The frequency and intensity of natural disasters-such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and storms-are on the rise, threatening our way of life and our livelihoods. Risk transfer markets, which shift risk from one entity to another, can respond to these threats better than existing insurance. Understanding Disaster Insurance provides an accessible introduction to the complexities-and exciting possibilities-of these markets in the United States and around the world. With examples ranging from individual entrepreneurs to multicountry collaborations, disaster risk expert Carolyn Kousky shows how creative applications of insurance-based mechanisms can improve recovery outcomes for people and their communities. Book jacket.