Blackout Has Few Insurance Implications

NEW YORK – The Insurance Information Institute says the insurance implications of the Northeast blackout are likely to be minimal. According to the I.I.I. most commercial insurance policies specifically rule out payment for losses for power failures. In addition, some 10 to 15% percent of commercial insurance customers buy supplementary policies that provide the coverage, compared with 20% that have bought terrorism coverage. Experts say that coverage is not included in most policies because while major power losses are infrequent, they can be extremely widespread and can result in huge losses. The I.I.I. reports that the last New York blackout in1977 resulted in $2 million in insured losses however civil disorder associated with the blackout resulted in damages totaling $28 million. The 1965 Northeast blackout resulted in minimal insured losses.