The second issue of the Insurance Research Council’s Public Attitude Monitor 2006 (PAM) examines the public's attitudes and opinions on a variety of issues related to natural disasters and how attitudes and opinions differ based on proximity to the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. Findings show that Americans living in close proximity to the coastline were more likely to favor strong building codes and the rebuilding of coastal wetlands. Coastal residents also were more likely to report taking steps to prepare for future natural disasters. Those living in non-coastal areas were more likely to disapprove of taxpayer and policyholder subsidies of insurance costs for those living in high risk areas.
