XL Group plc Obtains Final Approval to Establish Brazil Insurance Operation

HAMILTON, BERMUDA - July 06, 2012

Hamilton, Bermuda – January 5, 2012 – XL Group plc (“XL”) (NYSE:XL) and its subsidiaries today announced that the XL Group of companies has received final approval from the Brazilian insurance and reinsurance regulator, Superintendencia de Seguros Privados (SUSEP), to establish an insurance operation in the country.XL Seguros Brasil S.A. in Sao Paulo will offer a range of Casualty, Property, Professional and Specialty insurance products. The insurance offerings will expand XL’s capabilities in Brazil and complement its existing reinsurance operations. Expected to start operations in the first quarter of 2012, the insurance office will be led by Juan Bragadin, country manager.XL’s CEO, Mike McGavick, said: “Brazil is at the intersection of global development, connectivity and growth. For XL, Brazil is also an essential geography to advance our dedication, through complex risk solutions, to helping make the world go. We are thrilled to expand our operations in the country. Today’s announcement is the result of dedication and hard work by our project team.”Bruno Laval, XL’s insurance segment’s Regional Manager for Iberia & Latin America, commented, “In 2010, Brazil represented 42 percent of the South America’s non-life insurance premiums, and forecasts show that Brazil’s non-life market could reach $160 Billion by 2030, similar to projections for Western European economies such as Germany. Local investment programs, global attention and a diversified spread of trading partners and manufactured products, position the country for continued opportunities.”About XL Group plcXL Group plc, through its subsidiaries, is a global insurance and reinsurance company providing property, casualty and specialty products to industrial, commercial and professional firms, insurance companies and other enterprises throughout the world. XL is the company clients look to for answers to their most complex risks and to help move their world forward. Its principal offices are located at No.1 Hatch Street Upper, 4th Floor, Dublin 2, Ireland. To learn more, visit www.xlgroup.comThis press release contains forward-looking statements. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about XL's beliefs or expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and expectations, all of which involve risk and uncertainty. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements and therefore you should not place undue reliance on them. A non-exclusive list of the important factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements is set forth in XL's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q and XL's other documents on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. XL undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.