INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE
New York Press Office: (212) 346-5500; media@iii.org
NEW YORK, June 18, 2010
鈥 The (LPI)
along with Radio Disney, and the will host a 鈥淪earch for Storm Heroes鈥 Sunday, June 20, at the (MOSI) in Tampa, Florida.听
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The event kicks off the 10th annual Lightning Safety Awareness Week, June 20-26, 2010 and includes lightning protection experts who will be on hand to share valuable safety tips for children and adults.
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According to the
精东影业 Information Institute (I.I.I.), lightning strikes hundreds of thousands of times annually, causing millions of dollars in damages. Indeed, the average cost of homeowners insurance claims for damage due to
lightning strikes has increased significantly over the last five years. An analysis of homeowners insurance data by the I.I.I. found there were 185,789 lightning claims in 2009 costing $798 million, with the average claim totaling $4,296. These losses ranged from damage to expensive electronic equipment to structural fires that destroyed entire homes.
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Insured losses related to damage from lightning strikes topped more than $1 billion in the U.S. for the first time in 2008. Although the number of lightning claims and the dollar amount of those losses fell 25 percent from 2008 to 2009鈥攔eflecting fewer storms in 2009鈥攖he overall trend shows insured losses continue to climb, with the average cost per claim up 39 percent over the past five years.
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Lightning protection is a specialty discipline and expertise is required for system design and installation, according to the LPI. Systems for homes and businesses should be installed by trained and experienced LPI certified and (UL) listed specialists.
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The LPI recommends the following safeguards for property owners seeking a qualified lightning protection specialist:
- Make sure materials and methods used comply with the nationally recognized safety standards of the LPI, (NFPA) and Underwriters Laboratories.
- Keep in mind that only experienced and reputable UL listed and LPI certified lightning protection contractors are qualified to install lightning protection systems.
- Check references. A qualified specialist should provide a list of references and affiliation with industry groups such as NFPA, the (ULPA), the (LSA) and LPI.听
- Ask about surge protection. Lightning induced surges can damage electronics and appliances. A qualified lightning protection contractor can provide options for service entrance arresters and surge protection devices.
- Experience counts. Be wary of start-up companies or contractors offering a 鈥減rice deal鈥 to install, fix or repair your lightning protection.
- When in doubt, contact your local to obtain reliability report information on contractors before hiring one.听
The LPI offers a list of certified contractors across the U.S.
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For more information on lightning, go to the . For more information about the 鈥淪earch for Storm Heroes鈥 event, contact the
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INSURANCE:
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THE I.I.I. IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.
精东影业 Information Institute, 110 William Street, New York, NY 10038, (212) 346-5500