Lightning, Surges, and Summer Storms: What Your Policy Pays For
Our afternoon thunderstorms are so routine that people stop thinking about them, but they cause a steady stream of claims across South Shore every summer. Lightning does not need to hit your house to destroy your electronics, and the difference between a covered and uncovered claim usually comes down to what caused the surge.
Lightning and power surge
Damage from a direct lightning strike is a covered peril on virtually every homeowners policy — the strike itself, resulting fire, and damage to wiring and appliances. Power surge caused by lightning is generally covered as well.
Surge caused by utility switching or a downed line is treated differently by different carriers, and some policies limit or exclude it. Whole-house surge protection is inexpensive, meaningfully effective, and worth installing regardless of how your policy reads.
Trees, fences, and what falls where
If a tree falls on your house, garage, or fence, your policy generally covers the damage and a limited amount of debris removal. If a tree falls in your yard and hits nothing, most policies pay nothing toward removal.
If your neighbor's tree falls on your house, your policy typically responds first. Their liability may come into play only if they were negligent — for example, if the tree was visibly dead and they were notified.
Food spoilage and outages
Extended power outages after a storm can spoil a refrigerator and freezer full of food. Some policies include a modest food spoilage benefit, sometimes without a deductible, and others exclude it or require the outage to result from on-premises damage.
Check your policy language before you need it, and photograph the contents before you throw anything away. When in doubt, call me and I will tell you whether it is worth filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does homeowners insurance cover lightning damage?
- Yes. Lightning is a named peril on essentially every homeowners policy, covering the strike damage, resulting fire, and damage to wiring, appliances, and electronics.
- Is a power surge covered by homeowners insurance?
- Surge caused by lightning is generally covered. Surge from utility switching or grid issues varies by carrier, so review your policy and consider whole-house surge protection.
- Who pays if my neighbor's tree falls on my house in Florida?
- Your own homeowners policy typically pays for damage to your property. Your neighbor may be responsible only if they were negligent, such as failing to remove a tree they knew was dead or diseased.
- Does insurance cover spoiled food after a power outage?
- Some policies include a limited food spoilage benefit, sometimes without a deductible. Others require the outage to result from damage on your property. Photograph everything before discarding it.
Let's make sure your coverage matches your life
I'm Chaz Toomey, right here in Ruskin. Send me a few details and I'll review your policy or build a quote — no pressure.