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 information from the Insurance coverage Data Institute and State Farm, the most important author of householders’ insurance coverage in the USA. 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 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
High 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 practically half of all claims,” stated Michal Brower of State Farm. “These occasions could cause in depth harm to electrical techniques, 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 could cause greater than only a energy outage. Frequent impacts embody:
- Fires in attics, roofs, or partitions
- Energy surges that destroy electronics and home equipment
- Structural harm
- Damage and even demise
How you can Keep Protected
Householders can shield their households and property by following just a few tips:
- Set up whole-home surge safety and unplug gadgets throughout storms;
- Think about 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, reminiscent of hearth, 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 price of 100 occasions 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 gives assets for the design, set up, and inspection of lightning safety techniques. “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 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 expensive harm later.
Study Extra:
Lightning Safety Institute
The Significance of Defending Crucial Services From Lightning Strikes
Lightning: Quantifying a Advanced, Expensive Peril to Help Resilience
Past Fireplace: Triple-I Interview Unravels Lightning-Danger Complexity
