05:25 AM EDT, 08/11/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Global insured losses from natural catastrophes reached $42 billion in the first half of 2026, marking the lowest total for the period since 2020 and sitting 16% below the 10-year average, Swiss Re (SREN.SW) said Tuesday. The Swiss reinsurer's estimates showed that $28 billion in insured losses were due to severe convective storms, primarily in the US. The amount also stood below the long-term trend but continued to be the largest driver for the losses during the first half. Meanwhile, Europe saw an early start to its wildfire season on the back of the record heat in June and persistent dry conditions, with France and Spain experiencing major fires in July. Although wildfire risk has so far accounted for "only a relatively small share" of insured losses in Europe, the fastest-warming continent globally, losses rose by 8% to 11% annually in real terms since 1970. Total insured losses are expected to reach $48 million in the first half, of which $6 billion were due to man-made catastrophe events. In the same period a year ago, total insured losses amounted to $98 billion, with natural catastrophe-related losses totaling $91 billion. In terms of global economic losses, the total amount from natural and man-made catastrophe events are estimated at $107 billion in the six-month period.

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