Carriers paid out more than $900 million for lightning claims in 2019, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Electronics are among the equipment susceptible to damages from lightning and surges and often wind up in property claims. Be able to better differentiate between the two perils with StrikeCheck’s eBook, “An Evaluation of Surge and Lightning Damage to Electronics and Specialty Claims.” By filling out the form, adjusters will gain insight on how often lightning or surge is the cause of loss...

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Lightning is one of the most frequently reported causes of loss listed on HVAC and electronics claims – policyholders reported it for almost 20% of HVAC systems and nearly 40% of electronics in claims that StrikeCheck and HVACi handled last year. Advancement in testing tools and verification reports have made it easier for adjusters to confirm or exclude these perils before settling a claim unnecessarily. Topics include:

• Lightning and surge claims significance
• Lightning and surge fundamentals
• Residential systems susceptible to lightning...

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The Essentials of Settling Water-Related HVAC Claims webinar has already occurred. You can watch the recording here.  Floods, foundation leaks, sump pump failures, and roof leaks can cause major damages to homes and businesses. Among the items impacted are HVAC systems. By the end of the Essentials of Settling Water-Related HVAC Claims Webinar you’ll know about water’s impact to split systems, ductwork, and package units, among other components. Topics include: 

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The Commercial Electrical Equipment Losses webinar has already occurred. You can watch the recording here. Items include commercial phone systems, point of sale systems, commercial signs, security systems, electrical systems, solar power systems, and other commercial items. You’ll get a better handle on what distinguishes them from their residential counterparts and which perils are likely to impact them. Topics include:

• Understand the significance of commercial electronics and specialty equipment claims
• Examine common and specialty commercial systems...

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Lightning is one of the most reported perils, particularly for electronics. And unlike some other causes of loss, lightning and surges can impact a variety of items – though it may not be noticed right away. This can result in policyholders needing to add more property to a claim after it’s already been filed. The adjuster had already sought StrikeCheck’s assistance to examine all of the electronics included in the claim. Luckily, the team is equipped to take on any...

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High voltage surges affected half the electronics included in claims that adjusters assigned StrikeCheck to evaluate last year, as shown in the CCG IQ 2021 Annual Report. Policyholders and adjusters alike may be looking for ways to decrease that percentage of losses through various types of surge protection, including those using smart technology. It’s critical to understand what different types of surge protectors exist – and why they won’t prevent all electrical surges. Why Are Surges So Prevalent? ...

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Claims often include multiple items that need people with specialized knowledge to inspect them. The adjuster for the claim described in this case study sought HVACi’s help to determine if a flue pipe and HVAC system were damaged by lightning. When the insured complained of circuit breakers tripping, the adjuster asked the HVACi experts to get help from StrikeCheck team to add an electrical system evaluation to the assessment scope. StrikeCheck’s lightning verification reports added further data to verify the...

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Lightning and surge are the most frequently reported or determined cause of loss for commercial and residential policyholders. Better understand these two perils, what causes them and which types of equipment are most susceptible to surge and lightning impacts with the Lightning and Surge Impacts in Property Claims Guide. Fill out the form to get your copy...

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Carriers are continually strategizing how to fight back against the growing difference between what they spent and what they should have spent on a claim. Claims leakage cost carriers more than $30 billion annually and accounted for 5 – 10% of all claims paid, according to a 2019 article by Hyland Software Inc. In the years since, that number may have even gotten worse because of claims related to COVID-19 and extreme weather events.

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Lights are flickering, electronics aren’t powering on, or appliances aren’t working as designed. Policyholders facing these situations may report these as lightning, unknown, or another peril and hope carriers will help them resolve the issue. Often, they lead back to damage caused by high voltage surge. Adjusters should understand why high voltage surge losses are so prevalent and what all could be impacted. Fill out the form to receive your Guide to High Voltage Surge Claims with Electronics. This overview gives adjusters information...

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Extreme weather took its toll on property claims in 2021, and more than half of all policyholder-reported perils were recategorized following an independent assessment. The data behind these trends – and others – is available in the CCG IQ 2021 Annual Report. Experts at HVACi and StrikeCheck, CCG IQ’s damage assessment companies, evaluated hundreds of thousands of items included in claims involving HVAC and Refrigeration systems and electrically powered items. The CCG IQ team analyzed the results of assessments that adjusters assigned...

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The How to Handle Lightning and Surge Claims Without Guesswork webinar has already occurred. You can watch the recording here.  Lightning is one of the most frequently reported causes of loss listed on HVAC and electronics claims – policyholders reported it for almost 20% of HVAC systems and nearly 40% of electronics in claims that HVACi and StrikeCheck handled last year. Advancement in testing tools and verification reports have made it easier for adjusters...

