ACE Private Risk Services Introduces Background Screening of Financial Advisors, Contractors
and Domestic Staff, as Part of its Insurance Program for High Net Worth Clients
PHILADELPHIA– June 10, 2009– ACE Private Risk ServicesSM, part of the ACE Group, today
announced that it will offer access to a service that can provide comprehensive background screening of
financial advisors, contractors, and domestic staff as part of its ACE Platinum PortfolioSM insurance
program for affluent and high net worth clients. The inclusion of financial advisors and contractors
(including both general and subcontractors performing work on the home) as well as domestic staff,
represents an unusually broad scope of access for a personal insurance program. These innovations come
at a time of rising concern in both areas.
FOR INSTANCE:
In one case, an individual discovered that a loan for nearly $200,000 had been fraudulently opened
in his name. It turned out that his long-time adviser had fallen into financial trouble and couldn’t
resist the temptation to misuse his client’s personal information. Background screening may have
raised a red flag in such a case.
“Recent significant and highly-publicized investment industry misappropriations have made our clients
more concerned about the trustworthiness of their financial advisors,” said Bob Courtemanche, CEO of
ACE Private Risk Services. “In addition, current market conditions have had a detrimental effect on the
construction industry, and now more than ever, it is more important to know that a contractor is
financially sound and reliable when they work on your home. The value-added services we’re providing
through the ACE Platinum Portfolio program offer a solution to address these concerns.”
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ACE Private Risk Services Introduces Background Screening of Financial Advisors, Contractors
and Domestic Staff, as Part of Insurance Program for High Net Worth Clients
To provide access to the screening services, ACE Private Risk Services has formed a strategic alliance
with the International Intelligence Division of The Guidry Group, a U.S.-based consultancy specializing
in security risk auditing and management. Many members of The Guidry Group have held previous senior
investigative and security positions involving direct oversight of security issues for major businesses and
federal government agencies in the United States and on a global basis.
“Affluent and high net worth families represent lucrative targets for fraud,” said Mike Guidry, Founder of
The Guidry Group. “They must be particularly careful when making hiring decisions. In relatively stable
economic years, industry surveys indicate that two-thirds of all job applicants reported they have stretched
the truth at least once in an effort to land a job. You can only imagine what the percentage is now in this
time of economic stress. Our background screening should enable ACE Platinum Portfolio policyholders
to make better hiring decisions as they recruit individuals who will take care of their children, their home,
and their financial well being.”
The ACE Platinum Portfolio provides specialized coverage for homes, vacation properties, automobiles,
watercraft, jewelry and other valuables, and excess liability protection that in most cases, offers the
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ACE Private Risk Services Introduces Background Screening of Financial Advisors, Contractors
and Domestic Staff, as Part of Insurance Program for High Net Worth Clients
savings of a package discount and the convenience of one bill. To obtain additional information regarding
ACE Private Risk Services, please visit: www.aceprivateriskservices.com. Product highlights are
summaries only; please see actual policy for terms and conditions. Products may not be available in all
states. For more information about The Guidry Group, please visit www.guidry.com.
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ACE Private Risk Services is the high-net-worth personal lines business of ACE Group, which provides
specialty coverage for homeowners, automobile, recreational marine, umbrella liability and collections
insurance for affluent individuals and families. The ACE Group of Companies is headed by ACE Limited
(NYSE: ACE), and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor’s.
The ACE Group provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world. To
learn more about the ACE Group of Companies, please visit: www.acelimited.com.
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