10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008

Or

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number: 000-50891

SPECIALTY UNDERWRITERS’ ALLIANCE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE	20-0432760
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
222 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois	60606
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

(888) 782-4672

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes þ No o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer þ	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o
		(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes o No þ

     As of April 21, 2008, there were 14,697,355 shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value, or the Common Stock, and 959,460 shares of our Class B common stock, or the Class B Shares, outstanding.

SPECIALTY UNDERWRITERS’ ALLIANCE, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
	PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements		3
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		9
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		13
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		14
	PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		15
Item 1A.	Risk Factors		15
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		15
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities		15
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders		15
Item 5.	Other Information		15
Item 6.	Exhibits		15
Form of Deferred Stock Award Agreement
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.

2

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Business

Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)

	3/31/2008			12/31/2007
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Fixed maturity investments, at fair value (amortized cost: $201,213 and $176,592)	$	203,042		$	177,735
Short-term investments, at amortized cost (which approximates fair value)		36,453			51,652
Total Investments		239,495			229,387
Cash		1,744			968
Insurance premiums receivable		60,543			68,887
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses		74,822			77,204
Prepaid reinsurance premiums		1,012			631
Investment income accrued		1,894			1,909
Equipment and capitalized software at cost (less accumulated depreciation of $10,451 and $8,927)		13,264			12,796
Intangible assets		10,745			10,745
Deferred acquisition costs		14,412			17,495
Deferred tax asset		509			—
Other assets		2,905			2,512
Total Assets	$	421,345		$	422,534
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	$	189,610		$	184,736
Unearned insurance premiums		72,701			86,741
Insured deposit funds		13,751			12,515
Accounts payable and other liabilities		9,765			7,405
Total Liabilities		285,827			291,397
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock at $.01 par value per share — authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 14,697,355 shares and 14,697,355 shares		147			147
Class B common stock at $.01 par value per share — authorized 2,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 959,460 shares and 869,738 shares		10			9
Paid-in capital — common stock		129,490			129,431
Paid-in capital — class B common stock		6,543			6,139
Accumulated deficit		(2,267	)		(5,732	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		1,595			1,143
Total Stockholders’ Equity		135,518			131,137
Total Liability & Stockholders’ Equity	$	421,345		$	422,534

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.

3

Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited — dollars in thousands, except for earnings per share)

	2008		2007
Revenues
Earned insurance premiums	$	35,750	$	35,362
Net investment income		2,653		2,080
Net realized gains		31		3
Total revenue		38,434		37,445
Expenses
Loss and loss adjustment expenses		21,058		20,136
Acquisition expenses		8,703		8,728
Other operating expenses		5,927		5,497
Total expenses		35,688		34,361
Pretax income		2,746		3,084
Federal income tax benefit/(expense)		719		(62	)
Net income		3,465		3,022
Net change in unrealized gains and losses for investments held, after tax		452		633
Comprehensive income	$	3,917	$	$3,655
Earnings per share available to common stockholders (in dollars)
Basic	$	0.22	$	$0.20
Diluted	$	0.22	$	$0.20
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Basic		15,579		15,374
Diluted		15,579		15,374

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.

4

Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity
As of March 31, 2008
(Unaudited — dollars in thousands)

												Accum-
												ulated
												Other Comp-		Total
	Common		Paid-in		Common		Paid-in		Retained			rehensive		Stock-
	Stock		Capital		Stock		Capital		Earnings			Income		holders’
	Class A		Class A		Class B		Class B		(Deficit)			(Loss)		Equity
Balance at December 31, 2007	$	147	$	129,431	$	9	$	6,139	$	(5,732	)	$	1,143	$	131,137
Net income										3,465					3,465
Net change in unrealized invest- ment gains, net of tax													452		452
Stock issuance						1		404							405
Stock based compensation				59											59
Balance at March 31, 2008	$	147	$	129,490	$	10	$	6,543	$	(2,267	)	$	1,595	$	135,518

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.

