22 July 2021News

Nat cat losses down but insured losses up compared to 10-year average: Aon

Global natural disaster events during the first half of 2021 caused around $93 billion in total economic losses, down 32 percent on the 10-year average of $136 billion, according to Aon’s Global Catastrophe Recap: First Half of 2021 report.

Insured losses were estimated at $42 billion, two percent higher than the 10-year average of $41 billion.

These totals are preliminary and will change as losses continue to develop, noted  Impact Forecasting, Aon’s catastrophe model development team, which published the report.

Insured losses were 39 percent higher than the 21st century average of $30 billion, and 101 percent higher compared to the average since 1980 ($21 billion). Economic losses were 16 percent lower at $110 billion, and nine percent higher at $85 billion, for the same periods respectively.

Natural disasters were responsible for approximately 3,000 fatalities during the first half of 2021, significantly below the average since 1980 of 38,900, and the median of 7,600.

The 163 notable natural disaster events recorded by Impact Forecasting for 1H 2021 was below the 21st century average of 191 and the median of 197. There were at least 22 separate billion-dollar economic events during the first half of the year – led by the United States with ten events. Asia Pacific had six events, while Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) had four events and the Americas ex-US had two.

The costliest event was the Polar Vortex-induced period of extreme cold in the US, which caused 217 fatalities and an insured loss of at least $15 billion. Loss development for that event is expected for months to come.

Insured losses resulting from natural catastrophes during the period were notably above average in the US, up 76 percent, and EMEA, up 32 percent, compared to the 21st century 1H average. Losses were lower in Asia Pacific by 1 percent and in the Americas by 54 percent.

Steve Bowen, managing director and head of Catastrophe Insight on the Impact Forecasting team at Aon, said: “The juxtaposition of observed record heat and cold around the globe highlighted the humanitarian and structural stresses from temperature extremes. As climate change continues to amplify the severity of weather events, it becomes more imperative to explore ways to better manage the physical and non-physical risks that are more urgently requiring actionable solutions.”




More on this story

ILS
9 August 2021   Investors’ focus on diversification and liquidity drives market to record-breaking levels.

More on this story

ILS
9 August 2021   Investors’ focus on diversification and liquidity drives market to record-breaking levels.