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For immediate release
New York Press Office: Loretta Worters, 917-208-8842,��lorettaw@iii.org

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NEW YORK, June 17, 2021—For the fourth consecutive year, the number of lightning-caused U.S. homeowners insurance claims decreased in 2020 even as the average value of those claims has more than doubled since 2017, according to the����(Triple-I).��

Based on national insurance claims data, the Triple-I found:

·��������More than $2 billion in lightning-caused U.S. homeowners insurance claims were paid out in 2020 to 71,000-plus policyholders, with nearly half that figure ($921 million) attributable to California alone

·��������The average cost of a lightning-caused U.S. homeowners insurance claim increased 141 percent between 2019 and 2020 (from $11,971 to $28,885) and 168 percent from 2017 to 2020 (from $10,781 to $28,885)

·��������The average number of lightning-caused U.S. homeowners insurance claims decreased by nearly 7 percent between 2019 and 2020 (from 76,860 to 71,551)

“Lightning-related homeowners insurance claim costs nationally rose dramatically due to a series of����across Northern California in 2020,” said Loretta Worters, vice president, Triple-I. “The average cost per lightning claim in California was $217,555 last year, while the national average for this type of claim was nearly $29,000 in 2020.”

The��, started by lightning strikes in August 2020, was the��, as defined by acres burned, according to the����(CAL FIRE). It����and impacted seven counties.

The wildfires in California and elsewhere damaged homes last year which had to be either repaired or rebuilt with more expensive construction materials. The National Association of Home Builders reported that between mid-April and mid-September 2020, lumber prices soared more than 170 percent nationwide, adding $16,148 to the price of a typical, new single-family home.

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Source: ̽����ѡ Information Institute.

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State-by-State Numbers
Florida – which has the most thunderstorms— remained the top state for lightning-caused homeowners insurance claims in 2020, with 6,756, followed by Georgia (4,686), Texas (4,675), and California (4,233).

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Source: ̽����ѡ Information Institute.

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Homeowners ̽����ѡ Coverage
Damage caused by lightning, which results in a fire, is covered under standard homeowners insurance policies.��Some policies provide coverage for power surges that are the direct result of a lightning strike, which can cause severe damage to appliances, electronics, computers and equipment, phone systems, electrical fixtures and the electrical foundation of a home.

In recognition of National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, June 20-26, the Triple-I and the����(LPI), a national organization that establishes standards for specifying and installing lightning protection systems and promotes lightning safety, encourage homeowners and businesses to install lightning protection systems.��

“When we think of lightning safety, we should make a distinction between personal safety and property protection,” said Tim Harger, LPI’s Executive Director.��“Personal safety is what we do��during��a storm and the safest place in any lightning event is within a structure protected by a properly designed, inspected and certified lightning protection system,” he said.��“Installing lightning protection systems in our homes or businesses is an action we can take��before��a storm that can mitigate against property damage.”����

To locate an LPI-certified lightning protection system installer in your area,��.��

RELATED LINKS

Facts and Statistics:��
Video:��
Consumer Alert:��
Infographic:��
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The Triple-I has a full library of educational videos on its��. Information about Triple-I mobile apps can be found��.