Evaluating Alternative National Earthquake Insurance Programs

In April, 1990, two bills to create a national earthquake insurance program were introduced in the United States Congress. The content and scope of these bills are analyzed and compared, taking into account the results of over twenty five years of investigations concerning what role the federal government should have in a national program. Both bills are still under review by committee. Progress is being made toward adoption of a national program. A critical determinant will be if Congress can first determine and then agree to an acceptable link between insurance and mitigation.