US catastrophic losses 1950-2004

American Re’s annual round-up of North American natural catastrophes highlights the extraordinary windstorm events of last year. The first table we have taken shows that five hurricanes produced economic losses of over $60bn and insured losses of $31bn, giving an insured percentage of 52%. The second table shows the catastrophic loss breakdown by major peril over the 1950 to 2004 timeframe. American Re puts the economic loss total at $486bn and the insured loss bill at $172bn for that 55 year period.