Global cat insured losses at USD45 billion in 2013: Swiss Re

Total economic losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters were USD 140 billion in 2013, according to the latest sigma study by Swiss Re. 

Of the 2013 insured losses, USD 37 billion were generated by natural catastrophes, with hail in Europe and floods in many regions being the main drivers.

The number of victims in disaster events grew to around 26,000 in 2013 from 14,000 the previous year. Asia was the hardest hit by natural catastrophes in terms of economic losses and victims. Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and flooding in the state of Uttarakhand in India were the major humanitarian disasters of 2013. In Europe, massive flooding after four days of rain caused large-scale damage across Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. After this, Germany and France were hit by severe hailstorms.