Form N-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM N-Q


QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number         811-21213         

        Nuveen Insured Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund         
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Nuveen Investments
        333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606         

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


Kevin J. McCarthy Vice President and Secretary
        333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606         

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:         312-917-7700        

Date of fiscal year end:            10/31          

Date of reporting period:         1/31/09         

Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

Item 1. Schedule of Investments

    Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)             
    Nuveen Insured Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund (NEA)             
    January 31, 2009             
Principal        Optional Call         
Amount (000)    Description (1)    Provisions (2)    Ratings (3)    Value 

    Alabama – 9.1% (5.8% of Total Investments)             
$      1,000    Alabama Special Care Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ascension Health, Series    11/16 at 100.00    Aa1   $   868,580 
     2006C-2, 5.000%, 11/15/36 (UB)             
5,655    Colbert County-Northwest Health Care Authority, Alabama, Revenue Bonds, Helen Keller Hospital,    6/13 at 101.00    Baa3    4,475,537 
     Series 2003, 5.750%, 6/01/27             
3,100    Huntsville Healthcare Authority, Alabama, Revenue Bonds, Series 1998A, 5.400%, 6/01/22    5/12 at 102.00    AA (4)    3,517,601 
     (Pre-refunded 5/14/12) – MBIA Insured             
6,280    Jefferson County, Alabama, Sewer Revenue Capital Improvement Warrants, Series 2002D, 5.000%,    8/12 at 100.00    AAA    6,873,020 
     2/01/32 (Pre-refunded 8/01/12) – FGIC Insured             
1,750    Montgomery, Alabama, General Obligation Warrants, Series 2003, 5.000%, 5/01/21 –    5/12 at 101.00    AA    1,831,585 
     AMBAC Insured             
4,500    Sheffield, Alabama, Electric Revenue Bonds, Series 2003, 5.500%, 7/01/29 – AMBAC Insured    7/13 at 100.00    A2    4,521,780 

22,285    Total Alabama            22,088,103 

    Arizona – 5.2% (3.3% of Total Investments)             
10,000    Maricopa County Pollution Control Corporation, Arizona, Revenue Bonds, Arizona Public Service    11/12 at 100.00    A    7,823,300 
     Company – Palo Verde Project, Series 2002A, 5.050%, 5/01/29 – AMBAC Insured             
6,545    Phoenix, Arizona, Civic Improvement Revenue Bonds, Civic Plaza, Series 2005B, 0.000%, 7/01/37 –    No Opt. Call    AA    4,760,833 
     FGIC Insured             

