According to Swiss Re, 2009 has been a calm year. - According to initial estimates from “Sigma's” next study, natural and technical disasters in 2009 are likely to have cost a total of $52 billion as opposed to $267 billion in 2008. Insurance costs rose to $24 billion. Insured damages remain below the average due to a calm hurricane season in the USA. In Europe, however, these damages were above average. In Europe, the total number of natural and technical disasters during the first...