A cloud with a silver lining.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has caused much uncertainty for insurers. Some policies may be hit by claims and the disease could dampen life insurance sales in the short term. But there may also be positives for the industry in the long run. The spread of SARS has forced World Health Organization and several countries to take drastic measures to prevent its steps, causing severe damage to parts of global economy. The insurance industry has been attempting to quantify what affect it might have on its business in countries affected by the virus. Claims will hit certain lines of insurance and others will see a drop in sales in the short term. But other lines of business, such as life insurance, may benefit in the long term. INSET: Profile of a killer.