Berkley said industry risk models have all but abandoned the once common indicator known as "Absolute Maximum Loss, " preferring to base premiums on the more conservative "Probable Maximum Loss" calculation, which lowers damage estimates by factoring in long odds of catastrophic events.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The fact that, before this unusual motion was tabled, some of Mr Brown's Labour detractors were privately whipping up the controversy over the policy added to David Cameron's calculation he could do some real damage with this debate.

BBC: Brown comes out fighting

The meager payment is largely the result of an insurance calculation which pays off based on the stage of crop development that has been achieved when the damage occurs.

CNN: farmer plows