The ACE division said it had begun a national product rolloutbeyond New Jersey, where the product is currently available, toPennsylvania, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia,Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas and Minnesota.

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The ACE personal umbrella policy pays for legal costs inaddition to, rather than as part of the policy limit.

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Additional features include reimbursement for the cost ofengaging firms to protect a family's reputation and credits forcarrying underlying insurance with higher liability limits, ACEsaid.

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Optional endorsements can be added for employment practicesliability for domestic staff, directors and officers liabilitycoverage for volunteer board members of nonprofit organizations,and uninsured/underinsured coverage up to $10 million.

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ACE said the uninsured/underinsured endorsement is not limitedto automobile accidents but also applies to other accidents, suchas swimming pool mishaps at a neighbor's property, for example.

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The new umbrella policy is being offered through independentagents as a component of the ACE Platinum Portfolio insuranceprogram. Designed specifically for affluent customers, the ACEPlatinum Portfolio policy can provide coverage for homes, vacationproperties, automobiles, jewelry and other valuables, as well asexcess liability.

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For additional information, visit http://www.aceprivateriskservices.com.

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ATLANTIC SPECIALTY OFFERS NEW CGL PRESCRIBED FIRE POLICY

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In mid-March, Atlantic Specialty Lines, a managing generalagency in Naperville, Ill., announced a new commercial generalliability policy for specialty contractors involved with prescribedfires and grassland burning.

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Prescribed fire is a land management tool designed to controlthe natural buildup of forest and grassland fuels, the MGA said,adding that the new insurance product was "the culmination ofnearly 18 months of research into a unique market segment that isgrossly underserved by the property- casualty industry."

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In 2007, there were over 3 million acres that utilizedprescribed fire in U.S. forestland alone, plus thousands of acresof privately owned land, the MGA said, adding that hundreds ofwell-trained prescribed fire professionals are involved in thisactivity throughout the nation.

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Atlantic Specialty said primary coverage being offered is an ISOCGL policy with enhanced options, and that the product will beoffered initially on an excess and surplus lines basis through an"A-plus" rated carrier.

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The basic policy limit is $1,000,000/$1,000,000 with specialsublimits for pollution and fire suppression.

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Coverage may be written on an annual or a "per-job" basis.

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The MGA said the ideal target account would be the professionalcontractor with at least 33 percent of revenue devoted toprescribed fire, adding, however, that consideration will be givento a wide range of firms that may also perform forest managementand ecological consulting, grassland restoration, tree pruning andbrush removal.

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The product is available in all states except California andcounties south of a line from Ocala to Daytona Beach, Florida.

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Atlantic Specialty Lines has offices in Illinois, Pennsylvania,Virginia and Florida, but does business in most states.

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For additional information please contact Doug Rigdon, AtlanticSpecialty Lines Midwest, at [email protected].

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DARWIN ANNOUNCES ADMITTED LAWYERS PRODUCT

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In early March, Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd.,through its member company Darwin Professional Underwriters,announced the rollout of a new admitted, standard market lawyersprofessional liability product in the United States.

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The new policy form incorporates key coverage features andenhancements needed by law firms in the small-to-midsize market,the company said.

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Darwin will entertain firms with:

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o 1-25 attorneys

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o All levels of experience

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o Annual revenues of $50,000 or above

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o All areas of practice except patent prosecution, includinghard-to-place business

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Darwin said it will distribute the lawyers product throughwholesale or retail producers who will serve as the point of accessin designated states, highlighting two key partnerships with AgencyMarketing Systems and Jardine Lloyd Thompson.

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For more information, contact Nicole Haggerty [email protected].

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RLI PROVIDING MIDSIZE COMPANY LIABILITY PROTECTION AGAINST CYBERRISKS

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Peoria, Ill.-based RLI Corp. announced its new network securityand privacy coverage, CyberSecure, in early March, targetingmidsize companies--defined by RLI as those with annual revenuesabove $2 million.

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RLI said CyberSecure insures losses from system vulnerability,security issues and a wide range of exposures to financial lossarising from network security and privacy breaches.

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In terms of industry groups, RLI is targeting health careorganizations, financial services companies, technology serviceproviders, traditional service providers and retailers.

