BOSTON, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- OneBeacon Insurance Group today announced the appointment of Paul DiFrancesco as President of its AutoOne Insurance subsidiary, effective January 1, 2007. He succeeds Carey Benson, President and CEO, who is retiring from AutoOne at year end but will remain associated with the White Mountains Group. DiFrancesco joined AutoOne in June 2005 as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Benson has been with the company since its formation in October 2001. Said OneBeacon CEO Mike Miller, "Carey came aboard at a time when the New York personal auto market presented a substantial challenge for our company -- and the industry -- and through his leadership, we were able to develop a strong solution. As Carey moves on, we are fortunate to have a leader with Paul's talent and expertise, who will capably move AutoOne forward. All of us at OneBeacon thank Carey for his contributions to our success and are pleased that he will continue to be a member of the White Mountains family." Prior to joining AutoOne, DiFrancesco spent 26 years in the insurance industry including several executive level positions at other national carriers. Most recently he was Vice President of the Specialty Automobile division at St. Paul Travelers and was also President of Mendota Insurance Company, St. Paul Travelers' non-standard auto operation. Paul is a graduate of Fordham University and attained his M.B.A. from The University of Hartford. Benson, who was one of the founding employees of AutoOne, was appointed its President and CEO in May 2002, having originally joined the company as COO. His industry experience spans 28 years. Prior to OneBeacon, he worked with White Mountains, serving as President and CEO of Charter Insurance Companies from 1994-2000. Benson is also a Director of several operating units of OneBeacon and White Mountains. AutoOne Insurance was formed in 2001 to provide LAD (Limited Assignment Distribution) service to automobile insurance companies. AutoOne is a division of the OneBeacon Insurance Group. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, OneBeacon Insurance Group offers specialty and segmented personal and commercial insurance products sold primarily through select independent agents. OneBeacon is wholly owned by White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. White Mountains' principal businesses are conducted through its subsidiaries and affiliates in the business of property-casualty insurance and reinsurance. White Mountains is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Bermuda Stock Exchange under the symbol "WTM". Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or referenced in this release which address activities, events or developments which we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The words "will," "believe," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "predict" and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to White Mountains': * growth in book value per share or return on equity; * business strategy; * financial and operating targets or plans; * incurred losses and the adequacy of its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and related reinsurance; * projections of revenues, income (or loss), earnings (or loss) per share; * dividends, market share or other financial forecasts; * expansion and growth of our business and operations; and * future capital expenditures. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by White Mountains in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including: * the risks associated with Item 1A of White Mountains' 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K and second quarter 2006 Form 10-Q; * claims arising from catastrophic events, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods or terrorist attacks; * the continued availability of capital and financing; * general economic, market or business conditions; * business opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to it and pursued; * competitive forces, including the conduct of other property and casualty insurers and reinsurers; * changes in domestic or foreign laws or regulations, or their interpretation, applicable to White Mountains, its competitors or its clients; * an economic downturn or other economic conditions adversely affecting its financial position; * recorded loss reserves subsequently proving to have been inadequate; * other factors, most of which are beyond White Mountains' control. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by White Mountains will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, White Mountains or its business or operations. White Mountains assumes no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact: Carmen Duarte Phone: 617.725.6598 Fax: 888.385.0173 E-mail: DATASOURCE: OneBeacon Insurance Group CONTACT: Carmen Duarte of One Beacon, +1-617-725-6598, fax: +1-888-385-0173,

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