News Releases

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operations of the ACE Group, today announced the introduction of an innovative, easy-to-use Healthcare Premises Pollution Liability Insurance Policy that is designed to address the unique environmental risks faced by the healthcare industry. Hospitals, long-term and short-term care facilities, in-patient and out-patient surgical centers are just a few of the healthcare facilities whose owners, managers and operators face significant exposures to pollution and facility-borne illness risks.

ACE Environmental Risk’s Healthcare Premises Pollution Insurance Policy combines focused healthcare facility pollution and facility-borne illness coverages with the benefits of a standard premises pollution product, providing one-stop shopping for environmental-related healthcare exposures. This new product offering comes as ACE completes its participation in the 2011 ASHRM Annual Conference & Exposition in Phoenix, AZ, which brings together risk management professionals from the healthcare industry, and showcases innovative and unique aspects of cutting-edge risk management initiatives.

“Escalating environmental regulations are causing healthcare organizations to examine their potential liability due to polluting incidents,” said Caroline Clouser, Executive Vice President, ACE Medical Risk. “In our continued commitment to the healthcare industry, ACE has responded to this growing need for pollution-related coverage by introducing a unique environmental policy for owners and operators of hospitals and healthcare systems.”

“Our new Healthcare Premises Pollution Liability product offers risk managers a comprehensive group of coverages that are customized to address the environmental exposures associated with the healthcare industry,” said William P. Hazelton, Executive Vice President, ACE Environmental Risk. “Our Healthcare policy helps fill the gaps in risk management and insurance programs that may be caused by emerging environmental regulations and polluting incidents. We’re pleased to add this to the portfolio of products ACE offers to the healthcare industry to prevent or minimize potential financial losses, protect the safety of their employees, and support public-health protection measures. Helping our clients to address their unique risks through our environmental pollution risk solutions reflects our commitment to serve this specialized industry.”

Key Features of ACE USA Environmental Risk Healthcare Premises Pollution Liability Insurance Policy include the following:

• Claims-made and reported Healthcare Premises Pollution Liability coverage form
• Single non-auditable policy incorporating multiple coverages, thereby reducing potential coverage gaps
• Definition of Pollution Condition that includes medical, red bag, infectious or pathological wastes
• Underwriting that focuses on the client’s environmental management program and due diligence process versus Specifically underwriting each location
• Responsive underwriting staff with strong expertise in providing environmental risk solutions
• Dedicated claims specialists

To learn more about ACE Environmental Risk’s Healthcare Premises Pollution Liability Insurance Policy, and other ACE Environmental Risk products and services, please visit our website. To learn more about ACE Medical Risk, please visit our website.

ACE Environmental Risk, a business unit of ACE USA, offers a full range of environmental liability solutions designed to minimize bottom-line impacts and provide hands-on management for those liabilities. ACE Medical Risk, a business unit of ACE USA, offers primary and excess medical professional liability for hospitals, long-term care, and miscellaneous healthcare facilities, as well as a comprehensive package policy for long-term care, including property, auto, crime, and boiler and machinery coverages.

In addition, ACE Medical Risk offers products liability for clinical trials for biotechnology and specialty pharmaceutical companies. 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 AA- (Very 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.acegroup.com/us.

The ACE Group is a global leader in insurance and reinsurance serving a diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE Limited (NYSE:ACE), a component of the S&P 500 stock index, 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.acegroup.com.