The Hanover Unveils Significantly Expanded Small Commercial Capabilities

WORCESTER, Mass., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG), a leading provider of property and casualty insurance, announced today that it has made a number of investments to significantly strengthen its small commercial capabilities.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20051031/NEM023LOGO )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051031/NEM023LOGO )

The Hanover launched a combination of over 65 new and enhanced business owners' classes and coverages to help the company's agent partners effectively capture even more business in the small commercial market. These extensive enhancements further demonstrate the company's commitment to being responsive to its agent partners' needs and offering the broadest and most relevant product portfolio possible.

"Serving the needs and covering the risks of small, local businesses is at the core of many of our agent partners' success," said Michael Keane, president, small commercial. "Our broader underwriting parameters and new and enhanced coverages are of great value to our agent partners and their customers. By continually improving our capabilities, we are delivering on our commitment to help our partners grow their businesses over the long term."

Expanded Appetite and Capabilities

As part of this effort, The Hanover expanded its small commercial appetite to include 15 new business owner classifications, which are also available for commercial package policies.  In addition to over 500 BOP classes currently available, the company now offers coverage for various types of convenience stores, gas stations, liquor stores, and janitorial services, among others.

At the same time, The Hanover has added unique new coverages to its small commercial offering, helping its agent partners to be more distinctive in their local markets.  Highlights of these include:*

BOP enhancements

• Deluxe bronze broadening endorsement, which offers business owners a way to efficiently and affordably gain access to broader limits for nearly 40 coverages.

• Pet services coverage for kennels; grooming; training; daycare; motel/hotel and veterinary services.

CPP Enhancements

• Data breach coverage to provide an additional layer of protection for expenses and liability claims should a breach occur.

• Green advantage, which gives policyholders the ability to repair or replace eco-friendly buildings, or upgrade to more environmentally sensitive components, after a loss.

Total Solutions

A leading insurer -- with stability and a performance record confirmed by top financial ratings—The Hanover offers total protection and one-stop shopping for its agents to profitably write small commercial businesses. The company's products are supported by local, knowledgeable underwriters, as well as specialized loss control and claims services, ensuring that The Hanover's agent partners and their customers get the quality protection and attention that they deserve.

The announcement follows the company's introduction of a specialized small commercial program for technology businesses last month. And, there is more to come.

"Our newly enhanced small commercial offering is further confirmation that we are truly committed to our value proposition – delivering innovation, true partnership, and responsiveness to our agent partners," said Marita Zuraitis, president, The Hanover's property and casualty companies. "It validates, once again, that The Hanover is the best alternative for winning independent agents."

*Availability of coverage varies by state and product. For specific coverage details, agents should contact one of The Hanover's local branch offices or visit the Agent section of the company's web site at www.hanover.com.

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 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.

SOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.