I.I.I. Doubles Storm Loss Estimates

By Mark E. Ruquet

NU Online News Service, May 14, 10:50 a.m. EDT?Estimates on the damage from tornadoes that have ravaged the Midwest over the last two weeks have doubled to close to $1 billion, making it possibly one of the worst storm events in history, according to the Insurance Information Institute Inc.

Loretta L. Worters, vice president of communications, said the New York City-based Institute will more than double its figures of last week where it estimated $325 million for the first week of storm damage alone. The series of tornadoes hit the Midwest and South, destroying thousands of homes and taking at least 40 lives in its wake.

A series of storm fronts, beginning May 2, hit Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma particularly hard, destroying homes and businesses. Some towns were completely destroyed and may never be rebuilt.

Ms. Worters said that losses on the commercial insurance side appear to be lower than those on the personal property side, which would include homes and automobiles.

She added that General Motors may be looking to collect on a business interruption policy for damages to a plant in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Christopher L. Guidette, assistant vice president, corporate communications for the Insurance Services Offices Inc. in Jersey City, N.J., said ISO expects to issue preliminary figures by early next week. He said many insurers are still in the process of taking claims.

Cincinnati Financial Corp. of Cincinnati, Ohio, issued a preliminary estimate of $48 million for second-quarter pre-tax catastrophe losses resulting from the severe weather conditions through May 11. The company said the estimate includes losses for April of approximately $13 million and $35 million for the May 2-11 event.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the storm period, from May 4-10, spawned 384 tornadoes in 19 states causing 42 deaths. The first 10 days of May saw 412 tornado reports, NOAA added.

The previous record was May 12-18, 1995, when 171 tornadoes were reported. The deadliest series of tornadoes occurred in 1925 when 805 people were killed, NOAA said. In terms of claims loss, the worst damage was in May 1999, when tornadoes and storms cost insurers $1.6 billion.

The National Red Cross said that of the nine states where it is providing disaster relief services, including the three most heavily damaged, 12,263 homes have been affected by the storm and 1,829 people are in shelters.

Special Reports /

I.I.I. Doubles Storm Loss Estimates

Related Stories

Recommended For You