Gustavo Bernal Torres
Global insured catastrophe losses rise to USD 112 billion in 2021, Swiss Re Estimates
Natural catastrophes caused estimated global insured losses of USD 105 billion in 2021, the fourth-highest since 1970
”In 2021, insured losses from natural disasters again exceeded the previous ten-year average, continuing the trend of an annual 5–6% rise in losses seen in recent decades. It seems to have become the norm that at least one secondary peril event such as a severe flooding, winter storm or wildfire, each year results in losses of more than USD 10 billion."
The two costliest natural disasters of the year were both recorded in the US. Hurricane Ida wreaked USD 30 – 32 billion in estimated insured damages, including flooding in New York, and winter storm Uri caused USD 15 billion in insured losses. The costliest event in Europe meanwhile was the July flooding in Germany, Belgium and nearby countries, causing up to USD 13 billion in insured losses, in comparison with economic losses of above USD 40 billion.