Munich Re Says 2013 Insured Disaster Losses Declined 52%

Munich Re, the world’s biggest reinsurer, said claims from natural catastrophes including floods and hailstorms fell 52 percent last year amid a quieter hurricane season.

Insured losses declined to about $31 billion, the Munich-based company said in a statement today. That compares with $65 billion reported for 2012. Total losses were about $125 billion last year, the reinsurer said, adding that both figures were below the average of the past decade.