Swiss Re's latest sigma study reports man-made and natural catastrophes claimed more than 33 000 lives worldwide in 2001. At USD 34.4 billion, the burden on property insurance due to catastrophe losses was extremely high - with an estimated USD 19 billion incurred by property and business...

In 2000, catastrophes claimed more than 17'400 lives and caused overall financial losses - not counting indirect economic damage - of almost USD 50 billion. According to Swiss Re's definitive statistics, the burden on the insurance industry was comparatively low at USD 10.6 billion.