ACE USA Expands DBA Workers’ Comp Coverage; House Named to Lead DBA Product Initiative

ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of The ACE Group of Companies, announced the expansion of its Defense Base Act (DBA) product offerings.

The new coverages includes “risk control and claims management services for DBA workers compensation exposures for prime contractors and subcontractors performing work overseas under contracts authorized, approved or financed by the U.S. government, or its agencies,” said the bulletin.

William House, Senior VP, ACE US International, has been appointed to lead the DBA product initiative. ACE USA also said that ESIS, Inc., its risk management services arm, “will provide claims management services through its dedicated claims center–staffed with claims professionals with specialized knowledge of the complexities of administering DBA claims.”

“With Bill’s leadership the ACE USA DBA Workers Compensation product offering will continue to fill a critical role in addressing the evolving risk management concerns in the public works contracts arena,” commented Mark Lima, Executive VP and COO, ACE US International. “The addition of claims management services offered through ESIS and the risk control services provided by its Risk Control Services unit serve to address the exposures customers face when working on U.S. military bases abroad and with other projects authorized by the U.S. government, allowing us to respond to the increased risk they must confront in the changing global arena.”

House noted: “Providing an expanded mix of claims management and risk control services allows us to respond to customers’ needs with a more focused approach to handling underwriting and risk management concerns associated with international exposures,” said William, Senior Vice President, ACE US International. “In addition, the opportunity to include other relevant coverages within the DBA product offering–including 24-hour Accident & Health and Kidnap & Ransom coverage–presents a unique opportunity to further serve our customers’ needs.”

House has more than 22 years of experience in the foreign casualty insurance arena. He joined ACE USA in June 2000 as Vice President, ACE US International. Prior to his tenure with ACE, he spent 17 years at American International Underwriters division, holding several management positions and most recently serving as Assistant Vice President, Southwest Foreign Casualty Operations. He began his insurance career with Johnson & Higgins. He attended Southwest Texas State University, majoring in business administration.

ACE USA also gave the following details concerning the scope of the expanded DBA coverage. It will feature:

Risk Control Services:
— Pre-Departure Assistance
— Risk Analysis, Vulnerability and Threat Assessment
— Housing Security Survey
— Employee Return Debriefing & Medicals

Claims Management Services:
— Claims Operations
— Global Risk Advantage Claims Management Information System
— In-Country Assistance
— Managed Care for Returnees
— Specialized Defense Panel Firms
— Crisis Management Services
— Fatality Assistance

House may be contacted forfurther information about ACE US International’s DBA coverage at: 972-465-7814.