ZIIL opens branches in France, Sweden and Finland

Zurich, January 17, 2006 – Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) announced today that Zurich Insurance Ireland Limited (ZIIL), an EU-wide risk carrier for Zurich Global Corporate business, has opened branches in France, Sweden and Finland in addition to its UK branch, which was established in May of 2005.

This is another important step toward expanding ZIIL's branch network that serves corporate business in the EU. The new structure is aligned with Zurich's strategy to create a more efficient and effective organization through a centrally coordinated and therefore more efficient capital management approach. ZIIL specializes in offering insurance cover for cross-border risks and related services to European corporate customers.

The expansion also reflects Zurich's commitment to grow its share of the European corporate business and enhance its General Insurance products and services offering to the corporate market through its Paris, Stockholm
and Helsinki based offices.

Geoff Riddell, Chief Executive Officer of Zurich Global Corporate, said, "This move sends a positive signal that we are serious about our commitment to growing our business in Europe and enhancing our product offering to our customers."

With headquarters based in Dublin, Ireland, ZIIL holds an A+/Negative rating by Standard & Poor's and is also the fifth largest general insurer in the Irish market.