Hurricane Isaias threatens billions in insured losses for Florida insurers
Hurricane Isaias threatens billions in insured losses as Florida insurers face new claims, wind and flood coverage disputes, and higher catastrophe exposure
Natural Catastrophe News
Follow the latest natural catastrophe news and insurance market updates from around the world. Beinsure covers insured and economic catastrophe losses, property damage, insurance claims, reinsurance exposure and major natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, severe convective storms and other extreme weather events.
Track catastrophe loss estimates, insurer and reinsurer responses, claims developments, property catastrophe trends, risk modeling, market capacity, recovery costs and the financial impact of events on the global insurance and reinsurance industry, with updates on catastrophe losses and claims data.
Hurricane Isaias brings flood and tornado threats to North Carolina
Hurricane Isaias’ remnants threaten North Carolina with flash flooding, heavy rain and tornadoes after the storm caused four deaths in Florida and Alabama
Tropical Storm Rachel hurricane updates: California floods and damage
Tropical Storm Rachel hurricane brings flash floods, damaging surf and strong winds to Southern California, forcing Long Beach evacuations and threatening San Diego
Ontario severe storms cause CAD 563 mn ($395 mn) in insured losses: CatIQ
CatIQ estimates CAD 563 mn ($395 mn) in insured losses from severe storms across southern Ontario, bringing large hail, tornadoes, damaging winds and flooding
Canada’s Bald Range wildfire insured losses reach CAD 313 mn ($219 mn)
CatIQ estimates CAD 313 mn ($219 mn) in insured losses from the Bald Range wildfire in British Columbia, which burned over 10,000 hectares and forced mass evacuations
86% of high-risk US properties lack NFIP flood insurance coverage, GAO finds
GAO finds 86% of high-risk US properties lack NFIP flood insurance and recommends broader risk mapping, higher coverage limits and mortgage reforms
Panama earthquake of 7.7 triggers tsunami warnings and damage
A preliminary 7.7 Panama earthquake damaged buildings, halted metro service, shut schools and prompted tsunami warnings across the region
J.P. Morgan forecasts 20% drop in property cat reinsurance rates
J.P. Morgan forecasts a 10-20% decline in property catastrophe reinsurance rates at January 2027 renewals as record capital and low losses pressure pricing
Hurricane Isaias raises commercial insurance coverage concerns for $72 bn in property
Moody’s identifies 31,659 commercial properties worth $71.8 bn exposed to Hurricane Isaias, raising concerns over insured losses and coverage gaps
UK winter 2026-2027: El Niño and polar vortex interaction raise risk of snow
UK winter forecasts suggest El Niño and polar vortex disruption could increase the risk of snow, freezing temperatures and storms, but uncertainty remains
Hurricane Isaias reaches Category 3 as Gulf Coast evacuations expand. High wind warning
Hurricane Isaias strengthens to Category 3 with 120 mph winds, threatening Florida, Alabama and Georgia with storm surge, flooding and power outages
The Zebra partners with Annex to expand homeowners and flood insurance access
The Zebra integrates Annex’s homeowners and flood insurance products, helping agents place coastal, wildfire and flood risks through a digital quoting platform
Hurricane Isaias forecast to bring dangerous storm surge from Louisiana to Florida
Hurricane Isaias heads toward the US Gulf Coast with 80 mph winds as storm surge and hurricane warnings stretch from Louisiana to Florida
Hurricane Isaias becomes first hurricane of 2026 Atlantic season, with storm and flooding
Hurricane Isaias has become the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season as it strengthens over the Gulf of Mexico and heads toward the northern Gulf Coast
Flood watch in Florida as heavy rain raises coastal flood threat
Heavy rain, coastal flooding and dangerous rip currents threaten Florida as a stalled front keeps parts of the state wet through late week
Florida emergency declared as Tropical Storm Isaias strengthens
Florida has activated emergency measures across 25 counties as Isaias strengthens in the Gulf, with flooding, strong winds and tornado risk ahead
Tropical Storm Isaias targets Gulf Coast as hurricane
Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to rapidly strengthen in the Gulf, threatening Louisiana and Florida with hurricane winds, surge and flooding
Hurricane Tracker: Invest 92L development odds rise to 90% as Florida tracks Gulf threat
Hurricane Tracker: Invest 92L has a 90% chance of developing in the Gulf, with a tropical depression expected before it turns toward the northern Gulf Coast
UK polar vortex snow weather forecast as El Niño raises risks
