Hiscox USA 'Leaps' Into Production on New Branded Web Series: 'Leap Year'

NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hiscox USA, the first company in the U.S. to offer direct and online insurance coverage in real time for professional services businesses with 10 employees or less, today announced that production has begun on Leap Year, a ten-episode scripted comedy web series that explores the challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs and small business owners encounter when starting up their businesses.

Leap Year follows five friends and co-workers who make a pact to take the proverbial 'leap' into entrepreneurship and start their own individual businesses after being downsized by their employer. Over the course of the ten-episode series, each character encounters unique challenges and experiences the triumphs and setbacks familiar to every small business owner.

Leap Year was developed in collaboration with Hiscox USA's communications agency CJP Communications and is being produced through its CJP Digital Media group. The series was written by Yuri and Vlad Baranovsky of Happy Little Guillotine Films, the creative team behind some of the web's most-successful series including Break a Leg, 7-Eleven Road Trip Rally and the forthcoming Lovemakers, and features a cast of established web series talent that includes Alexis Boozer (Break a Leg), Wilson Cleveland (Suite 7, The Temp Life), Daniela DiIorio (Lovemakers), Mark Gantt (The Bannen Way), Drew Lanning (7-Eleven Road Trip Rally) and Rachel Risen (The Temp Life, The Hayley Project).

Leap Year will premiere online later this spring and will be available for stream or download across multiple online, mobile and video-on-demand channels.      

To learn more about Hiscox Small Business Insurance, including general liability insurance and professional liability insurance, visit http://www.hiscoxusa.com/small-business-insurance/ or speak with a Hiscox licensed advisor at (888) 202-3007 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM– 10:00 PM EST).

About Hiscox in the U.S.

Hiscox, the international specialist insurer, is headquartered in Bermuda and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:HSX). There are three main underwriting parts of the Group – Hiscox London Market, Hiscox UK and Europe and Hiscox International. Hiscox International includes operations in Bermuda, Guernsey and the USA. Hiscox ASM Ltd, Hiscox Underwriting Ltd and Hiscox Syndicates Ltd are authorized and regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority. The ability of syndicates at Lloyd's to do business in the USA and its territories is restricted as they are not US-based insurers.

Hiscox Inc., a Delaware corporation headquartered in New York, d/b/a Hiscox Insurance Agency in CA, is a licensed insurance intermediary for admitted and surplus lines business. Hiscox Inc. underwrites on behalf of, and places business with, Hiscox Insurance Company Inc., other domestic insurers, and syndicates at Lloyd's (www.lloyds.com). Hiscox Insurance Company Inc. is a Chicago, IL domiciled insurer which is admitted or licensed to do business in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Inquiries as to insurance, products or services, other than those offered by Hiscox Small Business Insurance, should be directed to an insurance agent or broker licensed to conduct business in the relevant U.S. state. For further information about an insurer's ability to do business in the USA and US territories please contact a licensed agent or broker for advice.

This communication provides general information on Hiscox's products and services only and, except with regard to Hiscox Small Business Insurance, is not intended to be, and does not constitute, a solicitation of business by syndicates at Lloyd's from or in respect of the USA or U.S. territories. The information contained herein is not a part of an insurance policy, and may not be used to modify any insurance policy that might be issued. In the event the actual policy forms are inconsistent with any information provided herein, the language of the policy forms shall govern.

About Hiscox Small Business Insurance

Hiscox is the first company in the U.S. to offer insurance coverage for professional services businesses with 10 employees or less direct, online, and in real-time. We provide professional liability, general liability and business owners insurance, underwritten by Hiscox Insurance Company Inc.  We also offer workers' compensation insurance provided by EMPLOYERS®.  Hiscox Insurance Company Inc. is rated 'A' (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.

Disclaimer

Coverages are subject to underwriting and may not be available in all states.  As of December 31, 2009, Hiscox Insurance Company Inc. had admitted assets of $63,021,985 and policyholders surplus of $52,782,927. Total liabilities were $10,239,058 (inclusive of $4,731,628 in reserves) and paid up capital stock was $4,200,000.

EMPLOYERS® and America's small business insurance specialist® are registered trademarks of Employers Insurance Company of Nevada. Insurance is offered through Employers Compensation Insurance Company, Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, Employers Preferred Insurance Company, and Employers Assurance Company. Not all insurers do business in all jurisdictions.

SOURCE Hiscox USA