Total loss estimates from the recent Italy earthquakes now stand at $US6.3 billion ($6.4 billion), and severe weather has affected the US and other areas, according to Aon Benfield’s monthly Global Catastrophe Recap.

It says two earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks struck northern Italy within nine days, killing 25 people, injuring more than 400 and causing extreme damage to cultural buildings throughout the region.

The activity was not unexpected, says Steve Jakubowski, President of Aon Benfield subsidiary Impact Forecasting.

He says Italy “has long been recognised as a region exposed to the possibility of significant earthquake activity”. 

“Given the level of insurance coverage in the region, it is anticipated that insured losses would reach minimally into the hundreds of millions of dollars,” he said.

In the US, widespread hail and wind damage from North Dakota to Maryland caused $US275 million ($279 million) economic loss and more than 30,000 insurance claims totalling $US150 million ($152 million).

Severe weather across the central and eastern US at the end of May resulted in insured losses of $US400 million ($406 million) in Oklahoma alone.

Tropical storm Beryl made landfall near Jacksonville, Florida, with winds up to 110kmh but no significant damage, injuries or fatalities.

Several US states had wildfires, including the largest recorded in New Mexico.

Excessive rainfall affected Canadian provinces Ontario and Quebec, where homes, businesses and infrastructure were damaged.

China suffered prolonged and severe rain in May, affecting 22 provinces and killing at least 102 people.

Powerful thunderstorms in eastern Japan created high winds and tornadoes that killed at least three people and injured 59, with damage to more than 1845 buildings.

There was also flooding in Nepal, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Georgia, Brazil and Venezuela.