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The coverage includes:

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o First-party coverage for network business interruption, dataloss, crisis management and cyber-extortion.

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o Third-party coverage for network security, privacy, electronicmedia and professional liability for technology and otherprofessional services.

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o Limits up to $10 million, minimum premium of $25,000 anddeductible of $25,000.

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o To help mitigate loss exposures and provide service tocustomers, RLI has launched a private Web-based portal to provideCyberSecure policyholders with information and technical resourcesthat can assist them in the prevention of network security andprivacy breaches and support them should a breach occur.

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RLI said the portal is powered and maintained by NetDiligence, aleading cyber-risk assessment services company, and that resourcesavailable from the portal cross a broad range ofdisciplines--legal/regulatory compliance, information technology,security, privacy, disaster recovery/business continuity, computerforensics, forensic accounting, public relations, credit monitoringand law enforcement.

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For additional information about CyberSecure, contact BettyShepherd at [email protected] or visit the RLI EPG Website at www.rli-epg.com.

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IRONSHORE APPOINTS KOSTRO AS PROGRAM UNIT LEADER

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Bermuda-based Ironshore recently announced the appointment ofSusan Kostro as the vice president responsible for running itsnewly created program underwriting facility.

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Prior to joining Ironshore, Ms. Kostro spent over 19 years inthe commercial insurance industry in various casualty underwritingand management positions, most recently serving as vice presidentof Casualty at Lexington Insurance Company.

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Ms. Kostro will develop and manage program business, working inconjunction with program administrators across all of Ironshore'sunderwriting platforms.

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Her duties will also include working with the Ironshore casualtyteams to continue to build out the specialty casualty business,including public entity.

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In her previous position at Lexington, Ms. Kostro'sresponsibilities included oversight of both the excess and publicentity books of business.

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At Ironshore, Ms. Kostro will be based in Boston and she willreport to Shaun Kelly, chief executive officer of Ironshore's U.S.operations.

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EVEREST SNAGS HERMAN

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In early March, Everest Re Group, Ltd. announced that MarkHerman was appointed president of the newly-created EverestSpecialty Underwriters.

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The new division, based in New York, will focus its attention onthe professional lines markets, specifically directors and officersand errors and omissions products for the primary insurancemarket.

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Mr. Herman joins Everest from Valiant Insurance Group, where heserved as non-executive chairman. Prior to that, Mr. Herman wasco-president of Ariel Holdings Ltd., where he was instrumental inbuilding the operation from its formation in 2005.

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Before assuming his role at Valiant, Mr. Herman spent nine yearswith ACE Limited as president and chief executive officer of ACEBermuda. Prior to joining ACE in 1995, he held various seniorpositions with the Chubb Group.

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GUERIN, LAGOS LAUNCH PROGRAM CONSULTING BUSINESS

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James Guerin and George Lagos have recently launched GLInsurance Partners, LLC, an insurance services and consulting firm,which specializes in specialty commercial program businessissues.

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The two men said the services they provide include duediligence, operational audits and reviews, compliance management,program development, dispute resolution and litigation support forand on behalf of reinsurers, primary carriers, Lloyds underwritersand program administrators.

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They can be reached at [email protected]and [email protected].

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MULLER HEADING ASPEN PROGRAM BUSINESS

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Bermuda-based Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited announced theappointment of Thomas Muller last week as executive vice presidentof Aspen Re America in charge of program business.

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Mr. Muller will report to Brian Boornazian, president, AspenRe.

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In his new role, Mr. Muller will primarily write specialty MGAProperty Program business through reinsurance brokers. He will bebased in Rocky Hill, Conn.

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Mr. Muller joins Aspen from XL Re America where he worked forthe past 10 years and was most recently senior vice president incharge of all property business--treaty, facultative and programs.He held prior positions at NAC Re, which was acquired by XL Capitalin 1999, Underwriters Re and Crum & Forster.

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At Aspen, Mr. Muller has also been appointed to Aspen's U.S.Executive Committee which is responsible for overseeing Aspen'sU.S. operations.

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VENTURE LAUNCHES NEW SPORTSMAN INSURANCE PROGRAM

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In mid-February, West Chester, Pa.-based Venture InsurancePrograms announced the launch of Sportsman insurance program--anall-lines insurance and risk management solution for hunting andfishing resorts, lodges and private clubs.