16,545    Total Arizona            12,584,133 

    California – 26.4% (16.9% of Total Investments)             
26,300    California State Public Works Board, Lease Revenue Bonds, Department of General Services,    12/12 at 100.00    A    24,046,876 
     Capital East End Project, Series 2002A, 5.000%, 12/01/27 – AMBAC Insured             
250    California State, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2002, 5.250%, 4/01/30 – SYNCORA GTY Insured    4/12 at 100.00    A1    241,915 
5    California State, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2004, 5.000%, 4/01/31 – AMBAC Insured    4/14 at 100.00    A+    4,633 
7,495    California State, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2004, 5.000%, 4/01/31 (Pre-refunded    4/14 at 100.00    AAA    8,774,621 
     4/01/14) – AMBAC Insured             
2,910    Cathedral City Public Financing Authority, California, Tax Allocation Bonds, Housing    8/12 at 102.00    AA    2,674,174 
     Set-Aside, Series 2002D, 5.000%, 8/01/26 – MBIA Insured             
250    Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corporation, California, Enhanced Tobacco Settlement    6/17 at 100.00    BBB    134,460 
     Asset-Backed Bonds, Series 2007A-1, 5.125%, 6/01/47             
8,000    Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corporation, California, Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed    6/15 at 100.00    A    6,521,440 
     Revenue Bonds, Series 2005A, 5.000%, 6/01/35 – FGIC Insured             
2,500    Irvine Public Facilities and Infrastructure Authority, California, Assessment Revenue Bonds,    9/13 at 100.00    A    2,204,225 
     Series 2003C, 5.000%, 9/02/23 – AMBAC Insured             
4,000    Montara Sanitation District, California, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2003, 5.000%,    8/11 at 101.00    AA    3,859,920 
     8/01/28 – FGIC Insured             
    Plumas County, California, Certificates of Participation, Capital Improvement Program,             
    Series 2003A:             
1,130     5.250%, 6/01/19 – AMBAC Insured    6/13 at 101.00    A    1,134,554 
1,255     5.250%, 6/01/21 – AMBAC Insured    6/13 at 101.00    A    1,208,038 
1,210    Redding Joint Powers Financing Authority, California, Lease Revenue Bonds, Capital Improvement    3/13 at 100.00    A    1,224,423 
     Projects, Series 2003A, 5.000%, 3/01/23 – AMBAC Insured             
3,750    Sacramento Municipal Utility District, California, Electric Revenue Bonds, Series 2003R,    8/13 at 100.00    AA    3,618,450 
     5.000%, 8/15/28 – MBIA Insured             
1,500    San Diego Community College District, California, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2003A,    5/13 at 100.00    AAA    1,499,880 
     5.000%, 5/01/28 – FSA Insured             
1,055    Turlock Irrigation District, California, Certificates of Participation, Series 2003A, 5.000%,    1/13 at 100.00    AA    961,021 
     1/01/28 – MBIA Insured             
6,300    University of California, Revenue Bonds, Multi-Purpose Projects, Series 2003A, 5.000%,    5/13 at 100.00    Aa1    6,101,613 
     5/15/33 – AMBAC Insured (UB)             

67,910    Total California            64,210,243 

    Colorado – 6.1% (3.9% of Total Investments)             
    Bowles Metropolitan District, Colorado, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2003:             
4,300     5.500%, 12/01/23 – FSA Insured    12/13 at 100.00    AAA    4,571,115 
3,750     5.500%, 12/01/28 – FSA Insured    12/13 at 100.00    AAA    3,818,100 
1,450    Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority, Charter School Revenue Bonds,    8/14 at 100.00    A    1,457,569 
     Peak-to-Peak Charter School, Series 2004, 5.250%, 8/15/24 – SYNCORA GTY Insured             
6,150    Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Colorado, Revenue Bonds, Catholic Health Initiatives,    4/18 at 100.00    AAA    4,186,305 
     Series 2006C-1, Trust 1090, 10.596%, 10/01/41 – FSA Insured (IF)             
3,000    E-470 Public Highway Authority, Colorado, Senior Revenue Bonds, Series 2000B, 0.000%, 9/01/30 –    No Opt. Call    AA–    496,410 
     MBIA Insured             
2,900    E-470 Public Highway Authority, Colorado, Toll Revenue Bonds, Series 2004A, 0.000%, 9/01/34 –    No Opt. Call    AA–    330,600 
     MBIA Insured             

21,550    Total Colorado            14,860,099 

    District of Columbia – 0.2% (0.1% of Total Investments)             
665    Washington Convention Center Authority, District of Columbia, Senior Lien Dedicated Tax    10/16 at 100.00    AAA    468,798 
     Revenue Bonds, Series 2007, Residuals 1606, 11.765%, 10/01/30 – AMBAC Insured (IF)             

    Florida – 2.3% (1.4% of Total Investments)             
2,500    Florida State Board of Education, Public Education Capital Outlay Bonds, Series 2008, Trust    6/18 at 101.00    AAA    2,069,850 
     2929, 11.752%, 6/01/38 – AGC Insured (IF)             
3,000    Pinellas County Health Facilities Authority, Florida, Revenue Bonds, Baycare Health System,    5/13 at 100.00    Aa3 (4)    3,500,310 
     Series 2003, 5.500%, 11/15/27 (Pre-refunded 5/15/13)             

