Extratropical cyclone Dennis insured losses at €344m: PERILS

Extratropical cyclone Dennis (Victoria), which affected the British Isles and north-western Europe from February 15 to 17, 2020, caused insured property market loss of approximately €344 million, according to catastrophe insurance data provider PERILS.

Based on detailed claims data collected from the majority of the affected insurance companies, PERILS has released its industry loss footprint for storm Dennis, which occurred only six days after extratropical cyclone Sabine (Ciara, Elsa).

According to the report, the majority of insurance losses occurred in the UK, Germany and Belgium. In addition to damage caused by strong winds, the storm also brought heavy rainfall, in particular to the UK, resulting in further flooding to areas in England and Wales already impacted by Sabine.

The latest estimates compare to PERILS’ previous loss estimates of €286 million which were released in March and May 2020. An updated estimate of the market loss will be issued in February 2021, twelve months after the event end date.

Extratropical cyclone Dennis was the thirteenth notable storm of a very active 2019–20 European windstorm season. It originated over the US and initially consisted of multiple low-pressure vortices.