Revealed: Losses From H1 2020 Natural Catastrophes

These catastrophes were estimated to have caused total economic losses of approximately $75 billion and insured losses of $30 billion. It was, however, stressed that the reported totals are preliminary and will change as losses continue to develop.

“The first half of 2020 was challenging on a number of fronts given the ongoing effects of COVID-19 and a series of impactful weather and climate-related events around the world,” noted Steve Bowen, director and meteorologist on the Impact Forecasting team at Aon’s Reinsurance Solutions business.

“Much of the natural disaster impact came via the severe convective storm peril. A record 10 individual thunderstorm-related events had more than $1 billion in economic losses in the United States alone during the first six months of the year; while Australia and Canada each dealt with severe hailstorms that prompted billion-dollar damage bills.”

Bowen also cited notable events such as tropical cyclone Amphan in India and Bangladesh, wildfires in Australia, windstorms in Europe, and what was described as “record-setting” heat in the Arctic Circle.

Aon said Amphan, which resulted in an estimated $15 billion in direct damage loss, was the costliest economic event in the first half, while the April 10-14 severe weather event in the US was the costliest insured event with around $2.7 billion in total claims.