Risks posed by natural disasters

When it became apparent back in the 1970s that overall and insured losses from natural disasters were increasing, Munich Re was quick to identify that greater expertise was required in this area. Since then, experienced scientists and insurance specialists have been analysing and assessing the entire spectrum of natural hazards, including cyclones, severe thunderstorms, floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Working in close collaboration with our risk management specialists and a global network of experts and research institutions, we at Munich Re ensure that our risk analyses always reflect the latest scientific findings. These analyses form the basis of our risk models and the range of natural hazard products that we offer to our customers, and allow us to develop innovative insurance solutions.

Earthquakes, storms, floods and droughts — the number of recorded loss events resulting from natural disasters has been increasing for some years now. Causing overall losses of US$ 210bn, the costliest natural disaster of all time is the Tohoku earthquake, which occurred in Japan on 11 March 2011. In terms of insured losses, the costliest natural disaster to date is Hurricane Katrina, which hit New Orleans in August 2005 and cost insurers a total of US$ 60.5bn (original values). 

Back in the early 1980s, only around a quarter of losses resulting from natural disasters were insured, even in highly developed industrialised countries. Even today, less than half of all losses are covered. However, the situation in developing and emerging countries has not improved at all in decades: the proportion of insured losses is still well below 10% and often enough almost zero. More widespread insurance coverage could therefore help to put emerging countries in particular in a better position to withstand the economic shock that follows natural disasters. In addition to making significant contributions to research in this area, Munich Re is also developing innovative insurance solutions — both independently and in collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), partners in the public sector and supranational organisations. We also apply our expertise to developing preventive measures and contributing to empowerment projects.

Munich Re identifies and analyses risks and changing or emerging hazards from natural events which are triggered by natural and man-made climate variability. It also investigates hazards that are not yet sufficiently mapped in current risk models. Our aim is to accurately assess the loss potential of natural hazards and to harness information about changes at an early stage, with a view to benefiting both our in-house risk management team and our clients.