Home Insurance in Oklahoma City: Does It Cover Power Surges and Electrical Damage?

Last summer in Edmond, the Reynolds family came home after a thunderstorm to find their fridge dead, their TV fried, and their home office equipment useless. A lightning strike had hit a nearby transformer, sending a surge through the neighborhood. The Reynolds thought their home insurance would take care of the damage—but it didn’t cover everything they expected.

Electrical surges are more common in Oklahoma than most people realize. Between summer lightning storms and aging power grids, your home’s electronics face real risk. But does your home insurance actually help when a surge hits?
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Let’s break down what’s covered, what’s not, and how you can protect your home (and wallet).

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When Home Insurance Covers Power Surge Damage

Home insurance typically helps when electrical damage results from a covered peril—something sudden and accidental, not a long-term maintenance issue.

Here’s how that usually works:
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If lightning strikes your home directly or causes a surge that fries your wiring or appliances, that’s often covered under your dwelling or personal property coverage. Your insurer considers it part of storm damage.
For example, if a surge knocks out:

• Major appliances like refrigerators or ovens
• Built-in HVAC systems
• Home office electronics (computers, monitors, modems)
• Entertainment systems

Those may be eligible for repair or replacement—depending on your coverage limits and deductible.

​When It’s Not Covered

Not all surges are treated equally. If the surge comes from inside your home or results from a preventable issue, your insurer might deny the claim.
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Examples of uncovered situations include:

• Damage from overloaded circuits or faulty wiring
• Old or worn-out appliances shorting internally
• Gradual electrical deterioration over time
• Utility company power fluctuations (depending on your policy)

Many homeowners in Oklahoma City don’t realize that surges caused by public grid problems may fall outside their base policy unless they’ve added extra protection.

How to Protect Your Home Before the Next Surge

Oklahoma’s intense weather and aging power systems make prevention just as important as coverage. A few proactive steps can save you from losing thousands in electronics or appliances.
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Start with:

• Whole-home surge protection: Installed at your breaker panel, this device helps stop excess current before it reaches your outlets.
• Individual surge protectors: Use quality power strips for computers, TVs, and game systems.
• Regular electrical inspections: Especially in older homes where wiring may not meet current standards.
• Backup power systems: Generators or battery backups protect both your electronics and your comfort during outages.

​Why This Matters in Oklahoma

Our state sits at the intersection of intense summer storms, aging infrastructure, and wide temperature swings—all of which put extra stress on home electrical systems. In places like Moore, Edmond, and Oklahoma City, it’s not unusual to experience several power surges a year.
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Each surge weakens your electronics little by little until one strong hit takes them out completely. Without the right insurance and surge protection, you could end up paying out of pocket for every loss.

​How to Know If You’re Covered

If you’re not sure whether your current home insurance includes power surge protection, it’s worth checking your policy’s fine print—or better yet, asking an agent. Some insurers offer add-ons that cover electrical or electronic damage specifically, and they’re often inexpensive compared to replacing appliances after a storm.

At Oklahoma Insurance Professionals, we help homeowners across Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas make sense of what their home insurance really covers—and fill in the gaps before they cause stress or loss.

Contact Oklahoma Insurance Professionals today to review your home insurance policy and make sure your electronics, appliances, and home systems are fully protected the next time the lights flicker.

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Scott Godwin
Founder

Oklahoma Insurance Professionals LLC serves Oklahoma City and the surrounding Oklahoma communities by protecting the people we work with just like we protect our own family members. Home insurance, auto insurance, business insurance, and more. We can help you find the coverage you need. ​