Not only do property-casualty insurance industry leaders believe the financial crisis is behind them, but they also believe rates are hardening, a new study finds.

Natural disasters cost insurance companies more than $32 billion in direct insured losses in the first nine months of 2011, nearly double the average of other years, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Hurricane Irene’s weekend march up the Atlantic Coast caused at least 20 deaths, left millions without power and left a path of destruction from Florida to Maine.

Private-sector insurers have more than enough financial resources to cover any damage caused by Hurricane Irene, although state-run property insurers may not be so lucky, an insurance association says.

The earthquake in Japan, where estimated losses would make it the worst disaster in history, will affect insurance rates in the U.S., according to industry experts.

About one-in-10 insurance professionals works in California, the most of any state, according to a new report.

Dog bites took a bigger meal from homeowners in 2009, with insurance liability claims related to the canine set costing $412 million.