Global reinsurer Swiss Re has issued a significant warning regarding India's burgeoning property exposure, estimating it to be between $26 trillion and $29 trillion. A substantial portion of these assets is concentrated in 'natural catastrophe hotspots,' regions where high economic asset concentrations overlap with severe risks like floods, cyclones, and earthquakes. The firm's report, titled 'India's economic and insurance market outlook 2026–2030: resilient and rising amid global shifts,' highlights that while India's economy is a 'bright spot' and its insurance market is set to be the fastest-growing globally with an estimated 6.9% annual growth from 2026-2030, the escalating natural disaster risks pose a considerable threat. According to Swiss Re, a major disaster striking these vulnerable areas could materially slow national economic growth. Amitabha Ray, Market Head for Swiss Re India, stressed the significant impact of the 'protection gap' on asset losses and GDP. The report underscores the urgent need to address this gap, advocating for a combination of expanded re/insurance coverage to transfer risk, investments in early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, and stricter enforcement of building codes, particularly in rapidly urbanizing and coastal regions. Swiss Re also noted that India's property exposure is currently about six to seven times the country's GDP, and while this ratio is lower than in advanced economies, disasters could still shave up to 1.3 percentage points off GDP growth in the year they occur. With insurance penetration at approximately 3.5%, the potential economic losses from a major natural catastrophe could be substantial. This emphasizes the critical importance of proactive risk management and bolstering insurance penetration to safeguard India's economic stability and development trajectory.