A survey has found a majority of adult Americans oppose programs and policies that subsidize the cost of insurance for people in high-risk areas.

The findings came from an online poll by the by the not-for-profit Insurance Research Council (IRC), Malvern, Pa.

When asked to consider the National Flood Insurance Program as an example, IRC said 59 percent of those surveyed indicated that it is unfair to use taxpayer dollars to subsidize the cost of insurance in high-risk areas.

A similar percentage indicated that it is unfair to require policyholders in non-coastal areas of a state to subsidize the cost of insurance for wind damage in coastal areas.

Sixty-seven percent of respondents also disagreed with the idea of using taxpayer dollars to subsidize the cost of insurance in order to encourage new construction in coastal areas.

IRC said it did find strong support for government policies aimed at mitigating risk before a natural disaster occurs. Ninety percent of adult Americans in the survey supported the adoption and enforcement of building codes to make new homes stronger and safer, and 67 percent backed such building codes even when they would add 6 percent to the cost of a new home.

IRC noted that other public policies relating to natural disaster loss mitigation that are now being discussed in the nation's state legislatures and in Congress also enjoy strong support.

According to IRC, 70 percent of those surveyed favor the adoption of laws and regulations restricting the construction of new homes in disaster-prone areas, including coastal areas. The survey also found that 82 percent favored government action and public spending to preserve and rebuild coastal wetlands that act as buffers against hurricanes.

Eighty percent of those surveyed favored laws that would require people who live in disaster-prone areas to purchase insurance covering the particular risk involved, said IRC. But many homeowners said they themselves have not purchased insurance to cover disaster risks, even though they indicate they may be at risk for those disasters.

Only 20 percent of survey respondents who report living in an area where a flood could occur or has occurred in the past said they had purchased flood insurance. This group did not include those also at risk for hurricane damage, IRC noted.

Of those in the survey who reported living in an area at risk of having a severe earthquake, 42 percent said they have purchased earthquake insurance coverage.

While favoring public policies that could help to mitigate damage from catastrophic natural disasters, a minority of Americans were found to have taken steps to prepare for a disaster, said IRC. Only 38 percent said they have an emergency preparedness kit on hand with enough food, water, and essential supplies to last three-days. Additionally, only 26 percent said they are prepared for a natural disaster in their community.

Elizabeth A. Sprinkel, IRC senior vice president, commented, "Americans clearly want government to take steps to mitigate the damage from catastrophic natural disasters before they occur. This enthusiasm however, appears to stop at the front door of many households, as many homeowners have not pursued personal strategies to minimize the disruption and reduce the financial impact a natural disaster would cause."

The IRC's data is contained in the study "Public Attitude Monitor 2006, Issue 1, Natural Disasters."

IRC said the report is based on a survey by Harris Interactive, a market research and consulting company. The survey consisted of self-administered online questionnaires completed by more than 1,400 members of the Harris Interactive multimillion member online consumer survey panel.

IRC said survey results were weighted to adequately reflect the opinions of the total U.S. adult population. The online surveys were completed during a two-week period in late July and early August 2006.

The study costs $50 in the United States and $65 elsewhere postpaid to the Insurance Research Council, 718 Providence Rd., Malvern, Pa. 19355-0715.

More information on the study's findings and methodology, are available through Ms. Sprinkel at (610) 644-2212, ext. 7568, via e-mail at irc@cpcuiia.org or through www.ircweb.org.

Special Reports /

Survey: No Support For Flood, Wind Subsidy

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