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What To Look For in Lightning and Surge Claims
Damage from lightning, high voltage surge, and wear and tear are often confused in HVAC claims. But knowing how each may impact HVAC equipment can make settling these losses easier. Read on to learn more about these perils and related damage characteristics.
Lightning
Losses caused by direct lightning are not as frequent as many policyholders or adjusters may believe. They often include evidence of burning, charring, and melting or ghosting and arcing. Failures may occur to multiple components and not simply electronic ones.
Only
2%
of residential HVAC and
refrigeration equipment HVACi assessed in 2025 had confirmed lightning damage.
17%
Reported Cause of Loss
2%
Actual Cause of Loss
Characteristics that could occur with lightning impacts:
-
Visible Impacts
-
Damage to Indoor and Outdoor Equipment
-
Instant Failures Possible
-
Damage Because of Electrostatic Discharge
-
Multiple Components Damaged
-
Requires Equipment Repairs
-
Needs Equipment to Test
These don’t guarantee lightning is the cause of loss, and an equipment expert should complete a comprehensive assessment for verification.
Claims with reported lightning losses most often occur in
April, May, June, July, and August.
TEST YOUR INSTINCTS
Can direct lightning impact indoor equipment?
Yes
No
Incorrect!
Though it is rare,
it has happened.
Direct lightning has gone through a roof to strike indoor components, such as a furnace, and leave visual evidence.
Correct!
Though it is rare,
it has happened.
Direct lightning has gone through a roof to strike indoor components, such as a furnace, and leave visual evidence.
High Voltage Surge
High voltage surges can cause a similar level of failures to HVAC equipment as lightning. They come from sudden changes in voltage that last a few nanoseconds to several minutes.
A main difference between surge and lightning is that surge failures are confined to an electrical system. Surges use wiring as their path.
Characteristics that could occur with high voltage surge impacts:
-
Failures to Outdoor Equipment
-
Failures to Indoor Equipment
-
Instant Impacts Possible
-
Damage Because of Electrostatic Discharge
-
Multiple Components Affected
-
Requires Equipment Repairs
-
Needs Equipment to Test
These don’t guarantee surge is the cause of loss, and an equipment expert should complete a comprehensive assessment for verification.
TEST YOUR INSTINCTS
What percentage of residential HVAC and refrigeration equipment do you think had damage due to high voltage surge in 2025?
7%
15%
46%
63%
Incorrect!
It's 15%.
High voltage surge was determined to be the actual cause of loss for about 1 in 7 pieces of equipment that HVACi assessed.
Correct!
It's 15%.
High voltage surge was determined to be the actual cause of loss for about 1 in 7 pieces of equipment that HVACi assessed.
Wear and Tear
Policyholders almost never report wear and tear as a cause of loss to their HVAC equipment. Yet, it occurs more than these other two perils combined and can impact more HVAC components.
22% of residential HVAC and refrigeration equipment
HVACi assessed in 2025 was damaged from wear and tear.
Characteristics that could occur with failures from wear and tear:
-
Visible Impacts
-
Failures to Outdoor Equipment
-
Failures to Indoor Equipment
-
Damage Caused Over Time
-
Multiple Components Affected
-
Requires Equipment Repairs
-
Refrigerant Could Be Affected
-
Connections Could Be Impacted
-
Needs Equipment to Test
These don’t guarantee wear and tear is the cause of loss, and an equipment expert should complete a comprehensive assessment for verification.
TEST YOUR INSTINCTS
Which component cannot be impacted by lightning or high voltage surge?
Top Panel
Refrigerant
Control
Board
Incorrect!
The only component that can't be impacted by lightning or surge
is refrigerant.
Acid may be misdiagnosed as caused by lightning or high voltage surge, but refrigerant can only become acidic over extended time.
This is evidence of wear and tear.
Correct!
The only component that can't be impacted by lightning or surge
is refrigerant.
Acid may be misdiagnosed as caused by lightning or high voltage surge, but refrigerant can only become acidic over extended time.
This is evidence of wear and tear.
Downloadable Comparison Chart
Download a free copy of this PDF chart that compares characteristics of lightning, high voltage surge, and wear and tear damage in HVAC systems. Keep it handy as a quick reference to approach related claims with greater clarity and confidence!
Verify Cause of Loss in HVAC Claims
HVACi, part of Alpine Intel’s suite of services, is the nation’s leading provider of HVAC and refrigeration on-site assessments and desktop pricing reviews for insurance carriers. Our team of experts is committed to simplifying the claims process by equipping adjusters with actionable assessment reports that include accurate, objective cause of loss and scope of damage determinations, repair and replacement recommendations, and settlement recommendations based on market value.