News Releases

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 2006--ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, today announced that its ACE USA Washington, D.C. branch office team will be hosting an educational seminar for brokers and risk managers regarding insurance solutions and risk management issues and concerns in dealing with the Defense Base Act (DBA) Workers Compensation Act. The seminar and luncheon program will be held at The U.S. Navy Memorial & Naval Heritage Center in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, April 6, 2006, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. 
 

The following is the list of confirmed presenters and the topics to be covered:

-- Keith Flicker, Attorney, Flicker, Garelick & Associates LLP - Scope of DBA coverage

-- Frank Moreau, DBA Claims Team Leader, ACE USA International & Specialty Group - Claims-handling issues

-- Frank D'Ancona, Assistant Vice President, ACE USA Accident & Health - Changes in contracting party from U.S. agency to Iraqi government agency

-- William House, Senior Vice President, ACE USA International & Specialty Group - Capture and detention claims

-- John Ingram, Vice President, ESIS, Inc. - Demonstration of ESIS e-risk Manager(SM)

-- Jean McDermott-Lucey, Vice President, ACE USA International & Specialty Group - Kidnap & Extortion risk management issues

The seminar will feature ACE USA speakers who will review DBA Workers Compensation, Kidnap & Extortion and Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverages and products offered by the ACE USA International & Specialty Group. There will also be an opportunity to preview ACE USA's online DBA claims reporting capabilities offered by ESIS(R), the risk management services arm of ACE USA, which offers dedicated claims professionals with specialized knowledge of the complexities involved in administering DBA claims, and provides in-depth risk analysis, vulnerability, threat assessment, and risk control services in support of this coverage. In addition, Keith Flicker, of Flicker, Garelick & Associates, LLP, a leading national law firm that handles DBA cases, will discuss DBA requirements, the high cost of injured worker cases, and how to evaluate a carrier's DBA coverage.

"We're pleased to offer this education program to brokers and risk managers who wish to learn more about the unique risks faced by prime and sub-contractors doing business overseas in potentially hazardous business locations, and the specific legal and insurance coverage requirements associated with DBA Workers Compensation coverage," said Patricia Goudarzi, Senior Vice President and ACE USA Washington, D.C. Branch Manager. "This panel forum offers brokers and risk managers the opportunity to tap into the expertise of insurance, risk management and legal professionals and learn more about the coverage needed to operate in this rapidly changing market."

To register for the seminar, please contact Patricia Goudarzi at (202) 471-2911 or patricia.goudarzi@ace-ina.com.

ACE USA is the U.S.-based retail operating division of The ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE:ACE), and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor's. ACE USA, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. Additional information on ACE USA and its products and services can be found at www.ace-ina.com. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world. All products may not be available in all states, and surplus lines products are only available through licensed surplus lines brokers.