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:         7/31/09         

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-Fee Advantage Municipal Fund (NEA)       
July 31, 2009
 
 
 
Principal    Optional Call     
Amount (000)  Description (1)  Provisions (2)  Ratings (3)  Value 
  Alabama – 8.9% (5.9% of Total Investments)       
$           1,000  Alabama Special Care Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ascension Health,  11/16 at 100.00  AA  $     969,520 
   Series 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  4,802,905 
   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  A (4)  3,513,323 
   (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  6,849,910 
   2/01/32 (Pre-refunded 8/01/12) – FGIC Insured       
1,750  Montgomery, Alabama, General Obligation Warrants, Series 2003, 5.000%, 5/01/21 – AMBAC Insured  5/12 at 101.00  AA  1,855,105 
4,500  Sheffield, Alabama, Electric Revenue Bonds, Series 2003, 5.500%, 7/01/29 – AMBAC Insured  7/13 at 100.00  A2  4,555,575 
22,285  Total Alabama      22,546,338 
  Arizona – 5.3% (3.5% of Total Investments)       
10,000  Maricopa County Pollution Control Corporation, Arizona, Revenue Bonds, Arizona Public Service  11/12 at 100.00  Baa2  8,428,300 
   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%,  No Opt. Call  AA  5,011,114 
   7/01/37 – FGIC Insured       
16,545  Total Arizona      13,439,414 
  California – 25.1% (16.7% of Total Investments)       
26,300  California State Public Works Board, Lease Revenue Bonds, Department of General Services,  12/12 at 100.00  A–  23,886,711 
   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  Baa1  245,955 
5  California State, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2004, 5.000%, 4/01/31 – AMBAC Insured  4/14 at 100.00  A  4,728 
7,495  California State, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2004, 5.000%, 4/01/31 (Pre-refunded  4/14 at 100.00  AAA  8,625,396 
   4/01/14) – AMBAC Insured       
2,910  Cathedral City Public Financing Authority, California, Tax Allocation Bonds, Housing  8/12 at 102.00  A  2,577,009 
   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  135,185 
   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–  6,663,280 
   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  N/R  2,176,675 
   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  A+  4,001,440 
   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–  1,115,333 
1,255   5.250%, 6/01/21 – AMBAC Insured  6/13 at 101.00  A–  1,208,967 
1,210  Redding Joint Powers Financing Authority, California, Lease Revenue Bonds, Capital Improvement  3/13 at 100.00  A  1,201,699 
   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  A+  3,677,700 
   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  1,501,920 
   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  A  1,024,057 
   1/01/28 – MBIA Insured       
6,300  University of California, Revenue Bonds, Multi-Purpose Projects, Series 2003A,  5/13 at 100.00  AA  6,196,239 
   5.000%, 5/15/33 – AMBAC Insured (UB)       
67,910  Total California      64,242,294 
  Colorado – 5.8% (3.8% 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  4,341,022 
3,750   5.500%, 12/01/28 – FSA Insured  12/13 at 100.00  AAA  3,768,338 
1,450  Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority, Charter School Revenue Bonds,  8/14 at 100.00  A  1,331,100 
   Peak-to-Peak Charter School, Series 2004, 5.250%, 8/15/24 – SYNCORA GTY Insured       
4,500  Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Colorado, Revenue Bonds, Catholic Health Initiatives,  4/18 at 100.00  AAA  4,220,460 
   Series 2006C-1, Trust 1090, 13.946%, 10/01/41 – FSA Insured (IF)       
3,000  E-470 Public Highway Authority, Colorado, Senior Revenue Bonds, Series 2000B, 0.000%,  No Opt. Call  A  623,760 
   9/01/30 – NPFG Insured       
2,900  E-470 Public Highway Authority, Colorado, Toll Revenue Bonds, Series 2004A, 0.000%, 9/01/34 –  No Opt. Call  A  425,140 
   NPFG Insured       
19,900  Total Colorado      14,709,820 
  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  568,336 
   Revenue Bonds, Series 2007, Residuals 1606, 11.216%, 10/01/30 – AMBAC Insured (IF)       
  Florida – 2.3% (1.5% of Total Investments)       
2,500  Florida State Board of Education, Public Education Capital Outlay Bonds, Series 2008, Trust  6/18 at 101.00  AAA  2,488,150 
   2929, 16.570%, 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)  3,453,480 
   Series 2003, 5.500%, 11/15/27 (Pre-refunded 5/15/13)       
5,500  Total Florida      5,941,630 
  Georgia – 1.4% (0.9% 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  1,433,674 
   FSA Insured       
1,825  Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Georgia, Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Second  1/13 at 100.00  AA+ (4)  2,050,899 
   Indenture Series 2002, 5.000%, 7/01/32 (Pre-refunded 1/01/13) – MBIA Insured       
3,235  Total Georgia      3,484,573 
  Illinois – 3.5% (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  3,510,044 
2,940   5.125%, 12/01/23 – FSA Insured  12/14 at 100.00  Aa3  3,087,528 
2,500  Illinois Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Lake Forest Hospital, Series 2003,  7/13 at 100.00  A–  2,362,950 
