Allied World U.S. Announces Enhancements to Standard Lawyers Platform

ZUG, Switzerland, Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG (NYSE: AWH) today announces enhancements to the Standard Lawyers platform of Allied World U.S. designed to ease administration and expand coverage offerings.  Beginning on February 1, we will be enhancing coverage for both new and renewal business to include the following:  increased reimbursement for lost earnings coverage; increased disciplinary proceedings; the addition of subpoena coverage; and a modified Consent To Settle provision. We have also streamlined our supplemental applications to make applying for coverage easier and to dovetail with our underwriting approach.

Additionally, Allied World U.S. has created an automated renewal underwriting approach which automates the renewal underwriting process for qualifying insureds, enabling us to release renewal quotes and policies without requiring additional information.

"These changes further demonstrate our commitment to the Lawyers professional liability insurance market," commented John McElroy, President, Professional Lines Division for Allied World U.S.  "In this competitive marketplace, we are constantly looking at ways to improve our client and producer experience while providing the needed coverage for their professional liability exposures."

Nicole Haggerty, Senior Vice President, Errors and Omissions practice lead for Allied World U.S., adds, "These enhancements are critical as we continue to build out our Standard Lawyers business.  We are focused on creating the best lawyers platform in the industry by combining competitive coverage with ease of doing business.  The improvements to renewal processing allow us to alleviate the hassle of a full renewal solicitation and underwriting process for qualifying policyholders, simplifying the process.  The coverage enhancements now available will allow us to continue to provide the industry leading coverage our producers and insureds have come to expect."

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