Darwin Enhances (i-bind) (R) Platform for Producers who can now Independently Manage a Multitude of Professional Liability Class

FARMINGTON, Conn., Sept. 15  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc. (NYSE:DR) announces a significant system upgrade to its state-of-the-art, Internet-based platform known as (i-bind) (R).   Approved producers are now able to quote, bind and issue competitive miscellaneous professional liability (MPL) coverage from any computer, 24/7 for over 200 distinct professions. This newest development reflects Darwin's continued commitment to become the market of choice for small-to-middle market professional lines coverage nationwide.

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Launched in 2005, the first (i-bind) (R) product was management liability (directors & officers, employment practices and fiduciary) coverage for private companies and not-for-profit organizations.

Darwin began accepting MPL business in 2007 but elected to wait to fully launch this product on its (i-bind) (R) platform to obtain producer feedback about coverage and pricing that could be effectively incorporated in the system to ensure the most positive user experience. (i-bind) (R) is designed to handle eligible management liability risks with up to 1,500 employees or $100M in annual revenues/assets and MPL risks with revenues up to $25M. Future plans call for increasing these thresholds even further.

"Answering no more than 10 questions to get a bindable professional lines quote for hundreds of professional classes and tens of thousands of different businesses without the need for an application and without having to worry about any back-end underwriting 'surprises' is really revolutionary," said Reza Khan, Vice President -- Business Development, who leads Darwin's (i-bind) (R) distribution strategy.  "We have set the bar high by actually delivering on the promise to offer a truly dynamic and user-friendly web-based system with a straight through underwriting 'box' that is more robust than many insurers who are stuck in the same processes that existed 40 years ago of 'hand' underwriting this type of business.  However, in this competitive marketplace, we aren't naïve to think that just offering the quickest delivery system along with having one of the biggest appetites is going to be enough to win the day.  We support the (i-bind) (R) platform by offering products with very competitive policy forms, rates and commissions to eliminate every possible objection to a sale."

Khan said Darwin plans to introduce additional products on the (i-bind) (R) platform in the near future and remains committed to partnering with a selective number of agents and brokers who embrace this way of doing business and see real value in being a franchise partner.  For more information about (i-bind) (R), Khan can be reached at 646-290-5035 or via email at .

ABOUT DARWIN

Darwin is a specialty insurance group based in Farmington, Connecticut. The company is focused on the professional liability insurance market and underwrites directors and officers ("D&O") liability for public and private companies, errors and omissions ("E&O") liability insurance, and health care liability insurance. Darwin member companies include Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc., Darwin National Assurance Company (DNA), and Darwin Select Insurance Company (Darwin Select). Darwin is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol, "DR."

For more information about Darwin, visit http://www.darwinpro.com/. 

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DATASOURCE: Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc.



CONTACT:  Jennifer Herz of Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc.,

[phone],   



Web site:  http://www.darwinpro.com/

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