5,500    Total Florida            5,570,160 

    Georgia – 2.4% (1.5% of Total Investments)             
1,410    DeKalb County, Georgia, Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds, Series 2006A, 5.000%, 10/01/35 –    10/16 at 100.00    AAA    1,393,517 
     FSA Insured             
3,825    Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Georgia, Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Second    1/13 at 100.00    AA+ (4)    4,347,572 
     Indenture Series 2002, 5.000%, 7/01/32 (Pre-refunded 1/01/13) – MBIA Insured             

5,235    Total Georgia            5,741,089 

    Illinois – 3.6% (2.3% of Total Investments)             
    Cook County School District 145, Arbor Park, Illinois, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2004:             
3,285     5.125%, 12/01/20 – FSA Insured    12/14 at 100.00    Aa3    3,511,994 
2,940     5.125%, 12/01/23 – FSA Insured    12/14 at 100.00    Aa3    3,039,607 
2,500    Illinois Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Lake Forest Hospital, Series 2003,    7/13 at 100.00    A–    2,287,875 
     5.250%, 7/01/23             

8,725    Total Illinois            8,839,476 

    Indiana – 11.1% (7.1% of Total Investments)             
2,500    Evansville, Indiana, Sewerage Works Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2003A, 5.000%, 7/01/23 –    7/13 at 100.00    A    2,492,275 
     AMBAC Insured             
2,190    Indiana Bond Bank, Advance Purchase Funding Bonds, Common School Fund, Series 2003B, 5.000%,    8/13 at 100.00    AA    2,317,896 
     8/01/19 – MBIA Insured             
1,860    Indiana Municipal Power Agency, Power Supply Revenue Bonds, Series 2007A, 5.000%, 1/01/42 –    1/17 at 100.00    AA    1,632,596 
     MBIA Insured             
1,000    Indiana University, Student Fee Revenue Bonds, Series 2003O, 5.000%, 8/01/22 – FGIC Insured    8/13 at 100.00    Aa1    1,036,660 
    IPS Multi-School Building Corporation, Indiana, First Mortgage Revenue Bonds, Series 2003:             
11,020     5.000%, 7/15/19 (Pre-refunded 7/15/13) – MBIA Insured    7/13 at 100.00    AA (4)    12,668,041 
6,000     5.000%, 7/15/20 (Pre-refunded 7/15/13) – MBIA Insured    7/13 at 100.00    AA (4)    6,897,300 

24,570    Total Indiana            27,044,768 

    Kansas – 2.1% (1.4% of Total Investments)             
5,000    Kansas Development Finance Authority, Board of Regents, Revenue Bonds, Scientific Research and    4/13 at 102.00    AA    5,177,650 
     Development Facilities Projects, Series 2003C, 5.000%, 10/01/22 – AMBAC Insured             

    Kentucky – 0.5% (0.3% of Total Investments)             
985    Kentucky State Property and Buildings Commission, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Project 77, Series    8/13 at 100.00    AA (4)    1,136,798 
     2003, 5.000%, 8/01/23 (Pre-refunded 8/01/13) – MBIA Insured             

    Louisiana – 2.0% (1.3% of Total Investments)             
5,785    New Orleans, Louisiana, General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2002, 5.300%, 12/01/27 –    12/12 at 100.00    Baa3    4,903,077 
     FGIC Insured             

    Massachusetts – 0.5% (0.3% of Total Investments)             
1,125    Massachusetts Development Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Middlesex School, Series 2003,    9/13 at 100.00    A1    1,134,776 
     5.125%, 9/01/23             

