Preliminary estimates put the US insurance bill for Hurricane Matthew at $US5 billion ($6.52 billion), according to Impact Forecasting’s catastrophe report for last month.

Total economic damage is expected to be about $US10 billion ($13.05 billion), the Aon Benfield subsidiary says.

Matthew hit the US from October 7-9, leaving 49 people dead and causing major wind, storm, flood and isolated tornado damage to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. A large percentage of North Carolina flood losses were uninsured due to low National Flood Insurance Program take-up.

In the Caribbean and the Bahamas the death toll from Matthew was recorded as 552, but unofficial totals are up to 1600. Cuba sustained $US2.6 billion ($3.39 billion) of damage, Haiti $US1.9 billion ($2.47 billion) and the Bahamas $US600 million ($782.94 million).

Insured losses were minimal in Cuba and Haiti, with the Bahamas insurance industry predicting a record $US400 million ($521.32 million) loss.

Residual moisture from Matthew brought flooding and high winds to parts of east Canada, causing tens of millions of dollars damage.

Elsewhere, Italian earthquakes on October 26 and October 30 caused one death and dozens of injuries, while economic and insured losses are yet to be determined.

Super Typhoon Chaba in South Korea killed nine and resulted in 33,100 claims, costing 143 billion won ($162.34 million). Economic losses were much higher.

Tropical Storm Aere caused flooding in central Vietnam, killing 31 people and inundating 122,000 homes, causing tens of millions of dollars in economic losses.

Hurricane Nicole damaged homes and businesses in Bermuda, while severe flooding in parts of Asia, Central America and Egypt led to 57 deaths and damaged 210,000 homes.