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WORCESTER, Mass., June 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG), a leading provider of property and casualty insurance, announced today that it has launched more than a dozen distinctive new and enhanced middle market capabilities that serve the unique needs of a broad array of industry segments.  The significantly expanded and differentiated industry capabilities directly responds to the growing number of its agent partners who are becoming more specialized in their marketing and sales efforts and demonstrate the company's commitment to being a preeminent middle market player.

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Each new or enhanced industry specific capability offers a unique combination of The Hanover's innovation and expertise, along with the specialized industry niche and casualty experience the company recently acquired from OneBeacon Insurance Group. As such, The Hanover's agent partners gain access to a comprehensive, one-stop insurance solution for their clients, while simultaneously enhancing the value of their agency and creating additional revenue opportunities.

"Recognizing that the risks of many mid-sized businesses are unique, we have built strong customized programs that enable our partner agents to address a broad range of clientele," said Jack Roche, president, business insurance. "These new and improved capabilities, combined with our locally responsive service, provide our partners with more opportunities than ever before to grow their businesses.  And we are committed to delivering an unprecedented amount of new and innovative products for our agents.  The next wave of new products and niches is already underway."

The enhanced industry solutions include a core commercial package policy, property, general liability, commercial auto and commercial umbrella coverage, combined with customized products and services for each unique industry segment. These include:

Hanover Craft Brewers Advantage -- meets the needs of craft brewers, microbrewers, contract brewers, regional breweries and selected brew pubs with important coverages such as spoilage, contamination, change in temperature, manufacturers selling price valuation and liquor liability

Hanover Cultural Institutions Advantage -- helps meet the unique property and general liability requirements of museums, libraries and historical sites with coverage for fine arts property in transit, agreed value valuation, and special event coverage

Hanover Food Industries Advantage -- customized coverage for food processors, distributors and retailers such as bakeries, beverage manufacturers, cereal manufacturers and coffee and tea processors with coverage for risks such as contamination of stock, spoilage, property in transit, and equipment breakdown

Hanover Hospitality Advantage -- meets the needs of mid-to-high priced, franchised-owned hotels and motels that cater to business travelers with a broad array of specialized coverages including a property broadening endorsement that covers risks such as guests' property, reservation systems and alternative key systems

Hanover Media Advantage -- distinctive coverage for broadcasters, publishers, multimedia companies, advertisers, advertising agencies and other media agencies, includes coverage for broadcast equipment and towers, antennas and satellite dishes, printer errors and omissions and graphic arts

Hanover Metalworkers Advantage -- targets machine shops and other businesses that make metal parts with tailored coverages including a manufacturers broadening endorsement, e-commerce endorsement and manufacturers errors and omissions

Hanover Plastic Manufacturers Advantage -- meets the needs of companies that develop plastic parts and finished products with specialized coverage for patterns, molds, dies and product recall expenses and offers a manufactures broadening endorsement

Hanover Printers Advantage -- covers the risks of printers that perform printing services for commercial and private companies. Coverage includes property in transit, property off premises, product recall and errors and omissions as well as an e-commerce endorsement

Hanover Professional Services Advantage -- meets issues facing firms such as attorneys and notaries, accounting, design and travel agencies with coverage for electronic data processing, valuable information property, business income and extra expense

Hanover Real Estate Advantage -- offers a program for commercial real estate businesses that includes emergency event management, contingent property coverage and a property and general liability broadening endorsement

Hanover Retail Advantage -- covers distinctive requirements for retailers such as automatic seasonal increase, property in transit, and sewer and drain back-up

Hanover Wholesalers Advantage -- special coverage for wholesalers that includes wholesale property broadening endorsement, property in transit and product recalls. Target classes include books, clothing, electronics, florists, furniture, medical equipment, plumbing and refrigeration

Total Solutions

The Hanover offers total protection and one-stop shopping for mid-sized businesses, offering distinctive core commercial lines coverages, as well as additional specialty coverages such as inland marine, ocean cargo, crime, surety, miscellaneous professional, employment practices and management liability. This total solution gives the company's agent partners the advantage they need to cover a wide range of risks with one company and to differentiate themselves in an evolving market.

"We continue to be focused on offering our agent partners a significant competitive advantage by providing them with a commitment to continued innovation, highly responsive service, and franchise value because of our limited distribution strategy," said Marita Zuraitis, president, The Hanover's property and casualty companies. "Once again, we are demonstrating that The Hanover's value proposition can help improve an agent's economics and is the reason why we are the best alternative for winning independent agents."

The Hanover's products are supported by local, knowledgeable underwriters, as well as specialized loss control and claims services. Availability of coverage varies by state. Agents interested in more detail should contact one of The Hanover's local branch offices or visit the Agent section of the company's web site at www.hanover.com.

About The Hanover

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG), based in Worcester, Mass., is the holding company for a group of insurers that includes The Hanover Insurance Company, also based in Worcester, Citizens Insurance Company of America, headquartered in Howell, Michigan, and their affiliates. The Hanover offers a wide range of property and casualty products and services to individuals, families and businesses through an extensive network of independent agents, and has been meeting its obligations to its agent partners and their customers for more than 150 years. Taken as a group, The Hanover ranks among the top 30 property and casualty insurers in the United States.

SOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.