In Italy, the underwriting of an insurance policy against natural catastrophes is not compulsory. However, when a catastrophic event takes place, the State intervenes promptly to indemnify the victims. The crisis, which severely hit Europe and Italy in particular, has prompted the adoption on May 17 of the decree law with immediate effect confirming that the State shall not intervene in this field. Following the first earthquake, which occurred on the night of May 19 to 20, shortly after the promulgation of the decree, public authorities specified that they would intervene for the last time. The 5.9 Richter scale earthquake claimed the lives of six people and the evacuation of several thousand others. This decision by the State was officially announced before the occurrence of the second earthquake on May 28 (5.8 on the Richter scale). While drafting this article no mention was specified as to the coverage by the State of the damages resulting from the May 28 earthquake.
