Terrorism Insurance

The Terrorism Risk Insur. Act. (TRIA) specifies that the fed. gov¿t. assume financial responsibility for insured losses on commercial properties resulting from future terrorist attacks. While TRIA has been credited with stabilizing markets for terrorism insur. after 9/11, questions remain as to whether certain policyholders, esp. those located in large urban areas viewed as being at high risk of attack, may still face challenges in obtaining coverage. This study describes: (1) whether the availability of terrorism insurance for commercial properties is constrained in any geographic markets; (2) factors limiting insurers¿ willingness to provide coverage; and (3) advantages and disadvantages of selected public policy options to increase the availability of such insurance. Illus.