KCBD, NewsChannel 11 Lubbock |Entertainment Brokers International Celebrates 20th Anniversary

CANTON, Mass., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Entertainment Brokers International Insurance Services (EBI), a member of OneBeacon Insurance Group (NYSE: OB), is commemorating 20 years of providing specialty insurance coverage to the entertainment, sports and leisure industries. Over the past two decades, EBI has delivered tailored coverages for a broad range of entertainment organizations and events including film productions, musical tours, professional sports teams, amusement parks and even a U.S. Presidential inauguration.

"The insurance requirements for the entertainment, sports and leisure industries are as unique and varied as the productions, events and people who seek coverage," said EBI President Jack Cave. "On the film side, we have insured everything from independent documentaries to Academy Award winning films. We also insure the production of many of the music videos you see on TV or online." EBI provides insurance solutions for events as dynamic as the weekend stock car races or as low-key as small group meetings.

Drew Carnase, OneBeacon's Senior Vice President of Commercial Lines said, "EBI has been a terrific addition to the OneBeacon family of specialty businesses. Their considerable expertise and experience lets us offer custom solutions for the dynamic entertainment industries. And their 20 years of success in the business proves it."

EBI provides commercial insurance products including professional liability and contingency coverages, such as event cancellation and non-appearance covers, from its locations in Los Angeles and New York City.

About EBI; About OneBeacon: Founded in 1989, EBI is a member of OneBeacon Insurance Group that provides specialized commercial insurance products for the entertainment, sports and leisure industries. EBI continues to operate as a managing agency with a network of 500 independent agents and brokers. OneBeacon Insurance Group's underwriting companies offer a range of specialty and segmented commercial and personal insurance products sold through select independent agents, regional and national brokers, and wholesalers. 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 commercial lines business is produced in select territories throughout the United States. Personal lines business is concentrated in the Northeastern United States.

OneBeacon's U.S. headquarters is in Canton, Massachusetts. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "OB."

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, 2008 filed February 27, 2009.
  
  

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.

Web site: www.onebeacon.com

SOURCE OneBeacon Insurance Group