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If you’ve attended a StrikeCheck or HVACi webinar over the last few years, you’ve probably heard our Technical Education Manager Jay Dykstra unpack complex topics such as solar panels, lightning and surge losses to electronics, and the impacts of other causes of loss to frequently claimed equipment. Now you may get some of those technical questions answered outside of the webinar setting with “Q&A With Jay.” Adjusters and insurance professionals can submit questions to be considered for Q&A With Jay by...

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Adjusters often need equipment assessment support before settling claims. Ensure your claims vendor has these 3 characteristics, and see how StrikeCheck delivers them. ...

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Solar power continues to gain popularity as an alternative energy source that reduces environmental impacts. This complex equipment is at risk for a variety of perils, particularly because it’s located outside. Understand how solar power systems work and be more prepared to settle these claims through the Exploring Solar Power System Claims Webinar. Among the topics Technical Education Manager Jay Dykstra will cover are:

• The Significance of Solar Power Claims
• Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Fundamentals
• Frequent Damages to Solar Power Systems
• Real-Life...

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Water heaters can be difficult to evaluate, particularly because there are multiple types, such as tankless or tank water heaters and different heating sources, including gas or electric. StrikeCheck’s What to Look for in Water Heater Claims eBook provides information adjusters need to know to settle claims with water heaters more accurately. In this eBook adjusters will find overviews about:

• Water heater claims trends
• Types of water heaters, including conventional tanked water heaters and tankless water heaters
• Water heater losses, such...

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Solar power equipment is one of the electrically powered items that has a high risk of claims leakage. Not only does it not always need replacement, it isn’t always damaged by a covered loss. The claim described in this case study included nearly $22,000 of claimed solar power equipment; however, it appeared to be malfunctioning because of a damaged circuit breaker. The circuit breaker cost a couple hundred dollars – and the 30 claimed solar panels were non-damaged. Fill out the form...

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Don’t settle claims with unfamiliar, complex equipment before determining cause of loss and scope of damage. An adjuster needed support settling the claim described in this case study. The policyholder reported multiple residential appliances and specialty equipment had been impacted by a fire. Among the carrier’s challenges were an unknown scope of damage, unfamiliarity with complex equipment, and a need for the evaluation results quickly. Fill out the form to read how StrikeCheck helped the adjuster overcome those challenges to settle the...

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Both the smaller and largest carriers benefit from using StrikeCheck’s assessment and desktop review services, and the data demonstrates that. A Top 5 Property and Casualty insurance carrier entrusted StrikeCheck to determine the cause of loss and scope of damage for more than 300 types of electrically powered items through assessments. The insurance professionals also applied our lightning verification reports to confirm the presence of lightning for claims with reported lightning or surge damage. Fill out the form to see the carrier’s...

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Insurance professionals and policyholders have likely noticed an increase in technology advancements, the number of people working remotely, and the amount of extreme weather that took place in 2020 and 2021. While policyholders have already felt consequences from these, the impacts specific to electronics claims are likely to continue in the coming year. More Consumer Electronics Use Means More Wear and Tear Nearly 1 in 4 Americans have been working remotely or in a hybrid setting because of the...

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Solar power systems, including inverters, panels, controllers, and chargers, are frequently included in insurance claims for damages – particularly after a reported lightning strike. However, direct lightning is one of the least likely causes of loss for this equipment. Fill out the form to receive your copy of the Causes of Loss in Solar Power Equipment Claims Guide to find out more about 5 other perils that more frequently damage this equipment. You’ll read brief overviews of how each peril, including high...

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Avoid getting in hot water over a mishandled water heater claim, and don’t underestimate the importance of knowing the fundamentals of this complex equipment. To start, water heaters have specific codes and regulations that policyholders must follow. They also come in a variety of types and use various heating sources. These characteristics can impact which peril is more likely to damage certain water heaters. It’s critical adjusters understand why they make a difference before settling their next water heater-related claim. We’ll...

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Adjusters rely on StrikeCheck to accurately verify if lightning was present at the time of loss and if it damaged the claimed equipment. In this case study, the insured filed a claim after lightning reportedly damaged a water heater, oven, computer, and washing machine. StrikeCheck used lightning verification reports and testing based on engineering best practices to figure out if that was true. Fill out the form to find out what our evaluation determined and how the adjuster benefited from seeking the...

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Nearly 1.3 million fires occurred in the United States in 2019, according to the latest report from the U.S. Fire Administration. More than likely, each resulted in an insurance claim. However, adjusters should take heed that not everything included in a fire and smoke claim will have sustained damage or have damages from a covered loss – and if they do, they do not all need to be replaced. Claimed consumer electronics with reported smoke and fire damages...

