ACE Ltd. is further expanding its Directors' and Officers' (D&O) insurance coverage.

The D&O Division of ACE USA has introduced a new primary policy, a comprehensive blended form that will include coverage beyond Directors', Officers' and Entity Security liability.

The new form supplements ACE USA's previously-announced excess policy form and integrated policy forms for D&O and related coverages released late last year.

Formerly Westchester Specialty Group, ACE USA is a subsidiary of ACE Ltd. and is headquartered in Atlanta, with offices in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New Orleans.

Coverage parts available under the new blended policy include D&O and entity securities claims liability, fiduciary liability, employment practices liability, commercial crime coverage, bankers liability and professional liability and insurance company professional liability and fidelity.

"The newly-released policy form can be written for commercial entities (including public, private and not-for-profit) and financial institutions, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies and brokers/dealers,'' said senior vice president Craig Landi, who heads the New York-based D&O Division at ACE USA.

He said that Scott Crocco, vice president of D&O, will be responsible for developing the commercial entities' book of business. Mr. Rentko, vice president of D&O, will be responsible for implementing the underwriting strategy for the financial institutions department. Both men joined ACE USA last fall.

All coverage parts utilise common general terms and conditions. "This common nexus allows for additional coverage parts to be added as needed,'' said Mr.

Landi.

"In addition, coverage can be purchased in several different ways,'' he explained.

"Insureds can purchase a stand-alone policy for each coverage part, or include all of the coverage parts under one policy. Limits of liability can be provided either as a single aggregate for all coverage parts or separate limits of liability for each coverage part.'' The limit of liability for any individual coverage part is $25 million.