2017 was a rough year for the insurance industry

By some measurements, 2017 was a disastrous year. Hurricanes wreaked havoc in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. California saw its most destructive wildfire season ever. Beyond the human toll, natural and man-made calamities also made 2017 one of the most expensive years ever for insurance companies. According to estimates from Swiss Re, insured losses from disasters totaled $136 billion last year. That’s more than double the 10-year average.