Abstract: The article deals with characteristics and problems of world natural hazards insurance market. Special attention in this article is paid to activity of direct and indirect participants of the market: policy holders, insurance intermediaries, insurers, reinsurers, companies of construction industry and real estate, banks and other financial institutions, investors, rating agencies, Government. The article underlines the importance of adequate natural hazard risks assessment. The article describes factors that influence demand and supply aspects on the market.

The offer is limited by the capacity of the insurance and reinsurance industry, as well as the desire of the investment community to make financial investments in the insurance market risks of natural disasters. Low interest of potential policyholders in acquiring natural disaster risk insurance is mainly way with the practice of providing generous assistance by the state after a natural disasters. As the insurance component increases in natural disaster financing schemes, moral hazard decreases, but increased risk of antiselection. Low demand from policyholders acquisition of insurance coverage for the risks of natural disasters, high the burden on the insurance industry and the government as the guarantor of last resort is related, among other things, to the relevance of the Politics Dilemma, Good Samaritan, Natural Disaster Syndrome.