Christian Senft, CEO of Gartenbau-Versicherung (right), and Matthias Hartmann, founder and managing director of wirfliegendrohne.de (left).
Strategic Investment with High Growth and Innovation Potential
Gartenbau-Versicherung is investing in forward-looking technologies that deliver measurable added value to its policyholders. In line with this strategy, the company acquired a 49% stake in wirfliegendrohne.de at the end of November 2024. The Dortmund-based start-up specializes in precise 3D drone scans, indoor laser scans, and Building Information Modeling (BIM), which enables digital representations of existing buildings.
Through this partnership, Gartenbau-Versicherung aims to enhance its processes and unlock innovative solutions for its members. “We see significant potential to improve our operations and open up new opportunities for our member businesses,” emphasizes Christian Senft, CEO of Gartenbau-Versicherung. At the same time, the green industry’s specialist insurer expects wirfliegendrohne.de to expand its market success across industries—making this both a strategically and economically sound investment.
Optimized Data for Improved Member Services
The two companies already launched initial pilot projects in 2024, collecting data on the properties and facilities of selected horticultural businesses. “We firmly believe that with high-quality data, risks—especially major risks—can be assessed far more realistically,” explains Matthias Hartmann, founder and managing director of wirfliegendrohne.de. Gartenbau-Versicherung plans to use the new technology to optimize its data pool and systematically leverage it to benefit its members. This allows risk consultants to prepare more effectively for advisory meetings, as they gain detailed knowledge of the site conditions early on. “Our goal is to make our field team’s extensive horticultural expertise even more effective for our members,” adds Christian Senft.
Digitalization as a Key Driver of Efficiency
The precise measurements enabled by this technology not only allow for more accurate insurance valuations but also support better planning of construction work and changes in land use. Thermal imaging can identify structural vulnerabilities and guide energy-efficient retrofitting. Indoor laser scans provide a detailed inventory of operational equipment. All of these applications are expected to benefit the members of Gartenbau-Versicherung. Digitalization helps improve economic efficiency, allowing the insurer to redirect saved resources into direct support for its member businesses. “For Gartenbau-Versicherung, the stake in wirfliegendrohne.de is a strategic step toward continuing to provide our policyholders added value and reliable insurance coverage under fair conditions,” concludes CEO Christian Senft.
