Allied World Bermuda Receives Florida Approval

ZUG, Switzerland, March 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG (NYSE: AWH) announced today that Allied World Bermuda received approval from the state of Florida to qualify as an "Eligible Reinsurer," which allows lower collateral requirements on non-domestic reinsurers that are highly rated and financially secure.  Allied World will now be able to post 20 percent of loss reserves on property catastrophe reinsurance in Florida rather than the 100 percent required by most non-U.S. reinsurers. Florida is currently among a small group of states within the U.S. to approve this rule, effectively lowering the barriers of entry into the market for non-US reinsurers.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation reviews reinsurers for approval after companies undergo a selective application process requiring them to have capital and surplus of at least $100 million, proof of financial strength by at least two nationally recognized rating organizations, and evidence of continued financial soundness and stability.

About Allied World Assurance Company

Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG, through its subsidiaries, is a global provider of innovative property, casualty and specialty insurance and reinsurance solutions, offering superior client service through a global network of branches and affiliates. Our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company, and our Lloyd's Syndicate 2232 is rated A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor's and Fitch. Please visit our website at www.awac.com for further information on Allied World.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any forward-looking statements made in this press release reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements.  For example, our forward-looking statements could be affected by pricing and policy term trends; increased competition; the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war; greater frequency or severity of unpredictable catastrophic events; negative rating agency actions; the adequacy of our loss reserves; the company or its subsidiaries becoming subject to significant income taxes in the United States or elsewhere; changes in regulations or tax laws; changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance or retrocessional coverage; adverse general economic conditions; and judicial, legislative, political and other governmental developments, as well as management's response to these factors, and other factors identified in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or revise any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

SOURCE Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG