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U.S. Homeowners Insurance Claims for Lightning Losses

    Over $1.2 bn in lightning-related homeowners insurance claims were paid to more than 70,000 policyholders in the U.S., with $194 mn attributed to Texas alone, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).

    • The total value of lightning-related claims increased by over 30% in 2024, reaching $1.27 bn from $950 mn in 2023.
    • The number of claims rose by 13.8%, from 62,189 in 2022 to 70,787 in 2024, with the top 19 states accounting for 57% of the total.
    • The average cost per claim grew by 14.6%, from $15,280 in 2022 to $17,513 in 2024.

    $950 mn in lightning-caused U.S. homeowners insurance claims were paid out to 62,000-plus policyholders, with $125 mn of the total attributable to California alone

    Lightning-Caused U.S. Homeowners Insurance

    According to Lightning-Caused U.S. Homeowners Insurance report, although lightning can strike everywhere in the U.S., the Southeastern states are the most vulnerable.

    Homeowners Insurance Claims

    Except for a few locations, such as the Rocky Mountains, where thunderstorms frequently occur throughout the summer, the chances of lightning happening typically dips from the southeast to the northwest.

    Severe convective storms are among the most common, most damaging natural catastrophes in the United States.

    The widespread damage the U.S. experienced in the past few days due to extreme tornado activity highlighted the importance of being financially protected from catastrophic losses by having the right types, and amounts, of insurance.

    The result of warm, moist air rising from the earth, they manifest in various ways, depending on atmospheric conditions – from drenching thunderstorms with lightning, to tornadoes, hail, or destructive straight-line winds, according to Triple-I’s Recommendations.

    Sean Kevelighan - President and CEO at Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I)

    Rising inflation, including higher replacement, construction, and labor costs, impacted claim costs for the year

    Sean Kevelighan, President and CEO of Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I)

    “Lightning Safety Awareness Week highlights the dangers lightning poses to life and property and how insurers and policyholders are reducing these risks through effective mitigation efforts,” Sean Kevelighan says.

    Homeowners Insurance Claims And Payout for Lightning Losses

    YearValue of claims
    ($ mn)
    Number of
    claims
    Average cost
    per claim
    2017$916.61      85,020 $10,781
    2018908.93      77,898 11,668
    2019920.05      76,86011,971
    20202,066.74      71,551 28,885
    20211,313.06      60,851 21,578
    2022950.22      62,189 15,280
    20231,239.72      70,787 17,513
    % change   
    2023-202230.5%13.8%14.6%
    2023-201735.3%-16.7%62.4%
    Source: Insurance Information Institute

    Severe convective storms are common and highly damaging natural events in the U.S. They arise from warm, moist air and can include thunderstorms with lightning, tornadoes, hail, or destructive winds, depending on atmospheric conditions.

    Florida, with the most thunderstorms, had the highest number of lightning claims in 2024 at 6,003. Texas had the highest average cost per claim at $41,654.

    According to the CDC, the states with the most lightning-related deaths and injuries include Florida, Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

    Top 10 States For Homeowners Insurance Lightning Losses By Number Of Claims

    Top 10 States For Homeowners Insurance Lightning Losses By Number Of Claims

    RankStateValue of
    claims
    Number of
    claims
    Average cost
    per claim
    1Florida$104,544,2856,003$17,416
    2Georgia87,110,7615,16116,877
    3Texas194,288,8884,66441,654
    4California83,367,7914,60818,090
    5Alabama54,981,7563,50815,673
    6Louisiana35,167,3753,05011,529
    7North Carolina35,544,2432,88112,337
    8New York50,785,8482,45820,659
    9Pennsylvania27,219,0442,21412,296
    10Tennessee39,792,3302,13618,630
     Top 10 States$712,802,32036,68419,431
    Source: Insurance Information Institute

    Standard homeowners insurance policies cover lightning damage, such as fire. Some policies also cover power surges caused directly by lightning strikes.

    The Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) noted that lightning strikes can occur up to 100 times per second.

    What makes these states more prone to lightning-related damage than other states that didn’t make this list?

    It all boils down to how prone each state is to more frequent thunderstorms. Lightning strikes and thunderstorms are inherently related, and once lightning occurs, thunder usually follows.

    As expensive as insurance may be, it’s still advisable for homeowners who live in these high-risk states to invest in the proper plan that can compensate them appropriately for lightning damage incurred.

    FAQ

    What is the total value of lightning-related homeowners insurance claims in 2024?

    Over $1.2 billion in lightning-related homeowners insurance claims were paid to more than 70,000 policyholders in the U.S. in 2023.

    How much did Texas account for in lightning-related claims?

    Texas accounted for $194 million of the total lightning-related claims in 2024, the highest of any state.

    What factors contributed to the increase in lightning-related claim costs?

    Rising inflation, including higher replacement, construction, and labor costs, significantly impacted the claim costs for 2024.

    Which states experienced the highest number of lightning-related claims?

    Florida had the highest number of lightning-related claims in 2024, with 6,003 claims, followed by Georgia and Texas.

    What is the most expensive state for lightning-related insurance claims?

    Texas had the highest average cost per claim, with an average of $41,654 per claim.

    Do standard homeowners insurance policies cover lightning-related damage?

    Yes, standard homeowners insurance policies typically cover lightning damage, such as fire, and some may also cover power surges caused by lightning.

    What are the most common natural catastrophes in the U.S.?

    Severe convective storms, which include thunderstorms with lightning, tornadoes, hail, or destructive winds, are among the most common and damaging natural events in the U.S.

    …………………..

    AUTHOR: Sean Kevelighan – President and Chief Executive Officer of Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), Mark Friedlander – Triple-I director of corporate communications