Core Insights - Severe convective storms (SCS) have become the costliest insured peril of the 21st century, surpassing tropical cyclones, with total economic losses reaching $260 billion, which is 23% below the 21st-century average and the lowest since 2015 [1] - Insured losses in 2025 reached $127 billion, 27% above the long-term average, indicating that even in a year with below-average hazards, concentrated and severe events can significantly impact global losses [2][3] - The global insurance protection gap narrowed to 51%, the lowest on record, primarily due to the concentration of losses in the U.S., which accounted for 81% of global insured losses [4] Economic Losses and Events - SCS accounted for $61 billion in insured losses globally in 2025, marking the third-highest total on record, with 30 insured loss events exceeding $1 billion, significantly above the historical average of 17 [5] - Wildfires in California were the costliest events of the year, causing $58 billion in economic losses and $41 billion in insured losses, making them the most expensive wildfires ever recorded globally [5] - Global fatalities totaled 42,000, primarily driven by earthquakes and heatwaves, which is 45% below the 21st-century average [5] Regional Trends - In the U.S., more than 54% of global economic losses occurred, with insured losses reaching $103 billion, representing 81% of global industry losses [11] - The Americas faced significant impacts from Hurricane Melissa, with $11 billion in economic damages and $2.5 billion in insured losses [11] - The EMEA region experienced at least $21 billion in economic losses, well below the 21st-century average of $54 billion, marking the lowest loss since 2006 [11] Risk Management and Resilience - Alternative risk transfer solutions are becoming increasingly critical for organizations to mitigate risk and strengthen resilience [6] - The report emphasizes the need for smarter technology, stronger infrastructure, and better forecasting to reduce long-term damage and assist communities in recovery [8] - Organizations are encouraged to invest in predictive analytics and adopt cross-functional approaches to weather risk to enhance preparedness and resilience [10]

New findings show natural hazards such as SCS and wildfire are reshaping global loss patterns and intensifying need for both physical and financial resilience DUBLIN, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, today launched its annual Climate and Catastrophe Insight report, revealing that severe convective storms (SCS) have surpassed tropical cyclones to become the costliest insured peril of the 21st century. The report shows how increasingly common, hig ...