By Max Dorfman, Analysis Author, Triple-I
The entire worth of lightning-caused owners insurance coverage claims rose greater than 30 p.c in 2023, to $1.27 billion from $950 million in 2022, Triple-I estimates based mostly on nationwide claims knowledge supplied by State Farm.
The variety of claims rose 13.8 p.c throughout the identical interval, to 70,787 from 62,189, 10 states accounting for 57 p.c of the whole. The typical value per lightning-caused declare elevated 14.6 p.c, to $17,513 from $15,280.
“Rising inflation, together with greater alternative, development and labor prices impacted declare prices for the yr,” mentioned Triple-I CEO Sean Kevelighan. Triple-I launched these estimates to prematurely of Lightning Security Consciousness Week, which runs from June 23 to June 29.
“Lightning Security Consciousness Week highlights the risks lightning poses to life and property and the way insurers and policyholders are decreasing these dangers by efficient mitigation efforts,” Kevelighan mentioned.
Florida – the state with probably the most thunderstorms – remained the highest state for variety of lightning claims in 2023, with 6,003. Nonetheless, Texas had the best common value per declare at $41,654.
A lot of this harm is because of extreme convective storms, that are among the many most typical, and most damaging pure catastrophes in america. The results of heat, moist air rising from the earth, these storms manifest in numerous methods, relying on atmospheric situations – from drenching thunderstorms with lightning, to tornadoes, hail, or damaging straight-line winds.
Harm attributable to lightning, corresponding to fireplace, is roofed by normal owners insurance coverage insurance policies. Some owners insurance policies present protection for energy surges which can be the direct results of a lightning strike.
Prime 10 States for Householders Insurance coverage Lightning Losses by Variety of Claims, 2023
| Rank | State | Worth of Claims | No. of Claims | Avg. Price per declare |
| 1 | Florida | $104,544,285 | 6,003 | $17,416 |
| 2 | Georgia | $87,110,761 | 5,161 | $16,877 |
| 3 | Texas | $194,288,888 | 4,664 | $41,654 |
| 4 | California | $83,367,791 | 4,608 | $18,090 |
| 5 | Alabama | $54,981,756 | 3,508 | $15,673 |
| 6 | Louisiana | $35,167,375 | 3,050 | $11,529 |
| 7 | North Carolina | $35,544,243 | 2,881 | $12,337 |
| 8 | New York | $50,785,848 | 2,458 | $20,659 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | $27,219,044 | 2,214 | $12,296 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $39,792,330 | 2,136 | $18,630 |
| Prime 10 States | $712,802,320 | 36,684 | $19,431 | |
| Supply: Insurance coverage Info, State Farm ® | ||||
“Mitigating the dangers of lightning strikes begins with an intensive evaluation earlier than a storm,” mentioned Tim Harger, government director on the Lightning Safety Institute, which offers sources for the design, set up, and inspection of lightning safety techniques. “Lightning safety techniques play an important function in safeguarding houses, companies, and communities from the potential downtime and destruction attributable to lightning strikes.
RELATED LINKS
Information and Statistics: Lightning
