Halifax Reveals Striking Effect Lightning Can Cause
Although the phrase says that it will only strike once, those who find that their house has been hit by lightning does not leave their finances in a state of shock.
Such is the assertion of Halifax Home Insurance, which reported that in the event of a property being struck by a lightning bolt consumers may find their home is damaged by fire or loses its power supply. It was also reported that such a meteorological occurrence could also result in structural damage to a home and cause electrical equipment, such as televisions and computers, to fail.
The financial services firm stated that it is especially important people are proactive in taking out adequate levels of protection for their home, as claims for lightning damage are 14 times more likely to occur over the summer months in comparison to winter. Meanwhile, Halifax showed that the typical claim for lightning damage in 2007 stood at 1,453 pounds.
Following on from being the victim of a lightning strike - or any other natural disaster - those consumers who do not have a comprehensive home contents and buildings insurance policy could find that they have to dip into their own pockets in order to meet the cost of paying for repairs and replacing items. In turn, this may mean they develop problems managing other areas of financial demand such as loans, credit cards and mortgage repayments.
Commenting on the figures, David Rochester, head of underwriting for Halifax Home Insurance, 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.”
“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,” Mr Rochester added.
The financial services firm also cited recommendations by the Met Office to help consumers minimise the risk which lightning can cause not only to their home but in terms of personal injury, which included unplugging all non-essential appliances. Meanwhile, avoiding outdoor activities such as golf, boating and rod fishing and not using taps and sinks - as metal pipes can conduct electricity - was also advised.
For consumers looking for an effective way in which to fund paying for repairs to their property following lightning damage, taking out a home improvement loan might be recommended. By using this kind of homeowner loan borrowers may be able to get back on track quickly and be left with an affordable rate of monthly repayment. A home loan could also be recommended for people wishing to finance replacing broken items after a recent study by Sheilas’ Wheels showed a total 553 million pounds is spent repairing and replacing electronic appliances which have been damaged by children.
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