   5.250%, 7/01/23       
8,725  Total Illinois      8,960,522 
  Indiana – 9.3% (6.1% of Total Investments)       
2,500  Evansville, Indiana, Sewerage Works Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2003A, 5.000%, 7/01/23 –  7/13 at 100.00  N/R  2,482,575 
   AMBAC Insured       
2,190  Indiana Bond Bank, Advance Purchase Funding Bonds, Common School Fund, Series 2003B, 5.000%,  8/13 at 100.00  A  2,240,304 
   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  A+  1,768,432 
   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  1,039,930 
  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)  12,586,602 
3,000   5.000%, 7/15/20 (Pre-refunded 7/15/13) – MBIA Insured  7/13 at 100.00  AA (4)  3,426,480 
21,570  Total Indiana      23,544,323 
  Kansas – 2.0% (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  5,201,600 
   Development Facilities Projects, Series 2003C, 5.000%, 10/01/22 – AMBAC Insured       
  Kentucky – 0.4% (0.3% of Total Investments)       
985  Kentucky State Property and Buildings Commission, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Project 77, Series  8/13 at 100.00  Aa3 (4)  1,126,279 
   2003, 5.000%, 8/01/23 (Pre-refunded 8/01/13) – MBIA Insured       
  Louisiana – 2.2% (1.5% 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  5,658,482 
   FGIC Insured       
  Massachusetts – 0.4% (0.3% of Total Investments)       
1,125  Massachusetts Development Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Middlesex School, Series 2003,  9/13 at 100.00  A1  1,150,076 
   5.125%, 9/01/23       
  Michigan – 12.1% (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  A+ (4)  6,929,352 
   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  A+  4,308,279 
   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  Aa2  966,000 
   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  9,902,304 
   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–  2,292,728 
   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  A  6,117,605 
   Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Series 2001A, 5.000%, 12/01/30 – MBIA Insured       
31,145  Total Michigan      30,516,268 
  Missouri – 1.3% (0.8% of Total Investments)       
240  Clay County Public School District 53, Liberty, Missouri, General Obligation Bonds, Series  3/14 at 100.00  AAA  252,298 
   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  228,152 
   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  1,285,103 
1,260   5.250%, 3/01/24 (Pre-refunded 3/01/14) – FSA Insured  3/14 at 100.00  AAA  1,458,765 
2,825  Total Missouri      3,224,318 
  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+  5,054,050 
   6/15/28 – MBIA Insured       
  New Mexico – 0.8% (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  2,131,361 
  New York – 12.3% (8.2% of Total Investments)       
2,020  Hudson Yards Infrastructure Corporation, New York, Revenue Bonds, Series 2006A, 4.500%,  2/17 at 100.00  A  1,612,687 
   2/15/47 – MBIA Insured       
25,000  Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transportation Revenue Refunding Bonds,  11/12 at 100.00  A  24,471,999 
   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  1,922,224 
   2005B, 5.000%, 3/15/25 – FSA Insured (UB)       
3,335  New York State Urban Development Corporation, State Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds, Tender  3/17 at 100.00  AAA  3,332,165 
   Option Bond Trust 09-6W, 12.592%, 3/15/37 (IF)       
32,205  Total New York      31,339,075 
  North Carolina – 2.2% (1.5% of Total Investments)       
8,700  North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Revenue Bonds, Maria Parham Medical Center, Series  10/13 at 100.00  BBB–  5,573,046 
   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:       
65   5.125%, 6/01/24  6/17 at 100.00  BBB  53,544 
710   5.875%, 6/01/30  6/17 at 100.00  BBB  500,209 
685   5.750%, 6/01/34  6/17 at 100.00  BBB  442,859 
1,570   5.875%, 6/01/47  6/17 at 100.00  BBB  901,384 
3,030  Total Ohio      1,897,996 
  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  1,042,020 
   7/01/24 – AMBAC Insured       
  Oregon – 3.0% (2.0% 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  A  7,537,879 
  Pennsylvania – 9.5% (6.1% of Total Investments)       
3,000  Lehigh County General Purpose Authority, Pennsylvania, Hospital Revenue Bonds, St. Luke’s  8/13 at 100.00  AAA  3,468,600 
   Hospital of Bethlehem, Series 2003, 5.375%, 8/15/33 (Pre-refunded 8/15/13)       
3,500  Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Turnpike Subordinate Revenue Bonds, Series 2009C, 0.000%,  6/26 at 100.00  AAA  2,383,780 
   6/01/33 – FSA Insured       
2,000  Philadelphia Gas Works, Pennsylvania, Revenue Bonds, 5.000%, 8/01/32 – FSA Insured (UB)  8/13 at 100.00  AAA  1,970,440 
925  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Water and Wastewater Revenue Bonds, Series 1997A, 5.125%,  8/09 at 100.00  AAA  950,484 
   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  14,800,629 
   District, Series 2003, 5.000%, 6/01/33 (Pre-refunded 6/01/13) – FSA Insured       
22,425  Total Pennsylvania      23,573,933 
