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  • Book
  • © 2005

Catastrophe Modeling

A New Approach to Managing Risk

  • Based on the research that has been conducted at Wharton over the past five years on catastrophic risk
  • Brings together the joint effort with the three leading modeling firms [Applied Insurance Research Worldwide (AIR), EQECAT, and Risk Management Solutions (RMS)] and Wharton taking a lead on writing specific chapters, but with the other groups providing feedback and input
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xix
  2. Framework for Risk Management Using Catastrophe Models

    1. Introduction: Needs, Stakeholders, and Government Initiatives

      • Patricia Grossi, Howard Kunreuther
      Pages 3-21
    2. An Introduction to Catastrophe Models and Insurance

      • Patricia Grossi, Howard Kunreuther, Don Windeler
      Pages 23-42
  3. Natural Hazard Risk Assessment

  4. Linking Risk Assessment With Insurance

    1. Insurance Portfolio Management

      • Weimin Dong, Patricia Grossi
      Pages 119-133
    2. Risk Financing

      • David Lalonde
      Pages 135-164
  5. Risk Management Strategies Using Catastrophe Models

    1. The Impact of Mitigation on Homeowners and Insurers: An Analysis of Model Cities

      • Paul Kleindorfer, Patricia Grossi, Howard Kunreuther
      Pages 167-188
    2. The Impact of Risk Transfer Instruments: An Analysis of Model Cities

      • Howard Kunreuther, Paul Kleindorfer, Patricia G
      Pages 189-208
    3. Extending Catastrophe Modeling To Terrorism

      • Howard Kunreuther, Erwann Michel-Kerjan, Beverly Porter
      Pages 209-233
  6. Back Matter

    Pages 235-245

About this book

Catastrophe Modeling: A New Approach to Managing Risk is the first book that systematically analyzes how catastrophe models can be used for assessing and managing risks of extreme events. It focuses on natural disaster risk, but also discusses the management of terrorism risk. A unique feature of this book is the involvement of three leading catastrophe modeling firms, AIR Worldwide, EQECAT, and Risk Management Solutions, who examine the role of catastrophe modeling in rate setting, portfolio management and risk financing.

Using data from three model cities (Oakland, CA, Long Beach, CA and Miami/Dade County, FLA), experts from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania examine the role of catastrophe modeling to develop risk management strategies for reducing and spreading the losses from future disasters. Given the uncertainties associated with terrorism the book points out the opportunities for utilizing catastrophe models to set insurance rates and to examine public-private partnerships for providing financial assistance in the event of a terrorist attack.

"This book fills a critical need in setting forth the role of modern risk analysis in managing catastrophe risk. There is no comparable reference work for this important subject area. The book is well written and well organized. It contains contributions from many of the most distinguished experts in the fields of risk analysis and risk management. It strikes a good balance between the technical aspects of the subject and the practical aspects of decision making."

"This book is strongly recommended for individuals who must make decisions regarding the management of impacts of catastrophe risks including those in both the public and private sector."

Wilfred D. Iwan
Professor of Applied Mechanics, Emeritus
Director, Earthquake Engineering Research Laboratory
California Institute of Technology

"The authors have captured the essence of catastrophe modeling: its value, its utility and its limitations. Every practitioner in the catastrophe risk field should read this book."

Franklin W. Nutter, President
Reinsurance Association of America

Editors and Affiliations

  • Risk Management and Decision Processes Center, The Wharton School University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania

    Partricia Grossi, Howard Kunreuther

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Catastrophe Modeling

  • Book Subtitle: A New Approach to Managing Risk

  • Editors: Partricia Grossi, Howard Kunreuther

  • Series Title: Huebner International Series on Risk, Insurance and Economic Security

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/b100669

  • Publisher: Springer New York, NY

  • eBook Packages: Business and Economics, Economics and Finance (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag US 2005

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-387-23082-5Published: 17 December 2004

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-0-387-24105-0Published: 07 February 2005

  • eBook ISBN: 978-0-387-23129-7Published: 27 January 2006

  • Series ISSN: 0924-5014

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XX, 252

  • Number of Illustrations: 65 b/w illustrations, 4 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Finance, general, Microeconomics

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 249.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access