Swiss Re AG Reports Significant Global Insured Losses Due to US Wildfires and Thunderstorms

Swiss Re AG, a leading financial institution in the insurance sector, has released a report estimating that wildfires and severe thunderstorms in the United States have caused global insured losses of USD 80 billion in the first half of 2025. This figure, provided by the Swiss Re Institute, marks the second costliest first half-year on record, driven primarily by the California wildfires and severe thunderstorms across the US.

The California wildfires alone accounted for USD 40 billion in insured losses, setting a record for the highest-ever insured loss from a wildfire event. These natural disasters have significantly impacted the insurance industry, highlighting the increasing financial risks associated with climate-related events.

Swiss Re AG, listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, operates in various insurance sectors, including automobile, liability, accident, engineering, marine, aviation, life, and health insurance. The company also manages fixed-income and equity investments for itself and other insurance companies. As of August 4, 2025, Swiss Re AG’s close price was CHF 149.65, with a market capitalization of CHF 44,709,685,982. The company’s price-to-earnings ratio stood at 16.23944.

In the broader financial market, the Swiss Market Index (SMI) and the Swiss Leader Index (SLI) experienced fluctuations. On August 6, 2025, the SMI opened with losses, moving 0.15 percent lower at 11,840.77 points, while the SLI saw a slight increase of 0.02 percent to 1,967.95 points.

These developments underscore the growing importance of robust risk management strategies in the insurance industry, as companies like Swiss Re AG navigate the financial impacts of increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters.