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
Natural Catastrophe Event
A natural catastrophe event is an unexpected event, caused by nature, such as an earthquake or flood, in which there is a lot of suffering, damage, or death.
Examples of natural hazards include: avalanche, coastal flooding, cold wave, drought, earthquake, hail, heat wave, hurricane (tropical cyclone), ice storm, landslide, lightning, riverine flooding, strong wind, tornado, typhoon, tsunami, volcanic activity, wildfire, winter weather.
A physical event, such as a volcanic eruption, that does not affect human beings is a natural phenomenon but not a natural hazard. A natural phenomenon that occurs in a populated area is a hazardous event.
In this section, we have collected the most current articles and reviews on the topic of the Natural Catastrophe Event.
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
Hurricane Milton Economic and Insurance Loss Forecast: Impact on Re/Insurers
Economic and insured losses from Hurricane Milton remain uncertain, Milton is the second major storm to hit the U.S. within two weeks, following Hurricane Helene
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
Insurance Industry Faces Challenges as Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season officially began and has already been active. Business owners found that 91% identified specific weather or natural hazards as risk
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
Insured Losses from Noto Peninsula Earthquake in Japan Forcasts
Insured losses from the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck the Ishikawa prefecture on the Noto Peninsula, Japan, on 1 January 2024 are likely to be small
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
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
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
EU insurance markets could gain if recent proposals for a bloc-wide public-private reinsurance scheme for climate-related losses move forward
The enhancements to regulatory standards are supportive of ratings for North American life insurers, which are generally expected to maintain strong balance sheets
Canada insurance market saw further rate declines in 2024, with property, casualty, financial, and cyber lines experiencing reductions. Property insurance rates fell 3%
Insurance rates in Europe declined 2% in the fourth quarter of 2024. The European insurance industry faced a year of changes and challenges