FARMINGTON, Conn., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc. (NYSE: DR) today announced that September 15, 2008 will be the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote upon the proposed acquisition of Darwin by Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd, at a special meeting for that purpose. The date, time and place of the special meeting of stockholders are being finalized and will be announced at a later time.

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About Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc.

Darwin is a specialty insurance group based in Farmington, Connecticut. The Company is focused on the professional liability insurance market and underwrites directors and officers liability for public and private companies, errors and omissions liability insurance, medical malpractice liability insurance, and other specialty coverage. Darwin member companies include Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc., Darwin National Assurance Company (DNA), and Darwin Select Insurance Company (Darwin Select). DNA and Darwin Select have earned a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) from A.M. Best Company. Darwin is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol, DR. For more about Darwin visit http://www.darwinpro.com.

Participants in the Solicitation

The directors and executive officers of Darwin may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed merger. Information regarding Darwin's directors and executive officers is available in Darwin's proxy statement for its 2008 Annual Meeting filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') on April 7, 2008. Additional information regarding the interests of such directors and executive officers in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed merger is included in the preliminary proxy statement filed with the SEC on August 8, 2008 and will be contained in the definitive proxy statement when it becomes available.

Additional Information

In connection with the proposed merger, Darwin filed a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC on August 8, 2008. Investors and securities holders are strongly advised to read the preliminary proxy statement and the definitive proxy statement when it becomes available, before making any voting or investment decisions.