated Florida on October 9, 2024, insurers needed to act fast. Nearmap delivered: Damage insights within 32 hours of landfall, giving insurers a near-instant view of the situation. Detailed analysis of 5.3 million buildings , identifying 39,000 structures that were majorly damaged or destroyed. Lightning-fast AI processing : A median time of just 2.6 hours, with 90% of damage data ready within 3.4 hours. The result? Insurers could quickly assess losses at the property level, allocate adjusters where they were needed most, and accelerate claims processing like never before. For policyholders, this meant faster payments and a quicker path to recovery. At its core, this isn’t just about technology — it’s about making a tangible difference when it matters most. By equipping insurers with the tools to respond effectively, we’re helping them deliver on their promise to protect and support their customers in their moments of greatest need. “An unparalleled solution” “The combination of Nearmap and Betterview really enhances the suite of products available on the platform. Nearmap’s breadth of imagery delivers an unparalleled solution for underwriters to make decisions.” — Peter Mahler, Vice President, Religious Markets Underwriting, Church Mutual Video Testimonial Looking ahead Year one of the Betterview acquisition has been nothing short of transformative — not just for us, but more importantly, for our insurance customers. By staying in constant dialogue with them, we’ve been able to ensure that every decision we make aligns with their unique business needs. The feedback has been very positive. But we’re not stopping here. With every enhancement to our technology, we’re helping insurers embrace a new era of proactive risk management. It’s about delivering measurable outcomes: better loss ratios, happier policyholders, and faster, smarter decisions across the board. The best part is there’s still much more we can do to serve the industry. With exciting innovations on the horizon in 2025, Nearmap remains committed to accelerating underwriting, streamlining claims response, and reducing loss ratios. Together, we’re not only addressing today’s challenges, we’re shaping the future of insurance.
Discover more!
Across the globe, GIS professionals are using Nearmap to advance their understanding of the world. Learn more about how these geospatial experts in commercial, government, and insurance sectors are optimising their efficiencies with our solution.Customer Stories
Go behind the scenes with GIS pioneers to see how they’re using Nearmap.
Events
Meet us in person and demo our products at one of the events we’ll be attending this year.
Webinars
Tune in for a lineup of industry experts highlighting how they’re changing our liveable world
Newsroom
Get the latest Nearmap scoop by reading what publications are saying about our solution.