News Releases

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group, today announced the formation of a specialized underwriting unit to meet the insurance needs of the rapidly developing renewable energy sector. Part of the ACE Casualty Risk Division, the Renewable Energy Unit will introduce “one stop shopping” with a coordinated package of ACE property and casualty products tailored to the needs of renewable energy companies. With the creation of this new underwriting unit, brokers and clients can access a robust suite of ACE renewable energy solutions through the energy underwriting specialists in their regions.

Darren Small has joined ACE USA as Vice President, National Renewable Energy Underwriting Manager, to lead the newly-formed unit. Mr. Small is based in Chicago, Ill. and reports to John D. Moore, Vice President and National Energy Underwriting Manager, ACE Custom Casualty. Mr. Small will have overall underwriting authority for the entire ACE renewable energy book of business.

“Given the increased demand for traditional and non-traditional energy sources, and a more environmentally conscious marketplace, we’re pleased to introduce a dedicated Renewable Energy Unit with the expertise to create tailored solutions for this critical market,” said Mitchell Schmidt, Senior Vice President and National Manager, ACE Custom Casualty. “This unit will enhance ACE’s existing energy offerings by providing a fully coordinated package of energy-related products and services. The package now also features options for property, casualty and errors & omissions insurance, as well as a full range of health, safety and environmental consulting services offered through ESIS, Inc., ACE Group’s risk management services company. We also are very pleased to welcome Darren Small to lead the ACE USA Renewable Energy underwriting team. He brings significant expertise and experience in the renewable energy field. With his leadership, ACE is well-positioned to provide value and service to this growing market.”

ACE Custom Casualty offers small start ups to large corporations one of the broadest multi-line product suites for energy risks, with solutions tailored for a diverse range of energy fields, including oil, utilities and power generation, as well as alternative and emerging renewable energy industries and technologies. Insurance options include primary general liability, primary commercial automobile, lead umbrella, pollution liability and workers compensation programs.

With more than 23 years of experience in the insurance industry, Mr. Small joins ACE from the Chubb Group of Companies, where he most recently served as Assistant Vice President and Worldwide Bio-fuels Underwriting Manager. He previously held various underwriting management positions within the Chubb Group in the United States and Canada. Mr. Small holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Economics from the University of Western Ontario. In addition, he holds the Canadian Risk Management (CRM) professional designation.

ACE Custom Casualty is a unit of ACE Casualty Risk, a division of ACE USA that specializes in lead umbrella and excess liability, custom primary casualty, construction, environmental liability, and public entity insurance programs which are primarily distributed through the retail brokerage community to the commercial market. Product highlights are summaries only; please see actual policy for terms and conditions. To review additional product features and check submission requirements, or for more information about ACE Casualty Risk and its range of products and services, please visit www.aceusa.com. For more information, please contact Darren Small at (312) 775-7977 or Darren.Small@acegroup.com.

ACE USA is the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group, 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.aceusa.com. Celebrating 25 years of insuring progress, the ACE Group is a global leader in insurance and reinsurance serving a diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE Limited (NYSE:ACE), the ACE Group conducts its business on a worldwide basis with operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries. Additional information can be found at: www.acelimited.com.