In January 2025, lightning ripped off a Cumbrian house’s roof.
The roof knocked off another property’s chimney and left the property exposed to the elements.
Four months before, a home in Stoke-on-Trent was hit by lightning. This caused a small fire which ruptured a gas pipe, causing an explosion.
So, lightning can cause severe property damage. But how common is it? And what kind of damage does it usually cause?
How often does lightning strike a house?
In the United Kingdom, experts suggest that the likelihood of your house being struck by lightning is 0.5% each year.
Roughly 1 in 200 properties are struck by lightning every year.
Some parts of the country may be more susceptible to this than others. If thunderstorms regularly occur, or there are tall structures nearby, the likelihood goes up.
What should you do if lightning strikes your home?
If your house is struck by lightning, you should first call the fire brigade.
There may be ongoing dangers from the lightning strike – even if you can’t immediately see or feel them.
Residue electrical current may still be hanging around. So, don’t touch any electrical appliances in the meantime.
Further down the line, you’ll need to call experts to deal with the damage. This might include roofers, builders, electricians, and more. It depends on the nature and extent of the damage.
You should check whether your insurance covers lightning strikes.
Damage caused by lightning striking property
When lightning strikes your house, it could be damaged in several ways.
- Fire
- Electrical damage (e.g., plug sockets not working)
- Broken windows
- Cracked foundations
- Gas leaks or pipe damage
- Structural damage
Does insurance cover lightning striking a house?
In most cases, homeowners insurance covers lightning strikes.
There may be clauses in your contract around lightning strikes, so get clarity on these. Even if your claim is successful, you may not get a payout for months or years.
One of the most common examples is if a provider refuses to pay out because it’s considered an ‘Act Of God’.
Does lightning striking your house reduce its value?
Yes, it can affect your house’s value.
But this largely depends on the damage it causes and whether or not you have fixed it.
You must declare any significant repairs if you sell the house. And if you don’t (or can’t) repair it, you can still sell a house in bad condition, but obviously at a reduced price.
Are some properties more vulnerable to lightning strikes than others?
Yes. This is often related to your property’s height, location, or shape.
Tall, isolated structures are most likely to be struck by lightning. So too are buildings near large bodies of water.
