Lightning coverage and safety

How to keep yourself, your home and your belongings safe from lightning especially the coming summer months

 

Lightening can cause damage to your home and belongings and can cause bodily harm.

 

It’s prudent to take steps to prevent the dangerous effects of lightning and to keep yourself and your family safe. Here are some things you can do.

 

Lightning and insurance

Your standard homeowners and business insurance policies, and the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy cover damages, such as a fire, that results from a lightning strike. Some policies also provide coverage for the damage caused by power surges.

That said, it’s far better to prevent lightning damage than to have to deal with the consequences.

 

Protect your home by installing a lightning protection system

A lightning protection system (LPS) provides a specified path on which lightning can travel. The Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) explains how LPSs work in this infographic. A rooftop network of lightning rods or air terminals is connected to a series of down conductors which carry the current down to a grounding network. In that way, the system safely directs the destructive power of the lightning strike into the ground, which leaves the structure of your home or business and its contents undamaged.

Lightning protection is not a “do–it–yourself” project. Contract a UL–listed lightning protection specialist to install the system in accordance with national safety standards.

 

Protect your home and electronics from surges

Electrical surges from lightning can enter a structure via power transmission lines and cause electrical fires as well as damage to your building’s electrical system, your appliances and your home electronics.

Regular power strips offer little surge protection. To assure the best safeguards, UL–listed surge protection devices (SPDs) should be installed to filter and dissipate damaging electrical discharges. Most electric utilities will rent or sell a surge device for the electric meter to “clamp down” on incoming surges; licensed electricians can install similar protection.

To protect valuable electronics like computers, home entertainment centers, gaming systems and smart home technology, install UL–listed transient voltage surge suppressors, Consider unplugging expensive electronics when you know a storm is approaching.

 

Protect yourself and your family with precautions

• When thunder roars, go indoors. During a storm, it’s best to take shelter in a house or other fully enclosed building. Inside, don’t stand near open windows, doorways or metal piping. Stay off the phone and avoid contact with small appliances, like toasters and hairdryers. As water conducts electricity, also stay away from plumbing, sinks, tubs and radiators.


• If you know a storm is coming, avoid known hazards and dangerous locations. These include areas where you will be the highest object–a golf course, for example. Bodies of water also attract lightning, so avoid lakes, beaches or open water, and fishing from a boat or dock. Never ride golf carts, farm equipment, motorcycles or bicycles during a thunderstorm.


• If you are caught outside in a thunderstorm, take shelter in a hard topped vehicle or a low area such a tunnel or even a cave if necessary. Stay clear of fences, isolated trees and other conductive objects such as telephone poles, power lines and pipelines. These present a danger from a potential side flash which is voltage from a nearby, lightning struck object.


• If you’re caught in an open field with no nearby shelter, and your hair begins to stand on end, drop down into a crouch with your hands on your knees, and balance on the balls of your feet. The static electricity in your hair is an indication that lightning is about to strike, and the idea is to make as little contact with the ground as possible. Never lie down flat or place your hands on the ground.

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How to find the right auto insurance

What to look for when you’re shopping for coverage

 

Once you have a clear picture of how you use your car and your priorities, you’re ready to shop for insurance. Generally, it’s a good idea to compare policies from at least three different insurers.

You’ll want to consider fundamental factors such as coverage and price, but it’s also worth evaluating prospective insurers as well. The following are the most important factors to consider.

 

Types and amount of coverage

Try to compare apples to apples when choosing your insurance policy. All of the policies that you review should have the same types and amount of coverage. It is difficult to compare policies, for instance, if one provides $50,000 in property damage liability coverage, another only $30,000, and a third $100,000. Coverages that you’ll want to consider, though some are optional, include:

• Primary liability–including bodily injury and property damage coverage
• Medical payment coverage
• Uninsured motorist coverage
• Collision
• Comprehensive

Check prospective policies, too, for secondary options that could prove beneficial, such as glass coverage which often comes without a deductible or reimbursement for a rental car.

 

Price and deductibles

Naturally, when you compare insurance policies, cost will be a top consideration. You may be surprised by how much prices vary, so you’ll want to get several quotes.

In addition to the price of the premium, the actual cost of the policy, look at the payment schedule. Will you incur an extra fee if you pay monthly? Can you get a discount if you pay for a full year all at once?

When you compare prices, be aware of the amount of the deductible–how much you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Generally, you can lower your premium if you opt for a higher deductible.

 

Evaluating insurance companies

While price and coverage may be deciding factors when you purchase auto insurance, it’s worth considering the reputation and financial stability of prospective insurance providers as well. First, double check that an insurer is licensed in your state. You can do this by visiting the website of your state’s insurance division where you can also review information about consumer complaints filed against insurance companies.

In addition, you can check review websites and talk to friends about their experiences with insurers. Finally, take a few minutes to make sure prospective insurers are in good financial standing. Financial ratings agencies will provide this information. Online tools will often provide ratings information as well.