Claims News Service, Nov. 30, 9:17 a.m. EST -- Hurricane Wilma caused an estimated insured loss of $6.1 billion in Florida, pushing 2005 catastrophe losses in the United States to a record $50.3 billion, according to ISO's Property Claim Services (PCS) unit. PCS said that insurers expect to receive more than 750,000 claims from policyholders for damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and boats caused by the storm. PCS added that losses from this year's three most devastating hurricanes (Katrina, Rita, and Wilma) reached $45.2 billion, or 90 percent, of the total catastrophe loss from 22 events. The organization warned that 2005 losses are likely to climb with additional claims expected for the three hurricanes and possible winter storms.

Wilma was a large Category 3 storm at landfall with sustained winds of 120 miles per hour, the NHC said. Wilma weakened to a Category 2 storm as it moved across south Florida before exiting the peninsula through Palm Beach County. Hurricane-force winds extended 100 miles from the center of the storm as it moved through the state.

President Bush declared Florida a major disaster area after the storm ripped roofs off buildings and downed power lines. The hurricane also brought huge storm surges and rainfall of up to 10 inches. At least 10 deaths were attributed to the storm and around six million people lost. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, around 10.2 million people in Florida, or 60 percent of the state's population, live in counties that were hit by Wilma.