5

Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited — dollars in thousands)

	2008			2007
Cash flows from operations
Net income	$	3,465		$	3,022
Charges (credits) to reconcile net income to cash flows from operations:
Change in deferred income tax		(756	)		11
Net realized (gains) losses		(31	)		(3	)
Amortization of bond premium (discount)		(25	)		14
Depreciation		1,524			978
Net change in:
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves		2,382			1,932
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves		4,874			9,583
Insurance premiums receivable		8,344			1,823
Unearned insurance premiums		(14,040	)		(3,733	)
Deferred acquisition costs		3,083			949
Prepaid reinsurance premiums		(381	)		(411	)
Insured deposit funds		1,236			3,485
Other, net		2,056			1,030
Total adjustments		8,266			15,658
Net cash flows provided by operations		11,731			18,680
Cash flows from investing activities
Net increase in short-term investments		15,199			(9,442	)
Redemptions, calls and maturities of fixed maturity investments		10,712			6,425
Purchases of fixed maturity investments		(35,279	)		(14,263	)
Purchase of equipment and capitalized software		(1,992	)		(2,403	)
Net cash flows used for investing activities		(11,360	)		(19,683	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of common stock		405			175
Net cash provided by financing activities		405			175
Net increase (decrease) in cash during the period		776			(828	)
Cash at beginning of the period		968			2,375
Cash at the end of the period	$	1,744		$	1,547

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.

6

Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited — dollars in thousands, except per share and stock amounts)

Note 1. Basis of Presentation

     The Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) include the accounts of Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc., or SUA or the Company, and its consolidated subsidiary, SUA Insurance Company. SUA completed an initial public offering, or IPO, of its common stock on November 23, 2004. Concurrent with the IPO, SUA completed the acquisition of Potomac Insurance Company of Illinois, or Potomac. Potomac has subsequently been renamed SUA Insurance Company.

     The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. Certain financial information that is normally included in annual financial statements, including certain financial statements footnotes, prepared in accordance with GAAP, is not required for interim reporting purposes and has been condensed or omitted. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in SUA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC.

     The interim financial data as of March 31, 2008, and for the three month period ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 is unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statement line items to enhance the comparability of the results presented.

Note 2. Earnings Per Share

     Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, while diluted earnings per share includes the weighted average number of common shares and potential dilution from shares issuable pursuant to stock options using the treasury stock method. Outstanding options of 732,466 and 742,466 as of March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively, have been excluded from diluted earnings per share, as they were anti-dilutive.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,		March 31,
	2008		2007
Net income	$	3,465	$	3,022
Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)		15,579		15,374
Earnings per share (basic and diluted)	$	0.22	$	0.20

Note 3. Income Taxes

     As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 the Company had tax basis net operating loss carryforwards of $221 and $2,068, respectively, which will expire on December 31, 2025. The Company also accumulated start-up and organization expenditures through December 31, 2004 of $2,364 that are deductible over a 60 month period commencing on November 23, 2004. The unamortized portions of these costs were $755 and $873 at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

     Beginning in first quarter of 2008, based on continuing profitability trends, the Company believes that it is more likely than not that the deferred income tax assets will be realized. As such, the Company has elected to eliminate its valuation allowance and establish the full net deferred tax asset. This resulted in the Company recognizing a $756 tax benefit in income and establishing a $233 deferred tax liability, associated with unrealized gains, in other comprehensive income.

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.

7

Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited — dollars in thousands, except per share and stock amounts)

     The components of current and deferred income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March			March
	31,2008			31,2007
Current tax benefit (expense)		(37	)		(51	)
Deferred tax benefit (expense)		756			(11	)
Total income tax benefit (expense)		719			(62	)

Note 4. Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves

     Loss and loss adjustment expense (or LAE) reserves are estimates of amounts needed to pay claims and related expenses in the future for insured events that have already occurred. The Company establishes estimates of amounts recoverable from its reinsurers in a manner consistent with the claims liability covered by the reinsurance contracts, net of an allowance for uncollectible amounts. The Company’s loss and LAE reserves represent management’s best estimate of reserves based on a composite of the results of various actuarial methods, as well as consideration of known facts and trends.

