Insurers paid $1B in lightning claims: Triple-I

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U.S. insurers paid more than $1 billion in homeowners insurance claims related to lightning, according to The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). It is a 16.5% decrease from the $1.24 billion paid in 2023.

Triple-I CEO Sean Kevelighan, said in a statement: "Fewer claims and a decline in severity indicate increased awareness, and improved mitigation. Nonetheless, lightning remains a significant threat to property and safety, particularly during storm season."

Total lightning claims were also down 21.5%, 55,537 in 2024, the lowest since 2017. There were 70,787 claims in 2023. 

The states with the highest homeowners insurance lightning losses include Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois. 

Michal Brower, a spokesperson for State Farm, said in a statement: "Lightning remains a costly and unpredictable threat, with ground surges causing nearly half of all claims. These events can cause extensive damage to electrical systems, appliances and even structural issues. The damage underscores the critical need for homeowners to be aware of the risks, invest in protective measures, and stay prepared, especially in high-risk regions where lightning strikes are most frequent and damaging."