  Puerto Rico – 0.4% (0.3% of Total Investments)       
10,000  Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation, Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2007A, 0.000%,  No Opt. Call  AA–  1,122,900 
   8/01/43 – NPFG Insured       
  South Carolina – 7.0% (4.7% of Total Investments)       
5,000  Florence County, South Carolina, Hospital Revenue Bonds, McLeod Regional Medical Center,  11/14 at 100.00  AAA  5,150,850 
   Series 2004A, 5.250%, 11/01/23 – FSA Insured       
  Greenville County School District, South Carolina, Installment Purchase Revenue Bonds,       
  Series 2003:       
3,000   5.000%, 12/01/22 (UB)  12/13 at 100.00  AA  3,050,490 
1,785   5.000%, 12/01/23 (UB)  12/13 at 100.00  AA  1,810,543 
8,000  South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank, Revenue Bonds, Series 2002A, 5.000%,  10/12 at 100.00  A1  7,845,440 
   10/01/33 – AMBAC Insured       
17,785  Total South Carolina      17,857,323 
  Texas – 12.0% (8.0% of Total Investments)       
7,975  Fort Bend Independent School District, Fort Bend County, Texas, General Obligation Bonds,  8/10 at 100.00  AAA  8,060,412 
   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  14,166,999 
   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  2,062,960 
   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  5,817,167 
465  Katy Independent School District, Harris, Fort Bend and Waller Counties, Texas, General  2/12 at 100.00  AAA  489,492 
   Obligation Bonds, Series 2002A, 5.125%, 2/15/18       
28,455  Total Texas      30,597,030 
  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  1,507,740 
   AMBAC Insured       
  Washington – 11.7% (7.8% of Total Investments)       
4,945  Broadway Office Properties, King County, Washington, Lease Revenue Bonds, Washington Project,  12/12 at 100.00  AAA  4,965,720 
   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  5,274,465 
   Series 2002C, 5.125%, 7/01/33 – AMBAC Insured       
5,000  King County, Washington, Sewer Revenue Bonds, Series 2006-2, 12.406%, 1/01/31 –  1/17 at 100.00  AAA  5,175,500 
   FSA Insured (IF)       
2,135  Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority, Washington, Revenue Bonds, Bremerton Government  7/13 at 100.00  A1  2,159,104 
   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  2,131,577 
   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+  10,148,472 
28,935  Total Washington      29,854,838 
  West Virginia – 1.3% (0.8% of Total Investments)       
3,000  West Virginia State Building Commission, Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds, Regional Jail and  No Opt. Call  N/R  3,181,620 
   Corrections Facility, Series 1998A, 5.375%, 7/01/21 – AMBAC Insured       
  Wisconsin – 6.7% (4.5% of Total Investments)       
1,190  Sun Prairie Area School District, Dane County, Wisconsin, General Obligation Bonds, Series  3/14 at 100.00  Aa3  1,331,955 
   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+ (5)  5,383,659 
   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  3,125,730 
   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+  2,666,807 
   Services Inc., Series 2003A, 5.125%, 8/15/33       
4,750  Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Wausau  8/09 at 101.00  A  4,620,420 
   Hospital Inc., Series 1998A, 5.125%, 8/15/20 – AMBAC Insured       
17,145  Total Wisconsin      17,128,571 
$         402,705  Total Investments (cost $385,416,797) – 150.8%      383,713,655 
  Floating Rate Obligations – (4.8)%      (12,125,000)
  Other Assets Less Liabilities – 2.0%      4,798,474 
  Auction Rate Preferred Shares, at Liquidation Value – (48.0)% (5)      (122,000,000)
  Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares – 100%      $ 254,387,129 

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 July 31, 2009:

  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Investments:         
  Municipal Bonds  $ —  $383,713,655  $ —  $383,713,655 

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 Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 140 (SFAS No. 140), if any. 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 July 31, 2009, the cost of investments was $373,129,881.

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

Gross unrealized:   
  Appreciation  $  15,465,167 
  Depreciation  (17,003,971)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments  $  (1,538,804)

  At least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including net assets attributable to Auction Rate Preferred shares) 
  are invested in municipal securities that guarantee 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 whose insurer has experienced 
  downgrades as of the end of the reporting period. Subsequent to the reporting period, 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)  Auction Rate Preferred Shares, at Liquidation Value as a percentage of Total Investments is 31.8%. 
N/R  Not rated. 
(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. 

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         September 29, 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         September 29, 2009        

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

Date        September 29, 2009