From drones to airplanes, even satellites, your insurance company may be watching from above.

Did this cause some sleepless nights?

In San Francisco- Instead of going house by house-Jerémie Solterbeck was stunned after he received a notice that SafeCo insurance, his carrier for more than a decade, wasn't renewing his policy.

I couldn't believe this is how they decided, based on a tiny drone image, that we weren't worth insuring anymore.

When he pushed for why, they sent him this grainy image.

They're trying to show that the presence of dirt indicates that water has pooled and dried out.

And he's not alone. Consumer advocates say across the country, insurance companies are dropping some customers based primarily on aerial photographs. In Virginia, Elizabeth Davis was sent this photo that her insurance company said showed discolouration and streaking on her roof. I was floored.

I had a bit of a panic attack.

Her options: repair the damage or replace the entire roof. She found another carrier.

Sometimes there needs to be facts checked in order to make sure that that underwriting is correct.

Sean Kevlin, with the Insurance Information Institute, says insurers are also searching for issues like undeclared trampolines, excessive yard debris, and overhanging trees, which can increase risk of a loss.

Certainly, insurers are using technology and innovation to make sure that they have all the variables possible to best underwrite.

Eagleview is one of the companies providing aerial images to the insurance industry, but they say their drones are only used to check out damage quickly when someone makes a claim. Ceo, peers Dormier says the technology benefits the consumer and insurer.

This imagery, whether it's coming from an airplane or it's coming from a drone, is something that it's going to be part of the decision to potentially cancel a customer or raise their policies or potentially even lower them.

Consumer advocates say if you receive one of those non-renewal letters, contact your insurance company, ask to see copies of those images, and time to correct whatever problem was identified.

I don't know anyone who doesn't have dirt on their roof.

That's how Sultrabek fought back, paying $500 for an independent roof inspection. He says SafeCo has since reversed its decision. The company has not responded to our multiple request for comment about their use of aerial technology.

Do you think the insurance company was trying to drop you?

Based on what they sent us, yes. I don't think there's any other conclusion.

A new reality, transforming how homeowners are monitored from above. Adrian Brodus, NBC News, San Francisco.

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