XL Insurance Expands Regional Miscellaneous Professional Liability Underwriting Team with Two Appointments

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- XL Insurance, the global insurance underwriting operations of XL Group plc (NYSE: XL), today announced the expansion of its underwriting capabilities with the appointments of Marcia Blanco and Ursula Williams to its miscellaneous professional liability (MPL) team in San Francisco. Ms. Blanco joins as the National Practice Leader for all MPL business and new product development to include a custom media insurance solution.  She reports to Donald Allard, head of XL Insurance's Select Professional unit.  Ms. Williams joins as an Assistant Vice President reporting to Ms. Blanco.

Commenting on the appointments, Mr. Allard said: "We're fortunate to have Marcia and Ursula back here at XL Insurance with their 50 years of collective miscellaneous professional liability underwriting experience as we boost our presence in the Western US and build out our book of non-medical professional liability insurance products. Clearly, they see the momentum and energy we are building here and they will be a big part of our growth plans."

Ms. Blanco rejoins XL Insurance from Navigators Pro where she managed the company's Western Region and that region's miscellaneous professional liability book of business.  Prior to her three-year tenure at Navigators, she established XL Insurance's presence in San Francisco in 2003.  Ms. Blanco's 20-plus year career also includes underwriting management and broker positions with Kemper Professional, CNA, Executive Risk, Swett & Crawford and Crum & Forster.  She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Pace University in New York and a Registered Professional Liability Underwriter (RPLU) designation from the Professional Liability Underwriters Society (PLUS).

Ms. Williams also rejoins XL Insurance from Navigators where she was responsible for a diverse book of miscellaneous professional liability business including technology accounts.  She brings to XL Insurance an additional 20 plus years of underwriting experience which she honed in various underwriting positions at Hartford Financial, AIG, Kemper, and ACE.

XL Insurance's Select Professional unit provides professional liability protection, including Errors & Omissions and Cyberliability coverages, to small and mid-size professional service firms including lawyers, real estate agents, accountants, insurance agents and other service providers.

About XL Insurance

XL Insurance is the global brand used by XL Group plc's insurance companies and underwriting divisions offering property, casualty, professional and specialty insurance products throughout the world. More information about XL Insurance is available at www.xlinsurance.com. XL was formed in 1986 in response to the unmet risk management needs of 68 of the world's largest companies. This year, as XL celebrates its 25th anniversary, it remains the company clients look to for innovative insurance and reinsurance solutions for their most complex risks.  XL Group plc, through its subsidiaries, is a global insurance and reinsurance company providing property, casualty, and specialty products to industrial, commercial, and professional firms, insurance companies and other enterprises on a worldwide basis.  More information about XL Group plc is available at www.xlgroup.com

SOURCE XL Insurance