2017 hurricane season News

ILS Market Could Bear 20% of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Marie Loss: A.M. Best

The insurance-linked securities (ILS) market potentially could bear up 20 percent of the insured losses generated by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Marie, according to an A.M. Best report. These three hurricanes during a two-month period in 2017 now serve as …

Insurance Industry Is Rethinking Cat Modeling After Last Year’s Disasters

After Hurricane Harvey swept through Texas last August, it not only left behind nearly 50 inches of rain in some areas and an estimated $125 billion in damage, but questions for the insurance industry in terms of how to approach …

Small Businesses Hampered by Uninsured Damage After 2017 Hurricanes: Fed Reserve

Small businesses in the United States struggled with uninsured damages and lost revenue following a record-breaking year of hurricanes and wildfires, according to a Federal Reserve survey published on Tuesday. The report by the Dallas, New York, Richmond, and San …

FEMA Criticized for Suppliers Not Delivering Hurricane Aid as Promised

The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded contracts for hurricane supplies without adequately researching whether winning bidders could deliver what they promised, according to a new investigation by Democrats on a Senate oversight committee. The investigation followed disclosures by The Associated …

Disasters Affected 8% of U.S. Population in 2017, FEMA Notes in Review of Historic Year

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supported 59 major disaster declarations and 16 emergency declarations in 2017, a year during which unprecedented disasters affected more than 25 million Americans, almost eight percent of the U.S. population. In its year-end review, …

Special Reuters Report: The High Cost of Building in High Flood Risk Areas

When Hurricane Harvey sent two feet of water rolling into this small community about 35 miles north of Houston, Alfredo Becerra had to flee his modest 1,500-square-foot house. Muddy floodwater submerged the furniture and ruined carpet inside the construction worker’s …

2017 Hurricane Season Ranks as Costliest Ever for U.S.

This year’s U.S. Atlantic hurricane season is officially the most expensive ever, racking up $202.6 billion in damages since the formal start on June 1. The costs tallied by disaster modelers Chuck Watson and Mark Johnson surpass anything they’ve seen …

Swiss Re Estimates $3.6B in Claims from U.S. Hurricanes & Mexican Quakes

Swiss Re, the world’s second-largest reinsurer, estimated its claims burden from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in the United States and from two earthquakes in Mexico at roughly $3.6 billion in the third quarter. For the industry overall, Zurich-based Swiss …

Zurich Estimates Claims of US$700M from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma & Maria

Zurich Insurance Group estimates that Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria will aggregate claims in the third quarter of approximately US$700 million, net of reinsurance and before tax. After tax, the losses are expected to be around US$620 million, the company …

Argo and Aspen Issue Loss Estimates for Q3 Natural Catastrophes

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd. and Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. have issued their third quarter catastrophe loss estimates, primarily related to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria as well as the earthquakes in Mexico City. Argo, the Bermuda-based specialty insurance and …