Lightning strikes, insurance claims are on the rise. See where your state ranks.

insurance coverage claims – Injury to houses from lightning strikes is on the rise, in response to claims data from one insurer and nationwide information.

In 2023, State Farm paid out practically $230 million for greater than 18,000 lightning-related claims, in response to new information from State Farm, which was shared with USA TODAY solely for an early look. The common of these claims was greater than $18,000 every. That is up from a complete of $177.4 million in claims, averaging $15,300 every in 2022, and $115 million in claims in 2020 averaging $12,000 every.

Nationally, greater than $1.2 billion in owners insurance coverage claims for lightning injury had been paid out in 2023 to greater than 70,000 policyholders, in response to the Insurance coverage Info Institute.   

The entire worth of lightning claims was up greater than 30% in 2023 ($1.27 billion) from 2022 ($950 million), the institute mentioned. The variety of lightning claims elevated by 13.8% between 2022 and 2023, from 62,189 to 70,787. The common nationwide declare elevated 14.6% from $15,280 in 2022 to $17,513 in 2023.

Lightning strikes are on the rise

About 242 million lightning flashes had been recorded within the U.S. throughout 2023, in response to a report by Vaisala Xweather, which tracks every stroke of lightning. That is probably the most in no less than the previous seven years, the corporate mentioned.

A pure phenomenon, lightning could cause in depth injury to ecosystems, property, and may typically result in dying, State Farm mentioned in an electronic mail. Realizing and managing the dangers related to lightning will help shield your loved ones and property.

Although there may be not a coverage particularly for lightning injury, your owners, apartment or renters coverage “will help get you get again in your ft if lightning does strike,” State Farm mentioned. “You can even contact your insurance coverage agent when you’ve got protection questions on injury attributable to lightning.”

What are the highest states for lightning injury claims?

Listed here are the highest 10 states for lightning injury primarily based on the variety of claims, in response to State Farm:

Georgia – 1,330
Alabama – 1,030
Texas – 900
Louisiana – 810
Arkansas – 640
Illinois – 620
Missouri – 580
Tennessee – 570
North Carolina – 540
South Carolina – 450

What are the highest states for lightning injury paid claims?

Listed here are the highest 10 states for paid claims for lightning injury, in response to State Farm:

1. Texas – $41.5 million
2. Georgia – $23.5 million
3. Alabama – $16.8 million
4. Oklahoma – $12.0 million
5. Tennessee – $11.4 million
6. Illinois – $11.4 million
7. Louisiana – $9.0 million
8. Arkansas – $7.9 million
9. Missouri – $7.5 million
10. South Carolina – $7.5 million

National statistics from the Insurance coverage Info Institute present totally different outcomes, with Florida topping the listing for lightning insurance coverage losses and claims at $104 million and 6,003 claims in 2023.

Lightning security suggestions

These suggestions are:

• Search shelter on the first signal of a storm.
• Do not contact electronics or something with a twine, like a hair dryer.
• Avoid water sources, together with pipes, sinks and showers.
• Do not stand on or lean on buildings made from concrete. Metallic bars contained in the concrete can conduct electrical energy.
• When you’re caught outdoors, search shelter in a hard-top car. Do not sit inside convertible vehicles, golf carts or on bikes. If you cannot get to shelter, crouch down no less than 100 ft from tall objects, tuck your head in and canopy your ears.
• When you see lightning and you’re swimming or boating, get out of the water and onto dry land.
• Do not contact steel surfaces, comparable to a sliding door.
• Do not contact something served by fuel traces, comparable to water heaters, ovens, furnaces and fireplaces.
• If somebody has been struck by lightning, name 911 or your native ambulance service instantly. In case you are certified, give the particular person first assist. Lightning victims are secure to the touch and want medical consideration immediately.
• Take into account putting in a lightning safety system, which creates a pathway for lightning bolts, guiding them safely to the bottom.