BOSTON, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Independent insurance agents
in Texas have a new option for insuring their best clients. Houston General
Insurance Exchange today announced that it is offering personal lines
products -- including coverage for automobiles, homes, condominiums,
watercraft and personal liability -- to Lone Star State consumers through
its OneChoice suite of products.

In addition to delivering superior home and auto protection, Houston
General is the first insurer to offer "package" policies in Texas.
OneChoice CustomPac allows customers to combine all of their personal lines
coverage in one policy, with the added convenience of one bill and a single
deductible for any loss involving both homeowners and auto.

Houston General Insurance Exchange is a property-casualty insurance
carrier that is owned by its policyholder members -- who can count on
special benefits they won't find with other insurers.

"Houston General members enjoy exclusive advantages that include
emergency roadside assistance for vehicles we insure, identity theft
resolution services, access to travel assistance, and more," said Jack
Heller, Vice President and Regional Manager for Houston General Insurance
Management Company.

Heller noted that Houston General markets its products through select
independent insurance agents.

"We believe in the added value that local agents bring to the
customer," Heller said. "Being right there in the communities where members
live and work makes a big difference when selling insurance protection."

Houston General Insurance Exchange is managed by Houston General
Insurance Management Company, a subsidiary of Boston-based OneBeacon
Insurance Group. In addition to Texas, the company conducts business in
Arizona and South Carolina.

About Houston General Insurance

Houston General Insurance Exchange is a full-service property-casualty
insurance company. The company is rated A (Exceptional) by Demotech, Inc.,
a longtime provider of Financial Stability Ratings(R) of property-casualty
insurance companies. Demotech's ratings are recognized by Fannie Mae,
Freddie Mac and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Houston General Insurance Exchange is managed by Houston General
Insurance Management Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of OneBeacon
Insurance Group. OneBeacon is one of the oldest property-casualty insurance
companies in the United States and rated A (excellent) by A.M. Best.
OneBeacon is wholly owned by White Mountains Insurance Group, 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

The 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: Maggie Sheehan
    Phone:   617.725.6336
    Fax:     617.725.6250
    E-mail:  msheehan@onebeacon.com

SOURCE Houston General Insurance Exchange

___________________________________________________________

Copyright © 1996-2006 PR Newswire Association LLC. All Rights Reserved.