MINNETONKA, Minn., Aug. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- OneBeacon Professional Insurance (OBPI), a member of OneBeacon Insurance Group (NYSE: OB), today announced the appointment of Daniel Melanson as Senior Vice President leading the Medical Excess line of business. In this role, Melanson is responsible for product development, sales, marketing, producer relationships and underwriting results for the Provider Excess, Employer Stop Loss and HMO Reinsurance products. He reports to Steve Spina, President of OBPI's Health Care Group.

"We are excited to welcome Dan to OBPI," Spina said. "As the health care industry continues to change as a result of health care reform, more customers will look for this type of coverage. OBPI is uniquely positioned to offer Medical Excess in conjunction with Managed Care and other important coverages under our health care umbrella, and we will benefit from Dan's experience."

Melanson brings over 20 years of experience in underwriting and leadership for this specialized line of coverage. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President for Underwriting and Operations at a leading carrier overseeing underwriting, claims and medical management for HMO Re, Provider Excess and Employer Stop Loss products. Prior to that role, he held various positions in underwriting and product line management, as well as in health plan administration, negotiating contracts with hospitals on behalf of the health plan. Melanson holds a Master's of Science degree in Health Care Administration from Simmons College in Boston and an undergraduate degree in Management from Assumption College.

About OneBeacon Professional Insurance: OneBeacon Professional Insurance is a member of OneBeacon Insurance Group that specializes in professional liability solutions for targeted industries including hospitals, long-term care facilities, medical facilities, physician groups, media organizations, lawyers, real estate professionals, design professionals, financial services and technology providers. Additionally, OneBeacon Professional Insurance provides employment practices liability insurance, management liability and tailored products for complex organizations including health care provider excess insurance and HMO reinsurance. General liability, property and workers compensation coverages are also available for financial institutions.

About OneBeacon: OneBeacon Insurance Group, Ltd. is a Bermuda-domiciled holding company that is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "OB." OneBeacon's underwriting companies offer a range of specialty insurance products sold through independent agencies, regional and national brokers, wholesalers and managing general agencies. Each business is managed by an experienced team of specialty insurance professionals focused on a specific customer group or industry segment. OneBeacon's solutions target professional liability; ocean and inland marine; collector cars and boats; energy; entertainment, sports and leisure; excess property; environmental; group accident; programs; public entities; technology; and tuition refund. For further information about our products and services visit: www.onebeacon.com and to remain up to date on OneBeacon's news, follow us on Twitter @OneBeaconIns or visit our online newsroom: www.onebeacon.com/newsroom.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or referenced in this release which address activities, events or developments which we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The words "will," "believe," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "predict" and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to OneBeacon's:


    --  change in book value per share or return on equity;
    --  business strategy;
    --  financial and operating targets or plans;
    --  incurred loss and loss adjustment expenses and the adequacy of its loss
        and loss adjustment expense reserves and related reinsurance;
    --  projections of revenues, income (or loss), earnings (or loss) per share,
        dividends, market share or other financial forecasts;
    --  expansion and growth of our business and operations; and
    --  future capital expenditures.

These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by OneBeacon in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including:


    --  claims arising from catastrophic events, such as hurricanes, windstorms,
        earthquakes, floods, or terrorist attacks;
    --  recorded loss and loss adjustment expense reserves subsequently proving
        to have been inadequate;
    --  the continued availability and cost of reinsurance coverage;
    --  the continued availability of capital and financing;
    --  general economic, market or business conditions;
    --  business opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to it and
        pursued;
    --  competitive forces, including the conduct of other property and casualty
        insurers and agents;
    --  changes in domestic or foreign laws or regulations, or their
        interpretation, applicable to OneBeacon, its competitors, its agents or
        its customers;
    --  an economic downturn or other economic conditions adversely affecting
        its financial position including stock market volatility;
    --  actions taken by ratings agencies from time to time, such as financial
        strength or credit ratings downgrades or placing ratings on negative
        watch;
    --  the risks that are described from time to time in OneBeacon's filings
        with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited
        to OneBeacon's Annual Report on the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
        December 31, 2011 filed February 28, 2012.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by OneBeacon will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, OneBeacon or its business or operations. OneBeacon assumes no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE OneBeacon Professional Insurance