    Michigan – 12.3% (7.9% of Total Investments)             
6,130    Detroit, Michigan, Senior Lien Water Supply System Revenue Bonds, Series 2003A, 5.000%,    7/13 at 100.00    AA (4)    7,005,916 
     7/01/23 (Pre-refunded 7/01/13) – MBIA Insured             
4,465    Detroit, Michigan, Senior Lien Water Supply System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2003C,    7/13 at 100.00    AA    4,347,794 
     5.000%, 7/01/22 – MBIA Insured             
1,000    Michigan State Hospital Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Trinity Health Care Group, Series    12/16 at 100.00    AA    883,810 
     2006A, 5.000%, 12/01/31 (UB)             
10,800    Michigan Strategic Fund, Limited Obligation Resource Recovery Revenue Refunding Bonds, Detroit    12/12 at 100.00    Baa1    9,219,636 
     Edison Company, Series 2002D, 5.250%, 12/15/32 – SYNCORA GTY Insured             
2,250    Romulus Community Schools, Wayne County, Michigan, General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series    5/11 at 100.00    AA–    2,273,355 
     2001, 5.250%, 5/01/25             
6,500    Wayne County, Michigan, Limited Tax General Obligation Airport Hotel Revenue Bonds, Detroit    12/11 at 101.00    AA    6,144,580 
     Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Series 2001A, 5.000%, 12/01/30 – MBIA Insured             

31,145    Total Michigan            29,875,091 

    Missouri – 1.3% (0.9% of Total Investments)             
240    Clay County Public School District 53, Liberty, Missouri, General Obligation Bonds, Series    3/14 at 100.00    AAA    248,688 
     2004, 5.250%, 3/01/24 – FSA Insured             
215    Clay County Public School District 53, Liberty, Missouri, General Obligation Bonds, Series    3/14 at 100.00    AAA    225,787 
     2004, 5.250%, 3/01/23 – FSA Insured             
    Clay County Public School District 53, Liberty, Missouri, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2004:             
1,110     5.250%, 3/01/23 (Pre-refunded 3/01/14) – FSA Insured    3/14 at 100.00    AAA    1,303,684 
1,260     5.250%, 3/01/24 (Pre-refunded 3/01/14) – FSA Insured    3/14 at 100.00    AAA    1,479,857 

2,825    Total Missouri            3,258,016 

    Nebraska – 2.0% (1.3% of Total Investments)             
5,000    Lincoln, Nebraska, Sanitary Sewerage System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2003, 5.000%,    6/13 at 100.00    AA+    4,993,550 
     6/15/28 – MBIA Insured             

    New Mexico – 0.9% (0.6% of Total Investments)             
1,975    New Mexico State University, Revenue Bonds, Series 2004, 5.000%, 4/01/19 – AMBAC Insured    4/14 at 100.00    AA    2,143,250 

    New York – 11.0% (7.1% of Total Investments)             
2,020    Hudson Yards Infrastructure Corporation, New York, Revenue Bonds, Series 2006A, 4.500%,    2/17 at 100.00    AA    1,496,174 
     2/15/47 – MBIA Insured             
25,000    Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transportation Revenue Refunding Bonds,    11/12 at 100.00    AA    23,446,750 
     Series 2002F, 5.000%, 11/15/31 – MBIA Insured             
1,850    New York State Urban Development Corporation, State Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds, Series    3/15 at 100.00    AAA    1,885,853 
     2005B, 5.000%, 3/15/25 – FSA Insured (UB)             

28,870    Total New York            26,828,777 

    North Carolina – 2.0% (1.3% of Total Investments)             
8,700    North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Revenue Bonds, Maria Parham Medical Center, Series    10/13 at 100.00    BBB+    4,914,717 
     2003, 5.375%, 10/01/33 – RAAI Insured             

    Ohio – 0.7% (0.5% of Total Investments)             
    Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, Ohio, Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed Revenue             
    Bonds, Senior Lien, Series 2007A-2:             
70     5.125%, 6/01/24    6/17 at 100.00    BBB    51,347 
710     5.875%, 6/01/30    6/17 at 100.00    BBB    453,967 
685     5.750%, 6/01/34    6/17 at 100.00    BBB    408,459 
1,570     5.875%, 6/01/47    6/17 at 100.00    BBB    888,400 

