Montpelier Acquires Renewal Rights to Torus’ Property Catastrophe Reinsurance Business

HAMILTON, Bermuda--()--Torus today announced that it has reached an agreement with Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd., the Bermuda reinsurance subsidiary of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: MRH), (“Montpelier”), a leading provider of short-tail reinsurance and other specialty lines, to sell the renewal rights of its property catastrophe reinsurance book of business with immediate effect.

Under the agreement Torus will also provide sidecar capacity to Montpelier, effective January 1, 2012.

Clive Tobin, Chief Executive of Torus commented:

“Torus’ strategy remains to build a global specialty insurer with niche exposure to reinsurance. With the continued expansion opportunities we see in our insurance operations, along with our modest ambitions for niche reinsurance, we have determined it is more effective for our catastrophe reinsurance business to be integrated into the larger Montpelier portfolio, and for us to continue our catastrophe reinsurance participation through a sidecar arrangement.

“We will continue to write casualty and specialty reinsurance through our Bermuda team under the experienced leadership of David Whiting.”

Christopher Harris, President and CEO of Montpelier commented:

“The acquisition of these renewal rights and accompanying sidecar capacity further enhances our position in one of our core markets at a time when conditions are visibly improving.”

About Torus:

Torus provides property, casualty and specialty insurance, as well as reinsurance to a global client base through its European, US and Bermudian based subsidiaries. Launched in 2008, Torus now has over 500 employees in 13 offices worldwide. Torus carries a group rating of A - (excellent) from A.M. Best and has capital of approximately $1 billion provided by First Reserve Corporation and Corsair Capital. For more information visit www.torusinsurance.com.

About Montpelier:

Montpelier, through its operating subsidiaries, is a premier provider of global property and casualty reinsurance and insurance products. Additional information can be found in Montpelier's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or by visiting www.montpelierre.bm.

Contacts

Torus
Investors:
Printhan Sothinathan, +44 (0)20 3206
Chief Strategy Officer
psothinathan@torusinsurance.com
or
Media:
Laura Molloy, +44 (0)20 3206 8204 or +44 796 013 6615
Communications
lmolloy@torusinsurance.com
or
Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd., Hamilton
Investors:
William Pollett, +1-441-299-7576
Chief Corporate Development and Strategy Officer, Treasurer & SVP
bill.pollett@montpelierre.bm
or
Media:
Jeannine Klein Menzies, +1-441-299-7570
Corporate Affairs Manager
Jeannine.menzies@montpelierre.bm

Release Summary

Montpelier Acquires Renewal Rights to Torus’ Property Catastrophe Reinsurance Business

Contacts

Torus
Investors:
Printhan Sothinathan, +44 (0)20 3206
Chief Strategy Officer
psothinathan@torusinsurance.com
or
Media:
Laura Molloy, +44 (0)20 3206 8204 or +44 796 013 6615
Communications
lmolloy@torusinsurance.com
or
Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd., Hamilton
Investors:
William Pollett, +1-441-299-7576
Chief Corporate Development and Strategy Officer, Treasurer & SVP
bill.pollett@montpelierre.bm
or
Media:
Jeannine Klein Menzies, +1-441-299-7570
Corporate Affairs Manager
Jeannine.menzies@montpelierre.bm