Lightning is a natural phenomenon that produces electromagnetic emissions and usually occurs during thunderstorms. Lightning mostly follows the route laid down by gas and water pipes, electric lines, phone lines, and metal window frames, etc, which are all good conductors of electricity. People have witnessed dazzling bolts of lightning, skipping from the walls to pipes and window frames!
While lightning can be fascinating to watch, each of those flashes is a potential killer. As per the National Weather Service, the U.S receives 25 million flashes every year and each one of those can kill. If your home gets hit directly by lightning,
you will find yourself in the middle of catastrophic damage by fire, power surge, and shock wave. Wood and other conductive building material can be burned to a cinder. Lightning usually goes through the roof’s construction before reaching wiring or pipes that are conductors of electricity. An explosive surge can damage all appliances that are connected. The shock waves can be destructive, smashing glass, blasting plaster walls, creating furrows in the ground, and creating cracks in the foundations. People get hurt by flying shrapnel.
To safeguard your home from damages like fire and injury caused by lightning, get a professional to install a lightning protection system and a surge protector. Further, you may have already experienced a lightning strike but did not find any damage since the wiring in the wall did not spark a fire now however it may burn down your home in the future with little to no warning. The way to test for this is called an insulation resistance test, known as a MegOhm test, which is the only way to know if damage has occurred due to the lightning strike.
Getting your home insured may be a more cost-effective option, especially if you live in an area of frequent thunderstorms. It’s essential to make sure that your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance covers lightning damage. You should regularly back-up data on your computer to an external hard drive. All other expensive electronics should be insured.
The National Weather Service reports that lightning causes about 25,000 fires every year, including about 4400 house fires, 1800 other structural fires, and numerous forest fires, and is responsible for nearly $1 billion in damages each year. The resultant fires cause an estimated 12 deaths per year.
Filing a claim with the insurer for damages associated with lightning can be extremely difficult. Utilizing the services of a public insurance adjuster is prudent as they are qualified to estimate construction costs, and are knowledgeable about state and local building codes, permitting requirements, and state statutes. They can be onsite for all inspections that may need to take place.
At Experienced Public Adjusters, we have the technical expertise required to interpret the clauses of insurance policies. Our wealth of experience in dealing with insurance companies helps homeowners to understand what is due to them. Our strong negotiation skills get you fair compensation for the loss.
If you have suffered property damage, call us first for a free onsite inspection or a consultation before filing your insurance claim.