At least a dozen insurers and reinsurers – including QBE – have filed lawsuits seeking to recover losses incurred by them after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre. And their prime target is airlines and associated companies which they allege made the 9/11 hijackings possible.

Several of the suits name the same defendants: airlines American, United, US Airways Group, several airport security companies and Boeing, which manufactured the hijacked planes.

The suits are expected to be consolidated with a mass of claims already pending and will ultimately determine who is liable for property and other losses stemming from the attacks.

Several plaintiffs filed separate actions naming scores of Middle Eastern defendants including the Government of Saudi Arabia, groups identified by the United States Government as terrorist organisations, Islamic charities and various individuals and corporations.

Meanwhile, US insurers have welcomed a decision to call a vote later this week on legislation that would extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA).

The vote is expected to be carried and will extend TRIA through to the end of 2007 and increase the deductible that each insurer participating in the federal coverage backstop program must pay.

Congressional spokesmen say the backstop program may be extended to group life insurers. TRIA – which expires at the end of next year – must be reauthorised at the end of this year to prevent market disruption.