State Farm insurance company is seeking federal approval to test drones in evaluating property damage and responding to natural disasters.
The Bloomington Pantagraph reported Saturday that State Farm has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
It asks for two exemptions to existing rules. One would allow it to operate unmanned aircraft at a private State Farm test site in central Illinois. A second would allow it to use them during actual catastrophes.
Spokesman Jeff McCollum says the company “is exploring a number of emerging technologies.”
The Federal Aviation Administration bans most commercial drone operations.
FAA officials are under pressure from Congress and industry to loosen restrictions on smaller drones. The agency is expected to propose safety rules in November for businesses that want to operate them.