Zurich has reported a 25% increase in net income to $US4.2 billion ($4.7 billion) for the nine months to September 30, compared with the first three quarters of last year.

Overall, Zurich returned a business operating profit of $US4.9 billion ($5.5 billion).

Zurich General Insurance delivered a business operating profit for the nine months valued at $US2.8 billion ($3.1 billion), the same level as last year.

The global insurer saw a 2.4 percentage point increase in its combined ratio to 96.9%, which it attributed to storms and floods in the UK and winter storm Kyrill, the worst storm to hit Europe in eight years.

The extreme weather cost the insurer $US761 million ($847 million).