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, in accordance with new knowledge from the Insurance coverage Data Institute and State Farm, the biggest author of householders’ insurance coverage in the US. The variety of lightning-caused claims additionally fell considerably, dropping 21.5 p.c, to 55,537, the bottom stage 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,” stated Sean Kevelighan, CEO, Triple-I. “Nonetheless, lightning stays a big risk 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 price 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 risk, with floor surges inflicting practically half of all claims,” stated Michal Brower of State Farm. “These occasions may cause intensive harm to electrical methods, home equipment, and even structural points. The harm underscores the important want for owners to pay attention to 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 harm
- Harm and even demise
Tips on how to Keep Protected
Householders can shield their households and property by following a couple of tips:
- Set up whole-home surge safety and unplug units throughout storms;
- Take into account a licensed lightning safety system;
- Verify your owners’ insurance coverage coverage for lightning and surge-related protection; and
- Keep indoors and keep away from wired units throughout thunderstorms.
Harm brought on by lightning, comparable to fireplace, is roofed by customary owners’ insurance coverage insurance policies. Some insurance policies present protection for energy surges which are the direct results of a lightning strike.
The Lightning Safety Institute (LPI) notes that lightning strikes can happen at an astonishing charge of 100 instances per second.
“Whether or not it’s a household residence or a mission-critical facility, no property is proof against lightning,” stated Tim Harger, Government Director at LPI, whose group offers assets for the design, set up, and inspection of lightning safety methods. “The best time to stop lightning harm is earlier than a storm. A lightning threat evaluation paired with a professionally put in safety system could make all of the distinction in protecting folks 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 harm later.
Be taught Extra:
The Significance of Defending Essential Services From Lightning Strikes
Lightning: Quantifying a Advanced, Expensive Peril to Assist Resilience
Past Hearth: Triple-I Interview Unravels Lightning-Danger Complexity
