By Loretta Worters, Vice President, Media Relations, Triple-I
Lightning-related householders’ insurance coverage claims totaled $1.04 billion in 2024, a 16.5 p.c lower from 2023, in keeping with new knowledge from the Insurance coverage Info Institute and State Farm, the biggest 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 big 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 expensive and unpredictable menace, with floor surges inflicting almost half of all claims,” mentioned Michal Brower of State Farm. “These occasions could cause intensive harm to electrical methods, home equipment, and even structural points. The harm underscores the essential want for householders 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 could cause greater than only a energy outage. Frequent impacts embrace:
- Fires in attics, roofs, or partitions
- Energy surges that destroy electronics and home equipment
- Structural harm
- Damage and even dying
Find out how to Keep Protected
Owners can shield their households and property by following a number of tips:
- Set up whole-home surge safety and unplug units throughout storms;
- Contemplate an authorized lightning safety system;
- Examine your householders’ 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, akin to hearth, is roofed by commonplace householders’ insurance coverage insurance policies. Some insurance policies present protection for energy surges which might be the direct results of a lightning strike.
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 resistant to lightning,” mentioned Tim Harger, Govt Director at LPI, whose group offers sources for the design, set up, and inspection of lightning safety methods. “The simplest time to stop lightning harm is earlier than a storm. A lightning danger evaluation paired with a professionally put in safety system could make all of the distinction in conserving individuals secure and operations uninterrupted.”
Whereas lightning-related claims could also be down, the danger remains to be very actual, particularly in high-strike areas like Florida, Texas, and California. Taking preventive steps now can cut back publicity to expensive harm later.
Be taught Extra:
The Significance of Defending Crucial Services From Lightning Strikes
Lightning: Quantifying a Complicated, Expensive Peril to Help Resilience
Past Fireplace: Triple-I Interview Unravels Lightning-Danger Complexity
