By Loretta Worters, Vice President, Media Relations, Triple-I
Lightning-related owners’ insurance coverage claims totaled $1.04 billion in 2024, a 16.5 p.c lower from 2023, based on new knowledge from the Insurance coverage Data Institute and State Farm, the most important author of house owners’ insurance coverage in the US. The variety of lightning-caused claims additionally fell considerably, dropping 21.5 p.c, to 55,537, the bottom degree recorded since earlier than 2017.
Greater than half of all claims got here from the highest 10 states, with Florida, Texas, and California main the nation in lightning-related property losses.
“Fewer claims and a decline in severity point out elevated consciousness and improved mitigation,” mentioned Sean Kevelighan, CEO, Triple-I. “Nonetheless, lightning stays a major menace to property and security, notably throughout storm season.”
Key lightning declare stats for 2024
- Whole variety of claims: 55,537 (down from 70,787 in 2023)
- Whole claims worth: $1.04 billion (down from $1.24 billion)
- Nationwide common value per declare: $18,641
- Highest state common: $38,558 in Texas
Prime three states by lightning losses
- Florida – 4,780 claims, $113M in damages
- Texas – 4,369 claims, $168M in damages
- California – 4,005 claims, $75M in damages
“Lightning stays a pricey and unpredictable menace, with floor surges inflicting almost half of all claims,” mentioned Michal Brower of State Farm. “These occasions may cause in depth injury to electrical methods, home equipment, and even structural points. The injury underscores the vital want for owners to concentrate on the dangers, spend money on protecting measures, and keep ready, particularly in high-risk areas the place lightning strikes are most frequent and damaging.”
Lightning strikes may cause greater than only a energy outage. Widespread impacts embrace:
- Fires in attics, roofs, or partitions
- Energy surges that destroy electronics and home equipment
- Structural injury
- Harm and even dying
Easy methods to Keep Protected
Householders can shield their households and property by following a couple of tips:
- Set up whole-home surge safety and unplug gadgets throughout storms;
- Contemplate an authorized lightning safety system;
- Verify your owners’ insurance coverage coverage for lightning and surge-related protection; and
- Keep indoors and keep away from wired gadgets throughout thunderstorms.
Injury brought on by lightning, similar to hearth, is roofed by commonplace owners’ insurance coverage insurance policies. Some insurance policies present protection for energy surges which can be the direct results of a lightning strike.Â
The Lightning Safety Institute (LPI) notes that lightning strikes can happen at an astonishing fee of 100 occasions per second.
“Whether or not it’s a household house or a mission-critical facility, no property is proof against lightning,” mentioned Tim Harger, Govt Director at LPI, whose group offers assets for the design, set up, and inspection of lightning safety methods. “The simplest time to forestall lightning injury is earlier than a storm. A lightning threat evaluation paired with a professionally put in safety system could make all of the distinction in preserving individuals protected and operations uninterrupted.”
Whereas lightning-related claims could also be down, the chance remains to be very actual, particularly in high-strike areas like Florida, Texas, and California. Taking preventive steps now can scale back publicity to pricey injury later.
Study Extra:
The Significance of Defending Essential Services From Lightning Strikes
Lightning: Quantifying a Complicated, Pricey Peril to Assist Resilience
Past Fireplace: Triple-I Interview Unravels Lightning-Danger Complexity
