The number of insurance claims for damage caused by lightning strikes has notably increased due to the stormy weather this month, according to one of the largest insurance firms in the UK.
Insurer Direct Line told
The Guardian that so far, it has received over 200 home insurance claims for lightning damage this June, much higher than the usual 10 to 20 monthly claims.
The claims included one from a policyholder in Preston, who reported £45,884 worth of damage to various equipment after lightning hit their electrical system,
The Guardian reported.
The policyholder said their damaged equipment included CCTV cameras, burglar alarms, televisions and a central control system for their property.
Direct Line said a lightning strike could cause instant and widespread damage that electrical items would have to be replaced due to burnt circuits.
The insurer said Romford in Essex and Westminster in central London are the hardest hit areas by the most recent storms this week.
The company said it is helping householders in flood-hit areas by sending emergency response vehicles.
“We take the current severe weather and flooding extremely seriously, and have put our emergency action plans into place,”
The Guardian quoted Liam Farnell, head of Direct Line’s home field force, as saying.
“Our priority is reassuring householders with Direct Line home insurance policies and getting them back in their homes as quickly as possible,” he added.
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