Hannover Re sells Praetorian Group to Australian insurer

* Hannover Re to concentrate on its core business going forward
* QBE acquires 100% of Praetorian for USD 800 million

Hannover, 13 December 2006:

Hannover Re today reached agreement to sell its US subsidiary Praetorian Financial Group, Inc., New York, to QBE Insurance Group Ltd., Sydney, Australia. “This successful sale demonstrates that it was the right decision to carve out our US primary specialty business into Praetorian”, Chief Executive Officer Wilhelm Zeller explained. Once this transaction is completed Hannover Re will concentrate exclusively on its core business of reinsurance. “We have no doubt”, Mr. Zeller continued, “that with QBE – a leading Australian and international primary insurance group – a strong strategic partner has been found for Praetorian.”

QBE is to acquire 100% of the share capital of Praetorian. The purchase price of USD 800 million represents 2.1 times Praetorian’s estimated tangible book value at year-end 2006.

“Over the past year, Praetorian has made significant strides in strengthening and refining the company’s operational capabilities”, Rod Fox, CEO of Praetorian Financial Group, said. “The combination with QBE the Americas will build on those successes while allowing us to offer a broader range of products and maintain continuity in client relationships. We are excited by the opportunities 2007 presents and look forward to joining the very talented QBE family.”

The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2007.

Hannover Re intends to redeploy the capital freed up by this transaction to its core property/casualty and life/health reinsurance businesses.

Contact Information

Gabriele Handrick

Chief Public Relations Manager

Hannover Re

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