If money is the best measure, then Los Angeles businesses are starting to fear a possible terrorist attack like never before, shelling out for terrorism coverage in ever bigger numbers.

Nearly 58 percent of the mid-sized and large businesses in Los Angeles bought policies to cover terrorist attacks on their property in 2005. That’s a significant jump from the 39 percent that purchased terrorism insurance in 2004.

Nationally, nearly six in 10 large- to mid-sized businesses purchased terrorism coverage for their businesses, a dramatic increase from the 2003 average and a 50 percent gain from the 2004 figure.

The figures come from a report from insurance brokerage Marsh Inc., which compiled data from 1,623 businesses and government entities that purchased or renewed property insurance policies in 2005.

“There’s an increasing awareness of terrorism among businesses across the country,” said Dennis Donahue, senior vice president and property practice leader in Marsh’s Los Angeles office.

Financial institutions, real estate firms and health care facilities were the most likely to buy the insurance, with more than 75 percent of the businesses in those fields opting for coverage. More than 60 percent of the companies in media, hospitality, transportation, food and beverage, technology and telecommunications were covered as of last year, the report said.

Not surprisingly, companies with the highest worth were the most likely to opt for coverage. Sixty-seven percent of firms with total insured value of $500 million to $1 billion opted for coverage in 2005, up from 57 percent in 2004. In the aftermath of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, insurance companies excluded terrorism risks from their standard commercial policies. The policies must now be purchased separately.

Todd Cunningham