Florida leads nation in lightning damage claims

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Florida led the nation in lightning-related property damage claims in 2025, according to new research from the Insurance Information Institute.

The Insurance Information Institute, also known as Triple-I, said U.S. insurers paid $1.65 billion in lightning-related property damage claims last year. That marks a 59% increase from 2024 and the highest level since 2020.

The average cost per claim also rose sharply. Triple-I said the average claim climbed 42.8% to $26,616 in 2025. The group attributed the increase to higher rebuilding and repair costs, inflation-related increases in labor and materials, and the growing value of home electronics and connected devices.

Florida had 5,136 lightning-related property damage claims last year, totaling $186 million in insured damage, according to Triple-I. The average Florida claim was nearly $36,000.

Standard homeowners, condo and renters insurance policies typically cover lightning damage to a home’s structure and personal property. That can include damage caused by fires, power surges, electrical system failures and damaged appliances or electronics.

Depending on the policy, insured losses may also include personal property replacement, temporary living expenses, debris removal and reconstruction costs.

Triple-I says homeowners can take steps to reduce the risk. One option is a professionally installed lightning protection system. These systems are designed to give lightning a safe path to the ground through rooftop rods or air terminals, down conductors and a grounding network.

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Friedlander said lightning protection is not a do-it-yourself project. Homeowners should hire a UL-listed lightning protection specialist to install the system according to national safety standards.

Triple-I also recommends using whole-house surge protectors and point-of-use protectors to help divert electricity into the ground and protect valuable appliances.

During severe storms, homeowners should disconnect TVs, computers and other electronics when it is safe to do so.

Friedlander said many home insurers now offer Whisker Labs’ Ting system at no cost. The system monitors a home’s electrical network for potential fire hazards and includes up to $1,000 toward repair labor if a hidden electrical fault is detected, according to Triple-I.

Triple-I has guidance on lightning safety and insurance coverage at https://www.iii.org/article/lightning-coverage-and-safety.

Triple-I’s Mark Friedlander will join WWSB live Wednesday, June 24, at 5:15 p.m. to provide insight for homeowners on how to protect their property and possessions from lightning hazards.