Press Release Headlines

The Seneca Companies Establish New Surety Division

NEW YORK, Nov. 30, 2011 — Seneca Insurance Companies today announced the launch of a new product line and operating division offering contract and commercial surety. This new division will be managed by Ken Ryan, who has joined Seneca as Vice President of the Surety Division.

Seneca's Contract Surety will focus on the small and emerging construction, supply, furnish & install, and service type contract accounts. Commercial Surety is expected to be operational in 2012 and will focus on traditional transactional, small account and program business. Seneca is T-Listed with the United States Treasury Department and is licensed to write surety in all 50 states. The Surety Division will be headquartered in Morristown, NJ.

Mr. Ryan comes to Seneca with over 33 years of surety and surety reinsurance experience. Prior to joining Seneca he has held underwriting, management and executive positions at Seaboard Surety/ St. Paul; Zurich/ Converium Re; Markel; and Argo.

Joining Mr. Ryan are Mike Sheelen as Manager of Contract Surety and Maria Impallomeni as Underwriting Administrator. Mr. Sheelen comes to Seneca with 14 years contract surety experience as an underwriter with Chubb, Hartford and most recently Argo Surety. Ms. Impallomeni has over 15 years surety experience having worked with Seaboard Surety/St. Paul, AON, Chubb and Liberty/Safeco.

Commenting on the establishment of this new division, Seneca's President and CEO, Gary Dubois, notes, "Seneca has a long and successful history of providing specialized product underwriting with an emphasis on smaller to middle market commercial accounts. We're extremely excited to bring someone of Ken Ryan's caliber and experience on board to continue this tradition."

About Seneca Insurance Companies

Seneca Insurance Companies provide specialty property and casualty insurance products and services to the U.S. agency and brokerage market through Seneca Insurance Company, Inc. and Seneca Specialty Insurance Company, both rated "A" VIII (Excellent) by A.M. Best.

As a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Crum & Forster Holdings Corp. and part of Fairfax Financial Holdings, Inc., the Seneca Insurance Companies have the advantages that come with being part of a larger organization.

Contact: Jorge Echemendia, Chief Marketing Officer, Phone: 973-490-6519.

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