News Releases

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2006--ACE USA and ACE Westchester Specialty Group, both part of the ACE Group of Companies, today announced that the ACE Online(SM) division has introduced an online application that provides selected producers with the ability to obtain rates, quotes and binders for qualified Architects & Engineers Professional Liability coverage through a new website: www.aceonline.com. The ACE USA and ACE Westchester Specialty Group Professional Risk Architects & Engineers Liability Policy offers coverage to help protect design professionals from possible financial loss and unexpected claims that could damage the reputation they have worked so hard to build. 
 

This new website offers brokers valuable benefits, including the ability to:

-- Quickly obtain multiple quotes based on selected coverage options

-- Deliver system-produced application, quote and binder documents

-- Provide fast turnaround for referred submissions

-- Manage submission activity from the online work list

"ACE is committed to the design professional market by providing professional liability coverage that helps to protect design professionals stem losses resulting from negligence, errors and omissions in the performance of professional services," said Paul Dietrich, Vice President, ACE Professional Risk. "Providing tailored products and services to the network of independent brokers who have demonstrated their commitment and expertise to the construction and design professional market--particularly those firms with revenues up to $1M--will allow for a more streamlined process in serving the unique needs of this market," said Nat Aiken, Vice President, ACE Westchester Specialty Group.

The ACE USA and ACE Westchester Specialty Group's--Architect's and Engineers Professional Liability policy offers the following benefits:

-- Admitted policies available in most states

-- Retention mediation provision

-- Worldwide territory

-- CPL available for design professions

-- Supplemental coverage provided for pre-claims experience

-- Supplemental coverage provided for ADA, FFHA and OSHA fines, sanctions or penalties

-- Supplemental coverage provided for claims-related expense of the insureds

-- Coverage provided for claims-related expense of the insureds

-- Coverage provided for punitive and exemplary damages, where insurable under law

Mike Baeurle, Senior Vice President of ACE Online(SM) said, "Our focus in designing this portal was two-fold: first, rapid development of valuable online business tools and, next, creating solutions to help meet the needs of our producers. Before beginning work on building this system, we spent numerous hours meeting with brokers to better understand their needs and workflow requirements. We feel that obtaining this critical feedback and applying it to our system has enabled us to develop a 'best in class' system for providing online products and services while reducing production costs."

Staffed by a team of innovative underwriters, ACE Professional Risk is the operating unit within ACE USA, which distributes management liability, professional liability and surety products through retail brokers throughout the U.S. and Canada. ACE Westchester Specialty Group - Professional Risk distributes management liability, professional liability and surety products through wholesale brokers throughout the U.S. ACE Online is the real-time, quote and bind portal for web-delivered ACE USA insurance products and customized risk management services and tools.

The above is only a summary; please see the actual policy for terms and conditions. To review additional product features and check submission requirements, please visit: www.ace-ina.com. For more information about the ACE USA Professional Risk - Architects & Engineers Professional Liability policy, retail producers should call Paul Dietrich, Vice President, ACE Professional Risk at (215) 640-4854. Wholesale producers should call Marie LaForest Snyder, Underwriter, ACE Westchester Specialty Group at (215) 640-5232.

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. ACE Westchester Specialty Group is the U.S.-based wholesale focused excess and surplus property and casualty operations of the ACE Group of Companies. 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.