Aon Benfield has estimated the cost of the summer disasters in Australia and New Zealand at more than $US15 billion ($14.2 billion).

In its March Cat Recap bulletin, Aon Benfield puts the cost of the February 22 Christchurch earthquake at between $US7.5-$US11.3 billion ($7-$10 billion) and the Queensland floods at more than $US5.6 billion ($5.3 billion.)

The Japanese Government has estimated losses of $US198-$US309 billion ($187-$292 billion) from the earthquake and tsunami there, and Aon Benfield notes the World Bank has forecast insured losses of between $US14-$US33 billion ($13.2-$31.2 billion.)

The report says tsunami waves from the quake crossed the Pacific and caused $US88.4 million ($83.6 million) damage in Hawaii, California, Peru and Chile.

Earthquakes also struck China and Burma in March, causing significant damage to buildings and loss of life.

The largest severe weather event in the US during the month was winter storms in the southeast and the Mississippi Valley, which led to more than 20,000 insurance claims and payouts of more than $US120 million ($113 million). Separate events at the end of the month are expected to lead to tens of millions of dollars in claims in the southeast again, the report notes.

Flooding in southern Thailand caused at least 51 deaths after more than a year’s average rain fell in six days, causing an estimated $US330 million ($312 million) in damage. Floods in Brazil, Indonesia and Namibia also caused damage worth millions of dollars.