OneBeacon Insurance Encourages Businesses to Prepare for Tornado Season

CANTON, Mass., April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tornados are often categorized as nature's most violent storms and can form at any time of year. Typically, however, the spring months (April-June) are considered the nation's "tornado season." OneBeacon Insurance (NYSE: OB) urges business owners to prepare for the upcoming season by taking the following steps to protect their property, employees and operations:

Before A Tornado

• Carefully inspect the roof; it is a first line of defense against most severe weather events. Have it inspected by a reputable professional and make appropriate repairs if needed or recommended.  
• Inspect any storm cellars or shelters on the property. When properly constructed and maintained, these can provide shelter against tornados.
• Assess the property exterior to identify any hazards vulnerable to high-wind situations. Trim the landscape, secure signage and consider replacing gravel or rock with shredded materials.  
• Review your community's emergency evacuation plans and communicate them to your employees. Identify where the nearest safe shelter is located, if not on the property.

During A Tornado

• Monitor weather reports through broadcast or online sources as the situation develops.
• However, remember that tornados may appear with little warning, so learn the signs preceding a tornado -- hail, calm before the storm, an approaching cloud of debris -- to accelerate making decisions if a storm arises.
• Follow your emergency plans.  Personal safety is most important. Make critical decisions for your employees and business based on any additional information you receive.
• If you must evacuate the property, proceed immediately to a safe shelter, but avoid cars or similar vehicles and open countryside.
• If there is no time to reach shelter, the lowest floor or a basement is the safest place to be. Small interior rooms, such as rest rooms, closets and utility rooms, or interior corridors are the next option. If possible, take shelter under a sturdy piece of furniture or a blanket to protect against flying debris. Most importantly, stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. And be sure to keep windows closed; opening them can cause more damage by letting in wind and debris.

After A Tornado

• Use extreme caution when inspecting a property after a tornado. Structural, electrical and other damage may not be immediately apparent. Do not enter a building that appears to be unsafe.
• Inspect the foundation and interior for structural damage. Determine that walls, ceiling and roof are in place and that the structure rests firmly on its foundation. Have damage repaired immediately.
• Be cautious of any electrical equipment that may be damaged or wet.  Do not restore power until all electrically charged components have been checked.
• Check for sewage and water line damage and shut off all damaged utilities.

Additional recommendations are available at the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) website: www.disastersafety.org, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

About OneBeacon: OneBeacon Insurance Group, Ltd. is a Bermuda-domiciled holding company that is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "OB." OneBeacon Insurance Group's underwriting companies offer a range of insurance products sold through select independent agents, regional and national brokers, and wholesalers. The company's specialty businesses include OneBeacon Professional Insurance, International Marine Underwriters, Entertainment Brokers International Insurance Services, Specialty Accident and Health, OneBeacon Government Risks, OneBeacon Energy Group, A.W.G. Dewar (tuition refund), collector cars and boats written through Hagerty Insurance Agency, OneBeacon Technology Group, OneBeacon Financial Services, OneBeacon Specialty Property, and Property and Inland Marine.

As one of the oldest property and casualty insurers in the United States, OneBeacon traces its roots to 1831 and the Potomac Fire Insurance Company. Today, OneBeacon's specialty insurance businesses are national in scope while personal lines business is concentrated in the Northeastern United States.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or referenced in this release which address activities, events or developments which we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The words "will," "believe," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "predict" and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to OneBeacon's: 

• change in book value per share or return on equity;
• business strategy;
• financial and operating targets or plans;
• incurred loss and loss adjustment expenses and the adequacy of its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and related reinsurance;
• projections of revenues, income (or loss), earnings (or loss) per share, dividends, market share or other financial forecasts;
• expansion and growth of our business and operations; and
• future capital expenditures.

These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by OneBeacon in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors believed to be appropriate in the circumstances.

However, whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including: 

• claims arising from catastrophic events, such as hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, floods, fires, explosions, terrorist attacks or severe winter weather;
• recorded loss and loss adjustment expense reserves subsequently proving to have been inadequate;
• the continued availability and cost of reinsurance coverage;
• the continued availability of capital and financing;
• general economic, market or business conditions;
• business opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to it and pursued;
• competitive forces, including the conduct of other property and casualty insurers and agents;
• changes in domestic or foreign laws or regulations, or their interpretation, applicable to OneBeacon, its competitors, its agents or its customers;
• an economic downturn or other economic conditions adversely affecting its financial position including stock market volatility;
• actions taken by ratings agencies from time to time, such as financial strength or credit ratings downgrades or placing ratings on negative watch;
• the risks that are described from time to time in OneBeacon's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to OneBeacon's Annual Report on the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 filed February 26, 2010.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by OneBeacon will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, OneBeacon or its business or operations. OneBeacon assumes no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE OneBeacon Insurance Group, Ltd.