3 Ways to Protect Your Property From Lightning

     Lightning caused almost 800 million in insured losses in 2015. Damage caused by lightning, such as fire, is covered by standard homeowners and business insurance policies. Some home and business insurance policies provide coverage for power surges that are the direct result of lightning striking a home or business. There is also coverage for lightning damage under the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. With the explosion in the number and value of consumer electronics in homes, such as flat screen TVs, home entertainment centers, multiple computers, gaming systems as well as new smart home technology, it is more important than ever to take precautions to prevent losses.

Here are a few ways to prevent damage caused by lighting:

1. Unplug expensive electronic equipment
    The most simple and effective action you can take to protect your electronic devices is simply to unplug
    those devices when an electrical storm is approaching.

2. Install surge protectors
    It's always a good idea to have all of your TVs, computers, routers etc. connected to UL rated surge
    protectors. Although surge protectors offer some level of the protection, to assure the highest level of
    protection, a UL-listed surge protection device (SPD) should be installed on electrical service panels. A
    licensed electrician can install a surge protection device on your electrical panel.
    
​3. Install a lightning protection system
    A lightning protection system supplies structural protection by providing a specified path on which lightning
    can travel. When a building is equipped with a lightning protection system, the destructive power of the
    lightning strike is directed safely into the ground, leaving the structure and its contents undamaged.

The U.S. is struck with cloud to ground lightning 22 million times a year. An average lightning bolt can power 56 houses for one day. This amount of energy causes millions of dollars in damages every year. To prevent damages to your equipment its always important to take reasonable precautions.

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