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.

In 2002 losses from natural catastrophes and man-made losses cost non-life insurers USD 13.5 bilion across the globe. This was markedly below the previous year´s level of USD 35 billion. While natural catastrophes caused losses of USD 11.4 billion, property losses from man-made disasters...

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...