2008 Hurricane Season Overview
This Year Goes Into the Record Books as the Fourth Most Destructive Season in History
As predicted, 2008 was an above average hurricane season with 16 named storms. Combined these
storms produced over an estimated $11.1 billion in insured losses, the fourth most costly season on
record.
2008 Records Top 10 Hurricanes
The fourth most destructive Atlantic This background information provides you with
hurricane season on record some historical data regarding catastrophic events
in the United States
One of only 10 hurricane seasons to have a
major hurricane form before August Top 10 Hurricanes and Estimated Insured Loss
(adjusted to 2007 dollars):
The first time on record that three tropical Year Event Insured Loss
storms were active in the Atlantic on the 2005 Katrina $43.6 billion
same day (July 19, 2008): Bertha, 1992 Andrew $22.9 billion
Cristobal, and Dolly 2005 Wilma $10.9 billion
2004 Charley $ 8.2 billion
The only Atlantic hurricane season with 2008 Ike $ 8.1 billion
major hurricanes in five separate months 2004 Ivan $ 7.8 billion
(Bertha in July, Gustav in August, Ike in 1989 Hugo $ 7.0 billion
September, Omar in October, and Paloma 2005 Rita $ 5.9 billion
in November) 2004 Frances $ 5.0 billion
2004 Jeanne $ 4.0 billion
The first time that six consecutive named
storms made landfall in the United States Actions for Homeowners
(Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and To prevent the loss of life and minimize property
Ike) damage it is vital that coastal residents create a
family disaster plan, maintain an emergency supply
2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season Storms kit and stay informed about approaching storms.
1. TS Arthur (5/31-6/2)
2. Hurricane Bertha (7/3-7/20) Now is the time to review your insurance policy with
3. TS Cristobal (7/18-7/23) your agent or company and consider the purchase
4. Hurricane Dolly (7/20-7/25) – Est. $525 Million of flood insurance to make sure that you have the
5. TS Edouard (8/3-8/7) right coverage to meet your individual needs
6. TS Fay (8/15-8/26) – Est. $245 Million
7. Hurricane Gustav (8/25-9/3) – Est. $1.9 Billion Actions for Public Policymakers
8. Hurricane Hanna (8/28-9/7) – Est. $80 Million The severity of property losses during the 2008
9. Hurricane Ike (9/1-9/14) – Est. $8.1 Billion season has highlighted serious deficiencies in
10. TS Josephine (9/2-9/6) several states’ ability to manage catastrophic
11. Hurricane Kyle (9/25-9/29) losses. PCI encourages state public policymakers
12. TS Laura (9/29-10/1) to address shortcomings in their residual markets
13. TS Marco (10/6 - 10/8) with well-reasoned, market-oriented approaches
14. TS Nana (10/12 - 10/14) that embrace risk-based pricing and healthy
15. Hurricane Omar (10/13 - 10/18) competition.
16. Hurricane Paloma (11/5 – 11/9)
For more information, visit www.pciaa.net.
PCI is the nation’s premier insurer trade association, representing over 1,000 companies that write 40.5 percent of the nation’s
automobile, homeowners, business, and workers compensation insurance. The association is also an advocate for sound public policy
that fosters a healthy and competitive insurance marketplace.
© 2008 Property Casualty Insurers Association of America