RIMS Poll: 65% Lack Terrorism Cover

By Caroline McDonald

NU Online News Service, Sept. 11, 3:40 p.m. EST?A poll of risk managers has found that 71 percent of those who responded are finding it difficult or impossible to obtain adequate terrorism coverage.

Christopher Mandel, the president of Risk and Insurance Management Society Inc., which surveyed 454 members, told National Underwriter he was surprised by the "rather startling" number of members having difficulty with the coverage.

"I was surprised to get the validation at this level in terms of so many saying they have been affected negatively," he said. "Even though I know a lot of people are being pressed by their lenders for the properties they own, and mortgage, to present evidence of terrorism coverage, I didn't think that as many lenders were doing it as apparently are."

Coverage is available, he said, "but typically not to the satisfaction of many lenders in the sense of the amount of money they have at risk."

The survey also found that 84 percent do not feel confident their companies would be sufficiently covered in the event of another attack.

Of the 80 percent surveyed who have renewed their company's coverage, more than half do not have terrorism coverage included in their policy. Of all the companies surveyed, 65 percent have no terrorism coverage at all, the survey found.

Mr. Mandel said it is imperative that federal legislators "understand that this remains a critical issue for American business and for our economy."

He added, however, that completion of a terrorism bill may be "closer than we think," citing an editorial today in the Wall Street Journal that called the bill "imminent."

RIMS has been active in supporting a terrorism bill. The association testified before a House of Representatives subcommittee on the availability of terrorism coverage in February. Its members more recently lobbied Congressional legislators and staff, and the Bush administration for a federal backstop for terrorism insurance.

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RIMS Poll: 65% Lack Terrorism Cover

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