Do You Know Your Lightning Facts?
Policyholders frequently report that lightning has caused a fire or damaged their electronics and electrically powered specialty items, structural elements, or HVAC systems. Lightning can be a destructive force, but how much do you know about this phenomenon that often shows up in claims? Test your knowledge here, and find out how Alpine Intel’s suite of services can help you with lightning-related claims involving all kinds of property.
Lightning fires always start at the place on a building where the lightning struck.
1 of 7
Click on the Best Answer Below
A) True
A) True
B) False
B) False
ANSWER: B) False
While a fire may begin where lightning strikes a structure, this isn’t always the point of origin. Lightning generally strikes high components, such as chimneys or roofs, then looks for a path to ground. This involves seeking out conductive materials like wiring or plumbing. The heat and charge of lightning may ignite other materials as it travels, such as insulation or wood, or the wiring itself may not be able to handle the voltage its expected to take.
You can find out more about how certified fire investigators look for evidence of lightning damage when they conduct origin and cause investigations in our article.
Read the Article
Opens in a new window.
If lightning damages one part of a structure, any nearby damages are also likely to be caused by lightning.
2 of 7
Click on the Best Answer Below
A) True
A) True
B) False
B) False
ANSWER: B) False
It’s common for policyholders to assume that when there’s clear evidence of lightning damage to a structural element or a nearby tree that any damages surrounding it were also caused by lightning. However, inspections often identify several different causes of loss to the same structure because other perils can accompany storms that include lightning, such as wind and heavy rain. Age-related deterioration may also be a factor in some damages.
Find out how a Donan forensic engineer distinguished between lightning damages and those caused by another peril in this case study.
Which of the following statements about lightning is true?
3 of 7
Click on the Best Answer Below
A) Most lightning connects with the ground
A) Most lightning connects with the ground
C) Lightning reports always confirm the presence of lightning
C) Lightning reports always confirm the presence of lightning
B) Lightning losses are a frequent occurrence
B) Lightning losses are a frequent occurrence
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
E) None of the above
E) None of the above
Click on the Best Answer Below
A) Most lightning connects with the ground
A) Most lightning connects with the ground
B) Lightning losses are a frequent occurrence
B) Lightning losses are a frequent occurrence
C) Lightning reports always confirm the presence of lightning
C) Lightning reports always confirm the presence of lightning
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
E) None of the above
E) None of the above
ANSWER: E) None of the above
Lightning is the most frequently reported cause of loss when it comes to electronics and electrically powered items, but StrikeCheck assessments determine it to cause fewer damages than people think. Most lightning occurs within a cloud, and nearly 33% of lightning verification reports don’t identify any lightning present during the search period, ruling it out as a cause of loss.
These are just some of the misconceptions surrounding lightning and the investigation of lightning-related damages. Dispel more myths and find out what you should ask when handling these claims using this guide.
What is the most common type of lightning flash?
4 of 7
Click on the Best Answer Below
A) Intracloud
A) Intracloud
C) Cloud-to-ground
C) Cloud-to-ground
B) Cloud-to-cloud
B) Cloud-to-cloud
D) Cloud-to-air
D) Cloud-to-air
Click on the Best Answer Below
A) Intracloud
A) Intracloud
B) Cloud-to-cloud
B) Cloud-to-cloud
C) Cloud-to-ground
C) Cloud-to-ground
D) Cloud-to-air
D) Cloud-to-air
ANSWER: A) Intracloud
Intracloud lightning is the most common type. This lightning never discharges outside the cloud, instead jumping between different charge regions within it. This type poses no threat to property on the ground; cloud-to-ground lightning is responsible for confirmed property damage.
Keep this interactive guide handy to brush up on the types of lightning, the importance of a lightning verification report, and how to ensure a claim is accurately settled.
If lightning doesn’t strike a building, it can’t cause it any damage.
5 of 7
Click on the Best Answer Below
A) True
A) True
B) False
B) False
ANSWER: B) False
Even if lightning doesn’t strike a building directly, there are ways it can lead to damage, particularly to electronics within the house. High voltage surge damages can occur when lightning strikes a nearby power source or even enters a house through the electrical wiring. Lightning can also enter a home through plumbing, communication cables, and even tree roots.
Whether an item is high or low voltage may dictate how it responds to a surge. Learn more about why and how surges to different equipment may impact claims.
If lightning damage is the cause of loss to an HVAC system, I should:
6 of 7
Click on the Best Answer Below
A) Settle for a full replacement
A) Settle for a full replacement
C) Obtain an objective assessment, including repair vs. replace recommendations
C) Obtain an objective assessment, including repair vs. replace recommendations
B) Accept the bid from the policyholder's contractor
B) Accept the bid from the policyholder's contractor
D) Do nothing
D) Do nothing
Click on the Best Answer Below
A) Settle for a full replacement
A) Settle for a full replacement
B) Accept the bid from the policyholder's contractor
B) Accept the bid from the policyholder's contractor
C) Obtain an objective assessment, including repair vs. replace recommendations
C) Obtain an objective assessment, including repair vs. replace recommendations
D) Do nothing
D) Do nothing
ANSWER: C) Obtain an objective assessment, including repair vs. replace recommendations
Though a full replacement might be necessary, or a contractor’s bid might be accurate, accepting either of those without an objective assessment by an expert familiar with the equipment in the claim runs the risk of settling for unnecessary expenses. In addition to a cause of loss determination and repair vs. replace recommendations, HVACi confirms market pricing for any necessary replacement parts.
To see the HVACi team’s assessment of an HVAC system reported to have sustained damage from a direct lightning strike, including ductwork and the furnace, check out this case study.
Lightning is the most frequently claimed source of damage to HVAC and refrigeration equipment, but wear and tear is often determined to be the cause of loss during an HVACi inspection. Among other evidence, equipment that has sustained wear and tear damage may:
7 of 7
Click on the Best Answer Below
A) Show rust or corrosion
A) Show rust or corrosion
C) Have acidic refrigerant
C) Have acidic refrigerant
B) Have dirty coils or other components
B) Have dirty coils or other components
D) Any of the above
D) Any of the above
Click on the Best Answer Below
A) Show rust or corrosion
A) Show rust or corrosion
B) Have dirty coils or other components
B) Have dirty coils or other components
C) Have acidic refrigerant
C) Have acidic refrigerant
D) Any of the above
D) Any of the above
ANSWER: D) Any of the above
Lightning damage occurs instantaneously, while wear and tear happens over time due to weathering or neglected/improper maintenance that leads to rust, dust, or dirt blocking air flow, degradation of components, and more. In 2022, HVACi assessments determined that 34% of HVAC equipment with reported lightning damage had sustained losses from wear and tear.
While no single symptom is a certain indicator of wear and tear, lightning damage, or another cause of loss, this article details some of the evidence the HVACi team takes into account.
-af9ec3d99d14ad531019a848e1d07c956579d1c6.jpg?v=06152023210713)
Thanks for taking our quiz! We hope you learned a lot about lightning and how it can affect property claims of all kinds.
Alpine Intel is your trusted partner to evaluate properties for damages caused by lightning and other perils. Reported lightning damage requires objective, scientific assessment to ensure an accurate resolution. To learn how Alpine Intel’s suite of services can help you with these claims, submit an assignment today.
