ISO: Quarterly Cat Loss Totals $1.97 Billion

NU Online News Service, July 26, 11:59 a.m. EST? Insured property losses from 10 catastrophe events in the second quarter will cost carriers an estimated $1.97 billion this year--far less than in the same period last year, according to the Insurance Services Office, Inc. in Jersey City, N.J.

ISO's Property Claim Services unit, which made the preliminary calculation of payouts to homeowners and businesses, reported that except for the late-June Arizona wildfires, all second-quarter events were caused by the wind, hail, tornadoes and flooding that accompanied strong thunderstorms.

The largest catastrophe of the quarter was created by a severe weather system, between April 27 and May 3, which represented nearly half the total loss for the period. These storms produced nearly 250,000 claims in 17 states, with a total insured loss estimated at $855 million, ISO said.

The estimated second-quarter insured loss dropped dramatically from last year's exceptionally high total of more than $6 billion, ISO said.

Last year's high catastrophe number was caused by Tropical Storm Allison and a second storm system that produced widespread damage, particularly around St. Louis. Both of those storms are among the top-10 costliest catastrophes.

ISO said that four catastrophes in April, three in May, and three in June caused damage in 29 states. Six events occurred in Texas, and four in Missouri. Illinois and Kansas each had three catastrophes.

? Texas incurred the largest amount of insured damage, currently estimated by ISO at $455 million.

? Illinois was second, with an estimated $205 million.

? Maryland sustained $170 million in insured property loss.

? Kentucky's losses totaled $130 million.

? Arizona, Tennessee and Virginia each had property damage totaling $120 million.

PCS estimates that the 10 second-quarter catastrophes generated approximately 550,000 claims, including 290,000 personal lines losses, 50,000 commercial losses, and 210,000 vehicle losses. The second quarter is typically active, averaging 12 catastrophes over the past 10 years, ISO noted.

The following is a recap of recent second-quarter catastrophe activity listing the year, number of catastrophes, insured losses, and number of claims.

? 2002--10 catastrophes, causing $1.97 billion in insured damages on 550,000 claims.

? 2001--nine catastrophes, causing $6.24 billion in losses on 1.03 million claims.

? 2000--10 catastrophes, causing $1.46 billion in damages from 550,000 claims.

? 1999--12 catastrophes, $3.5 billion in losses on 1.4 million claims.

? 1998--16 catastrophes, $4.52 billion in losses from 1.69 million claims.

? 1997--nine catastrophes, $980 million in losses from 480,000 claims.

? In 1996--12 catastrophes, causing $1.70 billion in losses from 880,000 claims.

The PCS unit defines a catastrophe as an event within a particular territory that causes $25 million or more in insured property losses and affects a significant number of property and casualty policyholders and insurers.

PCS said its estimates represent anticipated insured loss on an industrywide basis arising from catastrophes, reflecting the total net insurance payment for personal and commercial property lines of insurance covering fixed property, personal property, vehicles, boats, related property items and business-interruption losses. The estimates exclude loss-adjustment expenses.

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ISO: Quarterly Cat Loss Totals $1.97 Billion

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