There is a large and growing problem in our industry whereby lightning damage is fraudulently or erroneously claimed, and a technician or policyholder then inflates the claim beyond reason by also claiming that the unit is beyond repair and must be replaced. The insurance industry has recognized this pattern and is increasingly looking for independent evaluations of these claims. This can increase the difficulty in getting a claim settled. But an honest and competent service technician should look upon it as an opportunity for an additional profitable business.
The situation can be viewed from three different perspectives: