Latest Natural Disasters Headlines

All the headlines from our Natural Disasters Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Continuing Battle against Wildfires Fuels Need for Insurance

Oct 17 2005 // As firefighters battled into last week trying to contain one of a number of brush fires in the Los Angeles area, residents throughout California are keeping a close eye on weather conditions and their insurance policies,...

Hurricane Katrina to Cost $40-$55 Billion for Privately Insured Losses

Oct 17 2005 // Hurricane Katrina is expected to result in $40 to $55 billion in private insurance payments, according to a new white paper developed by the Tillinghast and Reinsurance businesses of Towers Perrin. “Hurricane...

Hurricane Watch Issued for Cayman Islands; Storm May Impact U.S.

Oct 16 2005 // After a slight lull in the Atlantic hurricane season, things may be heating up again. A hurricane watch was in effect for the Cayman Islands as a tropical depression churned through the Atlantic on a path that may threaten...

La.’s Hibernia Corp. Warns of Hurricane-Related Costs

Oct 14 2005 // Hibernia Corp., a Louisiana-based banking company trying to complete its $5 billion acquisition by Capital One Financial Corp., warned it faces substantial costs and financial uncertainties stemming from Hurricane...

Jobless Claims in La. Reach Historic Levels After Hurricanes

Oct 14 2005 // The Louisiana Department of Labor reported it has paid out more than $3 million in Unemployment Insurance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits to victims of Hurricane Rita, while Katrina claims have topped $181...

Hurricanes Slow Aviation Premium Cuts, Report Says

Oct 14 2005 // The decline in airline insurance premium rates will slow during the October to December renewal season, despite a good industry safety record in 2005, according to the “Airline Insurance Market Review,” a new...

TDI Says Repairs After Rita May Need Windstorm Inspection

Oct 13 2005 // The Texas Department of Insurance issued a reminder to all homeowners along the Gulf Coast that damage to their dwellings by Hurricane Rita must be repaired in accordance with the Texas Windstorm Building Code (TWBC) if...

Horace Mann Estimates Hurricane Loss

Oct 13 2005 // Illinois-based Horace Mann Educators Corporation estimates its financial impact from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will total approximately $29 million to $33 million pretax, net of anticipated reinsurance...

Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance: No Expected Losses from Hurricanes

Oct 13 2005 // Chicago-based Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance Inc. reported that it does not expect any losses related to the recent hurricane activity. SUA President and Chief Executive Officer Courtney Smith stated, “Our...

CNA Takes $280M Hit from Hurricanes

Oct 12 2005 // CNA Financial Corporation announced that its preliminary estimate of losses relating to Hurricane Katrina is approximately $280 million, after-tax. This estimate includes pretax gross commercial losses and loss expenses of...

RMS Creates Online Terrorism and Security Risk Manager

Oct 12 2005 // Risk Management Solutions (RMS), Newark, Calif., has announced the launch of a Terrorism and Security Risk Manager online service, a new information source for insurers writing global terrorism risk. The service is...

Agreement Reached: Nationwide to Audit Last Year’s Florida Hurricane Claims, Correct Underpayments

Oct 12 2005 // Nationwide Insurance has reached an agreement with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation to audit its claims from the 2004 hurricane season and correct any underpayments. OIR announced that under the agreement...

Three Mississippians Charged for Making False Hurricane Katrina Claims

Oct 11 2005 // Three Mississippi residents have been accused of making false claims to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Hurricane Katrina relief funds. Dunn Lampton, U.S. Attorney for the southern district of Mississippi, told...

Meadowbrook Expects No Big Hits from Hurricane Rita

Oct 11 2005 // Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. today reported that the company does not expect its net losses related to Hurricane Rita to be material. Meadowbrook’s insurance programs are generally structured to avoid geographic...

Goshawk Ups Hurricane Loss Estimates; Plans to Raise Capital

Oct 10 2005 // The U.K.’s Goshawk Insurance Holdings plc announced that it has increased its gross hurricane loss estimates from by 30 percent – from $99 million to $130 million. For Katrina Goshawk’s estimate is now up...

Tillinghast: Hurricane Katrina Will Cost Record-Setting $40-$55B for Privately Insured Losses

Oct 6 2005 // Hurricane Katrina is expected to result in $40 to $55 billion in private insurance payments, according to a new white paper developed by the Tillinghast and Reinsurance businesses of Towers Perrin. Hurricane Katrina:...

Symposium on the Future of Terrorism Risk Insurance Kicks Off, Oct. 7

Oct 5 2005 // In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, leaders from the public and private sectors from throughout the nation will take part in the National Symposium on Terrorism Risk Insurance in the Cannon House Office Building on...

Fla. Residents Keep an Eye on Tropical Storm Tammy

Oct 5 2005 // With more than a month left in the hurricane season, folks in Florida shouldn’t be surprised that someone is once again knocking on their door. Tropical Storm Tammy gained formation Wednesday off Florida’s east...

More than 70 Dead as Hurricane Stan Bashes Mexico, Surrounding Areas

Oct 5 2005 // Parts of Mexico and surrounding regions witnessed major destruction from Hurricane Stan earlier this week, with more than 70 people reported dead in Central America. Formerly a Category 1 storm, the storm was reportedly...

Record First-Half, Surplus Boost P/C Insurers’ Ability to Pay Hurricane Losses

Oct 5 2005 // The U.S. property/casualty insurance industry’s net income after taxes rose 29.1 percent to a record $30.9 billion in first-half 2005 from $23.9 billion in first-half 2004. Reflecting the industry’s income, its...