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However, the economic cost of such events dropped to $35 billion
from $42 billion, Munich Re said in a biannual review,
reflecting the fact that more occurred in poorer parts of the
world.
Insurance covered only $12 billion of the half year's losses
compared with a long-term average of $15 billion, Munich Re's
data showed. The figures support the industry's view that much
of the world remains under-insured and that insurance could play
a greater role in supporting economic recovery after a disaster.
The premiums for reinsuring natural catastrophe risk tend to
fluctuate in line with the payout levels.
The number of people killed overall rose to 16,000 in the first
half of 2015 from 2,800 the year before.
An earthquake in Nepal in April was the most devastating
disaster, killing 8,850 people and destroying thousands of homes
as well as cultural heritage sites.
Economic damage totaled $4.5 billion, equivalent to almost a
quarter of Nepal's annual gross domestic product. But only $140
million of that was insured.
In economic terms, the costliest catastrophe was a series of
winter storms that hit the northeastern United States and Canada
at the end of February, causing insured losses of $1.8 billion,
with total losses of $2.4 billion.
Some of the current extreme weather conditions are tied to the
El Nino weather pattern, or a warming of sea-surface
temperatures in the Pacific, which can lead to scorching weather
across Asia and east Africa but heavy rains and floods in South
America.
"The currently already intense El Nino phase is expected to
become even stronger as we head into the autumn," Munich Re
said, adding that, however, El Nino years tended to see fewer
hurricanes in the United States.
Reinsurance companies such as MunichRe and rival Swiss Re help
insurance companies cover the cost of major damage claims, such
as for hurricanes and earthquakes, in exchange for part of the
premiums their insurance company clients pay.
(Reporting by Arno Schuetze; Editing by Keith Weir)
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