(by Ameli Berksman)

Category 3 hurricane Ivan hit U.S. south-eastern coast on Thursday. The hurricane will strike people’s lives and property with the killing impact on insurers, analysts say.

Ivan with its furious 130-mph winds already caused at least 20 people killed in the U.S. adding to 69 deaths of those in the Caribbean Islands. Still, officials expect more deaths from the hurricane warning people to evacuate from the territory. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said the major point now for people was to be safe.

U.S. President George W. Bush declared a state of emergency in four U.S. states: Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. Thousands of people in Florida and Alabama appeared to be without power and shelters.

Ivan is the third devastating hurricane that hit the U.S. over a month-time as big hurricanes Charley and Frances had an impact on Florida on August 13 and September 4 respectively with the insured losses of $11 billion. Ivan is estimated to bring $2 billion to $7 billion losses to the insurance companies but the figures can change a lot as the hurricane continues its pace.