WTW’s Natural Catastrophe Review: 2024 Key Data Insights and Trends
WTW has analyzed natural disasters, key lessons, and emerging trends. The assessment will focus on physical and vulnerability NatCat factors
Largest Natural Catastrophes
The Great Galveston Storm occurred on September 8, 1900, when a hurricane with an estimated strength of Category 4 hit Galveston, Texas. This hurricane remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, as well as the worst hurricane in U.S. history.
Excessive rainfall over central China in July and August of 1931 triggered the most deadly natural disaster in world history — the Central China floods of 1931. The Yangtze River overtopped its banks as spring snowmelt mingled with the over 24 inches (600 millimeters) of rain that fell during the month of July alone.
Various phenomena like earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, tsunamis, cyclones, wildfires, and pandemics are all natural hazards that kill thousands of people and destroy billions of dollars of habitat and property each year.
In this section, we have collected the most current articles and reviews on the topic of the Largest Natural Catastrophes.
Insured Catastrophe Losses in Canada Surge to C$8.5 bn, Tripling in 2024
Insured catastrophe losses in Canada reached a record C$8.5 bn in 2024, nearly tripling the prior year’s total and standing 12 times higher than the annual average
Global Natural Catastrophe Overview: Economic & Insured Losses for 2024 FY
In 2024, global natural perils resulted in total direct economic costs of $417 bn. Of this, $154 bn was covered by private insurers and public insurance entities
Hurricanes, Severe Thunderstorms and Floods Drive $100 bn Insured Losses
In the US, two major hurricanes and frequent severe thunderstorms accounted for at least two-thirds of the year’s global insured losses, which currently exceed $135 bn
European System for Natural Catastrophe Risk Management & Re/Insurance
Economic losses from natural catastrophes in the EU are rising due to increased economic exposure and the growing severity of climate-related disasters
Comparing Europe’s Approaches to Natural Catastrophe Insurance & Gov-Backed Schemes
Government-backed catastrophe insurance schemes play a vital role in managing the financial impact of natural disasters across Europe
Southern Germany Floods Caused up to $2 bn Insurance Loss from 2024
PERILS has released its third insurance industry loss estimate for the floods that hit southern Germany from May 31 to June 6, 2024
Catastrophic Losses & Rising Global Flood Insurance Risks: $135 bn in 2024
2024 is on track to become the hottest year recorded. A warming climate has intensified natural catastrophes, especially in Europe, which faced severe flooding
Q3 2024 Global Catastrophe Report: Top 5 Costliest Economic & Insured Loss Events
Q3 2024 saw a number of significant disaster events, which drove total economic losses from natural catastrophes above at least $258 bn
Global Natural Disaster Losses in H1 2024 Reached $120 bn
Global natural disaster losses in the first half of 2024 reached $120 bn, down from 2023, which saw $140 bn in losses due to a severe earthquake in Turkey and Syria
Major Natural Disasters in H1 2024: Insights for Insurance Industry
Natural disasters amplified by climate change continue to take a bitter toll on the global economy, caused $350 bn in economic losses, with insurance covering just over $100 bn
H1 2024 Global Natural Catastrophe Statistics: Economic & Insurance Losses
1H 2024 saw multiple notable natural catastrophe events, which drove total year-to-date economic losses above at least $117 bn
2024 Global Natural Catastrophes. Top 10 Costliest Insured Events
The total economic loss from global natural catastrophes for H1 2024 was estimated at $128 bn, insured losses totalled at $61 bn
Global Natural Catastrophe Report: Q1 2024 Insurance Insights
The global financial cost of natural catastrophes starting in 2024 was manageable for federal governments and the insurance industry
Largest Natural Disasters Review: Thunderstorms & Earthquakes Cost
The past year was once again characterised by extremely high insured losses from natural disasters, despite the fact that there were no extreme individual losses
Natural Catastrophes Will Break Several Insured Losses Records
Natural catastrophes will once again break several insured loss records in 2023. A high number of low-to-medium-severity events will aggregate to insured losses
Global Natural Catastrophes: Fatality, Economic & Insured Loss
2023-2024 saw multiple significant disaster events, which drove total economic losses above $295 bn, approaching the 21st-century average of $310 bn
US P&C Insurance Generates Underwriting Losses Despite Premium Growth
US P&C insurance industry continued to generate significant underwriting losses in 2024 despite strong premium growth
North Atlantic & Western North Pacific Hurricane Season’s Impact for Re/Insurers
Moody’s RMS overview of North Atlantic seasonal activity forecasts and summarized the key oceanic and meteorological drivers behind the predictions
Natural Disaster Trends. Top 10 Costliest Economic & Insured Loss Events
Most natural disaster databases show a significant decline in the number of annual global events prior to 1980. While the biggest natural catastrophe events are typically captured
Reinsurance Rates for U.S. & Florida NatCat Policies: Renewal Trends
U.S. property catastrophe reinsurance rates rose by as much as 50% at a key July renewal date, with states such as California and Florida increasingly hit
Major Natural Disaster Eventsand Insurance Loss Insights in APAC Regions
Catastrophes and natural disasters in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region amounted to a total economic loss of $80 bn. A substantial protection gap of 86%
Insured Losses from Major Natural Catastrophes in H1 2023 Estimated $23 bn
Insured losses from major natural catastrophes in the second quarter of 2023 are estimated to be less than $10 bn, in H1 totaled $23 bn
Inflation, Insurance Losses from Natural Catastrophes & Longevity Dains
The current environment is complex: inflation has stayed higher for longer than expected, natural catastrophes cause increased losses
Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund’s Losses & Insurance Claims Outlook
Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund plays a vital role in Florida’s property-insurance system as it provides relatively low-cost reinsurance
The directors and officers (D&O) insurance market has experienced favorable results in recent years, but ongoing risks and market uncertainties could challenge sustainability
Integrating real-time data analytics through big datasets, AI, and ML technologies empowers companies to detect high-risk policies before solidifying agreements
U.S. life insurers have used reinsurance to reduce exposure to long-term care (LTC) insurance. The transactions strengthen balance sheets, improve capital efficiency
Lloyd’s has shared the results from the 2025 Lloyd’s Market Policies and Practices (MP&P) return with market firms, which shows continued progress towards an inclusive