     At March 31, 2008, the Company reported gross loss and LAE reserves of $189,610, of which $60,229 represented the gross direct loss and LAE reserves of Potomac, which is fully reinsured by OneBeacon Insurance Company, or OneBeacon. The Company experienced favorable prior year loss development of $628 due to favorable claims experience primarily within our commercial automobile business. At December 31, 2007, the Company reported gross loss and LAE reserves of $184,736, of which $63,529 represented the gross direct loss and LAE reserves of Potomac, which are fully reinsured by OneBeacon. Included in the reserves for the Company are tabular reserve discounts for workers’ compensation and excess workers’ compensation pension claims of $1,643 as of March 31, 2008 and $1,505 as of December 31, 2007 The reserves are discounted on a tabular basis at four percent using the 2001 United States Actuarial Life Tables for Female and Male population.

     Potomac was a participant in the OneBeacon Amended and Restated Reinsurance Agreement. Under that agreement, Potomac ceded all of its insurance assets and liabilities into a pool, or Pool, and assumed a 0.5% share of the Pool’s assets and liabilities. On April 1, 2004, Potomac ceased its participation in the Pool and entered into reinsurance agreements whereby Potomac reinsured all of its business written with OneBeacon effective as of January 1, 2004. As a result, Potomac will not share in any favorable or unfavorable development of prior losses recorded by it or the Pool after January 1, 2004, unless OneBeacon fails to perform on its reinsurance obligation.

Note 5. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

     In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure and report many financial instruments and certain other assets and liabilities at fair value. The objective of SFAS No. 159 is to improve financial reporting by providing entities the opportunity to reduce the complexity in accounting for financial instruments and to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We have elected not to report any financial assets or liabilities at fair value under SFAS No. 159.

     In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurement. Where applicable, SFAS No. 157 simplifies and codifies previously issued guidance on fair value. The Company’s adoption of FAS 157, effective January 1, 2008, results in additional financial statement disclosures and has no effect on the conduct of the Company’s business, its financial condition and results of operations.

     SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. All of our financial instruments are Level 2 as their fair value is determined using significant observable inputs such as recent sales, the credit rating of the issuer, duration of the security, yields on comparably rated publicly traded securities and risk-free yield curves.

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.

8

Item 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Those statements include, but may not be limited to, the discussions of our operating and growth strategy. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Business section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved. We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events and circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Overview

     We were formed on April 3, 2003 for the purpose of offering products in the specialty commercial property and casualty insurance market by using an innovative business model. Specialty insurance typically serves niche groups of insureds that require highly specialized knowledge of a business class to achieve underwriting profits. This segment has traditionally been underserved by most standard commercial property and casualty insurers, due to the complex business knowledge and the investment required to achieve attractive underwriting profits. Competition in this segment is based primarily on client service, availability of insurance capacity, specialized policy forms, efficient claims handling and other value-based considerations, rather than just price.

     On November 23, 2004 we completed our IPO and concurrent private placements and completed the acquisition of Potomac. After giving effect to the acquisition, we changed the name of Potomac to SUA Insurance Company.

     Prior to our IPO, all activities consisted of start-up activities related to our IPO and costs to establish the infrastructure required to commence insurance operations.

     On January 1, 2005 we commenced our insurance operations.

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.

