U.S. cat losses hit US$1.46 billion in first quarter

Bucking the trend of first quarter 2001 and 2002, the first three months of this year produced a relatively high US$1.46 billion in cat losses south of the border. However, the figure still represents a mid-range of losses compared to the last ten first quarters, reports the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Property Claims Services (PCS) unit.First quarter 2002 saw cat losses of US$615 million, and the same period in 2001 saw US$680 million in losses. It is well off the pace set in 1994 of US$14.5 billion, largely the result of losses from the Northridge, California earthquake.The US$1.46 billion is based on more than 345,000 claims from homeowners and businesses, and five events. Three winter storms hit 15 states, causing US$1.1 billion in insured damage, while two wind/windstorm events caused the remaining US$365 million in insured losses.Of the states involved, Colorado was hardest hit with US$315 million in insured losses as a result of a mid-March winter storm. Maryland follows at US$165 million, New Jersey at US$130, and New York and Pennsylvania with US$105 million apiece.The PCS defines a catastrophe as an event causing more than US$25 million in insured damage, affecting a significant number of insureds.