Researchers hope to cover a broad range of questions related to financial preparedness in the event of hurricanes. The ultimate aim is to present findings that speak to financial resilience which local and state decision-makers can use in their long-range disaster planning. In addition to the basic questions of coverage and deductibles, findings will be utilized to address the following:
- What proportion of assessed and actual value is covered by homeowner insurance?
- Do homeowners have “self-insurance” in the form of home equity lines or saving accounts dedicated to post-disaster recovery?
- Are condominium or town house owners insuring their units?
- Are renters insuring their contents?
- Is there an embedded laissez faire attitude among home or condominium owners that homes are disposable commodity facing write-down after serious disaster, i.e., a fatalistic culture versus a culture of renewal.
- Do respondents perceive an implicit state-federal “bailout” via FEMA or other instrumentality, suggesting a government-induced moral hazard?
Researchers also intend on presenting these findings at an upcoming Metro Forum and will also target findings for the Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management or the Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The proposed research will commence in Spring 2013.
