The effects of climate change: Storm surge in Europe
Climate change is affecting storm surges in Europe. Based on scientific research, Swiss Re forecasts a significant increase in coastal damage in the long term. (212KB)Find out more
European Catastrophe Data
PERILS, an independent Zurich-based company, has been created to aggregate and provide industry-wide European catastrophe insurance data on a subscription basis, offering a clearer picture of the potential natural catastrophe risks in Europe. The aggregated data sets will be derived from data voluntarily provided by European-based insurers. Swiss Re is a founding shareholder in PERILS.
Swiss Re has long advocated establishing an independent body to aggregate European claims data. We argued that such a body could provide the industry with a market loss index for catastrophic exposures and facilitate the further expansion of the insurance-linked securities (ILS) market.
PERILS will provide two main products to subscribers which are likely to include insurers, reinsurers, brokers, risk modellers, banks and other insurance industry stakeholders. These two products are:
- Aggregated industry-wide insurance exposure data (insured values), which will be catalogued by risk type and CRESTA zones (defined European geographical zones for natural catastrophe insurance). The data will be provided on an annual basis;
- Industry loss estimates per risk type and CRESTA zones, following large natural catastrophe events.
PERILS expects the industry exposure data and loss information will have significant value to subscribers by improving the understanding of the potential frequency and severity of natural catastrophes at various magnitudes. This information will in turn aid in the risk management and underwriting of natural catastrophe risk. Overall, the combination of consistent industry exposure portfolio data and corresponding event loss information is likely to enhance the modelling of natural catastrophe risk.
Flood risk on the rise in Brazil
Once considered a natural disaster “safe zone”, Brazil is facing a strong and increasing threat of flooding that places people, infrastructure and business at risk. Read the whole story
Flooding in Australia: The reality...
The Australia flooding is an example of how a secondary peril can be a major contributor to a total natural catastrophe loss amount. Read the whole storyExternal Links
- PERILS website
- The Geneva Association
- CEA (European insurance and reinsurance federation)
- CRO Forum (Chief Risk Officer Forum)
- World Bank's Hazard Risk Management
- Global Risk Identification Program (GRIP)
- National climatic data center
- Tropical storms worldwide
- IRI - Climate risk insurance
- The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (NOAA)
Find out more
Natural catastrophes and man-made disasters in 2010
Catastrophes claim fewer victims, insured losses fall.Find out more in sigma 1/2011