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The national program administrator said the Sportsman insuranceprogram also offers specialized loss control engineering servicesdesigned for the hunting and fishing industry.

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Joe Dolce, executive vice president of Venture's Hospitality andLeisure Division, said the offering builds on Venture's extensiveexperience in insuring golf, country clubs and resorts through itsPreferred Club and Suitelife programs.

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The program is being underwritten through Chubb Group ofInsurance Companies, rated "A-double-plus" by A.M. Best, andfeatures nationally filed, admitted and nonadmitted policies andbroad coverage language available for property, inland marine andcrime, general liability, commercial auto, including valet parking,workers' compensation, liquor liability and umbrella.

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Specifics of the property, inland and GL coverages include:

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o Property coverage for coastal and mountain properties and forprotection classes 8, 9 and 10; broad "all-risk" property/incomeperils; and $250,000 automatic blanket limit coverageextension.

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o Inland marine/crime coverage designed to cover hunting andfishing equipment; employee dishonesty and guest property; fishingboats, skiffs, workboats and more.

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o General liability coverage including vendors; lessors ofpremises or leased equipment; personal injury such asdiscrimination, harassment and segregation; and typical hunting andfishing exposures such as horseback, kennels and snowmobiles.

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LIU, FIVE STAR TEAM UP ON MANAGEMENT LIABILITY FORNONPROFITS

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Last week, Boston-based Liberty International Underwriters, adivision of Liberty Mutual Group, announced that it has partneredwith Five Star Specialty Programs, a division of Crump InsuranceServices Inc., to create an insurance program for nonprofits.

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The LIU-Five Star program brings all key D&O coveragesneeded by nonprofits into one primary policy, eliminating the needfor brokers to make multiple calls to cover these clients'specialty insurance needs, LIU said, referring specifically tosmall-to-midsize not-for-profit operations.

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The Five Star Nonprofit Executive Advantage program offersD&O, employment practices and fiduciary liability coverage withlimits up to $10 million.

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Coverage features include a claims-first-made policy, broadwrongful acts definition, duty to defend with first-dollar defenseand defense of suits alleging breach of contract.

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"The economic lifeline provided by nonprofits is needed by moreAmericans now than at any other time in the past 50 years," saidCarl Pursiano, senior vice president of management liability forLIU. While the need for nonprofit work continues to increase,critical funding from donations and other sources is likely todecrease, he added, suggesting that it is imperative thatnonprofits concentrate on providing necessary services despite theobstacles.

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"We help nonprofits manage their own risks so they can betterfocus their energy and resources on helping others," he said.

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Brokers interested in primary D&O coverage for nonprofitscan contact Five Star at [email protected].

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For nonprofit D&O for health care and condo/homeownerassociations or excess nonprofit D&O coverage, brokers shouldcontact LIU's Todd Weber directly at [email protected].

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TARGETING SMALL PUBLIC COMPANIES, VALIANT INTRODUCES SAFEGUARDD&O

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In late February, Valiant Insurance in New York, a unit ofBermuda-based Ariel Holdings, announced a new offering of primarydirectors and officers liability insurance--the SAFEGUARD policyfor publicly traded companies with revenues of $1 billion orless.

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SAFEGUARD coverage highlights include:

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o A broad definition of Claim that triggers coverage for aninsured person investigated by the Securities & ExchangeCommission, the U.S. Department of Justice or similar regulatory orlaw enforcement authority when at risk of being named in a formalproceeding.

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o A definition of Loss that addresses actual or allegedviolations of Section 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933.

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o A Representations clause that includes full severability forInsuring Agreement A and B and, with respect to the company forSecurities Claims, imputation of knowledge only from executiveofficers.

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For more information, contact Lori Marino, senior vice presidentof management liability at [email protected].

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NAVIGATORS OPENS PHILADELPHIA OFFICE

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Earlier this month, New York-based Navigators Group announcedthat Navigators Management Company Inc., its principal underwritingagency subsidiary, has expanded its underwriting operations throughthe opening of a new office in Philadelphia, Pa.

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The office will initially focus on excess casualty, commercialumbrella, management liability and professional liabilityprograms.

