National Flood Insurance Program takes limelight in wake of Sandy

Flood Insurance

National Flood Insurance Program could be in bad position to deal with Hurricane Sandy The National Flood Insurance Program is being put to the test in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The federal program is responsible for the majority of flood insurance policies in the U.S., but has been facing extreme financial problems that could threaten its ability to pay claims. The program is currently crippled by massive debt and federal lawmakers have been unable to solve the problems facing the program. Now, the impact of Hurricane Sandy is finally…

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Thai floods: One year later

Thailand Floods 2011

Lloyd’s of London analysts examine impact of Thai floods Just over a year ago, severe flooding in Thailand caused by a powerful and unforgiving monsoon season caused havoc in Bangkok and other cities throughout the country. Analysts from Lloyd’s of London have come together to examine the effects that the Thai floods had on the insurance industry and the country. The floods produced some $45.7 billion in damages, $12 billion of which was shouldered by insurance and reinsurance companies that operate in the country. Lloyd’s of London itself accounted for…

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Thousands of flood insurance claims coming from Louisiana in wake of Isaac

Flood Insurance

State announces thousands of flood insurance claims generated by Hurricane Isaac Hurricane Isaac has come and gone and the storm has left devastating floods in its wake. Louisiana was struck hard by these floods, with many of the state’s southern counties being inundated with water. According to Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, thousands of flood insurance claims have been generated by the storm, many of which coming from throughout the state. State officials note that a scant 31% of Louisiana residents have flood insurance coverage, leaving many with damaged property without…

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Insurance claims hit record highs in 2011 due to natural disasters

According to Munich Re, earthquakes and other natural disasters in 2011 led to record losses in the insurance industry, which are estimated to have reached $105 billion. The world’s largest reinsurer said that the earthquakes in Japan, and the tsunami that followed, contributed to those totals by adding nearly 16,000 deaths and estimated $35 to $40 billion in damages to the final figures. Munich Re added that the February quake in Christchurch, New Zealand, alone was responsible for another $13 billion in insured damages. Together those two earthquakes caused almost…

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Floods in Thailand claim hundreds of lives and displace thousands more

Devastating floods struck Thailand last week and threatened to cause catastrophic damage to the nation’s capital, Bangkok. The floods are the result of heavy rainfall and violent storms that have been occurring throughout the country and in neighboring Myanmar. The recent floods are the worst the country has experienced in over 50 years and have killed more than 350 people thus far. Thousands more have been displaced as the relatively few insurance organizations operating in Thailand attempt to mitigate the disaster. The Thai government, led by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra,…

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