AXIS U.S. Insurance Announces New Commercial Property Insurance Capabilities.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- AXIS U.S. Insurance announced today that its E&S Property unit is now offering property insurance coverage for U.S.-based lumber, wood products and furniture risks.

Jeffrey Berkshire, CPCU, has joined AXIS U.S. Insurance as Vice President, E&S Property in Alpharetta, GA, to direct the underwriting of this specialized business, which includes logging operations, sawmills, planing mills, manufacturers of wood building and structural materials, lumber yards, dimensional wood products manufacturers, modular housing manufacturers, manufacturers of wood furniture and fixtures, and wholesale and retail distributors of lumber and wood products.

AXIS U.S. Insurance President Marshall Turner, CPCU, said, "Jeff's insurance career spans nearly 30 years, and he has the in-depth knowledge and proven record of success that make him an excellent choice to lead our expansion into the forest products area. His underwriting acumen and strong producer relationships will help AXIS E&S Property attract quality business that will complement and further diversify our existing commercial property portfolio."

AXIS U.S. Insurance has up to $100 million of in-house property capacity. Primary and excess property insurance is available, and coverage may be arranged on either a first dollar (100% written) or a quota share basis. Policies are issued by the AXIS U.S. Insurance companies, rated "A" ("Excellent") by A.M. Best and "A" ("Strong") by Standard & Poor's for claims-paying ability.

Wholesale brokers and retail brokers with lumber, wood products and furniture accounts should send their property insurance submissions to:

Jeffrey Berkshire

Vice President, E&S Property

AXIS U.S. Insurance

11680 Great Oaks Way

Suite 500

Alpharetta, GA 30022

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]

AXIS U.S. Insurance, headquartered in Alpharetta, Ga., is a marketing unit of AXIS Capital Holdings Limited ("AXIS Capital") (NYSE: AXS). AXIS Capital is a Bermuda-based global provider of specialty lines insurance and treaty reinsurance with shareholders' equity of approximately $3.0 billion and locations in Bermuda, the United States and Europe. Other AXIS marketing units include: Global Insurance, Global Reinsurance, European Reinsurance and U.S. Reinsurance. All of the AXIS insurance and reinsurance companies are rated "A" ("Excellent") by A.M. Best and "A" ("Strong") by Standard & Poor's. For more information about AXIS Capital, visit the Company's website at www.axiscapital.com.