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An Analysis of the Demand for Earthquake Insurance

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  • Manoj Athavale
  • Stephen M. Avila

Abstract

This research examines the decision to purchase earthquake insurance by analyzing data on earthquake insurance price and penetration in the New Madrid fault zone in Missouri. Earthquake risk is of concern to consumers, the insurance industry, industry regulators, and government agencies because of the potentially catastrophic nature of losses resulting from a major earthquake. Despite the significance of the earthquake peril, the recent literature does not contain estimates of the price and income elasticity of the demand for earthquake insurance. Our analysis indicates that homeowners acquire earthquake insurance because of risk considerations, at higher levels of risk the demand for earthquake insurance is higher, and the price of earthquake coverage does not provide incremental information in explaining the demand for earthquake coverage.

Suggested Citation

  • Manoj Athavale & Stephen M. Avila, 2011. "An Analysis of the Demand for Earthquake Insurance," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 14(2), pages 233-246, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:rmgtin:v:14:y:2011:i:2:p:233-246
    DOI: j.1540-6296.2011.01205.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Xiao Lin, 2020. "Feeling Is Believing? Evidence From Earthquake Shaking Experience and Insurance Demand," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 87(2), pages 351-380, June.
    2. Ding, Jinxiu & Yu, Chin-Hsien & Shaw, William D., 2018. "Risk Perception and Agricultural Insurance Acceptance: Evidence from Typhoon Meranti in Fujian, China," 2018 Annual Meeting, August 5-7, Washington, D.C. 274464, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    3. Kalfin & Sukono & Sudradjat Supian & Mustafa Mamat, 2022. "Insurance as an Alternative for Sustainable Economic Recovery after Natural Disasters: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, April.
    4. Chun Ping Chang & Aziz N Berdiev, 2013. "Natural Disasters, Political Risk and Insurance Market Development," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 38(3), pages 406-448, July.
    5. Chun-Min Zhang, 2020. "Seismic risk-coping behavior in rural ethnic minority communities in Dali, China," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 103(3), pages 3499-3522, September.
    6. Cristina CIUMAS & Ramona Alexandrina COCA, 2015. "An Analysis Of The Factors Influencing The Demand For Catastrophe Insurance," Journal of Public Administration, Finance and Law, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, vol. 0(Special i), pages 69-78, September.
    7. Ling Tian & Peng Yao, 2015. "Preferences for earthquake insurance in rural China: factors influencing individuals’ willingness to pay," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 79(1), pages 93-110, October.
    8. Amanda Savitt, 2017. "Insurance as a tool for hazard risk management? An evaluation of the literature," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 86(2), pages 583-599, March.

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