When lightning strikes a house or apartment, the ensuing damage can be extensive.
Some of the broad categories of losses may include:
- Damage to a home’s electrical wiring
- Destruction of electrical devices within a home
- Fire-related damage
- Structural impairment to a home’s roof, windows, or foundation
The Tampa Bay Times notes that Florida is the lightning capital of the U.S. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), there were over 7,100 claims relating to lightning strikes filed statewide in 2018.
Lightning Is a Serious Threat to Property
The III reports that in 2018, $74.2 million were paid out as the result of lightning-related claims. With an unrivaled number of lightning strikes per square mile, you are at more risk of lightning-related property losses than residents of any other state. The III notes that one of the most common ways that a lightning strike can impact a home is by starting fires. From data collected from 2007 to 2011, 19% of lightning-related fires caused damage to the structure of a home.
Additionally, power surges caused by lightning can destroy electronic devices that are plugged into the home’s power grid at the time of the strike. Because of the popularity of smart home devices, insurance claims have risen to cover the loss of these items. The III states that between 2016 to 2018, the value of insurance claims rose 21.2%.
When your property sustains damage because of lightning, the bill for your recoverable losses can add up quickly.
You Can Pursue Losses When Lightning Damages a Building
According to the III, the average lightning-related insurance claim was valued at $11,668 in 2018. You may require an even greater sum depending on the recoverable losses that you have sustained. However, recovering these costs from your insurance company may not be as easy as you would expect.
Florida Homeowners’ Insurance Regulations states that personal property is typically covered under the homeowners’ insurance policy. However, your insurance company may argue that lightning did not cause your losses, and instead, it was your own negligence that resulted in your expenses. This is a tactic they may use to save their company money.
You may also find that parties other than your insurer may owe you compensation for your losses.
These parties could include:
- The electric company that sources your power
- The party responsible for your home’s construction
- Your neighbors, if lightning struck their property and then consequently affected yours
If you are having difficulty obtaining the compensation that you are owed after lighting damages a building, consider how a lawyer can help.
Call a Lawyer Today
A lawyer can explore all available avenues to assign liability for your situation and initiate legal action to get to work on your claim. When you work with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we can negotiate with your insurance company to pursue the cost of your expenses, while defending your legal rights throughout the process.
Call our team today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free consultation.
We Can Help.
