Untangling Insurance, Rebuilding, and Wellbeing in Bushfire Recovery

Author(s): Christine Eriksen, Elize de Vet
Journal Title: Geographical Research
Publisher(s): Institute of Australian Geographers
Publication Year: 2020

Home and contents insurance is framed as key to Australia's national strategy for disaster resilience. This article by CSS’ Christine Eriksen and Eliza de Vet explores how insurance impacts upon households' capacities to rebuild and recover after disastrous bushfire. It shows that swift claims handling and payouts allowed participants to repair, rebuild, and refurnish their houses—essentials in restoring everyday routines and a sense of normalcy. Yet, the authors also highlight that insurance is a crucial tool for disaster resilience, greater levels of psychosocial support are needed to improve households' short‐ and longer‐term recovery.

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