9

Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 as compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

RESULTS OF OPERATION

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,						%
	2008			2007			Change
	(dollars in millions, except for per share data)
Gross written premiums	$	24.1		$	35.0			-31.1	%
Net written premiums		21.7			31.6			-31.3	%
Earned premiums	$	35.8		$	35.4			1.1	%
Net investment income		2.7			2.1			28.6	%
Total revenues		38.5			37.5			2.7	%
Net loss and loss adjustment expense		21.1			20.2			4.5	%
Acquisition expenses		8.7			8.7			0.0	%
Other operating expenses		5.9			5.5			7.3	%
Total expenses		35.7			34.4			3.8	%
Pre-tax income		2.8			3.1			-9.7	%
Federal income tax benefit/(expense)		0.7			(0.1	)			*
Net income (loss)	$	3.5		$	3.0			16.7	%
Net income per share
Basic and diluted	$	0.22		$	0.20			12.2	%
Average number of common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)		15.6			15.4			1.3	%
Key operating ratios
Net loss and loss adjustment expense ratio		58.9	%		56.9	%		3.4	%
Ratio of acquisition expense to earned premiums		24.3	%		24.7	%		-1.4	%
Ratio of all other expenses to gross written premiums		24.6	%		15.7	%		56.9	%

* Not meaningful

     Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 was $3.5 million, compared to net income of $3.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. Earnings per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 was $0.22, versus earnings per share of $0.20 for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. Beginning in first quarter of 2008, based on continuing profitability trends, the Company believes that it is more likely than not that the deferred income tax assets will be realized. As such, the Company has eliminated its valuation allowance and established the full net deferred tax asset. This resulted in the Company recognizing a $0.7 million tax benefit in income and establishing a $0.2 million deferred tax liability, associated with unrealized gains, in other comprehensive income.

     Gross written premiums were $24.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to $35.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The decrease in gross written premium is attributable to several factors. The soft insurance market has led to downward premium pressure in all lines which the Company writes. The weakening economy has resulted in (1) lower payrolls which have lowered our workers’ compensation exposure and therefore premium and (2) a reduction in our contractors program as a result of fewer construction projects being started. These decreases were offset slightly by increases in our trucking programs.

     Earned premiums were $35.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 compared to $35.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. Premiums are earned ratably over the terms of our insurance policies, which are 12 months.

     Net investment income was $2.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 versus $2.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. The increase in net investment income reflects growth in our total investments from $182.0 million at March 31, 2007 to $239.5 million at March 31, 2008 resulting from positive operating cash flows.

     Other operating expenses were $5.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, which consisted of salaries and benefit costs of $2.2 million, $0.7 million of professional and consulting fees, $1.5 million of depreciation and

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.

10

amortization, $0.1 million of stock based compensation expense and $1.4 million of other expenses. For the quarter ended March 31, 2007, other operating expenses were $5.5 million, comprised of salaries and benefit costs of $1.6 million, $1.2 million of professional and consulting fees, $1.0 million of depreciation and amortization, $0.3 million of stock based compensation expense and $1.4 million of other expenses.

     Acquisition expenses were $8.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

     For the first quarter of 2008, our net loss and loss adjustment expense ratio was 58.9%, compared to 56.9% for comparable quarter in 2007. This increase was primarily driven by higher loss ratios in our workers’ compensation book of business due to lower rates. This was partially offset by improvements of approximately $0.6 million primarily in our commercial automobile business for prior accident years.

     Our gross written premium by partner agent for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was as follows:

	2008					2007
			% of Total					% of Total
	Gross Written		Gross Written			Gross Written		Gross Written
	Premium		Premium			Premium		Premium
	(dollars in millions)
Risk Transfer Holdings, Inc.	$	9.2		38.2	%	$	14.1		40.2	%
American Team Managers		6.2		25.7	%		11.2		32.0	%
AEON Insurance Group, Inc.		5.6		23.2	%		5.0		14.3	%
Appalachian Underwriters, Inc.		1.8		7.5	%		4.4		12.6	%
First Light Program Manager, Inc.		0.4		1.7	%		—		0.0	%
Insential, Inc		0.3		1.2	%		0.3		0.9	%
Flying Eagle Insurance Service, Inc		0.2		0.8	%		—		0.0	%
Specialty Risk Solutions, LLC		—		0.0	%		—		0.0	%
Northern Star Management, Inc.		—		0.0	%		—		0.0	%
Other		0.4		1.7	%		—		0.0	%
Total	$	24.1		100.0	%	$	35.0		100.0	%

     On March 6, 2008 we signed Northern Star Management, Inc. as a partner agent, writing commercial general liability, commercial automobile and physical damage as well as general liability for selected customer classes in the trucking industry in the mid-Atlantic region.

