Hurricanes and Homeowner Decision-Making

Abstract

The researchers conducted surveys between 2001 and 2002 that examined homeowner decisions concerning wind damage to homes from hurricanes. They collected information about current mitigation practices, expectation of damage, and willingness to pay for future mitigation improvements. Their key findings were that income, size of the deductible, and expected damages from a category three hurricane—but not category four or five hurricanes—were the main determining factors for people that do mitigation. Homeowners generally dismissed low probability events. They found that homeowner willingness to pay for mitigation devices is negative and requires subsidy in excess of $14,000. Willingness to pay is greater if insurance is not available. They concluded that most homeowners are not willing to purchase excessive mitigation devices.