Orlando Harmon
State Farm homeowners insurance covers lightning damage, including damage to other structures on your property. According to State Farm's 2020 claims data, the average claim cost for a lightning strike is nearly $12,000. State Farm paid over 18,000 lightning-related claims in 2023, with the average cost for each claim exceeding $18,000. State Farm offers various discounts on home and property insurance, including for impact-resistant roofing, indoor automatic fire sprinklers, and burglar alarms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average cost of a lightning strike claim in 2023 | $18,000 |
| Number of lightning-related claims paid by State Farm in 2023 | 18,000 |
| Average claim cost for a lightning strike in 2020 | $12,000 |
| Number of policies and accounts served by State Farm and its affiliates | 91 million |
| Types of policies offered by State Farm | Auto, fire, life, health, commercial, renters, business owners, boats, motorcycles |
| Types of incidents covered by homeowners policies | Wind, hail, fire, lightning |
| Types of incidents not typically covered by homeowners insurance | Wear and tear, rot, deterioration, workmanship |
| Types of losses typically covered by homeowners insurance | Losses caused by water leaking from a pipe inside the home, frozen/burst pipe, water backing up through a sewer or drain with endorsement, water damage caused by ice dams |
| Types of losses not typically covered by homeowners insurance | Losses caused by flood, subsurface water, surface water, water backing up through a sewer or drain without endorsement, tidal water, tsunami, overflow of a body of water, spray from these sources |
| Discounts offered by State Farm | Home auto discount, home alert discount, utilities rating plans discount, impact-resistant roof discount, automatic sprinkler discount |
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What You'll Learn
State Farm homeowners insurance covers lightning damage
State Farm's homeowners insurance also covers other detached structures located on your property that are separate from your dwelling. The basic policy covers other structures at 10% of your dwelling coverage. You can also receive coverage for temporary living accommodations when a covered loss causes your home to become uninhabitable.
State Farm's home insurance policy also provides personal property coverage for specific incidents. This includes wind (damage to the roof caused by a downed tree), hail, fire, and lightning. It also covers losses caused by water leaking from a pipe inside the home, frozen or burst pipes, and water backing up through a sewer or drain.
State Farm is the largest provider of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its policies carry comprehensive coverage that can extend to damages related to, or caused by, lightning. Some policies provide specific details for damage caused by power surges induced by lightning strikes.
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Average lightning claim cost is $12,000
State Farm homeowners insurance covers lightning damage. According to State Farm's 2020 claims data, the average claim cost for a lightning strike is nearly $12,000. Lightning strikes are a frequent weather hazard in the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating that lightning strikes the ground around 40 million times per year in the country.
Lightning strikes can cause extensive damage to structures, electronics, and appliances, and even result in electrical fires. The average claim cost of nearly $12,000 reflects the financial burden that lightning strikes can impose on homeowners. This cost covers repairs or replacements needed due to lightning damage.
State Farm's coverage for lightning damage includes protection for homeowners, condo owners, and renters. Homeowners insurance policies from State Farm typically cover lightning strikes, along with other perils such as wind, hail, and fire. The company is one of the largest providers of home insurance in the United States, serving over 91 million policies and accounts.
In addition to the financial protection offered by State Farm's homeowners insurance, there are also measures that homeowners can take to minimize the risk of lightning damage. These include unplugging electronics and appliances before a storm to prevent power surges and having a fire extinguisher readily available in case of a lightning-induced fire.
While State Farm's coverage provides valuable protection against lightning strikes, it's important for homeowners to be proactive in mitigating potential damage. Taking preventative measures, understanding their insurance coverage, and being prepared to take appropriate action during a lightning storm can help reduce the impact of lightning strikes on their homes and property.
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Lightning damage prevention tips
While lightning damage is not covered by a standalone policy, State Farm's homeowners, condo, renters, and auto insurance policies may cover lightning damage. Some policies also cover power surges caused by lightning strikes.
Before a Storm
- Check the weather forecast before participating in outdoor activities. If thunderstorms are predicted, postpone trips or outdoor activities, or ensure that suitable safe shelter is readily available.
- If boating, check the weather forecast and plan your trip for another day if thunderstorms are predicted.
- If you are boating and unable to return to shore, boats with cabins offer some protection. Stay away from all metal and electrical components, including the radio, unless you need to use it for an emergency.
