By Max Dorfman, Analysis Author, Triple-I
The whole 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 information offered 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 overall. The common value per lightning-caused declare elevated 14.6 p.c, to $17,513 from $15,280.
“Rising inflation, together with increased substitute, building 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 lowering these dangers by way of efficient mitigation efforts,” Kevelighan mentioned.
Florida – the state with essentially the most thunderstorms – remained the highest state for variety of lightning claims in 2023, with 6,003. Nevertheless, Texas had the very best common value per declare at $41,654.
A lot of this injury is because of extreme convective storms, that are among the many commonest, 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 circumstances – from drenching thunderstorms with lightning, to tornadoes, hail, or damaging straight-line winds.
Harm brought on by lightning, comparable to hearth, is roofed by customary owners insurance coverage insurance policies. Some owners insurance policies present protection for energy surges which might be the direct results of a lightning strike.
High 10 States for Householders Insurance coverage Lightning Losses by Variety of Claims, 2023
| Rank | State | Worth of Claims | No. of Claims | Avg. Value 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 |
| High 10 States | $712,802,320 | 36,684 | $19,431 | |
| Supply: Insurance coverage Data, 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 gives assets for the design, set up, and inspection of lightning safety programs. “Lightning safety programs play a vital position in safeguarding houses, companies, and communities from the potential downtime and destruction brought on by lightning strikes.
RELATED LINKS
Information and Statistics: Lightning
