Argo Group Introduces Argo Surety

Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NasdaqGS: AGIID) introduces Argo Surety, a new member of the Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NASDAQ: AGII), an international underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products in niche areas of the property and casualty market.

Argo Group has assets in excess of $5 billion and nearly $1.4 billion of shareholder equity and is rated "A-" (Excellent) by A. M. Best and “A-“(Strong) by Standard and Poor’s; both ratings have stable outlooks. Built upon this strategic platform and financial strength, Argo Surety’s aim is to provide unparalleled service to chosen agents and customers by offering a broad selection of contract and commercial surety bonds to a diverse range of businesses and industries. Argo Surety is currently licensed in 49 states and anticipates being able to offer surety products in all 50 states by the end of 2008. One Argo Surety company presently has U.S. Treasury authority of $8.1 million and an application is pending for another company that will have $50 million authority.

I am also pleased to announce that Argo Surety has taken an important step towards realizing its objective of becoming a premier underwriter of standard and specialty surety bonds by hiring Craig J. Woehr, Vice President – Contract Surety, to begin implementing Argo Surety’s plan of becoming a market leader in providing contract bonds to small and mid sized contractors across the United States through the independent agency system. Craig is based in our Edison, New Jersey office. He comes to Argo Surety from The Guarantee Company of North America, USA where he was Assistant Vice President and National Underwriting Manager. Prior to that Craig held the position of Vice President – Contract Surety with International Fidelity Insurance Company.

Over thirty years of industry experience and an extensive underwriting background have enabled Craig to foster strong working relationships with agency contacts across the country and executive decision makers at the construction company clients. Craig’s addition to the Argo Surety team will have an immediate and positive impact on the success of Argo Group's new surety business unit.

Argo Surety's contract surety business plan includes underwriting capacity up to $20 million for qualifying accounts and exposures.

Please join me in welcoming Craig to Argo Surety and feel free to reach out to him directly at:

Please visit us at www.argosurety.com or to learn more about Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd., go to www.argolimited.com

We would welcome the prospect of doing business with you and encourage you to call us if we can be of assistance to you and your clients.