     Our gross written premium for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 by state was as follows:

	2008					2007
			% of Total					% of Total
	Gross Written		Gross Written			Gross Written		Gross Written
	Premium		Premium			Premium		Premium
	(dollars in millions)
California		11.5		47.7	%		13.8		39.4	%
Texas		4.9		20.3	%		2.5		7.1	%
Florida	$	1.7		7.1	%	$	7.3		20.9	%
Other States		6.0		24.9	%		11.4		32.6	%
Total	$	24.1		100.0	%	$	35.0		100.0	%

     The reduction in gross written premium in Florida was primarily driven by reduced exposure in our workers compensation business.

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.

11

     Our gross written premium by line of business for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was as follows:

	2008					2007
			% of Total					% of Total
	Gross Written		Gross Written			Gross Written		Gross Written
	Premium		Premium			Premium		Premium
	(dollars in millions)
Workers’ compensation	$	11.9		49.4	%	$	18.7		53.4	%
Commercial automobile		7.6		31.5	%		7.0		20.0	%
General liability		3.9		16.2	%		8.6		24.6	%
All Other		0.7		2.9	%		0.7		2.0	%
Total	$	24.1		100.0	%	$	35.0		100.0	%

     Our workers’ compensation business has been impacted by rate decreases in Florida and California during 2007 and the first quarter of 2008 and could be further impacted by future decreases in these states and others. Florida, upon the recommendation of the National Council for Compensation Insurance, approved a rate decrease of 15.7% effective January 1, 2007 and an additional rate decrease of 18.4% effective January 1, 2008. We have matched the recommended rate decreases in Florida. The California Insurance Commission approved a rate decrease of 9.5% effective January 1, 2007 and an additional 14.2% decrease effective on July 1, 2007. We have matched the California Insurance Commissioner’s recommended rate.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc. is organized as a holding company and, as such, has no direct operations of its own. Its assets consist primarily of investments in its subsidiary, through which it conducts substantially all of its insurance operations.

     As a holding company, Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc. has continuing funding needs for general corporate expenses, the payment of principal and interest on future borrowings, if any, taxes and the payment of other obligations. Funds to meet these obligations come primarily from dividends and other statutorily permissible payments from our operating subsidiary. The ability of our operating subsidiary to make payments to us is limited by the applicable laws and regulations of Illinois. There are restrictions on the payment of dividends to us by our insurance subsidiary.

Cash Flows

     A summary of our cash flows is as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2008			2007
	(dollars in millions)
Cash provided by (used in)
Operating activities	$	11.7		$	18.7
Investing activities		(11.3	)		(19.7	)
Financing activities		0.4			0.2
Change in cash		0.8			(0.8	)

     For the three months ended March 31, 2008, net cash from operating activities was $11.7 million, principally consisting of premium and deposit collections exceeding losses and expenses paid out. This amount compares to net cash from operating activities of $18.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by the reduction in written premium.

     Cash used for investment activities was $11.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, principally representing purchases of investments and additions to equipment and capitalized software. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, cash used in investment activities was $19.7 million, also principally representing increases in investments and additions to equipment and capitalized software.

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.

12

     We had cash flows from financing activities of $0.4 million from sales of Class B Common Stock to partner agents for the three months ended March 31, 2008. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, cash flows from financing activities from sales of Class B Common Stock to partner agents was $0.2 million.

Fixed Maturity Investments

     Our investment portfolio consists of marketable fixed maturity and short-term investments. All fixed maturity investments are classified as available for sale and are reported at their estimated fair value based on quoted market prices. Realized gains and losses are credited or charged to income in the period in which they are realized. Changes in unrealized gains or losses are reported as a separate component of comprehensive income, and accumulated unrealized gains or losses are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity.

