Lightning Damage Attorneys

How Lightning Damages Property

Lightning claims tend to fall into one of a few separate buckets. In most cases, lightning strikes lead to property damage claims due to electrical damage or fires. Both types of claims can be extremely costly, depending on the extent of the damage.

For electrical damage, claim valuation often depends on the cost of replacement for all your electronics or appliances that were fried in a lightning strike. If your home’s electrical system was damaged, it may require extensive repairs to fix.

Fires from lightning strikes are similarly varied. A minor fire may necessitate some relatively minor cosmetic or smoke damage repairs, while a serious fire could lead to a total loss. The value of your claim, and whether it exceeds your deductible, will be dependent on the severity of the damage.

In rarer cases, a tenant or guest on a property may file a premises liability claim, alleging that the property owner’s negligence led to their electrocution or injury during a lightning strike.

Steps to Take Immediately After Lightning Damage

When lightning strikes your home, acting quickly can make a big difference in both safety and insurance recovery. These immediate steps help protect your property, your family, and your legal rights:

• Ensure Your Safety. Get to a safe place and call 911 immediately.
• Don’t Use Electronics. This includes appliances like the fridge, AC unit, and more. Have your electrical system inspected by a licensed professional before resuming use.
• Take Photos and Videos. Document all damage, both immediately and in the following hours and days. Get pictures from multiple angles, including a wide view.
• Document the Affected Items. Write a list of all your damaged belongings, including electronics, HVAC systems, and appliances.
• Don’t Throw Anything Away. Damaged items may be necessary for evidence in the inspection period.
• Make Only Emergency Repairs. Things like broken windows and doors are okay to repair immediately. Keep all receipts. For any other damage, wait for the insurance company.
• Notify Your Homeowner’s Insurance Company. Most states have statutes of limitations dictating how long you have to notify them of damage. The sooner, the better.
• Avoid Making Permanent Repairs. Please wait for an insurance adjuster to visit your property.

Contact a Lightning Damage Attorney. Get help ensuring your claim is valued correctly and paid promptly. Contact Kanner & Pintaluga right away.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Lightning Damage?

Most standard homeowners’ insurance policies cover lightning damage, including structural harm, fire, and power surges that damage appliances or electronics. Lightning is typically classified as a “sudden and accidental” event, which qualifies for coverage under most policies.

However, getting a full and fair payout isn’t always easy. Insurance companies may dispute the cause of the damage or undervalue losses — especially when it comes to electrical systems or internal wiring. Policyholders often face confusion around deductibles, exclusions, and what’s truly covered. That’s why it’s essential to understand your policy and seek legal help if your claim is denied or underpaid.

How Do Insurance Companies Deny Lightning Damage Claims?

The strategies insurance companies use to deny, delay, or undervalue lightning property damage claims are not dissimilar from the ones utilized for other types of property damage claims:

• They suggest there are policy exclusions for the types of property damage you suffered.
• They want to perform a long, drawn-out investigation to make sure your damage wasn’t caused by arson or some other excluded peril.
• They suggest your own estimated replacement costs for destroyed property are too high.

How a Property Damage Attorney Can Help

Getting a fair settlement can take time and work, even when your insurance policy covers lightning damage. Insurance companies have massive teams working on their side, fighting to preserve their profits and pay property owners as little as possible. For this reason, having an experienced lightning damage attorney fighting on your behalf is crucial. It helps level the playing field, protecting your rights and ensuring you get the compensation you deserve.

After all, you’ve diligently paid into your homeowner’s insurance policy for years. You’re counting on your policy coming through for you in an event like this. Let’s make sure they do precisely what you’re paying them for.

Here’s how a lightning damage attorney can assist with your lightning damage claim:

• Review your insurance policy and explain your coverage in plain language.
• Gather expert assessments to prove the source and extent of the damage.
• Challenge lowball offers and unfair claim denials with strong legal backing.
• Negotiate directly with your insurer to seek full and fair compensation.
• Handle all communications and paperwork so you can focus on recovery.
• File a lawsuit if necessary to enforce your rights under the policy.

With legal help from Kanner & Pintaluga, you’re not alone in the claims process.