Profiteering from disaster: why planners need to be paying more attention to insurance

Insurance is overlooked in both planning practice and research. Focusing on house and contents insurance in disaster-prone areas of Australia, I describe why the impacts of insurance availability and pricing on urban form requires greater attention from planners. In an environment of increasing climate change related risks, the growing influence of insurance and insurers is exacerbating social and financial inequity. This fosters the creation of disadvantaged enclaves, protected pockets of wealth, and sustains insurer profits. I call for the better integration of insurance within planning, particularly a more considered and careful mobilization of insurance in disaster preparation. I present four research questions that appear pertinent for advancing planning in disaster-prone urban areas.