Munich Re has reported on its website that the first half of this year has seen an exceptionally large number and cost from catastrophe losses.

Click here to read their press release on the matter

Overall losses of US$70bn were recorded according to Munich Re of which an estimated US$22bn were insured by the global property and casualty industry.

The Chile earthquake accounted for US$30bn of losses of which US$8bn are expected to be insured.

Windstorm Xynthia accounted for US$4.5bn of losses of which US$3.4bn are expected to be insured.

Their presentation of the data is available through their website here