Published
2010 by U.S. G.P.O., For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O. in Washington .
Written in
Edition Notes
| Contributions | United States. Congress. House. Committee on Financial Services. Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises |
| Classifications | |
|---|---|
| LC Classifications | KF27 .B546 2010b |
| The Physical Object | |
| Pagination | v, 130 p. : |
| Number of Pages | 130 |
| ID Numbers | |
| Open Library | OL24483435M |
| ISBN 10 | 016086271X |
| ISBN 10 | 9780160862717 |
| LC Control Number | 2010478782 |
| OCLC/WorldCa | 657335388 |
The joint hearing before the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity and the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises of the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives, took place on March 10, 2010. The purpose of this hearing was to discuss H.R. 2555, the Homeowners' Defense Act, which focused on approaches to mitigating and managing natural catastrophe risk. This article provides an overview of the key topics discussed during the hearing and highlights the main takeaways for homeowners and the insurance industry.
During the hearing, several approaches to mitigating natural catastrophe risk were presented. One strategy discussed was the importance of investing in pre-disaster mitigation. By implementing measures such as strengthening infrastructure, improving building codes, and enhancing land-use planning, communities can reduce the impact of natural catastrophes and save lives.
Resilient infrastructure plays a crucial role in mitigating the effects of natural disasters. By investing in improved infrastructure, such as reinforcing bridges and roads, communities can withstand the impact of catastrophes like hurricanes and earthquakes. This approach not only enhances public safety but also minimizes the financial burden associated with post-disaster reconstruction.
In addition to mitigating natural catastrophe risks, the hearing also discussed the importance of effectively managing these risks. One approach highlighted was the utilization of risk-sharing or risk-pooling mechanisms. These mechanisms enable spreading the financial burden of catastrophes across a broader base, reducing the impact on individual homeowners and insurance companies.
Risk-sharing mechanisms, such as state catastrophe funds and public-private partnerships, offer a way to share the costs associated with natural catastrophes. By pooling resources, these mechanisms provide financial support to affected homeowners and insurers. They also help stabilize the insurance market by preventing dramatic premium increases following major disasters.
H.R. 2555, also known as the Homeowners' Defense Act, was a key focus of the hearing. This act aimed to establish a national program for natural catastrophe risk management. It proposed the creation of a federal backstop to provide affordable and accessible insurance coverage for homeowners in catastrophe-prone regions.
The Homeowners' Defense Act aimed to achieve several main objectives:
The joint hearing by the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity and the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises shed light on the importance of mitigating and managing natural catastrophe risk. By adopting approaches such as investing in resilient infrastructure and implementing risk-sharing mechanisms, communities can better withstand and recover from natural disasters. The Homeowners' Defense Act, if passed, could provide a comprehensive solution to address the insurance needs of homeowners in catastrophe-prone regions. It is crucial to continue exploring and implementing strategies to minimize the impact of natural catastrophes and protect the well-being of homeowners across the United States.
