Companies may be encouraged to check the small print on business insurance policies after hearing that natural disasters have cost countries $81 billion (£50 billion) in losses over the last year.
According to figures from the Centre for Research in the Epidemiology of Disasters, a large proportion of these were uninsured losses.
The data was cited by the United Nations Strategy for Disaster Reduction, which pointed out that much of the destruction caused by natural disasters occurs in cities and built-up areas.
It is now calling on governments worldwide to make their urban areas safer and protect them against perils such as flooding, earthquakes, landslides and hurricanes.
Margareta Wahlstrom, special representative of the secretary general for the organisation, said: "Today's urban planning demands foresight and much more attention to disaster risk.
"Poorly built houses, schools and hospitals on floodplains, above seismic fault lines and along fragile slopes expose millions of people to disasters that can be avoided."
Business insurance can provide cover for damage caused by natural perils and the subsequent interruption to operations.
While disasters such as earthquakes are uncommon in the UK, climate change experts do expect to see more flooding and stormy weather in the years ahead, which could put business premises at risk.
