Catastrophe modeler AIR Worldwide estimates insured losses fromTyphoon Haiyan at between $300 million and $700 million.

The estimate differs from that of rival modeler Eqecat, who saidinsured losses from the typhoon are likely not to exceed $100 million.

AIR says its estimate reflects physical damage to property andcontents, the modeler's assumed take-up rates for insurance in theaffected areas, and current industry exposure.

Total damage to residential, commercial and agriculturalproperties from the super typhoon will be between $6.5 billion and$14.6 billion.

The Boston-based firm says many inland residential andcommercial buildings were destroyed in addition to properties alongthe coast. The islands of Leyte, Samar and Cebu were among the mostaffected areas. Every coastal home in the Leyte capital city ofTacloban was destroyed. The airport was leveled and every tree wasflattened.

AIR says assessing the exact strength of the storm at landfallis difficult since no know anemometers—used to measure windspeed—survived in the vicinity of landfall.

Infrastructure, storm surge, crops, auto, hazardous wastecleanup demand surge, business interruption and other losses arenot part of the insured-loss estimate.