Hannover Re strengthens its presence in China

Hannover Re strengthens its presence in China

Hannover, 13 October 2009: Hannover Re has received approval to open
a branch in Shanghai for non-life reinsurance. Since May 2008 it has
had a branch there writing Chinese life/health reinsurance business.
Going forward, both business groups will now be transacted directly
from Shanghai. At the beginning of October the China Insurance
Regulatory Commission (CIRC) issued the company an appropriate
licence.

"This stronger presence will enable our clients to access all
services from a concentrated source", Chief Executive Officer Ulrich
Wallin explained. "At the same time it gives us an optimal platform
for further extending our position in China." China is one of Asia's
largest insurance markets, and Hannover Re expects to grow its
premium volume here in the years ahead.

The General Manager of both branches is Michael Huang, who has been
with the company for a number of years in Shanghai. He has
long-standing experience in the insurance industry and a superb
knowledge of the Chinese market. The business written to date by
Hannover Re in China encompasses obligatory and facultative non-life
reinsurance across all lines as well as life reinsurance.

For further information please contact:

Press and Public Relations / Investor Relations:
Stefan Schulz (tel. +49 511 5604-1500,
e-mail: stefan.schulz@hannover-re.com)

Press and Public Relations:
Gabriele Handrick (tel. +49 511 5604-1502,
e-mail: gabriele.handrick@hannover-re.com)

Investor Relations:
Daniela Gissinger (tel. +49 511 5604-1529,
e-mail: daniela.gissinger@hannover-re.com)

Please visit: www.hannover-re.com

Hannover Re, with a gross premium of around EUR 9 billion, is one of
the leading reinsurance groups in the world. It transacts all lines
of non-life and life and health reinsurance. It maintains business
relations with more than 5,000 insurance companies in about 150
countries. Its worldwide network consists of more than 100
subsidiaries, branch and representative offices on all five
continents with a total staff of roughly 2,000. The rating agencies
most relevant to the insurance industry have awarded Hannover Re very
strong insurer financial strength ratings (Standard & Poor's AA-
"Very Strong" and A.M. Best A "Excellent").

Disclaimer: Some of the statements in this press release may be
forward-looking statements or statements of future expectations based
on currently available information. Such statements are naturally
subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors such as the development
of general economic conditions, future market conditions, unusual
catastrophic loss events, changes in the capital markets and other
circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially
different from those anticipated by such statements. Hannover Re does
not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to
the accuracy, completeness or updated status of such statements.
Therefore, in no case whatsoever will Hannover Re and its affiliate
companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken
in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press
release or for any related damages.

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