8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 20, 2012

ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, AG

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Switzerland	001-32938	98-0681223
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Lindenstrasse 8

6340 Baar

Zug, Switzerland

(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 41-41-768-1080

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure

On December 20, 2012, Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG issued a press release announcing the catastrophe-related losses and loss expenses that it expects to record in the fourth quarter of 2012 in connection with Superstorm Sandy.

The press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1. The information hereunder is not deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is not otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section and is not incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release, dated December 20, 2012.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, AG
Dated: December 20, 2012	By:	/s/ Wesley D. Dupont
	Name:	Wesley D. Dupont
	Title:	Executive Vice President & General Counsel

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release, dated December 20, 2012.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Allied World Announces Fourth Quarter 2012 Loss Estimates from Superstorm Sandy

ZUG, Switzerland – December 20, 2012 – Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG (NYSE: AWH) announced today that it expects to record approximately $165 million in catastrophe related losses in the fourth quarter of 2012 related to Superstorm Sandy which struck the Atlantic coastline of the United States in late October. This amount is pre-tax and net of reinsurance recoverables and reinstatement premiums.

President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Carmilani commented, “As a diverse property and casualty underwriter in the United States with large direct commercial account exposures and a reinsurer of both commercial and personal risks, this loss is within our expectation for an event of this magnitude. While we caution that all estimates should be considered preliminary at this point, we believe the $165 million that Allied World is reporting reflects a realistic appreciation of the severity of Superstorm Sandy as well as a thorough review of our insurance and reinsurance exposures in the region.”

A breakout of Allied World’s estimated gross and net losses from Superstorm Sandy, by operating segment, is indicated below (in millions):

Segment	Gross Loss		Net Loss
U.S. Insurance1	$	26	$	21
International Insurance		92		74
Total Insurance2		118		95
Reinsurance3		81		70
Total	$	199	$	165

1. Includes property and inland marine lines.

2. The company co-participates in its property catastrophe reinsurance coverage on its direct insurance business attaching at $175 million.

3. Includes property and marine lines. Net loss for Reinsurance segment includes anticipated inward reinstatement premiums of $10 million.

Allied World’s direct loss estimates are primarily derived from a detailed analysis of exposures on each of the company’s policies in the impacted areas. For our reinsurance treaties in-force, while we place some reliance upon the losses reported to us by our cedents, we use the high end of their estimates as a starting point and may build in additional loss reserves in excess of the high end of their range. This assumes an industry loss event approaching $25 billion. Actual ultimate losses may vary materially from current estimates due to inherent uncertainties resulting from several factors, including the application of hurricane deductibles, magnitude of business interruption claims, classification of cause of loss, the preliminary nature of loss data available, and potential inaccuracies and inadequacies in the data that has been provided to us.

About Allied World Assurance Company

Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG, through its subsidiaries, is a global provider of innovative property, casualty and specialty insurance and reinsurance solutions, offering superior client service through a global network of offices and branches. All of Allied World’s rated insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are rated A by A.M. Best Company, A by Standard & Poor’s, and A2 by Moody’s, and our Lloyd’s Syndicate 2232 is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s and Fitch. Please visit www.awac.com for further information on Allied World.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any forward-looking statements made in this press release reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. For example, our forward-looking statements could be affected by pricing and policy term trends; increased competition; the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war; greater frequency or severity of unpredictable catastrophic events; negative rating agency actions; the adequacy of our loss reserves; the company or its subsidiaries becoming subject to significant income taxes in the United States or elsewhere; changes in regulations or tax laws; changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance or retrocessional coverage; adverse general economic conditions; and judicial, legislative, political and other governmental developments, as well as management’s response to these factors, and other factors identified in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or revise any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Source: Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG

Contact:

Media:

Faye Cook, VP, Marketing & Communications

1-441-278-5406

faye.cook@awac.com

or

Investors:

Keith J. Lennox, Investor Relations Officer

1-646-794-0750

keith.lennox@awac.com