Big Winter Storm (Kyrill) In Europe To Cost Between 5 &7 Billion Euros - AFP

[hatrack]

The deadly winter storm that lashed much of northern Europe last week will cost the insurance industry between five and seven billion euros, Germany's Munich Re said Friday.

The company, the world's second-largest reinsurer, said in a statement that it alone would face a pre-tax burden of up to 600 million euros (775 million dollars). It said Germany faced the biggest damage claims but that European neighbors had also been hit hard.

Swiss Re estimated earlier Friday that the storm, known in some countries as Kyrill, would cost the insurance industry up to 3.5 billion euros.

Storm-related accidents caused the deaths of at least 47 people across Europe since last week, including 13 people in Britain, which suffered its worst storm in 17 years, with winds reaching 160 kilometers (100 miles) per hour.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/2006/070126171715.969gmlsl.html