Global cost of disasters hits $370bn
Insured catastrophe losses more than doubled in 2011 to $116bn, Swiss Re said in its study of natural catastrophes and man-made disasters. That was up from a December forecast for $108bn.
Munich Re, the world’s biggest reinsurer, estimated in January a cost of $105bn to the insurance industry from natural disasters.
Japan’s earthquake, which caused over 19,000 deaths, accounted for more than half of 2011’s economic loss and was the most expensive earthquake on record at $35bn, Swiss Re said.
However, low insurance protection in the country meant insurers will only bear 17% of total losses.
“Had Japan been insured as well, 2011 would certainly have been the most expensive year ever also in terms of insured losses,” said Lucia Bevere, co-author of the study.
In contrast, the industry will shoulder 80% of the economic loss stemming from New Zealand’s earthquake, which was the third costliest ever at $12bn.
Floods in Thailand also gave the industry a $12bn hit from claims — the highest recorded for a river water event — after an area the size of Switzerland was flooded when the Chao Phraya river burst its banks.
Insured losses exceed $49bn in Asia, making it the worst affected region globally.
In the US, the hurricane season was relatively modest, helping to cap overall insured losses, despite a brutal tornado season with losses of over $25bn.
Despite the record year, the hit to the industry fell short of the $123bn bill picked up in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans.
— Reuters
