Zurich Enhances Employment Practices Liability Coverage to Respond to Emerging Needs of Employers

Zurich Employment Practices Liability Insurance Offers Broad Protection,
Enhanced Definitions and Relevant Risk Management Tools

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(Business Wire)--
Zurich, a leading property and casualty insurance provider in North America and
globally, announced today innovative enhancements to its Employment Practices
Liability Insurance (EPLI) coverage to respond to the risks employers face in
today`s volatile environment. The coverage is focused on the needs of employers
with more than 250 employees.

"We recognize and understand the changing workplace our customers face - and the
role that economic turmoil can have on it. After a careful evaluation of our
customers` needs, we enhanced our EPLI program to respond effectively and
flexibly," said Salvatore Pollaro, executive vice president of Management
Solutions for Zurich North America Commercial's Specialties business unit.
"Whether an employer has 250 employees or 25,000, they face escalating potential
for employee litigation - as well as escalating verdicts and settlements."

Zurich`s EPLI policy offers new levels of protection that respond to today`s
risk environment, including:

* 100 percent defense cost allocation,
* Defense cost coverage for breach of contract claims,
* Defense cost coverage for stock option related claims, and
* Third party coverage grant.

Zurich`s policy terms and conditions have been designed to be among the broadest
in the industry:

* Claims made form with duty to defend,
* Broad definition of wrongful employment act including all workplace torts,
* Broad definition of employee that includes temporary and seasonal employees,
volunteers, leased employees and independent contractors, and
* Punitive damages covered pursuant to most favorable jurisdiction wording.

Zurich`s EPLI also includes a broad array of risk management tools to help
employers anticipate and eliminate potential exposures. Depending on the size of
the customer, these tools may include, among others:

* Half-day consultative session with a panel firm on topics that may include
e-discovery issues; appropriate handling of reductions in force; discrimination
issues and many more,
* Access to online training and education tools,
* Hotline service to employment law firm to discuss critical issues,
* Membership in the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and
* Optional Employment Practices Event coverage.

Zurich offers coverage flexibility, enabling individual customers to select
coverage options that address their particular concerns, such as claims
reported/indemnity coverage and claims made/indemnity coverage.

"Zurich`s EPLI protection is dedicated to delivering meaningful insurance
protection and relevant risk management tools to our customers. We understand
the pressures employers face and are working with our brokers and customers to
help them address their risks so they can focus on their business," said Seraina
Maag, president of Zurich's Specialties business unit.

For more information about Zurich's Employment Practices Liability Insurance, go
to,
http://www.zurichna.com/zna/products/product/management_solutions/employment_practices_liability.htm.

To speak to a Zurich D&O specialist, call 866-860-7292.

About Zurich

Zurich's North America Commercial and Global Corporate in North America business
divisions are part of ZurichFinancialServicesGroup (Zurich), an insurance-based
financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in
North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other
markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It
employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170
countries. In North America, Zurich (www.zurichna.com) is a leading commercial
property-casualty insurance provider serving the global corporate, large
corporate, middle market, specialties and programs sectors.

Zurich
Jennifer Nowacki
847-605-6511 - Office
847-275-4428 - Cell
jennifer.nowacki@zurichna.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009