El Niño raises the chance of wetter, stormier UK weather, but forecasts do not support widespread snow or a prolonged freeze
El Niño shifts US weather risks after unusually quiet hurricane season
The Atlantic enters October without a hurricane as a strengthening El Niño raises winter risks from heavy rain, flooding and tornadoes in Florida
El Niño Kelvin wave could raise California sea levels by up to 1 foot
A Kelvin wave linked to El Niño is expected to raise California sea levels by up to 1 foot, increasing coastal flooding and erosion risks along the West Coast
Earthquake strikes Victoria, shaking Melbourne – Geoscience Australia
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck near Leongatha in Victoria, shaking Melbourne and South Gippsland before a magnitude 3.1 aftershock followed
Hurricane Polo could bring snowfall as a hybrid storm forms
The US could receive up to 8 inches of snow as Hurricane Polo moisture fuels a hybrid storm bringing heavy rain and flooding across the US
David Jolly and Byron Donalds outline competing Florida property insurance plans
David Jolly proposes a state catastrophe fund, while Byron Donalds backs surcharge cuts, home-hardening grants and moving Citizens policies private
Hurricane Nolo adds to Hawaii losses after $211 mn property damage
Hurricane Nolo brings flooding, wind and outages to Hawaii after $211 mn in state property damage, while prior storms drove major insured losses
Hurricane Polo remnants bring flood watch across New Mexico
Hurricane Polo remnants and moisture from Tropical Storm Odalys bring heavy rain and flash flood risk across New Mexico through Tuesday night
Kelvin wave tied to El Niño is moving toward California, increasing coastal flood risk
A Pacific Kelvin wave tied to El Niño is moving toward California, with sea levels expected to rise by up to 1 foot and increase coastal flood risk
Nor’easter brings flood and wind losses across US East Coast
A strong nor’easter brings coastal flooding, heavy rain and damaging winds across the US East Coast, with further rain expected in the Northeast
EigenRisk adds Swiss Re CatNet hazard data to EigenPrism
EigenRisk adds Swiss Re CatNet hazard data to EigenPrism, giving insurers, MGAs and brokers access to global catastrophe risk analytics in one platform
Catastrophe insurance gap persists as reinsurance capacity grows
Reinsurance capital hit a record $785 bn, yet 57.8% of global catastrophe losses went uninsured from 2015 through 2025, Moody’s found
Hawaii urges insurance checks as Hurricane Nolo approaches
Hawaii regulators urge residents to review hurricane, flood, renters and auto insurance as Hurricane Nolo approaches the islands
Hurricane watch issued for Hawaii as Tropical Storm Nolo strengthens
Hawaii’s Big Island is under a hurricane watch as Tropical Storm Nolo strengthens, with up to 35 inches of rain and major flooding possible
California insurers pledge new policies as FAIR Plan stays near 697,000
California insurers have committed to new policies under catastrophe-model rules, while FAIR Plan enrollment remains near 697,000 amid a dispute over progress
Florida approves home insurance rate cuts ~7% for 62,000 policies
Florida approved homeowner rate cuts averaging 7% for 62,000 policies as insurers file more decreases and Citizens continues shrinking
Europe to spend €500 bn on climate adaptation through 2035
Europe is expected to spend €500 bn on climate adaptation and disaster recovery through 2035 as extreme weather drives long-term investment
Hurricane Polo pressure puts Mexico catastrophe bond in focus
Hurricane Polo reached 180 mph winds and 892 mb pressure, putting pressure triggers on Mexico’s $175 mn Pacific hurricane catastrophe bond under scrutiny
Severe Caribbean hurricanes rise 94% over the past decade – Atrium research
Atrium research finds Category 3-5 Caribbean hurricanes rose 94% in a decade, increasing property losses and insurance exposure across tourism markets
Florida hurricane losses could exceed $300 bn as coastal exposure grows
A Category 5 hurricane hitting Miami or Tampa Bay could cause insured losses above $300 bn as Florida’s population and property exposure keeps rising
Insurers face higher catastrophe risk as Pacific typhoon activity rises
Northwest Pacific typhoon activity is forecast 60% above average in 2026, raising catastrophe exposure across China, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam
Eastward tornado Alley shift raises insured loss risk in US Midwest
Record tornado activity in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin is increasing insured loss exposure as severe storms shift toward more populated US regions
Hurricane Lowell may cause up to $1 bn in Hawaii damage
