NOT everyone can say he has had a close brush with lightning, but Manimaran Natarajan can.

On March 22, the 37-year-old manager parked his Nissan Sunny in an open carpark behind Block 259 in Yishun.

It was raining, and the car's windscreen was hit by a lightning bolt as he was about to open the door, he said.

'My eyes were blinded for a few seconds before I noticed small glass pieces on my dashboard and cracks on my windscreen.'

Even then, his first thought was that a stone or tree branch was the cause. His maid, who was some distance away at the void deck, however, saw the bolt striking the car.

Mr Manimaran, who lives in the area and was alone in the car, later checked with his Resident's Committee. He was told each block had lightning conductors but these do not cover exposed areas like carparks.

 His car's insurer, AXA Insurance, agreed to pay the $400 in repairs and towing charges.

AXA spokesman Christina Wee said that in her company's experience, a 'freak' case like Mr Manimaran's occurs once every two to three years.

Surveyors will check the vehicle involved to verify a claim, she said.

The Automobile Association of Singapore (AA) noted that insurance companies may not always pay for any damage since lightning strikes are deemed to be 'Acts of God'.

These include flooding and hailstones. The latter actually occurred in Singapore on Thursday.

AA, which has its own motor insurance business, has not encountered claims resulting directly from damage caused by lightning.

Read the full story in tomorrow's edition of The Sunday Times.