The cost of natural and man-made catastrophes estimated at 222 billion USD

Swiss Re estimates that the cost of natural and man-made catastrophes would amount to 222 billion USD for the first eleven months of 2010, that is, three times as much as in 2009. Insured losses are estimated at 47 billion USD, that is, an increase of 34% over the previous year. With 10.5 billion USD, the February Chilean earthquake will stand as the year 's most costly event. Storm Xynthia (3.6 billion USD) and New Zealand 's earthquake (3.4 billion USD) are also among the year 2010 's major catastrophes. Human losses are estimated at 260 000 people, 222 000 of whom in Haiti's earthquake.