3,035    Total Ohio            1,802,173 

    Oklahoma – 0.4% (0.3% of Total Investments)             
1,000    Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority, State Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series 2005F, 5.000%,    7/15 at 100.00    AA    1,022,540 
     7/01/24 – AMBAC Insured             

    Oregon – 2.8% (1.8% of Total Investments)             
8,350    Oregon Health Sciences University, Revenue Bonds, Series 2002A, 5.000%, 7/01/32 – MBIA Insured    1/13 at 100.00    AA    6,750,725 

    Pennsylvania – 8.7% (5.6% of Total Investments)             
3,000    Lehigh County General Purpose Authority, Pennsylvania, Hospital Revenue Bonds, St. Luke’s    8/13 at 100.00    AAA    3,515,010 
     Hospital of Bethlehem, Series 2003, 5.375%, 8/15/33 (Pre-refunded 8/15/13)             
2,000    Philadelphia Gas Works, Pennsylvania, Revenue Bonds, General Ordinance, Fourth Series 1998,    8/13 at 100.00    Aa3    1,827,180 
     5.000%, 8/01/32 – FSA Insured (UB)             
925    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Water and Wastewater Revenue Bonds, Series 1997A, 5.125%,    4/09 at 101.00    AAA    953,546 
     8/01/27 – AMBAC Insured (ETM)             
13,000    State Public School Building Authority, Pennsylvania, Lease Revenue Bonds, Philadelphia School    6/13 at 100.00    AAA    14,917,760 
     District, Series 2003, 5.000%, 6/01/33 (Pre-refunded 6/01/13) – FSA Insured             

18,925    Total Pennsylvania            21,213,496 

    Puerto Rico – 0.4% (0.2% of Total Investments)             
10,000    Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation, Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2007A, 0.000%,    No Opt. Call    AA–    928,700 
     8/01/43 – MBIA Insured             

    South Carolina – 5.7% (3.6% of Total Investments)             
5,000    Florence County, South Carolina, Hospital Revenue Bonds, McLeod Regional Medical Center,    11/14 at 100.00    AAA    5,013,100 
     Series 2004A, 5.250%, 11/01/23 – FSA Insured             
    Greenville County School District, South Carolina, Installment Purchase Revenue Bonds, Series             
    2008, Trust 3219:             
750     17.226%, 12/01/22 (IF)    12/13 at 100.00    AA    828,000 
585     13.356%, 12/01/23 (IF)    12/13 at 100.00    AA    618,000 
8,000    South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank, Revenue Bonds, Series 2002A, 5.000%,    10/12 at 100.00    A1    7,371,680 
     10/01/33 – AMBAC Insured             

14,335    Total South Carolina            13,830,780 

    Texas – 12.6% (8.1% of Total Investments)             
7,975    Fort Bend Independent School District, Fort Bend County, Texas, General Obligation Bonds,    8/10 at 100.00    AAA    8,044,702 
     Series 2000, 5.000%, 8/15/25             
12,500    Grand Prairie Independent School District, Dallas County, Texas, General Obligation Bonds,    2/13 at 100.00    AAA    14,310,125 
     Series 2003, 5.125%, 2/15/31 (Pre-refunded 2/15/13) – FSA Insured             
2,000    Houston, Texas, First Lien Combined Utility System Revenue Bonds, Series 2004A, 5.250%,    5/14 at 100.00    AA    2,038,280 
     5/15/25 – MBIA Insured             
5,515    Houston, Texas, General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2002, 5.250%, 3/01/20 – MBIA Insured    3/12 at 100.00    AA    5,859,577 
465    Katy Independent School District, Harris, Fort Bend and Waller Counties, Texas, General    2/12 at 100.00    AAA    495,537 
     Obligation Bonds, Series 2002A, 5.125%, 2/15/18             

