Taking cover

US energy companies are increasingly taking out terrorism cover, even though none has yet made a claim. This is partly because the cost of policy premiums is falling. But this trend may be under threat. Joe Marsh reports

Energy companies in the US are well aware of the need to protect their pipelines, power plants and refineries, despite the fact that not one has made a claim as a result of terrorist attacks. Four in 10 energy concerns took terrorism cover for their physical assets in 2003, according to insurance broker Marsh. And more than half the sector has done so in 2004, reckons Robert Hartwig, chief economist at the Insurance Information Institute (III). This makes energy the most receptive