National Legal Aid Defender Association Chooses The Hanover to Help Protect Its Members

WORCESTER, Mass., March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG), a leading provider of property and casualty insurance products nationwide, announced today that the National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA) has selected the company as the exclusive provider of lawyers professional liability coverage for its members. Wells Fargo Insurance Services, Inc. will remain NLADA's broker.

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Through the program, The Hanover will offer the NLADA's members countrywide access to a wide range of products and services to protect their unique risks. These products and services include broad professional liability coverages, first dollar defense coverage, aggregate or zero deductible options, and enhanced professional liability coverages for law firms, such as criminal defense, employment practices, management liability, outsides services, and pro bono.

NLADA is America's oldest and largest non-profit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. Members include legal aid societies, public defenders, and other public interest groups.

"Providing our members with professional liability coverage with access to important risk management services is a priority," said Clint Lyons, president and chief executive officer of NLADA Insurance Program. "We are delighted to partner with The Hanover to offer our members world class insurance so that they can concentrate on running their businesses with an assurance that they will have strong and solid insurance protection should the need arise."

"Wells Fargo Insurance Services is excited to make The Hanover's expertise and service available to the membership as we remain the insurance broker for the NLADA Insurance Program," said David Bridges, senior vice president, Wells Fargo Insurance Services. "One of the most important benefits the NLADA provides its membership is the availability of Professional Liability Insurance through the NLADA Insurance Program.  NLADA Service Corporation has developed the NLADA Insurance Program in to the quintessential association program, making excellent insurance coverage available for the most economical cost.

For 15 years, NLADA Service Corporation has provided excellent risk management and loss control services that allow NLADA members control insurance costs and improve operational efficiencies.  As the insurance broker for the NLADA Insurance Program since 2000, we're committed to ensuring the financial strength and the competitive advantage of the NLADA Insurance Program in this specialized marketplace," says David Bridges, Sr. Vice President, Wells Fargo Insurance Services. As a leading provider of specialized lawyer's professional liability coverage, The Hanover offers the expertise that NLADA member's need, backed by strong ratings and financial strength."

Through the new partnership arrangement, the NLADA Insurance Program will now provide both new and renewal policies with superior Hanover products that meet a broad array of insureds' needs; premium relief for accounts with good claims histories and excellent risk management; and ease of renewal through online applications, quoting and binding insurance.  Additionally, the program is backed by The Hanover's loss control and risk management services to help minimize customers' risks.

"We are thrilled to provide important liability coverage for NLADA members, and we are honored to have the association's confidence and endorsement," said Anurag Bairathi, vice president of The Hanover's professional liability business. "Like the NLADA and its members, The Hanover has been providing a valuable service for generations. We look forward to building on our proud tradition going forward, providing NLADA members with comprehensive professional liability protection and outstanding service."  

About The Hanover

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG), based in Worcester, Mass., is the holding company for a group of insurers that includes The Hanover Insurance Company, also based in Worcester, Citizens Insurance Company of America, headquartered in Howell, Michigan, and their affiliates.

The Hanover offers a wide range of property and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, individuals and families through a select group of independent agents. The company is ranked among the top 25 property and casualty insurers in the United States and has been meeting its obligations to its agent partners and their customers for nearly 160 years. The Hanover maintains excellent ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor's and Moody's. For more information, please visit www.hanover.com.

SOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.