Insured losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters could total $44 billion this year, according to Swiss Re, a global wholesale reinsurer, a decrease from $81 billion last year. Total economic losses were an estimated $130 billion, Zurich said, and 25,000 lives were lost as a result of disasters. Natural catastrophes caused an estimated $38 billion in insured losses, down from $75 billion in 2012, and man-made disasters were responsible for $6 billion, flat compared to last year.