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What percentage of consumer electronics that were included in smoke and fire claims were actually damaged by that peril? Fill out the form to find out the answer in the Smoke and Fire Claims: Consumer Electronics Guide. The data doesn’t lie. Discover the importance of evaluating equipment even when the peril seems like it should be obvious. You may be surprised how many claims adjusters could have settled unnecessarily based on an incorrect cause of loss. Receive your guide that also covers...

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Water heaters can be difficult to evaluate, particularly because there are multiple types, such as tankless or tank water heaters and different heating sources, including gas or electric. StrikeCheck’s What to Look for in Water Heater Claims eBook provides information adjusters need to know to settle claims with water heaters more accurately. In this eBook adjusters will find overviews about:

• Water heater claims trends
• Types of water heaters, including conventional tanked water heaters and tankless water heaters
• Water heater losses, such...

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Commercial claims often risk thousands of dollars of claims leakage if not settled accurately. Consider the following data before you settle your next...

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The following article on “Electrical service panel risks in property claims,” written by Jay Dykstra of HVACi and StrikeCheck, was originally published on Property Casualty 360. Policyholders may be quick to file claims seeking settlements for replacements of faulty electronics or flickering lights, particularly after hurricanes, floods and windstorms. In reality, the problem may be within the electrical service panel. Damages to service panels could have major impacts on your policyholders, including causing business...

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Even claims that seem cut and dry with an obvious cause of loss and scope of damage can increase a carrier’s claims leakage. This has negative impacts for insurance companies and policyholders. Desktop review services can reduce this risk and ensure claims that don’t require onsite assessments are settled quickly and accurately. Adjusters find them helpful to verify that any necessary replacements and repairs are of Like Kind and Quality (LKQ) and that the settlement is in line with market values...

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The Exploring HVAC Heating Season Claims Webinar has already occurred. You can watch the recording here. Identify which claimed heating system damages are most likely to have been sustained from lack of maintenance or other common causes of loss during the Exploring HVAC Heating Season Claims Webinar. Standard vs. high efficiency furnaces, air source heat pumps, and boilers are among the heating equipment to be discussed as these are the items policyholders most often use, and claim, during winter months and...

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When you were a child, did you ever open the refrigerator super-fast to try to find out if the light always stayed on? Unfortunately, handling residential refrigerator claims is typically a much more difficult mystery to solve and requires a lot more thorough investigation.

Handling refrigerator claims is more complex than determining if the light stays on in the fridge, and it often requires expert help.

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Residential policyholders often assume their refrigerator needs to be removed from the wall to be inspected. Fill out the form to receive your schematic that shows why that often isn’t true and where components that may need to be inspected are located. The guide also includes the:

• Percentage of claimed residential refrigerators that don’t need replacement
• Percentage of assessment results with perils not typically covered by a policy
• Top three reported causes of loss
• Most evaluated...

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The following article on “Even hot tubs don't like cold weather,” written by Jay Dykstra of HVACi and StrikeCheck, was originally published on Property Casualty 360. What do toilet paper, hand sanitizer, lumber and hot tubs all have in common? Hot tubs have been included on the list of sought-after items that have seen shortages during the pandemic. Though your policyholders are hoping to extend their outdoor fun throughout the cooler months,...

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Whether the policyholder has had a contractor inspect the claimed electronics or not, adjusters should verify cause of loss to ensure an accurate settlement. The insured for the claim in this case study was only guessing that the damage to a hot tub was related to a surge. The adjuster wasn’t going to chance claims leakage by settling the claim without the claim support of electronics expert StrikeCheck. Fill out the form to better understand our assessment process and what we...

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Electrical systems have complex components that sustain damage from various perils, which makes it more difficult to quickly and fairly settle claims that include them. StrikeCheck is offering a new adjuster training webinar that is eligible for CE credit to make handling these claims a little easier. The Investigating Residential Electrical System Claims webinar gives adjusters a foundation of how these systems work and may impact claims, including:

• The importance of electrical system claims to insurance professionals
• The basics of how...

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Regardless of their location, many of your policyholders use their swimming pools and hot tubs for several months of the year. However, damage can occur year-round and be included in one of your claims. Eliminate the guesswork and ensure more accurate settlements by knowing what to expect from these claims. Fill out the form to receive your copy of the pool and hot tub claim damage guide, which reviews equipment that is most likely to be damaged and the leading causes...

