Florida, Texas and California Top States for Lightning Losses
MALVERN, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–U.S. insurers paid $1.04 billion in lightning-related homeowners insurance claims in 2024, a 16.5% decrease from the $1.24 billion paid out in 2023, according to the latest figures from the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).
The total number of lightning-caused claims also fell significantly, down 21.5% to 55,537 in 2024, the lowest number of claims since before 2017. More than half of all claims came from the top 10 states, with Florida, Texas and California leading the nation.
“Fewer claims and a decline in severity indicate increased awareness, and improved mitigation,” said Triple-I CEO Sean Kevelighan. “Nonetheless, lightning remains a significant threat to property and safety, particularly during storm season.”
Based on national insurance claims data compiled to coincide with National Lightning Safety Awareness Week (June 22-28, 2025), the Triple-I estimated that:
- In 2024, U.S. lightning–caused claims decreased by 21.5% to 55,537 (from 70,787 in 2023), with the top 10 states by number of claims contributing to more than half of the total.
- National claim value decreased 16.5% (from $1.24 billion) to $1.04 billion.
- While the national average cost per claim was $18,641, the average per claim was $38,558 in Texas.
“Lightning remains a costly and unpredictable threat, with ground surges causing nearly half of all claims,” said Michal Brower of State Farm. “These events can cause extensive damage to electrical systems, appliances and even structural issues. The damage underscores the critical need for homeowners to be aware of the risks, invest in protective measures, and stay prepared, especially in high-risk regions where lightning strikes are most frequent and damaging.”
State Farm is the largest writer of homeowners insurance in the U.S., with direct premiums written of $31.46 billion in 2024.
Homeowners Insurance Claims and Payout for Lightning Losses, 2017-2024
|
Year |
Value of claims |
Number of |
Average cost |
|
2017 |
$916.61 |
85,020 |
$10,781 |
|
2018 |
908.93 |
77,898 |
11,668 |
|
2019 |
920.05 |
76,860 |
11,971 |
|
2020 |
2,066.74 |
71,551 |
28,885 |
|
2021 |
1,313.06 |
60,851 |
21,578 |
|
2022 |
950.22 |
62,189 |
15,280 |
|
2023 |
1,239.72 |
70,787 |
17,513 |
|
2024 |
1,035.28 |
55,537 |
18,641 |
|
Percent change |
|
|
|
|
2024 – 2023 |
-16.5% |
-21.5% |
6.4% |
|
2024 – 2017 |
12.9% |
-34.7% |
72.9% |
|
Source: Insurance Information Institute, State Farm®. |
|||
State Rankings
Not surprisingly, Florida – the state which incurs the most thunderstorms annually – remained the top state for the number of lightning claims in 2024, with 4,780. However, Texas had the highest average cost per claim at $38,558.
Top 10 States for Homeowners Insurance Lightning Losses by Number of Claims, 2024
|
Rank |
State |
Value of |
Number of |
Average cost |
|
1 |
Florida |
$113,218,813 |
4,780 |
$23,686 |
|
2 |
Texas |
168,461,044 |
4,369 |
38,558 |
|
3 |
California |
75,028,400 |
4,005 |
18,734 |
|
4 |
Georgia |
48,546,426 |
3,376 |
14,380 |
|
5 |
North Carolina |
30,299,433 |
2,574 |
11,771 |
|
6 |
Louisiana |
34,306,009 |
2,283 |
15,027 |
|
7 |
Alabama |
36,617,416 |
2,175 |
16,836 |
|
8 |
New York |
34,109,020 |
1,937 |
17,609 |
|
9 |
Pennsylvania |
15,777,521 |
1,792 |
8,804 |
|
10 |
Illinois |
24,068,318 |
1,626 |
14,802 |
|
|
Top 10 States |
$580,432,401 |
28,917 |
$20,072 |
|
Source: Insurance Information Institute, State Farm®. |
||||
Damage caused by lightning, such as fire, is covered by standard homeowners, condo, renters and business insurance policies. Some homeowners policies provide coverage for power surges that are the direct result of a lightning strike.
The Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) noted that lightning strikes can occur at an astonishing 100 times per second.
“Whether it’s a family home or a mission-critical facility, no property is immune to lightning,» said Tim Harger, executive director at LPI, whose organization provides resources for the design, installation and inspection of lightning protection systems. “The most effective time to prevent lightning damage is before a storm. A lightning risk assessment paired with a professionally installed protection system can make all the difference in keeping people safe and operations uninterrupted.”
RELATED LINKS
Facts and Statistics: Lightning
Lightning Video
The Dangers of Shoddy Lightning Protection System Installations
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Lightning Protection Institute
NOAA/National Weather Service
Small Business Administration
About the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I)
Since 1960, the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) has been the trusted voice of risk and insurance, delivering unique, data-driven insights to educate, elevate, and connect consumers, industry professionals, policymakers, and the media. An affiliate of The Institutes, Triple-I represents a diverse membership accounting for nearly 50% of all U.S. property/casualty premiums written. Our members include mutual and stock companies, personal and commercial lines, primary insurers, and reinsurers – serving regional, national, and global markets.
About The Institutes
The Institutes® are a not-for-profit comprised of diverse affiliates that educate, elevate, and connect people in the essential disciplines of risk management and insurance. Through products and services offered by The Institutes and nearly 20 affiliated business units, people and organizations are empowered to help those in need with a focus on understanding, predicting, and preventing losses to create a more resilient world.
The Institutes is a registered trademark of The Institutes. All rights reserved.
Contacts
Loretta Worters
New York Press Office
917-208-8842
lorettaw@iii.org
