Insurance industry gets claims help

WASHINGTON -- The House passed legislation Thursday to help the insurance industry cover the cost of claims from any future terrorist attacks. Passage came amid a partisan dispute over restrictions on personal lawsuits seeking damages.

The vote was 227-193, mostly along party lines, as Democrats withdrew their earlier support after restrictions on terrorism-related litigation were added to the bill. The changes clouded prospects for agreement with the Senate on compromise legislation.

The bill would commit the government, for at least a year, to covering 90 percent of losses from another major terror attack; insurance companies would pay the rest. The measure would require insurers to reimburse the government for the aid.

Companies that write policies protecting property were hit hard by the Sept. 11 attacks, with losses estimated at $30 billion to $70 billion. The industry remains healthy overall.