There will not be unlimited coverage of mental health treatment until the year 2000, he said, adding that it would have to be phased in.

Most important, insurance would provide unlimited coverage after a certain level of costs is incurred so the insured avoids financial ruin.

But unless unlimited coverage can be capped, runaway health care costs cannot be controlled.

Until this year, he said, they had unlimited coverage.

Some providers will offer 'unlimited' medical coverage for a higher premium, while a cheaper policy might cover up to US$10 million.

Instead, he favors closing loopholes that permit virtually unlimited coverage through multiple accounts.

To obtain the greatest level of protection, homeowners should ensure that they have unlimited coverage for loss of use.

Fibreboard's view is that it has two insurance policies that provide virtually unlimited coverage of cases where the exposure to asbestos began before March 1959.

The Government now backs deposits of up to $100,000, but those who split their funds among many institutions have gained virtually unlimited coverage.

But he added that the Government should close loopholes that permitted virtually unlimited coverage through multiple accounts held by individuals, pension funds and institutions.