775368--2/28/2007--ALLEGHANY_CORP

related topics

{loss, insurance, financial}

{loan, real, estate}

{capital, credit, financial}

{regulation, change, law}

{personnel, key, retain}

{operation, natural, condition}

{condition, economic, financial}

The reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses of our insurance operating units are estimates and may not be adequate, which would require our insurance operating units to establish additional reserves. Because our insurance operating units are property and casualty insurers, we face losses from natural and human-made catastrophes. RSUI attempts to manage its exposure to catastrophe risk partially through the use of catastrophe modeling software. The failure of this software to accurately gauge the catastrophe-exposed risks RSUI writes could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. If market conditions cause reinsurance to be more costly or unavailable, our insurance operating units may be required to bear increased risks or reduce the level of their underwriting commitments. We cannot guarantee that the reinsurers used by our insurance operating units will pay in a timely fashion, if at all, and, as a result, we could experience losses even if reinsured. If RSUI s Hurricane Katrina losses are greater than currently estimated, RSUI will not have reinsurance coverage for such losses. Our insurance operating units are rated by A.M. Best and a decline in these ratings could affect the standing of our insurance operating units in the insurance industry and cause their premium volume and earnings to decrease. The property and casualty insurance business is cyclical in nature, which may affect our financial performance. A significant amount of our assets is invested in debt securities and is subject to market fluctuations. We invest some of our assets in equity securities, which may decline in value.

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775368--2/28/2007--ALLEGHANY_CORP_/DE