ACE USA Expands Capabilities of Defense Base Act Workers Compensation Coverage; Appoints William House to Lead DBA Product Initiative.

PHILADELPHIA -- ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of The ACE Group of Companies, today announced the expansion of its Defense Base Act (DBA) product offerings to include risk control and claims management services for DBA workers compensation exposures for prime contractors and subcontractors performing work overseas under contracts authorized, approved or financed by the U.S. government, or its agencies. William House, Senior Vice President, ACE US International, has been appointed to lead the DBA product initiative. In addition, ESIS, Inc., ACE USA's risk management services arm, will provide claims management services through its dedicated claims center--staffed with claims professionals with specialized knowledge of the complexities of administering DBA claims.

"With Bill's leadership the ACE USA DBA Workers Compensation product offering will continue to fill a critical role in addressing the evolving risk management concerns in the public works contracts arena," said Mark Lima, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, ACE US International. "The addition of claims management services offered through ESIS and the risk control services provided by its Risk Control Services unit serve to address the exposures customers face when working on U.S. military bases abroad and with other projects authorized by the U.S. government, allowing us to respond to the increased risk they must confront in the changing global arena."

"Providing an expanded mix of claims management and risk control services allows us to respond to customers' needs with a more focused approach to handling underwriting and risk management concerns associated with international exposures," said William House, Senior Vice President, ACE US International. "In addition, the opportunity to include other relevant coverages within the DBA product offering--including 24-hour Accident & Health and Kidnap & Ransom coverage--presents a unique opportunity to further serve our customers' needs."

With more than 22 years of experience in the foreign casualty insurance arena, Mr. House joined ACE USA in June 2000 as Vice President, ACE US International. Prior to his tenure with ACE, he spent 17 years at American International Underwriters division, holding several management positions and most recently serving as Assistant Vice President, Southwest Foreign Casualty Operations. He began his insurance career with Johnson & Higgins. He attended Southwest Texas State University, majoring in business administration.

Highlights of the expanded features available through ACE USA's DBA Workers Compensation product offered through ESIS are as follows:

Risk Control Services:

--Pre-Departure Assistance

--Risk Analysis, Vulnerability and Threat Assessment

--Housing Security Survey

--Employee Return Debriefing & Medicals

Claims Management Services:

--Claims Operations

--Global Risk Advantage Claims Management Information System

--In-Country Assistance

--Managed Care for Returnees

--Specialized Defense Panel Firms

--Crisis Management Services

--Fatality Assistance

For more information about ACE US International's DBA coverage, contact William House, Senior Vice President, ACE US International at 972-465-7814.

Organized in 1953, ESIS, Inc. (ESIS) provides sophisticated risk management services designed to reduce claims frequency and loss costs. ESIS' Risk Management Information, Risk Control and Claims services can be used individually or collectively as part of a risk management program. ESIS is part of ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of The ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE:ACE), and rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company and A+ (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.ace-ina.com. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world.