Just about everyone knows lightning can damage expensiveelectronics. Televisions, telephones, computers and otherelectronic goods are under threat during an electrical storm.Harmful over-currents can reach them through phone jacks, Ethernetcables or electrical outlets.

But how many of us bother to unplug every electronic device toavoid a damaging electrical surge whenever a storm rolls in?

Perhaps this explains the fact that while the total number oflightning damage claims declined, the amount claimed surged 93%from 2004 to 2011. According to data from the Insurance InformationInstitute, the average lightning claim now stands at just over$5,100 and claims totaled about $960 million each year from 2007 to2011.

In 2012, severe thunderstorms, including tornado events, causedover $14.9 billion in insured losses and $27.7 billion in economiclosses. That’s why in honor of June being Lightning AwarenessMonth, we are looking at some best practices for handling lightningclaims.

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Appraising televisions

Given their ubiquity in American homes with nearly everyoneowning at least one, televisions are the leading item damaged bylightning, followed closely by computers.

Televisions generally come in two types: tube and flat screens.Tube, or CRTs, are made with glass tubes and are extremely heavy.While they are no longer in mass production, they are still commonin homes today. The screen on a tube television can be rounded orflat, but should not be confused with modern flat screen TVs.

When identifying any TV, it is important to secure the modelnumber coupled with the brand or manufacturer. Model numbers canmost often be found on the back of the set with the brand commonlyfound up front. Together, these two pieces of information can telladjusters everything they need to know for filing the claim.

If the make and model number on a tube television cannot befound, take note of the following details:

• Screen size, as determined by measuring the screen diagonallyfrom corner to corner
• Aspect ratio of the image
• Tube shape: square or rectangular?
• Screen shape: rounded or flat?
• Special features

If the make and model number can’t be found on a flat screentelevision, record the following:

• Screen size, again, determined by measuring the screendiagonally from corner to corner
• Aspect ratio: unlike tube TVs, the majority of flat screenswill be 16x9
• Screen type: either plasma or LCD. Plasma TVs are glossy andshiny, while LCDs are dull or have a satin finish. It may benecessary to wipe the screen clean to determine thedifference.

Often the term LED is advertised as a different televisionformat, but it is actually an LCD format that uses LEDs instead offluorescents. LED televisions are generally more expensive thanstandard LCD TVs, so it is important to record it as such.

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Appraising computers

Personal computers comprise approximately 35% of the itemsclaimed in lightning damage and unlike TVs where brand and modelare key in identification, a computer's model number does notprovide enough information for replacement. There are simply toomany different configurations of the same model number when dealingwith computers. However, it is still important to record thisinformation along with other key pieces:

First, it is paramount to record the type of computer – desktop,laptop, netbook or tablet. Adjusters should make note of the typeof system processor (CPU), including the brand name and model.Intel Core I7 and AMD Phenom X4 are just two examples of this kindof information.

Claims adjusters should also record the size of the screen, theamount of RAM – usually recorded in gigabytes (GB), and the sizeand type of hard drive if it has one. Most netbooks and tabletsdon’t carry hard drives. Consulting the product documentation canbe a big help in finding these details.

Additionally, adjusters are advised to record the type of videocard. Common types include the ATI Radeon and the NVIDIA GeForce.It is also good practice to record if any other drives are presentor attached, including CD, DVD or flash drives, and any networkingdevices such as a wireless card or LAN adapter.

Photo: AfricaStudio/Shutterstock

Validating the damage

In lightning damage claims, it is important to determine if theloss was, in fact, caused by lightning instead of being a simplemechanical breakdown. A direct strike will leave physical damage,including burn marks where it hit. Electrical outlets will also beburned where the surge exited the building.

Items can, however, be damaged by lightning without physicaltraces. These markings should only be used for immediatecorroboration. Next, look to see if more than one item was damaged.Usually multiple items will be affected in a strike zone.

It will also be helpful to determine if hazardous weatheroccurred by talking to neighbors or possibly investing in alightning strike report for the area. In expensive claims, callingin an electrical engineer to review damaged items may benecessary.

Photo: KlagyivikViktor/Shutterstock

Lightning safety tips

To stay safe during an electrical storm, avoid the use ofelectrical equipment until the storm has subsided. This includescorded phones, networking cables and power cords. The rule is ifyou can hear thunder, you or the equipment you are operating is atrisk of being hit by lightning.

Water, an open conduit for electricity, is also something to beavoided during storms. Washing hands, taking a shower, or washingdishes are all hazardous actions during a thunderstorm.Additionally, steering clear of windows and exterior doors is agood idea since lightning can travel through both.

Knowing these safety tips and the proper procedure for handlinglightning damage claims can help keep you safe during the summerseason. We hope these tips will be a good addition to your generalinsurance appraisal toolkit.

Scott Lacourse is a director at Enservio, which offerssoftware and services across the entire value chain of contentsclaim processing—from onsite inventory capture of non-restorablecontents—to transcription, appraisal, valuation, payment,replacement and predictive analytics.