How to prove to insurance damage is from lightning.
If your home has been struck by lightning, it can feel overwhelming to assess the damage. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about documenting the damage and making sure your insurance claim goes smoothly. Know the signs of a lightning strike, and understand the insurance claim process to make sure your insurance company compensates you for the extensive damage caused by lightning. Most home insurance policies do cover lightning damage.
Types of Lightning Strike Damage
Lightning can be pretty sneaky. It doesn’t just hit your roof and leave a big scorch mark. Let’s break down the main types of damage you might be dealing with.
Structural Damage
When lightning hits your house, it can do quite a number on the building itself. You might notice cracks in your roof or walls from the intense heat. In some cases, it can even start fires. But people often miss one thing: lightning can mess with your foundation too! The force of the strike can shake up the soil around your house, leading to foundation problems. And don’t forget about your yard; trees might be split or uprooted, and your fence or garden features could be damaged too.
Electrical System Damage
This is probably what most people think of when they hear “lightning damage.” Lightning can cause an enormous power surge that will absolutely wreak havoc on your electrical systems. Even if you don’t see any obvious burn marks, that massive surge of electricity might have fried your wiring or damaged your appliances. You will need to thoroughly check your wiring system for lightning damage. Here’s the tricky part: sometimes your electronics might seem fine initially, but problems can appear days or weeks later. Even those surge protectors you installed might have been overwhelmed by the strike. And watch out for electrical fires. They can start smoldering behind your walls without you noticing right away.
Plumbing Damage
Something that might surprise you is that lightning can mess with your plumbing too! When lightning strikes, it creates an intense pressure wave that can burst your pipes or create tiny leaks. The real headache is that you might not notice this right away, but before you know it, you’re dealing with water damage too. Your water heater, dishwasher, and other plumbing fixtures aren’t safe either. They can all take a hit from that lightning strike.
Lightning Damage Claim Evaluation
Let’s break down exactly what you need to do to make sure your claim goes smoothly.
Gather Necessary Information
You’ll want to gather all the information you can about damages that are due to the lightning strike. Fill out that claim form carefully, and here’s a pro tip: check your local weather records to confirm there was actually a lightning storm when you think the damage happened. Talk to your neighbors; they may have seen or heard something that could help your case. If the fire department or police showed up, definitely get copies of their reports.
Prepare to Document Apparent Damage
Time to gear up! You’ll want a good camera (your smartphone will do just fine), and if you can get your hands on a Bluetooth laser distance meter, even better. There are some great mobile apps out there for creating floor plans too. Trust me, having clear, organized documentation will make everything so much easier later on. And make sure you’re backing everything up to the cloud. You don’t want to lose any of this important stuff!
Assess and Document Structural Losses
This is usually the most obvious, visible damage to your house. Start with a walk around the outside; check out your roof, chimney, and walls. Looking for any scorched spots or cracks? You should consider bringing in a structural engineer if things look serious. Don’t forget to check inside, too; sometimes, damage that starts on the outside can work its way in.
Assess and Document Electrical Losses
Things can get tricky here because electrical damage isn’t always obvious. Start at your electrical panel: any smoke marks or burning smell? Check all your outlets and switches too. Make a list of any appliances or electronics that aren’t working right. And those surge protectors? Check those, too; they might have taken one for the team. If you’re not sure about damages to your electrical system, don’t take any malarky. Call Mister Sparky; we offer professional lightning strike evaluation in Clearwater, FL.
Assess and Document Plumbing Losses
Last but not least, don’t forget about your plumbing! Check your system for leaks. Sometimes, the damage only shows up once your water pressure returns to normal. If you’re not sure, get a plumber to do a pressure test. Better safe than sorry when it comes to water damage!
Dealing with lightning damage can be overwhelming. There’s just so much to check, from your roof to your wiring to your pipes. But if you follow these steps and document everything conscientiously, you’ll be on track for your claim. If you are thorough and get expert help when needed, it will help you get the compensation you deserve and get your home back to normal as quickly as possible.