نوع مقاله : مقاله انگلیسی برای ویژه‌نامه "تغییر اقلیم و صنعت بیمه"

نویسندگان

• Mohammad Ariamanesh ¹
• shamsolah salami ²

¹ Associate Professor, Department of Geology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

² Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Natural Disaster Fund

چکیده

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The growing intensity and frequency of earthquakes and floods in recent years have exposed fundamental weaknesses in conventional building insurance systems. Annual global economic losses now exceed $300 billion, highlighting the urgency of rethinking existing insurance structures. Although traditional public–private partnership models have offered partial solutions, persistent challenges related to efficiency, transparency, and equitable coverage remain. This study responds to these shortcomings by developing an integrated framework that brings together digital innovation and hybrid governance mechanisms specifically designed for seismic and flood prone environments.
METHODS: Our research follows a mixed methods design implemented in three interconnected phases. First, we conducted a detailed comparative review of insurance systems in ten countries, focusing on governance structures, financial tools, technological adoption, and patterns of private sector involvement. The quantitative component employed fuzzy AHP modeling, supported by insights from thirty international experts representing government, academia, and industry. To strengthen the empirical foundation, we also analyzed extensive data from Turkey’s insurance sector (2015–2023), including more than 200,000 claims, which served as the basis for validating our simulation results.
FINDINGS: The proposed framework consists of four mutually reinforcing components. High resolution radar satellite imagery and remote sensing technologies significantly accelerate damage assessment, cutting processing time by half and improving accuracy by 40%. Blockchain enabled smart contracts enhance transparency in payment processes by 35% and substantially reduce fraud. A conditional government guarantee covering 30% of losses for buildings that meet seismic resilience standards creates strong incentives for risk reduction investments. Finally, an integrated participatory monitoring platform enables real time stakeholder engagement and continuous verification of building conditions. Simulation results indicate a 40–60% increase in private sector participation, a 25% reduction in operational costs, and a 35% improvement in policyholder satisfaction.
CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that combining advanced digital technologies with innovative governance structures can fundamentally reshape building insurance systems in natural disaster contexts. The framework offers practical policy tools ranging from conditional guarantees to intelligent monitoring platforms and automated payment mechanisms that can be adapted to the needs of developing economies. At the same time, the study underscores the importance of tailoring implementation strategies to the specific social, economic, and technological conditions of each country.

کلیدواژه‌ها

• Insurance
• Earthquake
• Flood
• Governance
• Technology
• Hazard Monitoring

موضوعات

• مدیریت ریسک در صنعت بیمه

عنوان مقاله [English]

Designing a Hybrid Governance Framework for Building Insurance against Earthquakes and Floods Utilizing Digital Technologies with Private Sector Participation and Smart Monitoring

نویسندگان [English]

• Mohammad Ariamanesh ¹
• shamsolah salami ²

¹ Associate Professor, Department of Geology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

² Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Natural Disaster Fund

چکیده [English]

EXTENDED ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
In recent years, the growing intensity and frequency of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods have revealed serious weaknesses in traditional building insurance systems. These events not only impose heavy financial burdens on communities but also erode public trust in the effectiveness of existing insurance frameworks. Public–private partnership models, although useful in certain contexts, often struggle with inefficiencies, unequal coverage, and delays in responding to the urgent needs of affected populations.
This research aims to present a new framework that integrates digital innovation with hybrid governance mechanisms, specifically designed for contexts where societies face seismic and flood risks. In Iran, the devastating earthquakes in Bam and Kermanshah, as well as widespread floods in provinces such as Golestan and Lorestan, have shown that conventional insurance systems are unable to provide timely compensation or restore public confidence. These experiences highlight the urgent need for transformative approaches that can strengthen resilience and ensure fairer, faster, and more transparent insurance coverage.
METHODS
The methodological design of this study is based on a comprehensive mixed-methods approach carried out in three interconnected phases. First, a comparative analysis of insurance systems in different countries was conducted to examine governance structures, financial instruments, technological adoption, and private sector participation. Second, multi-criteria decision-making models were applied to incorporate the perspectives of experts from government, industry, and academia. Finally, empirical data from Turkey’s building insurance sector was used to validate the simulations and ensure the robustness of the proposed framework. This approach allowed the study to identify successful practices and adapt them to contexts where earthquake and flood risks are most pressing, without altering the original methodological structure.
FINDINGS
The proposed framework consists of four complementary components that together address systemic inefficiencies.
• Use of remote sensing and satellite imagery: High-resolution technologies enable rapid and accurate damage assessment. In Iran, delays in estimating losses after the Kermanshah earthquake slowed down compensation processes. By applying these technologies, such delays can be minimized, and trust in insurance systems can be strengthened.
• Blockchain-based smart contracts: Automated payment systems enhance transparency and reduce opportunities for fraud. In Iran, policyholders have often expressed frustration with lengthy compensation procedures. Smart contracts can streamline these processes, ensuring that payments are made quickly and reliably, thereby improving satisfaction among insured households.
• Conditional government guarantees: A mechanism in which the state covers part of the losses only if buildings comply with seismic resilience standards creates strong incentives for safer construction. In Iran, many damages from earthquakes are linked to poor compliance with building codes. This conditional guarantee would encourage builders and homeowners to adhere to safety standards, reducing long-term risks.
• Participatory monitoring platforms: A system that enables real-time interaction among stakeholders—government agencies, insurance companies, and citizens—can improve transparency and accelerate recovery. In Iran, the lack of effective communication between these actors has often slowed reconstruction efforts. A participatory platform would foster collaboration, strengthen social trust, and ensure that rebuilding efforts are more efficient and inclusive.
Together, these components form a holistic framework that not only addresses operational inefficiencies but also builds resilience and trust in insurance systems.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study demonstrate that the strategic integration of digital technologies with innovative governance structures can fundamentally reshape building insurance models in the face of natural disasters. The proposed framework offers practical solutions such as conditional government guarantees, intelligent monitoring platforms, and automated payment systems. These solutions are adaptable to diverse developing economies and can be tailored to the specific needs of each country.
For Iran, implementing such a framework could establish a sustainable and resilient insurance system capable of reducing the economic and social pressures caused by earthquakes and floods. By combining technological innovation with governance reforms, policymakers can design insurance regimes that not only compensate for losses but also rebuild public trust and strengthen national resilience.
This research provides a strong scientific foundation for decision-makers seeking to create robust insurance systems for natural hazards. It also emphasizes the importance of context-specific strategies, as economic, social, and technological differences significantly influence the success of implementation. In Iran, with its diverse climate and wide range of vulnerable regions, the success of this framework depends on close cooperation between government institutions, the private sector, and civil society. Only through such collaboration can an effective insurance system be built—one that not only addresses immediate losses but also contributes to long-term resilience and social stability.
KEYWORDS
Insurance; Earthquake; Flood; Governance; Technology; Monitoring

کلیدواژه‌ها [English]

• Insurance
• Earthquake
• Flood
• Governance
• Technology
• Hazard Monitoring