Is your situation covered?
| Scenario | Typical verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Direct strike burns roof or attic | Usually covered | Dwelling (Coverage A) at replacement cost after deductible. |
| Power surge fries TV, computers, appliances | Depends on wording | Covered under contents, but sub-limits on electronics ($1,500–$5,000). |
| Utility-side surge (grid fault, not lightning) | Depends on wording | Some carriers exclude non-lightning surge — check your form. |
| HVAC compressor destroyed by strike | Usually covered | Equipment breakdown or dwelling coverage; get a licensed technician's report. |
| Lost food from resulting power outage | Depends on wording | Many HO-3 forms cap spoilage at $500 with no deductible; some require an endorsement. |
General industry patterns. Your actual cover lives in your policy wording — PolicyPal reads it for you.
The short answer
Lightning is one of the 16 named perils on every US HO-2, HO-3, HO-5, and HO-6 form. Physical damage from a direct or nearby strike — burned wiring, structural damage, destroyed electronics — is covered subject to your deductible and any electronics sub-limits.
Where the limits bite
Standard contents coverage caps electronics and computers, and settles on actual cash value unless you have replacement cost. High-value setups (home theater, gaming rigs, servers) benefit from a scheduled personal property endorsement.
What PolicyPal checks
Upload your declarations page and we surface your electronics sub-limit, whether contents settle on RCV or ACV, equipment breakdown endorsement, food spoilage sub-limit, and Coverage B for detached structures also hit.
Common claim issues
Lightning claims fail more often on proof than on coverage.
- No electrician report tying damage to the strike
- Filing months later — insurer disputes causation
- Assuming surge damage from grid faults is covered (often excluded)
- Missing serial numbers or receipts for destroyed electronics
Frequently asked
- Do I need to prove lightning caused the damage?
- Yes — a licensed electrician's report or fire department incident record is standard. National Weather Service strike data can support it.
- Is a power surge from the utility covered?
- Only if traceable to lightning. Pure grid surges are often excluded unless you have an equipment breakdown endorsement.
- What about lightning damage to trees or landscaping?
- Coverage C or D typically pays $500–$1,000 per tree with an annual cap, and only if the tree falls on a covered structure.
- Does surge protection void my claim?
- No — using surge protectors does not affect coverage. Their failure doesn't either.
- Are solar panels covered?
- Roof-mounted panels are usually part of Coverage A; ground-mounted may need Coverage B or an endorsement.
- How long do I have to file?
- Most policies require prompt notice — days to weeks. Check your policy's Duties After Loss section.
Your policy is the only source of truth
Stop guessing. Check your actual policy.
Generic answers don't pay claims. PolicyPal reads your policy wording in seconds and tells you, in one sentence, whether you're covered.