Insured losses from the damage Hurricane Dorian left in the Bahamas and Caribbean could run up to $US3 billion ($4.4 billion), AIR Worldwide estimates.

The catastrophe risk modeller has a low-end forecast of $US1.5 billion ($2.2 billion).

The loss estimates cover damage to onshore residential, commercial and industrial properties including contents.

Dorian hit the Bahamas last week as a Category 5 hurricane, stalling over the Caribbean nation for more than 24 hours. The Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama suffered the most damage, with at least 45% of homes either severely damaged or destroyed. Hundreds or, by some estimates, thousands of people are feared killed.

The hurricane was later downgraded as it moved north up the US east coast.