Another European insurer hammered by hurricane losses

Firm is one of the leading providers in Puerto Rico, which was hit by Hurricane Maria

Another European insurer hammered by hurricane losses

Insurance News

By Ryan Smith

Spanish insurer Mapfre has announced a 22.3% drop in its nine-month profits in the wake of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and the recent earthquakes in Mexico City.

The catastrophes, which hit practically back-to-back, have caused hundreds of billions of dollars in damage and taken a bite out of insurers’ profits.

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Natural disasters impacted Mapfre’s results by an estimated 176.4 million euros (C$264 million), according to a Reuters report. That shrank its net profit by 22.3%, to 444.6 million euros, for the first nine months.

Had it not been for the catastrophes, Mapfre’s earnings would have risen 8.6%, according to Reuters. The company said in a statement that Irma and Maria had the greatest impact on its clients, with an estimated total cost of 108.2 million euros. Mapfre is one the leading insurers in Puerto Rico, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria.

“Despite the exceptional situation due to the concentration of natural catastrophes, the financial capacity and solvency of the Mapfre group has been proven to respond to our policyholders,” Mapfre CEO Fernando Mata said in a statement.


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XL Group takes huge hit from natural catastrophes
Lloyd’s reveals fast claims response to recent storms

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