Hurricane Lowell passed west of Hawaii, bringing heavy rain and surf, with estimated damage of $600 mn and potential losses reaching $1 bn
Insured losses from non-peak natural catastrophes exceeded $104 bn
Munich Re says insured losses from non-peak perils reached $104 bn in 2025 as cyber, AI and climate risks add pressure to reinsurance markets
Verisk launches US data center exposure database for insurers
Verisk launched a US data center exposure database covering more than 2,500 facilities as insurers assess growing AI infrastructure concentrations
Natural catastrophe protection gap leaves most losses uninsured
Only 38% of global natural catastrophe losses are insured, Verisk says, with Europe’s coverage rate at 22% and far lower protection in some markets
Florida judge dismisses Lighthouse investor lawsuit over Hurricane Ida losses
A Florida judge granted summary judgment against investment funds that accused former Lighthouse Property Insurance executives of concealing Hurricane Ida losses
Nepal floods could drive insurance losses above $132 mn
Nepal’s floods could produce more than $132 mn in commercial insurance losses, with hydropower projects expected to account for most claims
California wildfire insurance reform should focus on risk reduction
California’s homeowners insurance market is under pressure from wildfire losses, rising premiums and reduced coverage, while policymakers assess further reforms
Manitoba and Saskatchewan storms drive insured losses above $840 mn
Insured losses from June 9-10 storms in Manitoba and Saskatchewan have topped $840 mn after tornadoes, hail, flooding and damaging winds
Europe wildfires test insurers as climate losses rise
France, Spain and Greece face wildfire losses as insurers absorb claims and Europe debates who pays for climate-driven disaster risk
Axa profit rises despite Europe wildfire and Middle East losses
Axa reported higher first-half profit despite European wildfire claims and a €100 mn hit tied to Middle East war and political violence risks
Verisk estimates Kumamoto earthquake insured losses at $2.1 bn
Verisk estimates insured losses from the July 28 Kumamoto earthquake at JPY 220 bn to JPY 340 bn, or about $1.4 bn to $2.1 bn
Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters urges adjusters to submit fire and flood loss data
As the UK experiences one of its most severe wildfire seasons on record the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) has called for loss adjusters to submit large loss data
Flood and storm risks reshape catastrophe insurance
RiskScan data shows flood, winter storms and thunderstorms driving concern as localized disasters pressure P&C pricing and preparedness
Verisk acquires McKenzie Intelligence Services for catastrophe risk analytics
Verisk buys MIS to add real-time geospatial intelligence, catastrophe response data and political violence risk analytics for insurers
Cyclone Harry caused over €1 bn in Sicily losses and exposed NatCat insurance gaps
Cyclone Harry caused over €1 bn in Sicily losses and showed why Italy’s mandatory disaster insurance leaves firms exposed to storm surge risk
Louisiana Insurance Commissioner is urging insurance checks before Gulf storm
Louisiana residents are being urged to review home and flood cover as Tropical Depression Two moves toward the Gulf Coast
Missouri insurance regulator Angela Nelson warns homeowners after rare flood emergency
Missouri insurance regulator Angela Nelson urges homeowners to review flood risk after July 10 storms caused severe flooding and rescues
Oklahoma sues Allstate over storm damage insurance claim payments
Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond sued Allstate, accusing the insurer of denying or underpaying valid wind and hail damage claims from homeowners
US flood insurance gap exposes households to $375 bn in losses
Moody’s says the US flood insurance gap has reached 65%, leaving households and local governments exposed to more than $375 bn in uninsured losses
New Zealand’s Natural Hazards Commission secures record $7.2 bn reinsurance cover
New Zealand’s NHC secures NZ$12.3 bn of reinsurance protection for 2026, including catastrophe bond cover through Totara Re
Insurance regulators in the US, UK and Japan are strengthening oversight of asset-intensive reinsurance, targeting counterparty credit risk, recapture reserve adequacy
Bermuda-based reinsurers reported stronger underwriting profitability: 85.3% combined ratio and 15.7% ROE as catastrophe losses fall, premiums decline 9% and competition intensifies
Reinsurance capital remains strong as sector profitability holds despite softer pricing, rising loss risks and mounting pressure on underwriting margins in 2026
Reinsurance buyers expect property pricing to fall further at the January 2027 renewals, with double-digit reductions increasingly entering negotiations