NORMAN, Okla. (June 5, 2006) LightningTrax reports and the LightningExpress Service provide on-line, address-specific, lightning verification and now these products have three new features for ease of use and enhanced value.

A little competition is a good thing. For years, the insurance industry has had only one primary source for lightning verification. Now, the USPLN (United States Precision Lightning Network) introduces LightningTrax Reports and LightningExpress Service for claim verification needs.

“Developing and deploying the United States Precision Lightning Network (USPLN) in 2004 was the first step to building a precision lightning data archive for claims verification purposes.â€$, states Dr. Rodney Bent, founder and CEO of TOA Systems and USPLN partner. Dr. Bent added, “Having designed lightning networks all over the world, we knew the United States could benefit from a modern network that would be capable of producing precision forensic reports. Our teaming with WDT provides an opportunity for insurance adjusters to access lightning reports from the same team of developers they purchase HailTrax reports and other quality weather verification reports.â€$

“We are thrilled to be able to respond to the market’s need for lightning verification with the highest precision report available and at the lowest cost per report. LightningExpress is an option the insurance industry has never had before, allowing carriers to run extended search periods (days, weeks, or months) and unlimited searches to assist them in validating lightning claims.â€$ says Mike Eilts, president of WDT and partner in the USPLN.

The greatest benefit LightningTrax offers to claims adjusters is the accuracy of the USPLN which allows for a much smaller search radius around the loss location (as small as 1 mile with accuracy of the data on the order of 200 yards). LightningTrax reports are ordered on-line and a completed report is available for viewing online within minutes. The reports are also delivered as a .pdf for simple viewing and electronic filing.

LightningTrax reports sell for $95 for a complete search of lightning activity within 1 to 15 miles of an address for up to a 72 hour period. LightningExpress service will allow carriers to run unlimited lightning searches for a fraction of the cost they have historically paid for lightning verification. The USPLN database of lightning strikes goes back to May 1, 2005.

About The USPLN (United States Precision Lightning Network)
USPLN is a partnership between TOA Systems Inc.(www.toasystems.com) of Melbourne, Florida and Weather Decision Technologies, Inc (www.wdtinc.com) based in Norman, Oklahoma. The USPLN is the lightning data network of choice of The Weather Channelâ„¢, AccuWeatherâ„¢ and Weather Bugâ„¢. WDT also provides HailTrax Reports, HailExpress service and other severe weather verification reports to the insurance, legal and other weather-related industries.


Released: June 5, 2006