Which of the following is the least effective hazard mitigation strategy?

• A. Strengthening codes and enforcement
• B. Regular drills and risk-informed planning
• C. Investing in resilient infrastructure
• D. Relying solely on insurance without reducing exposure

Answer: (D)

Mitigation aims to reduce the impact of hazards by lowering exposure and vulnerability. Relying solely on insurance falls short because it does not prevent damage or reduce how exposed or vulnerable assets and people are. Insurance provides a financial recovery after a disaster, but it doesn’t change building design, land use, or preparedness, and it can even encourage riskier behavior if losses are expected to be covered. In contrast, strengthening codes and enforcement reduces how vulnerable structures are to damage, regular drills and risk-informed planning boost preparedness and response, and investing in resilient infrastructure actually lowers the physical damage and downtime when a hazard strikes. Because it doesn’t reduce exposure or vulnerability at all, using insurance alone is the least effective approach to hazard mitigation.