AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2006--Employers Direct Insurance Company, California's only specialty direct writer of workers' compensation insurance, believes that being a good corporate citizen should be a year-long commitment, not simply during the holiday season.

"Employers Direct is proud to support the communities in which we provide services to improve the lives of others. As a company, and as individual employees, we are dedicated to philanthropy and numerous causes. While most people consider the holiday season to be the time to help others, I would like to thank everyone at Employers Direct for their dedication to corporate and individual giving all year long,"
said James E. Little, Chairman/President & CEO of Employers Direct Insurance Company.

During 2006, Employers Direct made the following financial and volunteer contributions:

-- $10,000 to the Southwest Los Angeles Rotary Club - through the
Nickolas N. Shammas Scholarship Fund, this money will be used
to help students in inner city high schools (online at
www.rotary.org)

-- $10,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Conejo & Las Virgenes -
as part of a national non-profit network of neighborhood-based
facilities that serve 4 million youth, the Boys & Girls Clubs
of Conejo & Las Virgenes will build six clubs to serve
children from Calabasas to Newbury Park (online at
www.bgcconejo.org)

-- $25,000 to Casa de Amma - this unique apartment community
nurtures the abilities and independence skills of adults with
learning challenges by providing a wide spectrum of
vocational, residential, and educational opportunities in a
responsive and caring environment (online at
ww.casadeamma.org)

-- $30,000 to the American Cancer Society from the 9th Annual
Relay for Life of Conejo Valley - employees of Employers
Direct enthusiastically chose to replace the company-sponsored
summer picnic by participating in the Relay for Life (a
24-hour celebration of hope from September 30 to October 1)
and held a number of fundraising activities leading up to the
event including bake sales and events at local restaurants,
and together, the company and employees raised the total
amount (online at www.cancer.org and
www.conejovalleyrelayforlife.org)

During 2007, Employers Direct will launch a Customer-Driven Improvement Initiative in the form of an online survey. Customers will be asked to provide feedback regarding current product offerings and service as well as ideas for the future direction of the company. To thank customers for their participation, Employers Direct will make a donation for each completed survey to one of the following five charities: American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, or World Wildlife Fund.

About EMPLOYERS DIRECT INSURANCE COMPANY

Employers Direct Insurance Company is California's only specialty direct writer of workers' compensation insurance. Founded in 2002, Employers Direct has been widely accepted by business owners throughout California as a result of providing highly competitive rates, claims services designed to fight fraud and abuse, and loss prevention services that assist employers to create safe work environments. As a newer company, Employers Direct is unburdened by legacy systems and takes advantage of the latest technology to provide its customers with 24/7 access to all policy and claims information via a secure Internet portal. Employers Direct is proud that a growing number of California's best-run privately-held companies count themselves as policyholders. Niche industries include hotels, restaurants, golf and country clubs, new car dealers, food processors, manufacturing companies, specialty supermarket chains, and retailers.

At the end of 2005, Employers Direct Insurance Company had more than $150 million in written workers' compensation premiums. Visit Employers Direct online at www.employersdirect.com.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

Employers Direct Insurance Company

Employers Direct Insurance Company

Employers Direct Insurance Company is California’s only specialty direct writer of workers’ compensation insurance. Rated “A-” (Excellent) VIII by A.M. Best, Employers Direct has been widely accepted by business owners throughout California as a result of providing highly competitive rates, claims services designed to fight fraud and abuse, and loss prevention services that assist employers to create safe work environments. Founded in 2002, Employers Direct takes advantage of the latest technology to provide its customers with 24/7 access to all policy and claims information via a secure Internet portal. Niche industries include construction, hotels, restaurants, golf and country clubs, new car dealers, food processors, manufacturing companies, specialty supermarket chains, and retailers. Employers Direct is a subsidiary of Alleghany Corporation (NYSE: Y). Visit Employers Direct online at www.employersdirect.com.

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