Lightning Damage and Your Insurance

Data accumulated by the Insurance Information Institute reveals that there were 185,789 home insurance lightning claims in 2009.



These claims include damage to homes, contents, and electronics.



The total cost of the claims was $798 million.  In 2008 lighting damage topped $1 billion.



Surge protectors (at individual outlets or on your power panel) and lightning rods can prevent a great deal of the damage caused by lightning.



Of course, lightning and the fires that can come after are covered by property insurance - both personal and commercial insurance.



A power surge from a lightning strike away from your premises is another matter - it's often excluded except when your policy incudes "mechanical breakdown" and/or machinery coverage.



Talk with your insurance advisor.







Photo By PenginOpus