After a California Earthquake

Download or read book After a California Earthquake written by Risa Palm and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 1992-04-15 with total page 150 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Shortly before the Loma Prieta earthquake devastated areas of Northern California in 1989, Risa Palm and her associates had surveyed 2,500 homeowners in the area about their perception of risk from earthquakes. After the quake they surveyed the homeowners again and found that their perception of risk had increased but that most respondents were fatalistic and continued to ignore self-protective measures; those who personally experienced damage were more likely to buy insurance. A rare opportunity to analyze behavior change directly before and after a natural disaster, this survey has implications for policy makers, insurance officials, and those concerned with risk management.