Of the $44 billion in total global economic losses, natural catastrophes accounted for the majority, or $40 billion in the first half of 2019, compared with $45 billion in the year-earlier period. (Photo: Shuttertock) Of the $44 billion in total global economic losses, natural catastrophes accounted for the majority, or $40 billion in the first half of 2019, compared with $45 billion in the year-earlier period. (Photo: Shuttertock)

Global economic losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters in the first half of 2019 amounted to $44 billion, according to Swiss Re Institute's preliminary estimates.

This figure was well below $109 billion, the average first-half economic losses of the previous 10 years.

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Victoria Spears

Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].

E&S/Specialty Lines
Catastrophe & Restoration
E&S/Specialty
Loss Control