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                                                        SEC FILE NUMBER
                                                           811-6053
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                   FORM 12b-25

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING


(Check One):  |_|  Form 10-KSB  |_|   Form 20-F  |_|  Form 11-K    |_| Form 10-Q
              |_|  Form 10-D    |X| Form N-SAR   |_|  Form N-CSR

     For Period Ended:           October 31, 2006
                       ---------------------------------------------------------


|_|  Transition Report on Form 10-K         |_|  Transition Report on Form 10-Q
|_|  Transition Report on Form 20-F         |_|  Transition Report on Form N-SAR
|_|  Transition Report on Form 11-K

     For the Transition Period Ended:
                                       -----------------------------------------

================================================================================
  Read Instruction (on back page) Before Preparing Form. Please Print or Type.

         NOTHING IN THIS FORM SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THE COMMISSION
HAS VERIFIED ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.

================================================================================

If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the item(s) to which the notification relates:
                                               ---------------------------------

PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Bond Trust
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Full Name of Registrant

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Former Name if Applicable

1221 Avenue of the Americas
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Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)

New York, New York  10020
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City, State and Zip Code






                                     PART II
                             RULE 12b-25 (b) AND (c)

         If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or
expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the
following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate).

         (a)   The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
               form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or
               expense;

         (b)   The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report
               on Form 10-KSB, Form 20-F, Form 11-K, Form N-SAR or Form N-CSR,
               or portion thereof, will be filed on or before the fifteenth
|X|            calendar day following the prescribed due date; or the subject
               quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q or subject
               distribution report on Form 10-D, or portion thereof, will be
               filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the
               prescribed due date; and

         (c)   The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
               12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

                                    PART III
                                    NARRATIVE

         State below in reasonable detail why Forms 10-KSB, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q,
10-D, N-SAR, N-CSR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be
filed within the prescribed time period.

As a result of a recent determination that certain transfers of municipal
securities by the Trust, previously accounted for as sales, do not qualify for
sale treatment and should be accounted for as secured borrowings. The Trust is
not able to finalize its financial statements for a timely filing of its Form
N-SAR without unreasonable effort or expense. Upon resolution of this matter
Deloitte and Touche LLP, the Trust's independent registered public accounting
firm, will complete its audit. The Trust's Form N-SAR will be completed and
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as soon as practicable.


                                     PART IV
                                OTHER INFORMATION

         (1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification

      Francis J. Smith                201                      830-8373
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          (Name)                  (Area Code)            (Telephone Number)


         (2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company
Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If the answer is no,
identify report(s).

                                                   |X|   Yes     |_|   No



         (3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of
operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be
reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or
portion thereof?

                                                   |_|   Yes     |X|   No

         If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both
narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a
reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made.





                   Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Bond Trust
                  (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.

Date:   December 29, 2006           By: Francis J. Smith
                                    Name: Francis J. Smith
                                    Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer