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

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

Additional features include reimbursement for the cost of engaging firms to protect a family's reputation and credits for carrying underlying insurance with higher liability limits, ACE said.

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

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

The new umbrella policy is being offered through independent agents as a component of the ACE Platinum Portfolio insurance program. Designed specifically for affluent customers, the ACE Platinum Portfolio policy can provide coverage for homes, vacation properties, automobiles, jewelry and other valuables, as well as excess liability.

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

ATLANTIC SPECIALTY OFFERS NEW CGL PRESCRIBED FIRE POLICY

In mid-March, Atlantic Specialty Lines, a managing general agency in Naperville, Ill., announced a new commercial general liability policy for specialty contractors involved with prescribed fires and grassland burning.

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

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

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

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

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

The MGA said the ideal target account would be the professional contractor with at least 33 percent of revenue devoted to prescribed fire, adding, however, that consideration will be given to a wide range of firms that may also perform forest management and ecological consulting, grassland restoration, tree pruning and brush removal.

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

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

For additional information please contact Doug Rigdon, Atlantic Specialty Lines Midwest, at dougr@atlanticspecial.com.

DARWIN ANNOUNCES ADMITTED LAWYERS PRODUCT

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 lawyers professional liability product in the United States.

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

Darwin will entertain firms with:

o 1-25 attorneys

o All levels of experience

o Annual revenues of $50,000 or above

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

Darwin said it will distribute the lawyers product through wholesale or retail producers who will serve as the point of access in designated states, highlighting two key partnerships with Agency Marketing Systems and Jardine Lloyd Thompson.

For more information, contact Nicole Haggerty at nhaggerty@darwinpro.com.

RLI PROVIDING MIDSIZE COMPANY LIABILITY PROTECTION AGAINST CYBER RISKS

Peoria, Ill.-based RLI Corp. announced its new network security and privacy coverage, CyberSecure, in early March, targeting midsize companies--defined by RLI as those with annual revenues above $2 million.

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

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

The coverage includes:

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

o Third-party coverage for network security, privacy, electronic media and professional liability for technology and other professional services.

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

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

RLI said the portal is powered and maintained by NetDiligence, a leading cyber-risk assessment services company, and that resources available from the portal cross a broad range of disciplines--legal/regulatory compliance, information technology, security, privacy, disaster recovery/business continuity, computer forensics, forensic accounting, public relations, credit monitoring and law enforcement.

For additional information about CyberSecure, contact Betty Shepherd at betty.shepherd@rlicorp.com or visit the RLI EPG Web site at www.rli-epg.com.

IRONSHORE APPOINTS KOSTRO AS PROGRAM UNIT LEADER

Bermuda-based Ironshore recently announced the appointment of Susan Kostro as the vice president responsible for running its newly created program underwriting facility.

Prior to joining Ironshore, Ms. Kostro spent over 19 years in the commercial insurance industry in various casualty underwriting and management positions, most recently serving as vice president of Casualty at Lexington Insurance Company.

Ms. Kostro will develop and manage program business, working in conjunction with program administrators across all of Ironshore's underwriting platforms.

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

In her previous position at Lexington, Ms. Kostro's responsibilities included oversight of both the excess and public entity books of business.

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

EVEREST SNAGS HERMAN

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

The new division, based in New York, will focus its attention on the professional lines markets, specifically directors and officers and errors and omissions products for the primary insurance market.

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

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

GUERIN, LAGOS LAUNCH PROGRAM CONSULTING BUSINESS

James Guerin and George Lagos have recently launched GL Insurance Partners, LLC, an insurance services and consulting firm, which specializes in specialty commercial program business issues.

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

They can be reached at james.guerin@glinsurancepartners.com and george.lagos@glinsurancepartners.com.

MULLER HEADING ASPEN PROGRAM BUSINESS

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

Mr. Muller will report to Brian Boornazian, president, Aspen Re.

In his new role, Mr. Muller will primarily write specialty MGA Property Program business through reinsurance brokers. He will be based in Rocky Hill, Conn.

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

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

VENTURE LAUNCHES NEW SPORTSMAN INSURANCE PROGRAM

In mid-February, West Chester, Pa.-based Venture Insurance Programs announced the launch of Sportsman insurance program--an all-lines insurance and risk management solution for hunting and fishing resorts, lodges and private clubs.

The national program administrator said the Sportsman insurance program also offers specialized loss control engineering services designed for the hunting and fishing industry.

Joe Dolce, executive vice president of Venture's Hospitality and Leisure Division, said the offering builds on Venture's extensive experience in insuring golf, country clubs and resorts through its Preferred Club and Suitelife programs.

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

Specifics of the property, inland and GL coverages include:

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

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

o General liability coverage including vendors; lessors of premises or leased equipment; personal injury such as discrimination, harassment and segregation; and typical hunting and fishing exposures such as horseback, kennels and snowmobiles.

LIU, FIVE STAR TEAM UP ON MANAGEMENT LIABILITY FOR NONPROFITS

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

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

The Five Star Nonprofit Executive Advantage program offers D&O, employment practices and fiduciary liability coverage with limits up to $10 million.

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

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

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

Brokers interested in primary D&O coverage for nonprofits can contact Five Star at marketing@5Starsp.com.

