According to data from the National Weather Service, Florida leads the nation in lightning strikes. In fact, more than ten percent of the all lightning damage property insurance claims come from Florida residents. Lightning can damage property in a number of different ways. You should know if your policy covers your damage, and how to make an effective lightning damage insurance claim.

If you are involved in a lightning damage insurance dispute, or you have any questions about Florida property insurance claims, please contact an experienced Broward County property insurance lawyer for assistance.

Lightning Can Cause a Wide Array of Damage

Lightning damage is most frequently associated with fires. These fires are a major problem and cause tremendous amounts of damage. But, lightning also causes major damage in other ways. For example, many lightning damage claims may result in falling trees and branches. Further, lightning strikes can threaten your home’s wiring, as well as your electronics and appliances. Sometimes, lightning can even damage your home’s plumbing.

Tips for Lightning Strike Property Insurance Claims

Lightning strike damage is covered by the vast majority of Florida property insurance policies. Most ‘named peril’ homeowner policies include specific coverage for lightning damage. Still, you should always review your individual policy when making a claim. Some specific issues that you should always keep in mind when making a lightning damage claim include:

• Watch out for hidden damage: One of the biggest issues with filing a lightning damage claim is that sometimes the lightning damage may be more difficult to see. Because of this, insurance company may try to offer you inadequate compensation. This is particularly concerning when lightning damages your home’s electrical grid. Oftentimes, people are not even aware of the full extent of the electrical grid damage for quite some time after the initial event.
• Get an expert assessment: Another issue with electrical grid damage is that it can be intermittent. For example, an expensive appliance may work for a little bit after a lightning strike. Because of this, the insurance adjuster might say that the insurance company will only pay for a minor repair of the appliance. Insurance adjusters rarely have the technical expertise to understand the impact of lightning on an electrical system. If any of your appliances are acting strange after a lightning strike, you should assume that they will require a full replacement. An independent third party expert should always assess your damage in the case of an insurance dispute.

Contact An Experienced Broward County Property Insurance Lawyer

The full extent of your lightning damage should be compensated. You should always watch out for hidden damages, especially when a power surge occurs. If you are involved in a dispute with your insurer, the property insurance claims lawyers at Geyer Fuxa Tyler can help protect your rights. Please contact our office at (954) 990-5251 to learn more about how to file a Florida lightning damage property insurance claim.