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Struck by Lightning: How Businesses Can Become More Resilient - Triple-I and LPIFires resulting from lightning strikes cause 3% to 5% of all U.S. commercial property insurance claims, accounting for billions annually in covered payouts to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI). "A lightning strike can have a significant impact on a business - especially a small business," said Tim Harger, executive director, LPI. "The potential consequences, such as business interruption, loss of revenue, and damage to reputation, can be devastating. By taking proactive measures to protect their operations, small businesses can safeguard their livelihoods and ensure long-term success." Harger noted that while lightning fires cause structural damage, what's even more costly is damaged inventory, production downtime, and loss of revenue during repairs. "The investment in a lightning protection system can prevent business interruption," he said. National Small Business Week (April 28-May 4, 2024) is a good time to highlight the importance of properly designed, installed, inspected and certified lightning protection and grounding systems that can mitigate this risk to SMBs. The system's installation should be accompanied by the business' purchase of the right types and amounts of insurance, Triple-I and LPI agree. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), 40% of small businesses nationwide do not reopen following a natural disaster, and another 25% fail within a year. "Insurance allows businesses to recover economically from a lightning strike," said Sean Kevelighan CEO, Triple-I. "That's why we recommend policyholders take advantage of tools that help predict and prevent losses from occurring." Triple-I and LPI offer these five steps to protecting a commercial property from damage caused by a lightning strike:
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About the Insurance Information Institute With more than 50 insurance company members - including regional, super-regional, national, and global carriers - the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) is the #1 online source for insurance information in the U.S. The organization's website, blog and social media channels offer a wealth of data-driven research studies, white papers, videos, articles, infographics and other resources solely dedicated to explaining insurance and enhancing knowledge. Unlike other sources, Triple-I's sole focus is creating and disseminating information to empower consumers. It neither lobbies nor sells insurance. Triple-I offers objective, fact-based information about insurance - information that is rooted in economic and actuarial soundness. Triple-I is affiliated with The Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group About the Lightning Protection Institute Founded in 1955, the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) is the voice of lightning protection and grounding systems manufacturers and contractors. We are working to improve our companies, elevate our industry, and benefit the communities and customers we serve. LPI advances the quality, safety and function of the lightning protection and grounding systems our members manufacture, design and install.
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