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Specific contacts are: John Dramesi or Mark Smith for excesscasualty at [email protected] and [email protected]; David Fernandez formanagement liability at [email protected]; Stacy Hoffmanfor professional liability at [email protected].

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W. R. BERKLEY FORMS NEW TRANSPORTATION, ALLIED HEALTH UNITS

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In late February, Greenwich, Conn.-based W. R. BerkleyCorporation announced the formation of Gemini TransportationUnderwriters, a new division of Carolina Casualty Insurance Group,LLC, which will specialize in underwriting transportation excessliability insurance, such as railroad liability and vehicularcoverage.

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Separately, W.R. Berkley also announced the formation of a newdivision of Admiral Insurance Group, LLC that will focus initiallyon allied health and related risks on a program basis.

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Rocco P. Modafferi, a 30-year veteran of the casualty insurancearena, was named president of the new Boston-based division fortransportation risks.

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Gemini Transportation Underwriters will utilize W. R. BerkleyCorporation member company Gemini Insurance Company, which is rated"A-plus" by A.M. Best Company, as its issuing carrier.

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Michael S. Bernstein, a 26-year veteran whose prior experiencewas almost entirely focused in the professional liability insurancesegment, will oversee the new allied health division, reportingdirectly to Admiral's president and chief executive officer, JamesS. Carey.

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Admiral Insurance Company, a provider of excess and surpluslines coverage to commercial risks that generally involve moderateto high degrees of hazard, is also rated "A-plus" by A.M. BestCompany.

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For further information about the products and servicesavailable from Gemini Transportation Underwriters, contact Mr.Modafferi at [email protected].

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For further information about the products and servicesavailable from Admiral's new allied health division, contact Mr.Bernstein at [email protected].

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BEAZLEY LAUNCHES U.S. BUILDERS RISK, ENGINEERED RISKCAPABILITY

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In mid-March, Beazley Group plc, a London-based company withglobal specialty insurance businesses in the United States, Europe,Asia and Australia, said it set up a builders risk and engineeredrisk capability in the United States.

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Beazley said the U.S. builders risk unit is being headed by MarkGadaire, a senior underwriter with more than 25 years experience.He joins Beazley from ACE, where he was national practice leaderfor Builders Risk on the global property team.

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Beazley's new U.S. team will underwrite:

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o Contractors All Risks (CAR), covering the construction ofbuildings as well as certain types of civil engineeringprojects.

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o Erection All Risks (EAR), covering the installation, assembly,erection and testing and commissioning of plant and machinery.

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o Completed Civils, which provides operational property coveragefor bridges and tunnels.

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Beazley said builders risk, commonly known as contractors allrisks and erection all risks outside the US, has been a growthmarket for the organization in recent years, noting that in late2006, it established a team in Singapore to underwrite risks thatwould not normally be seen by underwriters based in London.

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The U.S. team will similarly focus on risks that normally remainin London, and Mr. Gadaire will initially be underwriting risks ona surplus lines basis for the account of Beazley's Lloyd'ssyndicates.

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Later this year the group plans to begin underwriting buildersrisk insurance on an admitted basis in the United States throughBeazley Insurance Company, the group's A.M. Best "A"-rated U.S.insurance company.

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Beazley noted that the development of Beazley's builders riskand engineering team in the U.S. market occurs against the backdropof substantial growth in Beazley's broader U.S. property insurancebusiness, highlighting its agreement to acquire First StateManagement Group, an underwriting manager focusing on surplus linescommercial property risks, from The Hartford Financial ServicesGroup Inc. last month.

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HISCOX LAUNCHES U.S. INLAND MARINE UNIT

|

Bermuda-based Hiscox, an international specialty insurancegroup, is now offering inland marine insurance to the U.S. market,the group said in a late-February announcement.

|

Hiscox hired Steve Silverman, previously an assistant vicepresident at Lexington Insurance Company, to lead the initiative.He is joined by Randi Glazer, assistant vice president, who waspreviously with Fireman's Fund Insurance Company where she was theinland marine manager for the New York Region.

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Inland Marine coverages that Hiscox will pursue include:

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o Motor Truck Cargo--all types of motor carriers andcommodities.

