The Hanover Announces Its Entry Into the West with Seven State Launches

WORCESTER, Mass., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG), a leading provider of property and casualty insurance, today announced that it will significantly expand its footprint January 1, with seven state launches in the West, including Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051031/NEM023LOGO )The company, which is planning to appoint 200 of the best agents in these states, has assembled a strong, experienced team of employees and developed a full suite of middle market, niche and specialty products for the region."We are very pleased with the significant progress we have made and thrilled to begin writing business in these seven states," said Frederick H. Eppinger, chief executive officer of The Hanover Insurance Group. "Our launch into the West is part of a strategic and disciplined approach to growth, which is enabling us to capitalize on our strong momentum, the increasing interest in our products and services outside of our current footprint, and a number of emerging opportunities with some of the country's best independent agents."Company Offers National Capabilities, Regional TouchIn line with the company's commitment to offer its agent partners national capabilities with a regional touch, The Hanover has opened offices in Denver and Sacramento and plans to open offices in Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.Additionally, The Hanover plans to offer agent partners in the West access to a full complement of Avenues® commercial lines products, as well as a distinctive suite of middle market niches, industry segments and specialty offerings, which align well with business opportunities in the region. For example, the company will offer comprehensive solutions for recession resistant business classes, like the company's human services, hospitality, real estate, wholesalers and professional services offerings. Agents also will gain access to programs, inland marine and management liability solutions. And, in California, The Hanover plans to offer its full suite of Avenues® small commercial products, as well."We are excited that The Hanover has decided to expand into the West," said Bill Moreton, president, Moreton & Company. "It is important for us--especially in the current market--to work with companies like The Hanover, that have strong capabilities, a dedication to innovation and the financial strength to back it all up.""We welcome The Hanover as a new local partner," said Mike Heffernan, chief executive officer, Heffernan Insurance Brokers. "The company has a reputation for making a personal commitment to understanding the needs of independent agents and our customers, enabling us to provide unique solutions that will protect our clients against the growing number of risks they face."Assembles Committed and Talented TeamThe Hanover's announcement follows the appointment of John Casper as regional president, West in June. Over the last six months, Casper has hired a number of local executives in building a strong, talented team. For example, he attracted John Buckalew who will serve as The Hanover's regional vice president, California. Buckalew joined The Hanover from The Hartford, where he previously was responsible for the company's office in Sacramento and was well-known to agents as a knowledgeable, resourceful partner. Additionally, Craig Mogielnicki joined the team in the West as regional marine field director for California. Prior to joining The Hanover, he served as branch manager/management account executive for Travelers' Sacramento office, where he was responsible for property and inland marine business. And most recently, Steve Sanchez was tapped as senior commercial lines middle market underwriter for The Hanover's new Colorado operation. Sanchez comes to The Hanover from The Hartford, where he served as middle market sales underwriter, responsible for new business growth and profitability for the company's Colorado and Arizona markets. Overall, The Hanover team in the region is expected to be at approximately 40 people by the end of the first quarter."We are in a dynamic market and have never been in a better position to build our team, infrastructure and capabilities countrywide, enabling us to make good on our promise to be the best partner for winning independent agents," said Marita Zuraitis, president of The Hanover's property and casualty companies. "Throughout the West, we are bringing on highly talented individuals to help leverage our strong capabilities and drive growth. We already have made significant progress, but, we are just getting started."About The HanoverThe 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, Mich., and their affiliates. The Hanover offers a wide range of property and casualty products and services to individuals, families and businesses through an extensive network of independent agents, and has been meeting its obligations to its agent partners and their customers for more than 150 years. Taken as a group, The Hanover ranks among the top 30 property and casualty insurers in the United States. Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements in this release may be forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Use of the words "anticipates," "expects," "plan" and similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements. Comments in this release regarding the number of agent appointments; number of new employees and offices to be opened are forward-looking statements. The company cautions investors that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results could differ materially. Investors are directed to consider the risks and uncertainties in its business that may affect future performance and that are discussed in readily available documents, including the company's annual report and other documents filed by The Hanover with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which are also available at www.hanover.com under "Investors". CONTACTS: Investor Relations Media Relations Oksana Lukasheva Amy Lynn Banek E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] 1-508-855-2063 1-508-855-4486 SOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.