For nonprofit D&O for health care and condo/homeowner associations or excess nonprofit D&O coverage, brokers should contact LIU's Todd Weber directly at todd.weber@libertyiu.com.

TARGETING SMALL PUBLIC COMPANIES, VALIANT INTRODUCES SAFEGUARD D&O

In late February, Valiant Insurance in New York, a unit of Bermuda-based Ariel Holdings, announced a new offering of primary directors and officers liability insurance--the SAFEGUARD policy for publicly traded companies with revenues of $1 billion or less.

SAFEGUARD coverage highlights include:

o A broad definition of Claim that triggers coverage for an insured person investigated by the Securities & Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice or similar regulatory or law enforcement authority when at risk of being named in a formal proceeding.

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

o A Representations clause that includes full severability for Insuring Agreement A and B and, with respect to the company for Securities Claims, imputation of knowledge only from executive officers.

For more information, contact Lori Marino, senior vice president of management liability at Lori.Marino@Valiantinsurance.com.

NAVIGATORS OPENS PHILADELPHIA OFFICE

Earlier this month, New York-based Navigators Group announced that Navigators Management Company Inc., its principal underwriting agency subsidiary, has expanded its underwriting operations through the opening of a new office in Philadelphia, Pa.

The office will initially focus on excess casualty, commercial umbrella, management liability and professional liability programs.

Specific contacts are: John Dramesi or Mark Smith for excess casualty at jdramesi@navg.com and msmith@navg.com; David Fernandez for management liability at dfernandez@navg.com; Stacy Hoffman for professional liability at shoffman@navg.com.

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

In late February, Greenwich, Conn.-based W. R. Berkley Corporation announced the formation of Gemini Transportation Underwriters, a new division of Carolina Casualty Insurance Group, LLC, which will specialize in underwriting transportation excess liability insurance, such as railroad liability and vehicular coverage.

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

Rocco P. Modafferi, a 30-year veteran of the casualty insurance arena, was named president of the new Boston-based division for transportation risks.

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

Michael S. Bernstein, a 26-year veteran whose prior experience was almost entirely focused in the professional liability insurance segment, will oversee the new allied health division, reporting directly to Admiral's president and chief executive officer, James S. Carey.

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

For further information about the products and services available from Gemini Transportation Underwriters, contact Mr. Modafferi at rmodafferi@carolinacas.com.

For further information about the products and services available from Admiral's new allied health division, contact Mr. Bernstein at mbernstein@admiralins.com.

BEAZLEY LAUNCHES U.S. BUILDERS RISK, ENGINEERED RISK CAPABILITY

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

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

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

o Contractors All Risks (CAR), covering the construction of buildings as well as certain types of civil engineering projects.

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

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

Beazley said builders risk, commonly known as contractors all risks and erection all risks outside the US, has been a growth market for the organization in recent years, noting that in late 2006, it established a team in Singapore to underwrite risks that would not normally be seen by underwriters based in London.

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

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

Beazley noted that the development of Beazley's builders risk and engineering team in the U.S. market occurs against the backdrop of substantial growth in Beazley's broader U.S. property insurance business, highlighting its agreement to acquire First State Management Group, an underwriting manager focusing on surplus lines commercial property risks, from The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. last month.

HISCOX LAUNCHES U.S. INLAND MARINE UNIT

Bermuda-based Hiscox, an international specialty insurance group, 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 vice president at Lexington Insurance Company, to lead the initiative. He is joined by Randi Glazer, assistant vice president, who was previously with Fireman's Fund Insurance Company where she was the inland marine manager for the New York Region.

Inland Marine coverages that Hiscox will pursue include:

o Motor Truck Cargo--all types of motor carriers and commodities.

o Construction Equipment of any type, including construction and port Cranes, backhoes, loaders, and land-based energy servicing equipment.

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

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

o Warehouse legal liability

o Leased Property

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

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

o Railroads-freight and passenger (fixed property and rolling stock)

Hiscox will underwrite both individual risks and inland marine programs.

VILLERS TO LEAD ASPEN'S FINANCIAL/PROFESSIONAL UNIT

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

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

In conjunction with Mr. Villers' appointment, Aspen has combined its financial institutions, professional lines, and management and technology liability insurance underwriting units into a new business segment to harness the company's expertise and capture growth opportunities in those lines, the company said.

According to Mr. O'Kane, "Insurance is becoming a larger part of Aspen's overall business." He said considerable growth opportunities exist in lines such as financial and professional, marine and energy liability, and excess casualty and aviation lines, where prices are stabilizing and in many instances hardening.

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

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

ZURICH NA SNAGS GOW FOR E&O

In mid-February, the Zurich North America announced the appointment 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 delivering professional liability protection to markets including engineering, media, technology, real estate and specified professions.

He will also be integral to the development and launch of new products and services to address emerging E&O exposures, such as 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 product management with ACE Insurance, where he developed a line of technology E&O and network risk products.

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

TRAVELERS AGRIBUSINESS UNVEILS AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR AGENTS

Hartford, Conn.-based Travelers said it developed the Travelers Agribusiness System (TAgS), an automated system that allows agents to efficiently rate, quote and issue agribusiness insurance policies electronically.

The new interface will be helpful to agents that sell agribusiness insurance, where a single risk can include a variety of exposures, from a barn and a baler to cows and harvested crops.

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

TAgS also allows for online endorsement and automatic renewal processing.

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

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

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

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