Fairfax Enters Into Agreement With Tower Group and Catalina Holdings Regarding Acquisition of American Safety Reinsurance

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 19, 2013) -

(Note: All dollar amounts in this press release are expressed in U.S. dollars.)

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (TSX:FFH)(TSX:FFH.U) today announced an agreement with Tower Group International, Ltd. (Tower) and Catalina Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd. (Catalina) in connection with Fairfax's previously announced merger agreement with American Safety Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ASI), pursuant to which Fairfax agrees to sell American Safety's Bermuda subsidiary, American Safety Reinsurance, Ltd. (AS Re), to Catalina promptly upon acquiring American Safety.

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Tower agrees to terminate its right to acquire AS Re in return for a $5 million payment from Fairfax and Catalina agrees to purchase AS Re from Fairfax promptly upon Fairfax acquiring American Safety. Such transaction remains subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Catalina has agreed to vote its shares in American Safety in favor of the proposed acquisition of American Safety by Fairfax.

Fairfax is a financial services holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and investment management.