Even if valid claims exceed $330 million, Prudential says it will be able to pay.

Congress would need to appropriate additional money if claims exceeded the expected amount.

The fundamental problem here is that science requires a higher standard of proof - every statement must be verified, and claims cannot exceed the evidence.

The judge therefore reduced the debt to $127,000, arguing that a secured claim cannot exceed the value of the security.

If claims exceed $100 billion, Congress would determine how they would be paid.

Some executives and analysts have said that total claims might exceed $70 billion.

It takes effect after claims exceed very high levels, perhaps $200 million or more.

"We do not think the claims will exceed the coverage," he added.

But the county's claims exceed 1,000 miles, he said.

If claims exceed $100 billion, Congress would decide how to pay them.