Reflections on the Current Debate on How to Link Flood Insurance and Disaster Risk Reduction in the European Union

38 Pages Posted: 12 May 2015

See all articles by S. Surminski

S. Surminski

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE)

J.C.J.H. Aerts

VU University Amsterdam - Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM)

W.J.W. Botzen

VU University Amsterdam - Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM)

Paul Hudson

VU University Amsterdam - Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM)

Jaroslav Mysiak

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM)

Carlos Pérez-Blanco

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM), Venice

Date Written: May 12, 2015

Abstract

Flood insurance differs widely in scope and form across Europe. Against the backdrop of rising flood losses a debate about the role of EU policy in shaping the future of this compensation tool is led by policy makers and industry. In this paper we investigate if and how current EU policies influence flood insurance. While the question of supply and demand is at the core of the debate, we argue that another key dimension is often overlooked: how to use insurance as a lever for risk reduction and prevention efforts. We investigate if and how current EU policies interplay with these two dimensions and then reflect on the national policy level, by illustrating two conflicting cases of flood insurance: the United Kingdom (UK), where flood insurance provision is widely available, but subject to current reform, and the Netherlands, where efforts to introduce flood insurance have only recently failed. In analysing the current positions on the role of the EU in shaping flood insurance we conclude that there is wide agreement that harmonisation of flood insurance offering across the EU is unlikely to be effective. We conclude that there is clear scope for the EU to play a greater role in linking risk transfer and prevention, beyond existing channels, to ensure an integrated approach to flood risk management across the EU.

Keywords: Flood Insurance, Disaster Risk Reduction, Europe

JEL Classification: Q54, Q58, G22

Suggested Citation

Surminski, S. and Aerts, J.C.J.H. and Botzen, W.J.W. and Hudson, Paul and Mysiak, Jaroslav and Pérez-Blanco, Carlos, Reflections on the Current Debate on How to Link Flood Insurance and Disaster Risk Reduction in the European Union (May 12, 2015). FEEM Working Paper No. 41.2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2605398 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2605398

S. Surminski (Contact Author)

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) ( email )

Houghton Street
London, WC2A 2AE
United Kingdom

J.C.J.H. Aerts

VU University Amsterdam - Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) ( email )

De Boelelaan 1115
Amsterdam, 1081 HV
Netherlands

W.J.W. Botzen

VU University Amsterdam - Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) ( email )

De Boelelaan 1115
Amsterdam, 1081 HV
Netherlands

Paul Hudson

VU University Amsterdam - Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) ( email )

De Boelelaan 1115
Amsterdam, 1081 HV
Netherlands

Jaroslav Mysiak

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM) ( email )

C.so Magenta 63
Milano, 20123
Italy

Carlos Pérez-Blanco

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM), Venice ( email )

Campo S. M. Formosa, Castello 5252
Venezia, 30122
Italy

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