In 2024, U.S. insurers paid out about $1 billion in claims for damage caused by lightning, marking a noticeable drop from the previous year. According to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), the total payout was $1.04 billion, down 16.5% from the $1.24 billion paid in 2023.
Lightning-related claims also fell sharply in number. There were 55,537 claims filed last year, a decline of 21.5%. This is the lowest number of lightning claims reported since before 2017. To put that into perspective, the peak was in 2020 when insurers paid nearly $2.1 billion on 71,551 claims, averaging around $28,885 per claim.
More than half of these claims came from just ten states, with Florida, Texas, and California leading the list. These states are known for higher lightning activity, which explains why they see more lightning damage claims.
Lightning can cause a range of problems, from fires to power surges that damage electrical systems and appliances. Michal Brower, a spokesperson for State Farm, pointed out that ground surges cause nearly half of all lightning claims. She emphasized how important it is for homeowners, especially in high-risk areas, to understand these dangers and take steps to protect their homes.
Standard homeowners, condo, renters, and business insurance policies typically cover lightning damage, including fires. Some policies also cover power surges caused directly by lightning strikes.
This update from Triple-I comes as National Lightning Safety Awareness Week runs from June 22 to June 28, highlighting the need for everyone to stay alert and prepared when it comes to lightning hazards.