Value of insured losses in the U.S. 2014-2023

In recent years, severe convective storms, or cyclones, caused the highest insured losses in the United States. In 2023, insured losses due to these storms amounted to almost 60 billion U.S. dollars, while losses due to drought amounted to approximately 6.6 billion U.S. dollars. 

Hurricanes in the U.S.

The term “tropical cyclone” is a meteorological term which refers to both hurricanes and typhoons. As of 2023, the  most expensive natural disaster to have occurred in the U.S. was Hurricane Katrina, which occurred in 2005 and resulted in costs amounting to over 120 billion U.S. dollars at the time. Hurricane Ian was the latest hurricane to occur in the United States, and cost around 115 billion U.S. dollars. Hurricane Katrina also caused insured property losses worth over 85 billion U.S. dollars in 2005.

Natural disasters globally

Natural disasters are defined as events which are caused by naturally occurring phenomena that result in catastrophe. The global insured losses caused by natural disasters over time has been considerable, with costs amounting to more than 100 billion U.S. dollars in 2021 alone. In 2023, the global estimate of insured loss stood at well over 100 billion U.S. dollars. At the same time, the estimated economic losses incurred as a result of natural disasters worldwide amounted to almost 400 billion U.S. dollars.