28,455    Total Texas            30,748,221 

    Virginia – 0.6% (0.4% of Total Investments)             
1,500    Hampton, Virginia, Revenue Bonds, Convention Center Project, Series 2002, 5.125%, 1/15/28 –    1/13 at 100.00    A1    1,470,570 
     AMBAC Insured             

    Washington – 13.1% (8.4% of Total Investments)             
4,945    Broadway Office Properties, King County, Washington, Lease Revenue Bonds, Washington Project,    12/12 at 100.00    AAA    4,858,759 
     Series 2002, 5.000%, 12/01/31 – MBIA Insured             
5,250    Chelan County Public Utility District 1, Washington, Hydro Consolidated System Revenue Bonds,    7/12 at 100.00    AA    5,217,188 
     Series 2002C, 5.125%, 7/01/33 – AMBAC Insured             
7,500    King County, Washington, Sewer Revenue Bonds, Series 2006-2, 8.508%, 1/01/31 – FSA Insured (IF)    1/17 at 100.00    AAA    7,342,125 
2,135    Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority, Washington, Revenue Bonds, Bremerton Government    7/13 at 100.00    A1    2,165,317 
     Center, Series 2003, 5.000%, 7/01/23 – MBIA Insured             
1,935    Pierce County School District 343, Dieringer, Washington, General Obligation Refunding Bonds,    6/13 at 100.00    Aa1    2,143,245 
     Series 2003, 5.250%, 12/01/17 – FGIC Insured             
9,670    Washington State, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2003D, 5.000%, 12/01/21 – MBIA Insured    6/13 at 100.00    AA+    10,154,660 

31,435    Total Washington            31,881,294 

    West Virginia – 1.3% (0.9% of Total Investments)             
3,000    West Virginia State Building Commission, Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds, Regional Jail and    No Opt. Call    A    3,247,560 
     Corrections Facility, Series 1998A, 5.375%, 7/01/21 – AMBAC Insured             

    Wisconsin – 6.8% (4.4% of Total Investments)             
1,190    Sun Prairie Area School District, Dane County, Wisconsin, General Obligation Bonds, Series    3/14 at 100.00    Aa3    1,319,960 
     2004C, 5.250%, 3/01/24 – FSA Insured             
4,605    Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Franciscan Sisters of    9/13 at 100.00    BBB+ (4)    5,479,305 
     Christian Charity Healthcare Ministry, Series 2003A, 5.875%, 9/01/33 (Pre-refunded 9/01/13)             
3,000    Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Meriter Hospital Inc.,    No Opt. Call    A1    3,380,160 
     Series 1992A, 6.000%, 12/01/22 – FGIC Insured             
3,600    Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Wheaton Franciscan    8/13 at 100.00    BBB+    1,883,160 
     Services Inc., Series 2003A, 5.125%, 8/15/33             
4,750    Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Wausau    2/09 at 102.00    A    4,542,093 
     Hospital Inc., Series 1998A, 5.125%, 8/15/20 – AMBAC Insured             

17,145    Total Wisconsin            16,604,678 

401,575    Total Long-Term Investments (cost $385,585,376) – 154.1%            375,273,308 


    Short-Term Investments – 1.6% (1.1% of Total Investments)             
1,994    Florida Board of Education, Lottery Revenue Bonds, Variable Rate Demand Obligation, Series        AAA    1,994,000 
     2001B, Trust 570, 5.500%, 7/01/14 – FGIC Insured (5)             
2,000    Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Variable Rate Demand Obligation,        A-1+    2,000,000 
     Series 2007, 0.400%, 7/01/37 (5)             

$         3,994    Total Short-Term Investments (cost $3,994,000)            3,994,000 


    Total Investments (cost $389,579,376) – 155.7%            379,267,308 

    Floating Rate Obligations – (3.5)%            (8,505,000)

    Other Assets Less Liabilities – 2.3%            5,639,825 

    Auction Rate Preferred Shares, at Liquidation Value – (54.5)% (6)            (132,800,000)

    Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares – 100%          $  243,602,133 



