Beyond the Strike: How Cloud-to-Cloud Lightning Data is Revolutionizing Claims
Traditional reports miss 80% of lightning activity. Cotality’s STRIKEnet now features cloud-to-cloud data powered by Vaisala Xweather to capture the electromagnetic fields that induce surges in sensitive smart home systems.
This article explores how leaders like EFI Global use this foundational data to differentiate between weather events and simple wear and tear, ensuring more accurate, data-driven conclusions for complex electronic losses.
When a storm clears, insurance adjusters typically rely on traditional cloud-to-ground lightning reports to determine if they should engage a forensic expert. But looking only at strikes that physically anchor to the earth means missing a significant piece of the puzzle.
To provide our customers with a complete picture of storm activity, Cotality™ has officially released a powerful new cloud-to-cloud functionality on our Weather VerifyTM STRIKEnetTM reports. Powered by industry-leading data from Vaisala Xweather, this new reporting capability provides deeper insight into lightning events that never reach the ground yet remain capable of devastating modern electrical systems.
While up to 80 percent of lightning activity occurs entirely within the clouds, traditional reports only captured ground strikes. Now, our reports include these cloud-to-cloud events, which can create electromagnetic fields that induce subtle surges into sensitive data lines and interconnected smart home systems. Our goal is to provide an easy-to-purchase, easy-to-read report with reliable data at a solid price, delivering the essential context needed for modern property claims.
Partner Spotlight: EFI Global Pioneers the NextEvolution in Investigation
We are thrilled to highlight that EFI Global, a premier forensic engineering and technical consulting firm, is the first to integrate Cotality’s new cloud-to-cloud lightning reporting into its investigative process.
While Cotality delivers the foundational weather data, EFI Global applies their specialized engineering approach to interpret the patterns of damage. EFI Global's experts analyze physical evidence like melting, arcing, and component degradation to differentiate between a lightning event, an on-premise surge, or simple wear and tear. The Cotality cloud-to-cloud report serves as vital corroborating evidence that supports these physical findings in the field, ensuring that no variable is ignored.
How to Access Weather Verify Cloud-to-Cloud Reporting
Cotality is committed to bringing you the latest innovations to help you solve the industry’s most challenging claims. We have made it easier than ever to access this critical verification data.
The new cloud-to-cloud lightning functionality is now live on the VerifyTM STRIKEnet report ordering page. Users can add this comprehensive data to their search for just $25 per day.
Furthermore, if you are currently navigating a complex electronic loss and need more than just traditional cloud-to-ground data points, you can retroactively apply this new feature. Cloud-to-cloud data is available to add onto any previous report you have already ordered simply by clicking the "Redo" button on your STRIKEnet order history.
We provide the most comprehensive data in the industry so that experts like EFI Global have the tools they need to reach a definitive conclusion.
