Benson Named President & CEO of AutoOne Insurance

BOSTON, May 7 - OneBeacon Insurance Group announced today that Carey Benson has been named President and CEO of its AutoOne Insurance subsidiary. Alvin Kaltman was appointed non executive Chairman. Benson reports to John Cavoores, OneBeacon President and Chief Operating Officer. OneBeacon formed AutoOne last year as a Limited Assignment Distribution (LAD) servicing carrier to handle Automobile Insurance Plan (AIP) business in New York. Benson, who joined OneBeacon in 2001, had been AutoOne's Chief Operating Officer since last November.

"We are delighted to have Carey managing this business for us," notes Cavoores. "AutoOne has made a strong start in a tough environment and we credit both Al and Carey for that effort. We are confident that AutoOne will improve OneBeacon's New York auto results through reduced costs for our assigned business and by leveraging the demand for servicing carriers. " Alvin Kaltman has been a key strategist for AutoOne and was instrumental in developing the its business plan. He will remain actively involved in the new operation and will represent the company on various Boards, including the NYAIP and AIPSO organizations.

Benson's prior experience includes serving as CEO of the Home State Insurance Group, President and CEO of Charter Insurance Companies, and several senior financial roles with Skandia, Republic Insurance and AEGON. He is a CPA and graduate of Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

AutoOne is based in Melville, New York. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, OneBeacon Insurance Group is committed to being the leading independent agency property-casualty insurance group in the Northeast. With roots dating back 170 years and an A.M. Best rating of A (excellent), OneBeacon offers a wide range of personal, commercial and specialty products and services, which are sold exclusively through select property-casualty independent agents. Specialty operations are conducted on a national basis. OneBeacon is a wholly owned subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., of Hamilton, Bermuda , whose principal executive offices are in White River Junction, Vermont.