ACE Ltd. last night said Hurricane Wilma will probably cost the company about $250 million.

ACE also said it would forecast 2006 earnings by December 15.

ACE recorded a $112 million third-quarter net loss in the third quarter after losses from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Dennis and other catastrophes resulted in an after-tax charge of $742 million for the quarter.

The company raised $1.5 billion through a share sale prior to releasing its earnings to help it capitalise on an expected increase in some insurance and reinsurance prices in the wake of Katrina.