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THE WORLD'S 20 MOST COSTLY INSURED LOSSES

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Natural catastrophes dominate the 20 largest insured losses.

Insured

Date Catastrophe Country damages*

August 1992 Hurricane Andrew U.S. $17.95 billion

January 1994 Northridge earthquake U.S. $13.28 billion

September 1991 Typhoon Mireille Japan $6.42 billion

January 1990 Winter storms Europe $5.53 billion

September 1989 Hurricane Hugo U.S. $5.33 billion

October 1987 Autumn windstorm Europe $4.15 billion

February 1990 Winter storm Europe $3.84 billion

July 1988 Piper Alpha explosion U.K. $2.66 billion

January 1995 Hanshin earthquake Japan $2.55 billion

October 1995 Hurricane Opal U.S. $2.17 billion

March 1993 Winter storm U.S. $1.91 billion

September 1992 Hurricane Iniki U.S. $1.80 billion

October 1989 Phillips explosion U.S. $1.68 billion

September 1979 Hurricane Frederic U.S. $1.63 billion

September 1996 Hurricane Fran U.S. $1.60 billion

September 1974 Hurricane Fifi Honduras $1.60 billion

September 1988 Hurricane Gilbert Jamaica $1.48 billion

December 1983 Winter storms U.S. $1.39 billion

October 1991 Oakland fires U.S. $1.39 billion

April 1974 Tornadoes U.S. $1.37 billion

* Losses in 1996 dollars