Lancashire predicts healthy trading in 2007

HAMILTON, Bermuda—Lancashire Holdings Ltd. said it expects healthy trading conditions for most of the classes of business which it underwrites in 2007.

The Hamilton, Bermuda-based specialty insurer said that for the majority of classes it underwrites, with the exception of marine, prices are expected to remain healthy during 2007, particularly in catastrophe-exposed zones.

"Outside these zones, there may be some modest weakening but pricing is expected to remain broadly acceptable in most classes," the company said in a statement.

Richard Brindle, Lancashire's chief executive officer and chief underwriting officer commented: "In the marine sector,while we have enjoyed a low level of claims, we have consistently beendisappointed with pricing. As such, we have declined to write a large proportionof what has been presented and premiums are less than expected as a result."

Lancashire writes short-tail property, energy, marine and aviation business.