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o Construction Equipment of any type, including construction andport Cranes, backhoes, loaders, and land-based energy servicingequipment.

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o Property and equipment used in mining operations, such asprocessing plants, loading facilities, draglines, long wall andcontinuous miners, concrete pumping units.

|

o Vehicle physical damage for vehicles that include tractors andtrailers, buses, ambulances, fire trucks, ready-mix units and dumptrucks.

|

o Warehouse legal liability

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o Leased Property

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o Miscellaneous property, such as mobile MRI or CT scanners,computer equipment, property while being moved or hoisted by theinsured.

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o Agricultural and construction equipment dealers and automobiledealers (inventory and fixed property only)

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o Railroads-freight and passenger (fixed property and rollingstock)

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Hiscox will underwrite both individual risks and inland marineprograms.

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VILLERS TO LEAD ASPEN'S FINANCIAL/PROFESSIONAL UNIT

|

In mid-March, Bermuda-based Aspen Insurance Holdings Limitedannounced that it appointed Rupert Villers to head up a combinedfinancial and professional lines insurance business segment.

|

With his official start date set for April 27, Mr. Villers willbe based in London and will report directly to Aspen ChiefExecutive Officer Chris O'Kane.

|

In conjunction with Mr. Villers' appointment, Aspen has combinedits financial institutions, professional lines, and management andtechnology liability insurance underwriting units into a newbusiness segment to harness the company's expertise and capturegrowth opportunities in those lines, the company said.

|

According to Mr. O'Kane, "Insurance is becoming a larger part ofAspen's overall business." He said considerable growthopportunities exist in lines such as financial and professional,marine and energy liability, and excess casualty and aviationlines, where prices are stabilizing and in many instanceshardening.

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Mr. Villers comes to Aspen after holding a number of industrypositions, most recently serving as chairman of APJ ContinuationLtd.--a company he co-founded in 2005, whose major subsidiary, APJ(Asset Protection Jersey Limited), writes a specialist book ofkidnap and ransom insurance.

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Relevant to his new role as Aspen, Mr. Villers co-founded SVBHoldings (subsequently renamed Novae Holdings), which establisheditself as a major insurer in the London financial and professionallines market. In his 17 years there, he was chief executive officerfor 11 years and underwriter of Syndicate 1007 for three.

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ZURICH NA SNAGS GOW FOR E&O

|

In mid-February, the Zurich North America announced theappointment of Brad Gow to head the Specialty Errors &Omissions group of its Commercial Specialties business unit.

|

In this role, Mr. Gow is heading a nationwide team in deliveringprofessional liability protection to markets including engineering,media, technology, real estate and specified professions.

|

He will also be integral to the development and launch of newproducts and services to address emerging E&O exposures, suchas security and privacy risks, Zurich said.

|

Mr. Gow, a 20-year veteran of the insurance industry experience,was most recently vice president of professional liability productmanagement with ACE Insurance, where he developed a line oftechnology E&O and network risk products.

|

Before joining ACE, he as co-founder of NetDiligence, a venturecapital-backed network security and privacy consulting firm focusedon the needs of network risk underwriters.

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TRAVELERS AGRIBUSINESS UNVEILS AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR AGENTS

|

Hartford, Conn.-based Travelers said it developed the TravelersAgribusiness System (TAgS), an automated system that allows agentsto efficiently rate, quote and issue agribusiness insurancepolicies electronically.

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The new interface will be helpful to agents that sellagribusiness insurance, where a single risk can include a varietyof exposures, from a barn and a baler to cows and harvestedcrops.

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According to Scott Newbury, second vice president of marketingfor Travelers Agribusiness, TAgS reduced the quoting time foragents more than 25 percent in initial testing.

|

TAgS also allows for online endorsement and automatic renewalprocessing.

|

While the Agribusiness Division has offered automation forseveral years, the TAgS system represents a huge step forward,providing a far more efficient and user-friendly interface withsimple, colorful pages, radio buttons and drop-down menus,Travelers said.

|

The new system is accessed via the Web and Travelers proprietaryAgent HQ portal.

|

Travelers Agribusiness offers programs for farms, ranches,wineries, horse owners and large commercial growers of agriculturalproducts.