XL Insurance Extends Industry-Focused Underwriting Expertise with New Railroads Team

NEW YORK, July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- XL Insurance, the global underwriting operations of XL Group (NYSE: XL), today announced the launch of a new railroad underwriting team with the appointments of Denise DePrimo to Senior Vice President and Michael D. Margiotta to Vice President.  Ms. DePrimo, who reports to Roxanne Mitchell, President of XL Insurance's Excess & Surplus (E&S) unit, will lead XL Insurance's Railroads casualty underwriting activities from New York while Mr. Margiotta will establish Railroad underwriting capabilities in XL's Baltimore office.  

According to Ms. Mitchell, "Railroads are a vital link in our global economy, providing an affordable means to many businesses' to move goods and commodities to consumers throughout North America and the world.  When traveling the nearly 233,000 miles of rails in the US alone carrying either passengers or freight that can range from coal and chemicals to cars and timber, rail operations undoubtedly face complex risks that need the specialized underwriting expertise that Denise and Michael add to our team."

"XL Insurance recognizes the value in providing insurance coverages and services by trusted underwriters, like Denise and Michael, who truly know and understand the industries they serve,"  noted  Ms. Mitchell. "They bring 55 years of combined risk management expertise – 40 of which they have collectively dedicated to serving the insurance needs of the railroad industry.  It's that kind of industry dedication that helps us assure that we are addressing our clients' needs with the most effective risk management solutions."

Ms. DePrimo joins XL Insurance from Zurich North America where she led the company's Railroads underwriting team.  Before her 16-year tenure with Zurich, she spent another five years underwriting railroad insurance for Continental Insurance Company in New York.  A graduate of Pace University, Ms. De Primo earned a BA in Communications.

Prior to his new position with XL, Mr. Margiotta was Vice President in Zurich's Railroad unit, based in Owings Mills, Md.   His professional experience includes positions with AON Risk Services, Inc as a broker for its Railroad practice.  Additionally, he garnered a decade of multi-line claims management experience with USF&G.   He is a graduate of Western Maryland College and holds his Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation.

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. Its principal offices are located at No. 1 Hatch Street Upper, 4th Floor, Dublin 2, Ireland. More information about XL Group plc is available at www.xlgroup.com

SOURCE XL Insurance