Swiss Re, the world’s second-largest reinsurer, estimated its claims burden from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in the United States and from two earthquakes in Mexico at roughly $3.6 billion in the third quarter.
For the industry overall, Zurich-based Swiss Re estimated the total insured market losses from the hurricanes and earthquakes to be around $95 billion.
“Swiss Re maintains a very strong capital position and high financial flexibility to support our clients’ needs, respond to market developments, and execute on our capital management priorities,” Chief Financial Officer David Cole said in a statement on Friday.
Reinsurers like Swiss Re, Munich Re and Hannover Re act as a financial backstop forinsurance companies, helping them pay for large damage claims from hurricanes or earthquakes in exchange for part of the premiums.
They are ordinarily experts in managing risk and only rarely get caught off guard. Analysts have said the industry may need to take a fresh look at risk models as the planet warms and storms become more intense.
