Lightning is one of the most frequently occurring destructive natural phenomena. Especially in the US, about 20-25 million times a lightning strike tends to occur. Such frequent strikes cause massive damage and destruction to property and even loss of lives.

Lightning can be a root cause of diverse damages and disruptions. From causing fire to ravaging properties and electronic appliances, a single lightning strike can lead to multiple damages. This natural catastrophic event can cause harm not only to the electronic devices but can lead to heavy fires in your home, cause damage to the wirings, fracture concretes and chimneys, and may even cause a shock to you or your loved ones.

It is one of the riskiest events but thankfully numerous insurance companies offer to compensate for the damages caused against the lightning-related insurance policy. The homeowners’ insurance policies are the best resort for covering the losses and damages caused by lightning.

A standard home insurance policy provides coverage for:-

• Personal Property: Many insurance companies offer to cover damages caused to personal belongings and properties including electronic appliances, apparatuses, furnishings, interiors, etc.

• Living Expenses: If your house suffers the repercussions of a lightning strike and you move out until its repair and refurnishing get concluded, the policy covers the cost of your living elsewhere.

• Damages To Other Structures: If you have a garage or a shed and it has suffered the effects of lightning, then the insurance policy can help you cover the losses for such structures as well.

Classification Of Lightning

According to the insurance rules, there are basically 3 categories into which lighting is bifurcated. They are:-

1) Lightning Strikes: This type of lightning causes the maximum and visibly evident damages. Its effects are high and generate heavy losses and damages. This one is easiest to claim as it exhibits noticeable destruction.

2) Close Call/ Near Miss Lightning Strike: A lightning strike is considered to be a near miss when it strikes near your house or any property but does not hit it directly. The damages in such strikes are minimum and even hard to prove/claim as they are not evidently visible.

3) Ground Surge: A ground surge occurs when a lightning strike causes an electricity spike throughout a stipulated area. Though it is one of the most common ones but is even the hardest to prove to as the insurer prominently crosschecks if any lightning occurred at the date, time, and areas provided by the insured.

How To File An Insurance Claim – The Process

• The first step in the process is to assess the damage. Thus, once it is safe to go around the damaged area, make a visit, click pictures, and jot down all the crucial points regarding the event. This will be needed as the claiming adjuster will need to have thorough information regarding this.

• Next, file for your claim. Your insurer will send across an adjuster who will inspect the property and damages and will take forward the proceedings.

• The next step will be to consider your deductibles. You will probably have to pay a deductible before your insurance will cover the cost. If the cost of repairing the damages is calculated to be more than your deductible, you will be given a choice whether you want to continue the process of claim. The adjuster will then work for the same and will determine a sum of settlement for repairs.

• This will be the concluding step where you will receive the settlement amount. You will receive your payment in two increments. The first one will be for commencing the repairs and the second one after the conclusion of repairs. You may also be offered an on-the-spot settlement where you can accept the amount right away. And later if you happen to discover any further damages you can revive the claim and file for an additional amount.

Thus, if you have suffered any losses and damages due to lightning, follow the above-mention claim process and recover your losses. Get in touch with an insurance company, sign up for a lightning-related insurance policy, and safeguard yourself from unforeseen losses.

Also, if you have filed for a Lightning Damage Insurance Claim but unable to recover an accurate amount, consider availing the services of ClaimsPro USA. The public adjusters of the firm will analyze your case, will suggest the best solutions, and will assist you in recovering the apt amount you deserve.