Global insured losses of $144 billion from disasters in 2017: Swiss Re

[April 10, 2018]  FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Swiss Re <SRENH.S> estimated that global insured losses from catastrophes in 2017 hit $144 billion, the most ever, it said on Tuesday.

A condominium complex is reduced to rubble after Hurricane Harvey struck in Rockport, Texas, U.S., August 26, 2017. REUTERS/Rick Wilking/File Photo

The figure is an upward revision from an earlier tally in December, when the reinsurer estimated $136 in insured losses.

North America was particularly hard hit, with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria resulting in combined insured losses of $92 billion, equal to 0.5 percent of U.S. gross domestic product, Swiss Re said.

Insured losses from wildfires totaled $14 billion, the most ever in one year, the reinsurer said.

(Reporting by Tom Sims; Editing by Maria Sheahan)

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