Lightning Poses Significant Fire Risks to Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME)

Lightning strikes pose a significant threat to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME)—including laundromats—causing billions of dollars in damage annually, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI).

This year’s National Small Business Week, which started Sunday, spotlights the importance of obtaining professionally designed, installed, inspected, and certified lightning protection and grounding systems, which can help mitigate this risk, as well as the right type and amount of insurance to protect these businesses.

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), 40% of small businesses do not reopen following a disaster, another 25% fail within a year, and more than 90% fail within two years.

“Recovery costs from lightning can be devastating to a business,” says Tim Harger, executive director, LPI. “Not only can it cause damage to structures and electrical systems, but it can result in business interruption and lost income. Every SME should assess their risk and take action before a strike happens. It’s the first step to protecting their operations—and their future.”

Triple-I and LPI advise these steps to help an SME prepare for a lightning strike:

Triple-I and LPI urge small- and mid-sized businesses to take steps now to prepare for the possibility of a lightning strike.

“As much as purchasing insurance and taking steps to mitigate risk may seem like an added cost when budgeting is tight, the reality is they will recover faster and have a greater chance of staying in business,” says Sean Kevelighan, Triple-I CEO. “And considering that 40% of small businesses do not reopen following a disaster, another 25% fail within a year, and more than 90% fail within two years, it’s clear that even a small investment can make a huge difference.”