By Cliff Peale
Enquirer staff writer

Hurricane Charley's toll in Greater Cincinnati neared the $45 million mark Friday.

American Financial Group Inc. said it expects to absorb losses of $8 million, or 10 cents per share, from claims related to the storm, which struck Florida on Aug. 13.

Other local insurers also have taken a hit in claims stemming from the hurricane, including:

• $25 million, by Cincinnati Financial Corp. of Fairfield.

• $6 million to $8 million, by Ohio Casualty Corp. of Fairfield.

• $4 million, by Midland Co. of Amelia.

Most of the claims reported Friday by AFG are from businesses that held commercial policies with Cincinnati-based Great American Insurance and other AFG units.

The company said the claims would not drastically change AFG's earnings outlook for 2004.

AFG repeated its forecast that profits for the full year would be between $2.85 and $3.10 per share.

AFG is the umbrella company for the financial interests of Reds owner Carl Lindner Jr..

"Our claims teams are working with our agents and policyholders to identify and process covered claims as efficiently as possible," said Carl Lindner III, co-president and head of AFG's property and casualty group.

AFG stock closed Friday at $29.55, down 84 cents.

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E-mail cpeale@enquirer.com