Insurer Warns on Lightning Damage

Lightning damage to homes is not covered by some home insurance products, HBOS warned today.

The financial group also released research on lightning strikes, which collated cases from its own home insurance claims records. It found that the average cost of repairs for each incident comes to just under £1,500.

HBOS also claimed today that cases of lightning-hit homes were "increasing every year". Summer was also found by the firm to be "lightning season", with 14 times more claims occurring during these months than during winter; most commonly, these involve fire and even structural damage to the property in question, or loss of power supply.

Commenting on the analysis, David Rochester at HBOS said: "At this time of the year the weather conditions often mean we see electrical storms happening all over the country, so it is important for homeowners to be aware of the risks that lightning poses to property and make sure they have a home insurance policy in place which includes protection for this type of damage."

He added: "Lightning can strike anywhere, often with little warning, so it is essential to have cover in place so that if the worst happens any cost for repairs or replacement of damaged property will be covered."