The number of insured losses to homes from lightning strikes in the U.S. fell to their lowest level in a decade in 2013, thanks to decreased thunderstorm activity and widespread dry weather, says the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). In total, insurers paid $673.5 million in lightning claims to more than 100,000 policyholders in 2013.

An analysis of homeowners insurance data by I.I.I. and State Farm found there were 114,740 insurer-paid lightning claims in 2013, down 24% from 2012. The average lightning paid-claim amount was also down, dipping 8.3% to $5,869 in 2013 from $6,400 in 2012. (See below.)

Insured losses from lightning were down 30.5% in 2013 from 2012 and 8.4% down from 2004. However, the average cost per claim has risen 121.8% in the past decade. I.I.I. says this is in part because of the huge increase in the number and value of consumer electronics 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 in 2013. (See below.) The state had an estimated 11,184 claims paid to policyholders, totaling $56 million.

Texas came in second with 6,419 claims paid, but had the highest average cost per claim at $8,436. Illinois ranked 10^th on the list with 3,849 claims paid out and an average cost per claim of $6,015. However, fourth-place Louisiana had the lowest average cost per claim at $3,902, despite paying out 5,547 claims.

Damage caused by lightning, such as fire, is covered by standard homeowners and business insurance policies, and some policies cover power surges that are the direct result of a strike.

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Top 10 States for Lightning Claims

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