No cover for 'new terrorism', insurers warn householders

Major insurers are refusing to cover customers against the emerging threat of chemical, biological and nuclear attacks, blaming trouble with their reinsurers.

Norwich Union (NU) said last month that it began writing to domestic policyholders six months ago to warn that it would only cover 'traditional' terrorist attacks, such as bombs.

Director of underwriting John Seaton said that insurers began reviewing their policy wordings on terrorism last year.

"A bomb, for example, usually affects a lim