Global natural catastrophes caused economic damage of $US15 billion ($15.89 billion) last month, exposing a lack of insurance, according to Aon Benfield’s latest report.

Mexico suffered a double disaster as hurricanes Manuel and Ingrid made landfall within 24 hours on opposite sides of the country, causing extensive damage and killing almost 200 people.

Total economic losses are estimated at more than $US5.7 billion ($6.04 billion), with insured losses of more than $US915 million ($969 million).

Super Typhoon Usagi hit China, killing at least 37. Economic losses are estimated at $US3.8 billion ($4.03 billion), with more than 100,000 homes damaged across five provinces.

Record rainfall prompted flash floods across the US state of Colorado, killing nine people.

Economic losses are expected to exceed $US2 billion ($2.19 billion), with insured losses estimated at $US150 million ($159 million).

Severe weather swept across New Zealand on September 10 and 11, bringing hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall that caused floods on the North and South islands.

The worst-affected regions were Canterbury, Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, and Gisborne, but no serious injuries or deaths were reported.

More than 1800 properties were damaged and farmers reported flattened crops and destroyed fencing and irrigators. More than 2000 insurance claims were made, with payouts totalling $NZ15 million ($13.18 million).

A magnitude-7.7 earthquake and aftershock killed at least 825 people in southwest Pakistan. Economic losses were estimated at $US100 million ($106 million).

And prolonged winter weather caused severe agricultural damage in central Chile. A state of emergency was declared and total economic losses totalled $US1.15 billion ($1.22 billion).

Steve Jakubowski, President of Aon Benfield catastrophe modelling subsidiary Impact Forecasting, says the report shows how tropical cyclones and floods can affect many countries.

“Due to varying degrees of insurance penetration, a large strain is placed on governments in certain regions to provide sufficient disaster relief funding and resources.

“Impact Forecasting continues to expand its modelling suite in order that insurers and reinsurers in most global territories are able to quantify and qualify their potential exposures.”