Costliest year
Economic losses from natural catastrophes and
man-made disasters were the highest ever in 2011, at $370 billion, while
insured losses totaled $116 billion—the second-highest sum
ever—according to Swiss Reinsurance Co. Ltd. The Japan earthquake and
tsunami together cost the insurance industry $35 billion, while U.S.
tornadoes added more than $25 billion in insured losses, Swiss Re said
in a recent report. A photo slideshow counting down the most expensive
insured catastrophe losses in 2011 follows.
10. Storms, United States
Severe weather across several states the U.S. in
early April 2011 amounted to $1.5 billion in insured losses and $2.2
billion in economic losses. The storms included high winds, tornadoes,
heavy rains and large hailstones. Thirty-six people were injured.
AP photo
AP photo
9. Storms, United States
Another set of thunderstorms, wind and tornadoes
across the U.S. in early April 2011 caused insured losses of $2 billion
and economic losses of $3.5 billion. Nine people were killed.
AP photo
AP photo
8. Earthquakes, New Zealand
Earthquakes that struck near Christchurch, New
Zealand, on June 13, 2011, resulted in insured losses of $2 billion and
economic losses of $3 billion. One person was killed and 46 injured.
AP photo
AP photo
7. Floods, Australia
Flooding caused by heavy rains in Australia on Jan.
9, 2011, caused $2.3 billion in insured losses and $6.1 billion in
economic losses and left 22 people dead.
Bloomberg photo
Bloomberg photo
6. Hurricane, United States and elsewhere
Hurricane Irene made its way through the Caribbean,
U.S. and Canada in August 2011. The storm resulted in insured losses of
$5.3 billion and economic losses of $8 billion. The hurricane killed 55
people and knocked out power to more than 7 million homes and
businesses.
Bloomberg photo
Bloomberg photo
5. Storms and tornadoes, United States
Severe storms and a major tornado outbreak struck
Missouri and other states in mid- to late May 2011, causing $7 billion
in insured losses and $9 billion in economic losses in places including
Joplin, Mo. The tornado outbreak killed 155 and injured 1,150 people.
Photo by Sisters of Mercy Health System
Photo by Sisters of Mercy Health System
4. Storms and tornadoes, United States
Regions of the U.S. including Alabama, Arkansas,
Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia were hit by severe storms and
tornadoes in April 2011. These storms caused insured losses of $7.3
billion and economic losses of $11 billion. The major weather outbreak
resulted in 354 deaths and 2,200 injured.
AP photo
AP photo
3. Earthquake, New Zealand
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck near
Christchurch, New Zealand, on Feb. 22, 2011, causing $12 billion in
insured losses and $15 billion in economic losses. The quake left 181
dead and 1,500 injured.
Bloomberg photo
Bloomberg photo
2. Floods, Thailand
Flooding resulting from heavy monsoon rains hit
Thailand in late July 2011, causing insured losses of $12 billion and
economic losses of $30 billion. The flooding left 813 people dead.
Bloomberg photo
Bloomberg photo
1. Earthquake and tsunami, Japan
A record-breaking magnitude 9 earthquake and
subsequent tsunami struck Japan on March 11, 2011. The most expensive
earthquake on record produced $35 billion in insured losses and $210
billion in economic losses. The quake also triggered 200 landslides;
destroyed 128,538 buildings; damaged 790,719 buildings, 3,559 roads, 77
bridges, 45 dikes and 29 railways; and damaged nuclear facilities. The
disaster left 15,845 people dead, 5,893 injured, 3,339 missing and
400,000 homeless.
Bloomberg photo
Bloomberg photo
