The number of insured losses to homes from lightning strikes inthe U.S. fell to their lowest level in a decade in 2013, thanks todecreased thunderstorm activity and widespread dry weather, saysthe Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). In total, insurerspaid $673.5 million in lightning claims to more than 100,000policyholders in 2013.
|An analysis of homeowners insurance data by I.I.I. and StateFarm found there were 114,740 insurer-paid lightning claims in2013, down 24% from 2012. The average lightning paid-claim amountwas also down, dipping 8.3% to $5,869 in 2013 from $6,400 in 2012.(See below.)
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Insured losses from lightning were down 30.5% in 2013 from 2012and 8.4% down from 2004. However, the average cost per claim hasrisen 121.8% in the past decade. I.I.I. says this is in partbecause of the huge increase in the number and value of consumerelectronics in homes.
|I.I.I. and State Farm also broke down lightning claims by state,with Georgia coming in as the top state for lightning claims in2013. (See below.) The state had an estimated 11,184 claims paid topolicyholders, totaling $56 million.
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Texas came in second with 6,419 claims paid, but had the highestaverage cost per claim at $8,436. Illinois ranked 10thon the list with 3,849 claims paid out and an average cost perclaim of $6,015. However, fourth-place Louisiana had the lowestaverage cost per claim at $3,902, despite paying out 5,547claims.
|Damage caused by lightning, such as fire, is covered by standardhomeowners and business insurance policies, and some policies coverpower surges that are the direct result of a strike.
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