Important Statistics Regarding Lightning Damage In Florida

As a peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, it is no surprise that Florida sees some of the most violent storms in the country. Floridians know the dangers of these storms, and they are also no stranger to lightning. In fact, the Sunshine State has been dubbed the “Lightning Capital of the United States.”

While it may not seem as dangerous as other elements of a storm, lightning is a very scary force of nature. It causes power surges, fire, and other types of property damage. Below, our Daytona Beach storm damage lawyer outlines some of the post startling statistics on lightning, and what to do if your property has sustained damage.

Statistics on Lightning Damage

It is no surprise that the Insurance Information Institute has rated Florida as the state that has the most lightning insurance losses. Some of the most startling and most recent statistics about lightning damage in the state are as follows:

• There were a total of 5,339 insurance claims pertaining to lightning damage in 2021 alone.
• Also in 2021, lightning claims totaled $88.3 million.
• The cost of the average lightning claim in 2021 was $16,552.

The statistics are not only alarming in Florida, but around the country, too. Some of the most shocking of these include:

• Although 2020 was the fourth year in a row that saw a decline in the total number of damage claims in the nation, the cost of the average claim more than doubled since 2017.
• Claims related to lightning reduced by 6.9 percent from 2019 to 2020, but claims increased in value by 124.6 percent.
• While Florida does lead the country in the number of claims, California is the state with the highest value of the average claims. This is because of the destruction caused by fires created by lightning.

What to Do After Lightning Damage

There are a few crucial steps to follow after your property suffers from lightning damage. The first step is to take pictures of the damage and to document the exact type of damage sustained. It is also important to make a detailed list of the damaged items and parts of the structure. You should then contact your insurance company and inform them of the damage.

After taking the above steps, you can then start to contact certain professionals. First call the fire department, making note of the time and date you contacted them. You can then contact a professional plumber or electrician to inspect the damage and document it, which you can use when communicating with the insurance company.

Call Our Storm Damage Lawyer in Daytona Beach

Of all the steps you take after a lightning strike, one of the most important is calling our Daytona Beach storm damage lawyer at Bundza & Rodriguez. Our seasoned attorneys will communicate with the insurer on your behalf to ensure you receive the full coverage you need. Call us now at 386-252-5170 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

weather.gov/mlb/lightning_rules

iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-lightning