The true story of a loss is rarely found in a single data point. It is revealed through a careful, methodical examination of the physical evidence. When a storm passes and a home is left with silent smart systems or compromised electronics, the insured or insurer often looks to the sky for a direct strike. As forensic engineers, we look closer. We examine electrical wiring, circuit boards, and the specific signatures of failure that tell us how energy moved through equipment and electronics.
For years, EFI Global has relied on the precision of lightning reports provided by Cotality (formerly CoreLogic) to help frame the environment of a loss. Their reporting has long been a benchmark in our industry, and today, that partnership is evolving. EFI Global is proud to be the first forensic engineering firm to integrate Cotality’s cloud‑to‑cloud lightning reporting into active investigations.
The science of the unseen
Traditional lightning reports are designed to capture cloud‑to‑ground (CG) strikes — the visible bolts that physically anchor to the earth. However, scientific research confirms that approximately 70–80% of lightning activity occurs entirely within the cloud. These cloud‑to‑cloud events do not send a physical bolt into a structure, but they generate rapidly changing electromagnetic fields.
While heavy appliances often require the brute force of a direct strike or a utility‑side surge to fail, cloud‑to‑cloud lightning events can induce subtle surges into sensitive data lines and interconnected systems. This nuance of modern losses requires a high degree of technical sophistication to interpret correctly.
Data as context, engineering as proof
There is a critical distinction in how this information is used. A forensic engineer does not rely on a report to determine cause — conclusions are rooted in the pattern of damage. EFI Global engineers analyze melting, arcing, and component degradation to differentiate between lightning activity, on‑premises surges, and wear‑and‑tear failures.
Cotality’s cloud‑to‑cloud lightning data does not determine causation on its own. Instead, it serves as corroborating context that supports physical findings. By incorporating this additional layer of data, EFI Global ensures that no variable is overlooked and that conclusions are supported by both engineering evidence and environmental data.
Leading the evolution of investigation
As homes and businesses become increasingly complex, the tools used to investigate losses must evolve as well. EFI Global is excited to leverage this expanded lightning data from Cotality to bring greater depth to forensic analysis and provide insurers with clearer insight into complex electrical losses.
If you are navigating a loss involving damaged electronics and need more than a single data point, EFI Global’s forensic engineers can help bring the full picture into focus.