    At least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including net assets attributable to Auction Rate Preferred shares) 
    are invested in municipal securities that are covered by insurance or backed by an escrow or trust account 
    containing sufficient U.S. Government or U.S. Government agency securities or U.S. Treasury-issued State 
    and Local Government Series securities to ensure the timely payment of principal and interest. 
(1)    All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets applicable to Common 
    shares unless otherwise noted. 
(2)    Optional Call Provisions: Dates (month and year) and prices of the earliest optional call or redemption. 
    There may be other call provisions at varying prices at later dates. Certain mortgage-backed securities 
    may be subject to periodic principal paydowns. 
(3)    Ratings: Using the higher of Standard & Poor’s Group (“Standard & Poor’s”) or Moody’s Investor Service, 
    Inc. (“Moody’s”) rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor’s or Baa by Moody’s are considered to be 
    below investment grade. 
    The Portfolio of Investments may reflect the ratings on certain bonds insured by ACA, AGC, AMBAC, CIFG, 
    FGIC, FSA, MBIA, RAAI and SYNCORA as of January 31, 2009. Subsequent to January 31, 2009, and 
    during the period this Portfolio of Investments was prepared, there may have been reductions to the 
    ratings of certain bonds resulting from changes to the ratings of the underlying insurers both during the 
    period and after period end. Such reductions would likely reduce the effective rating of many of the bonds 
    insured by that insurer or insurers presented at period end. 
(4)    Backed by an escrow or trust containing sufficient U.S. Government or U.S. Government agency securities 
    which ensure the timely payment of principal and interest. Such investments are normally considered to 
    be equivalent to AAA rated securities. 
(5)    Investment has a maturity of more than one year, but has variable rate and demand features which qualify 
    it as a short-term investment. The rate disclosed is that in effect at the end of the reporting period. This 
    rate changes periodically based on market conditions or a specified market index. 
(6)    Auction Rate Preferred Shares, at Liquidation Value as a percentage of Total Investments is 35.0%. 
(ETM)    Escrowed to maturity. 
(IF)    Inverse floating rate investment. 
(UB)    Underlying bond of an inverse floating rate trust reflected as a financing transaction pursuant to the 
    provisions of SFAS No. 140. 

Fair Value Measurements

During the current fiscal period, the Fund adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (SFAS No.157) “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. In determining the value of the Fund’s investments various inputs are used. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. 
Level 2 – Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, 
              prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). 
Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs (including management’s assumptions in determining the fair 
              value of investments). 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the Fund’s fair value measurements as of January 31, 2009:

    Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Total 

Investments    $ —    $379,267,308    $ —    $379,267,308 


Income Tax Information

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to timing differences in recognizing taxable market discount, timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions and the treatment of investments in inverse floating rate transactions subject to SFAS No. 140. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities presented in the annual report, based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the net asset value of the Fund.

At January 31, 2009, the cost of investments was $380,940,118.

Gross unrealized appreciation and gross unrealized depreciation of investments at January 31, 2009, were as follows:


Gross unrealized:     
  Appreciation    $ 16,246,642 
  Depreciation    (26,421,399)

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments    $(10,174,757)



Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

  1. The registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).
  2. There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant's last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Item 3. Exhibits.

File as exhibits as part of this Form a separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)), exactly as set forth below: See EX-99 CERT attached hereto.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant)         Nuveen Insured Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund         

By (Signature and Title)          /s/ Kevin J. McCarthy                    
                                                  Kevin J. McCarthy
                                                  Vice President and Secretary

Date         April 1, 2009        

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By (Signature and Title)         /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman                    
                                                 Gifford R. Zimmerman
                                                 Chief Administrative Officer (principal executive officer) 

Date         April 1, 2009        

By (Signature and Title)         /s/ Stephen D. Foy                              
                                                 Stephen D. Foy
                                                 Vice President and Controller (principal financial officer) 

Date        April 1, 2009