Latest Catastrophe Headlines
All the headlines from our Catastrophe Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Terrorism Coverage in the Everyday World
Mar 22 2010 // Because of the threshold amount, many acts of domestic terrorism may not be certified. Even under the TRIA, insurers may exclude coverage for loss resulting from ‘non-certified’ acts of terrorism. After the...
First Tsunami Awareness Week: States To Test Communication System
Mar 22 2010 // In the wake of last month’s tsunami in Chile and less than six months after a tsunami hit American Samoa — both events that resulted in loss of life and property — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric...
Volcano Erupts in Iceland, Hundreds Evacuated; Airspace Closed
Mar 22 2010 // Authorities evacuated hundreds of people after a volcano erupted beside a glacier in southern Iceland, the country’s civil protection agency said Sunday. The eruption occurred around 11:30 p.m. Saturday (19:30 EDT)...
XL Estimates Chile Quake, Xynthia Losses at $160 to $230 Million
Mar 18 2010 // XL Capital Ltd’s preliminary net loss estimates for the earthquake in Chile and European Windstorm Xynthia indicated they will total between $160 and $230 million. Preliminary loss estimates related to the Chilean...
SCOR’s Preliminary Quake, Storm Loss Estimates Around $130 Million
Mar 18 2010 // French reinsurer SCOR Group announced that based on preliminary estimates, it expects its related costs from the earthquake in Chile and Windstorm Xynthia to be approximately €95 million ($130 million) net pre-tax,...
Chubb Expands Its Private Wildfire Protection Network Into Texas
Mar 17 2010 // The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies has expanded its wildfire defense services to homeowner policyholders in Texas. In addition to providing wildfire education and property risk assessments, the program responds to...
CCRIF Considering Need to Expand Coverages after Haiti Quake
Mar 17 2010 // A bulletin from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) indicates that many of its member countries “are re-examining their preparedness for natural catastrophes, including their levels of coverage...
Swiss Re ‘sigma’ Study: Insured 2009 Disaster Losses Cost $26 Billion
Mar 16 2010 // Swiss Re’s annual sigma study has calculated that “natural catastrophes cost insurers $22 billion in 2009, while man-made disasters cost an additional $4 billion. Insured losses were highest in North America,...
Moody’s Changes Calif. Earthquake Authority’s Bond Rating to Negative
Mar 16 2010 // Moody’s Investors Service announced it has affirmed the A3 rating on the California Earthquake Authority’s 6.169 percent fixed rate Series 2006-B revenue bonds (mature July 20, 2016) and changed the rating...
Windstorm Xynthia Losses Near $2 Billion: EQECAT Update
Mar 15 2010 //
Forecasters Predict Active Hurricane Season
Mar 15 2010 // Meteorologists are predicting an active 2010 hurricane season with above-normal threats on the U.S. coastline. Hurricane Forecaster Joe Bastardi, with the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center, said Wednesday that he predicts...
Hiscox Underwriting Chief on 2010 Outlook
Mar 11 2010 // London-based specialty insurer Hiscox, which launched a significantly expanded U.S. presence in 2006, saw gross profits reach record levels ($481 million) in 2009. In this exclusive interview with Insurance Journal, Hiscox...
Calif. Earthquake Authority CEO Testifies In Support of Cat Insurance Bill
Mar 11 2010 // California Earthquake Authority CEO Glenn Pomeroy testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity and Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government...
Powerful Tornadoes in Arkansas Damage Homes; Injuries Reported
Mar 11 2010 // Three powerful tornadoes touched down in Arkansas on March 10, damaging homes and injuring at least four people, Risk Management Solutions (RMS) has reported. According to National Weather Service, the first of the three...
Aftershocks Rattle Chile, as New President is Sworn In; RMS Analysis
Mar 11 2010 // Sebastian Pinera’s inauguration as Chile’s new president was accompanied by a blunt reminder of the peril the country faces from earthquakes as two large aftershocks struck just before the ceremony According to...
House Panels Face Environmental, Insurer Groups Over Catastrophe Bill
Mar 10 2010 // Two House subcommittees have scheduled a joint hearing today on ways to address homeowners insurance costs in disaster-prone communities, an issue that has some environmentalists, taxpayer groups and insurers standing...
Report: Reno Has Good Chance of Big Quake by 2060
Mar 10 2010 // The chance of a significant earthquake rocking the Reno-Sparks, Nev., area over the next half century is on the rise, with a 67 percent likelihood a magnitude 6.0 will strike within 31 miles by 2060, a new report...
PartnerRe Gives Loss Estimates for Chile Quake, Windstorm Xynthia
Mar 9 2010 // Bermuda-based PartnerRe Ltd has issued preliminary estimates of expected claims from the earthquake in Chile and European Windstorm Xynthia. Total insured industry losses from the M8.8 earthquake in Chile, which hit on...
Bermuda Insurers, Reinsurers Oppose State Cat Fund Bill – HR 2555
Mar 9 2010 // The Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR) has filed an opposition to HR 2555 which, the Association warns would “replace private sector risk bearing capital with government reinsurance and government...
Hawaii Senate Committee OKs Using Hurricane Relief Fund to End Furloughs
Mar 8 2010 // Hawaii’s Senate Ways and Means Committee has advanced a bill that would use money from the state’s Hurricane Relief Fund to end school furlough days. Senate Bill 2124 notes that reductions and restrictions to...