- If you are in a small boat without a cabin, drop anchor and get as low as possible.
- If you are in a group during a thunderstorm, separate to reduce the number of injuries if lightning strikes the ground.
- Keep flammable or combustible liquids in tanks and/or vehicles at least 100 yards from your building.
During a Storm
- If you hear thunder or see lightning, seek shelter away from water. Remember: "When thunder roars, go indoors."
- Find a safe, enclosed shelter, even if there is blue sky above. Safe shelters include substantial buildings with electricity or plumbing, and enclosed metal-topped vehicles with the windows up.
- Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after the storm.
- Stay off corded phones, computers, and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.
- Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths, and faucets.
- Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
- If you are caught outside with no safe shelter nearby, get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges, or peaks.
- If you are swimming or boating, move to dry land as soon as possible. Water conducts electricity, and bodies of water can be hazardous during lightning storms.
- Do not bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a building's plumbing.
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Home and property insurance claims process
State Farm homeowners insurance typically covers lightning damage. According to State Farm's claims data, the average claim cost for a lightning strike is around $12,000. Ground surges are the most common lightning-related claim. If lightning strikes, homeowners, condo, or renters insurance may cover the resulting damage. Auto policies with comprehensive coverage can also extend to lightning-related damage.
State Farm's home and property insurance claims process begins with the policyholder filing a claim. It is recommended to file a claim as soon as possible after discovering damage or realising that something has been stolen. Policyholders can log in to message their claim handler online or through the State Farm mobile app, or call their toll-free number.
After filing a claim, State Farm will review the claim and policy details. If the claim is covered, State Farm will arrange payment, minus any deductible, for covered losses. If coverage does not apply, State Farm will send a written letter explaining the denial of the claim.
State Farm's coverage includes wind, hail, fire, and lightning damage. It also typically covers losses caused by water leaks, frozen or burst pipes, and water backing up through sewers or drains. Additionally, it covers temporary living accommodations when a covered loss makes a home uninhabitable, payment for personal property damaged or stolen, and liability coverage for claims if someone is injured while visiting the insured property.
State Farm also offers rental coverage for homes and vehicles. Policyholders can use the Contractor Locator tool to find a vendor in their area to assist in locating a contractor for home repairs.
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State Farm's ranking in the insurance market
State Farm homeowners insurance policies generally cover property damage due to acts of nature, including lightning strikes. However, it's important to note that lightning strikes can be dangerous and frequently occur in the United States. Data from 2023 shows that the average cost of a lightning strike claim was over $18,000, with State Farm paying out on 18,000 lightning-related claims that year.
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. The company has a 16% market share in the auto insurance space, serving over 91 million policies and accounts. State Farm's auto insurance is ranked second in the cheapest quartile among major car insurance companies by WalletHub, with its generous discounts making its policies even more affordable. The company also offers property insurance for homeowners and renters, with additional discounts for bundling policies.
State Farm has received positive ratings from third-party organizations like The Zebra, which gave it 4.6 stars based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength. WalletHub's editors gave the company a rating of 3.8/5, and AM Best rated State Farm as A++. State Farm's customer service has been praised, with 46% of customers in a US News survey reporting complete satisfaction with the ease of contacting the company.
However, State Farm has also received some criticism. Its NAIC rating of 1.35 indicates that it has received more complaints than the average car insurance company. The company has also been known to try to avoid claims payouts and pressure customers to use preferred repair shops, affecting its ratings. Despite this, State Farm remains a popular and established insurance provider with a strong market presence.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, State Farm homeowners insurance covers lightning damage.
Lightning damage includes damage to structures, electronics, and home appliances. It also includes damage caused by power surges and electrical fires.
State Farm homeowners insurance covers damage to the insured home and other structures located on the residence premises that are separated by clear space from the dwelling. It also provides coverage for personal liability, medical payments to others, and accidental direct physical loss to your dwelling.
The process for filing a lightning damage claim with State Farm includes:
- Contacting your State Farm insurance agent to understand your coverage and the claims process.
- Documenting the damage and gathering any relevant information, such as receipts or repair estimates.
- Filing the claim as soon as possible after the damage occurs.
- Providing any requested documentation or information to support your claim.
- Receiving the claim payout and making repairs.