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Thieves and vandals caused tens of thousands of dollars in damages to a rooftop commercial solar system. While a claim with more than 800 solar panels could seem daunting, StrikeCheck took on the challenge of thoroughly evaluating all the equipment, including the solar power system and other claimed electrical components. Check out the images and details from this solar power and electrical claim by filling out the form...

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Adjusters need an assessment vendor that will strengthen the claim settlement process and not be the weak...

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It may be difficult to know where to begin when handling claims related to interior electrical systems because the complex equipment encompasses so much that can affect a policyholder's property. This guide will help by providing 6 questions adjusters should ask when settling interior electrical system claims and briefly explaining why each are critical. We’ve considered multiple aspects of the claims process – from specific system details that should be requested to knowing which local codes and permits could affect...

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Carriers paid out more than $900 million for lightning claims in 2019, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Electronics are among the equipment susceptible to damages from lightning and surges and often wind up in property claims. Be able to better differentiate between the two perils with StrikeCheck’s eBook, “An Evaluation of Surge and Lightning Damage to Electronics and Specialty Claims.” By filling out the form, adjusters will gain insight on how often lightning or surge is the cause of loss...

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Carriers paid out more than $900 million for lightning claims in 2019, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Electronics are among the equipment susceptible to damages from lightning and surges and often wind up in property claims. Be able to better differentiate between the two perils with StrikeCheck’s eBook, “An Evaluation of Surge and Lightning Damage to Electronics and Specialty Claims.” By filling out the form, adjusters will gain insight on how often lightning or surge is the cause of loss...

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Heat waves have been causing sweltering temperatures globally, including in major cities in the United States. This extreme weather could initiate perils that impact residential and commercial policyholders’ electrically powered equipment and lead to property claims.

Heat waves can have a variety of consequences, including causing droughts that make wildfires more severe. Photo Credit: “Heat wave” by Christelle Prieur /CC 4.0

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Pools and hot tubs have multiple pieces of complex equipment to keep them functioning properly at the preferred temperatures. Because of this, it may be difficult for the adjuster or policyholder to know what exactly caused a malfunction – and if it’s a covered peril. In this scary story, a pool grade heater with two external pumps was leaking and some of the jets were not working as designed. The adjuster sought the help of StrikeCheck’s experts to determine the cause...

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The following article on “New energy-efficient standard affects pool pumps, but not policyholders...yet,” written by Jay Dykstra of HVACi and StrikeCheck, was originally published on Property Casualty 360. A new U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regulation recently went into effect that adds efficiency standards to certain dedicated-purpose pool pump (DPPP) motors manufactured or imported to the United States after July 19, 2021. Many manufacturers and distributors have been spreading the word about whether their...

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Ignore the misinformation and clear up confusion surrounding the U.S. Department of Energy’s Dedicated-Purpose Pool Pumps efficiency standards that went into effect July 19, 2021, with this one-page guide. Fill out the form to receive your copy that summarizes what the standards impact – as well as what they don’t. Most importantly, adjusters can refer to the guide to know why they don’t have to rush to settle for compatible replacement...

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Less than two business days were all our experts needed to provide this adjuster with the actual cause of loss and scope of damage for a policyholder’s malfunctioning electrical service panel. Fill out the form to read why the power was out throughout the downstairs of a home and whether it required a full service panel replacement – and at what potential settlement cost. Have a complicated electrical service panel claim? Eliminate speculation about what is needed to return your policyholders to...

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Policyholders have any one of a variety of water heater types in their homes or businesses. Water heating accounts for 14–18% of utility bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, and the average household uses 64 gallons of water daily. Because of their frequency of use and the complexity of the equipment, water heaters are often included in claims. It is important insurance professionals recognize how perils may affect them depending on if they are tankless...

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Smart technology has launched new ways of doing a variety of everyday tasks through phones and other connected devices – and it’s also impacting insurance claims. Photo Credit: “Smart Home” by Gerd Altmann / CC BY 4.0

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Without knowing for sure, policyholders frequently claim lightning or surges have caused property damage. Lightning verification reports can confirm or exclude lightning’s presence at the location during the time of loss – before anyone ever inspects the equipment. This is just one of the benefits of using these reports, regardless of what item is claimed. Fill out the form to receive your one-page guide of the Benefits of Lightning Verification Reports. Already have a claim with reported lightning or surge damage that...

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Carriers paid out more than $900 million for lightning claims in 2019, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Electronics are among the equipment susceptible to damages from lightning and surges and often wind up in property claims. Be able to better differentiate between the two perils with StrikeCheck’s eBook, “An Evaluation of Surge and Lightning Damage to Electronics and Specialty Claims.” By filling out the form, adjusters will gain insight on how often lightning or surge is the cause of loss...

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