Cover against property damage, liability and accident in connection with the operation of nuclear energy installations. Cover is available, including damage cover on the installations themselves, from a single atomic energy insurance pool, the British Nuclear Insurers created by the British Insurance (Atomic Energy) Committee for the UK market as a whole. The pool currently comprises 13 insurance companies and 40 Lloyd’s syndicates. As a result most policies (marine, aviation and insurances of the person excepted) contain a radioactive contamination clause and an explosive nuclear assemblies clause.

Governs liability and compensation for nuclear damage for which a UK nuclear licensee is responsible. The Act requires compensation to be paid for damage to persons or property up to £140 million (reviewable). The operator’s strict no-fault liability runs for 10 years after the incident, the government accepting liability for 20 years thereafter. Each operator must be insured in respect of his liability under an insurance approved by the DTI before a licence will be granted. See NUCLEAR PERILS.

The risks of injury to persons or damage to property caused by radiation from nuclear reactor sites or by nuclear matter in the course of carriage.