Lightning protection systems save lives, prevent property damage

Home and building owners may not know the insurance discounts and damage prevention lightning protection systems can offer.

Lightning strikes reach the ground as often as eight million times per day or 100 times per second, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory. (Photo: Marc/Shutterstock)

If you had to guess which peril results in the biggest insurance losses for homeowners, you might be tempted to say theft because of all those ads for home security systems. But you would be way off.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, property loss from theft is actually on the decline, at only 1% in 2017. On the other hand, fire and lightning losses accounted for 35% of all losses that year and are by far among the costliest insurance risks. More than $900 million in lightning claims were paid out last year to nearly 78,000 policyholders, and the average cost per claim increased a staggering 21% between 2016 and 2018 to an average of nearly $12,000 per claim. Increased labor and construction costs as well as the growing popularity of smart home products are the main causes of this increase.

Lightning losses can be prevented

We can’t stop lightning from striking, but we can prevent it from damaging buildings and their contents and harming people. Just as we might install a smoke detector or sprinkler system in a building to protect against fire, there is plenty we can do to protect against lightning.

Similar to other home security measures, lightning protection systems are a sensible means of managing the risk of the most commonly experienced weather hazard. Lightning strikes reach the ground as often as eight million times per day or 100 times per second, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory. So why wouldn’t we want to take measures to protect lives and property?

Insurable damages from lightning can include accidental and wrongful death, fire, and the  interruption and destruction of critical data resources and technology infrastructure. These potential claims can be eliminated or at least significantly mitigated by lightning protection systems.

From Ben Franklin to modern protections

Lightning protection systems date back to Ben Franklin’s famous kite experiment in 1752. Lightning struck a key attached to the kite’s string, confirming Franklin’s theory that a metal rod mounted on top of a building could protect it from a lightning strike. Lightning would strike the rod and be conducted to the ground through a wire, where it would dissipate.

Today’s lightning protection systems are more sophisticated, but the principle is the same. Certified protection systems use UL-listed materials to intercept a lightning strike and safely disperse it into the ground without impact to the structure, occupants or contents. In addition, these systems protect against electrical surges on power, data and communication lines, and vulnerable appliances.

The Lightning Protection Institute’s Build and Protect program is helping create lightning-safe communities by encouraging architects and builders to make lightning protection part of the design and construction process. The payoff can be significant when you consider the cost of protecting against strikes is less than 1% of a new building’s cost.

Safety standards can protect consumers

Despite the high costs associated with lightning damage, homeowners, building owners and even some in the insurance community may not be as aware of the importance of a lightning protection system. Nor do they always know there are national standards for these systems and a certification program for qualified installers.

LPI-certified specialists endorse national lightning protection safety standards outlined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for lightning protection design, installation and inspection. LPI’s testing and certification program was created in 1971 to respond to the needs of government agencies, architectural and engineering firms and insurance underwriters to certify excellence in system design, installation and inspection.

Good lightning protection begins with materials and installation methods that comply with these recognized standards:

In 2010, LPI introduced its LPI Inspection Program, a more thorough certification program using checkpoints, reviews and inspections to ensure safety and peace of mind to building owners.

Carriers offering premium discounts

LPI encourages insurers to offer policyholders a discount for installing a certified lightning protection system that meets safety standards. Agents and brokers also would be wise to educate their clients about the dangers of lightning and familiarize themselves with companies that offer lightning protection discounts.

Many insurance companies offer discounts for other home protection systems such as burglar alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors, or various types of weatherproofing mitigation such as storm shutters and reinforced roofs. Some insurers offer premium discounts of up to 20% for sprinkler systems and alarm systems connected to the police. There are proven, bottom-line reasons for insurers to incentivize their policyholders to invest in lightning protection systems: they can save lives and property and reduce the cost of claims.

Smart-home devices vulnerable

One new development that merits particular attention is the proliferation of smart-home devices. Lightning can damage electronic devices and appliances that are automated and connected throughout a house. Even though they may be grounded, these integrated building systems are still vulnerable to fire and power surges. Lightning can disrupt, degrade and damage electronic systems and connected equipment, making lightning protection vitally important for smart structures.

Of course, our biggest concern remains fires caused by lightning strikes. From 2007 to 2011 (the latest data available), local fire departments responded to an average of 22,600 fires per year that were started by lightning, according to NFPA. These fires caused an average of nine civilian deaths and millions in direct property damage per year, the NFPA says.

Help keep buildings safe

During summer months, when lightning is most frequent, LPI, the National Lightning Safety Council and other groups ramp up efforts to educate the public about storm and lightning safety and the benefits of lightning protection systems. Only a small number of property owners purchase these systems. Why? Many people believe the cost to install a system is prohibitive. Yet the price to install a lightning protection system is typically less than other home amenities like security systems, specialty lighting and high-end appliances — not to mention these systems boost the value of your home much like central alarm or fire sprinkler systems.

Some insurers also offer discounts and LPI is looking to get all insurers to consider doing so. But the most important reason homeowners and building owners should have a professionally installed certified lightning protection system in place? It saves lives and prevents property damage.

Tim Harger (tharger@lpi-ip.com) manages the Lightning Protection Institute Inspection Program, a position he’s held since the LPI-IP began in 2010. He has over 30 years of lightning protection experience as a certified contractor and will become LPI’s executive director in 2020.

The Lightning Protection Institute is a not-for-profit, nationwide group founded in 1955 to promote lightning safety, awareness and education, and is a leading resource for lightning protection information and system requirements.

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