Natural catastrophes, 2013 will be twice less expensive than 2012 for insurers

According to an initial assessment of Swiss Re, natural and technical catastrophes occurred in 2013 are likely to cost USD 44 billion to insurers, against USD 81 billion in 2012. The economic cost of these events would amount to USD 130 billion, versus USD 196 billion in 2012. The human toll is, nontheless, heavier, with the number of deaths rising from 14 000 people in 2012 to 25 000 in 2013.