By Max Dorfman, Analysis Author, Triple-I
The entire worth of lightning-caused householders insurance coverage claims rose greater than 30 p.c in 2023, to $1.27 billion from $950 million in 2022, Triple-I estimates primarily based on nationwide claims knowledge 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 whole. The typical price per lightning-caused declare elevated 14.6 p.c, to $17,513 from $15,280.
“Rising inflation, together with larger alternative, development and labor prices impacted declare prices for the yr,” stated 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 hazards lightning poses to life and property and the way insurers and policyholders are lowering these dangers by means of efficient mitigation efforts,” Kevelighan stated.
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 best common price per declare at $41,654.
A lot of this harm is because of extreme convective storms, that are among the many most typical, and most damaging pure catastrophes in the USA. The results of heat, moist air rising from the earth, these storms manifest in numerous methods, relying on atmospheric situations – from drenching thunderstorms with lightning, to tornadoes, hail, or damaging straight-line winds.
Injury attributable to lightning, similar to fireplace, is roofed by commonplace householders insurance coverage insurance policies. Some householders insurance policies present protection for energy surges which can 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. Price 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 Info, State Farm ® | ||||
“Mitigating the dangers of lightning strikes begins with an intensive evaluation earlier than a storm,” stated Tim Harger, govt director on the Lightning Safety Institute, which offers sources for the design, set up, and inspection of lightning safety methods. “Lightning safety methods play an important function in safeguarding houses, companies, and communities from the potential downtime and destruction attributable to lightning strikes.
RELATED LINKS
Info and Statistics: Lightning
Lightning Movies
The Risks of Shoddy Lightning Safety System Installations