     The aggregate fair market value of our fixed maturity investments at March 31, 2008 was $239.5 million compared to amortized cost of $237.7 million. The aggregate fair market value of our fixed maturity investments at December 31, 2007 was $229.4 million compared to amortized cost of $228.2 million. During the first quarter of 2008 we increased our investment in municipal bonds to $35.9 million from $4.3 million, at fair value, due to their favorable tax treatment.

     We have concluded that none of the available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses at March 31, 2008 has experienced an other-than-temporary impairment. We considered our intent and ability to hold the securities for a sufficient time to allow for a recovery in value in this determination.

     At March 31, 2008, we held $4.3 million in fair value, $5.0 million in book value, of investments with sub-prime exposure, all of which were rated “A” or better by established rating agencies.

Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     Market risk can be described as the risk of change in fair value of a financial instrument due to changes in interest rates, creditworthiness, foreign exchange rates or other factors. We seek to mitigate that risk by a number of actions, as described below.

Interest Rate Risk

     Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates is concentrated in our investment portfolio. We monitor this exposure through periodic reviews of our consolidated asset and liability positions. We model and periodically review estimates of cash flows, as well as the impact of interest rate fluctuations relating to the investment portfolio and insurance reserves.

     The table below summarizes the estimated effects of hypothetical increases and decreases in market interest rates on our investment portfolio:

						After Tax
				Estimated Fair		Increase
			Assumed Change in	Value After		(Decrease) in
	Fair Value at		Relevant	Change in		Carrying
	3/31/2008		Interest Rate	Interest Rate		Value
	(dollars in thousands)
Total Investments	$	239,495	100 bp decrease	$	247,734	$	8,239
			50 bp decrease	$	243,650	$	4,155
			50 bp increase	$	235,283	$	(4,212	)
			100 bp increase	$	231,013	$	(8,482	)

     The average duration of our fixed maturity investments at March 31, 2008 was approximately 3.6 years.

Credit Risk

     Our portfolio includes primarily fixed income securities and short-term investments, which are subject to credit risk. This risk is defined as default or the potential loss in market value resulting from adverse changes in the borrower’s ability to repay the debt. In our risk management strategy and investment policy, we earn competitive relative returns while investing in a diversified portfolio of securities of high credit quality issuers to limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer.

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.

13

     The portfolio of fixed maturities consists solely of high quality bonds at March 31, 2008. The following table summarizes bond ratings at market or fair value:

	As of March 31, 2008
			Percent of
Bond Ratings	Amount		Portfolio
	(dollars in thousands)
AAA rated and U.S. Government and affiliated agency securities	$	135,962		67.0	%
AA rated		33,572		16.5	%
A rated		30,630		15.1	%
BBB Rated		2,878		1.4	%
Total	$	203,042		100.0	%

     We also have other receivable amounts subject to credit risk, including reinsurance recoverables from OneBeacon Insurance Company. To mitigate the risk of counterparties’ nonpayment of amounts due under these arrangements, we established business and financial standards for reinsurer approval, incorporating ratings by major rating agencies and considering then-current market information.

Item 4: Controls and Procedures

     Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Disclosure controls and procedures are our controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

     As required by SEC Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b), we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer. Based on this evaluation, these officers have concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

     Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, these internal controls.

     Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within a company have been detected. Accordingly, our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are designed to provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting systems are met.

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.

14

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1: Legal Proceedings

     None.

Item 1A: Risk Factors

     There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Item 2: Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

     There were no sales of unregistered securities that have not been previously reported on a Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 3: Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     None.

Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

     None.

Item 5: Other Information

     None.

Item 6: Exhibits

     Exhibits:

Exhibit
Number	Description
10.1+*	Form of Deferred Stock Award Agreement for Employees under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan of the Registrant
31.1*	Certification of Courtney C. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*	Certification of Peter E. Jokiel, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*	Certification of Courtney C. Smith , Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*	Certification of Peter E. Jokiel, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

*	Filed herewith.
+	Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’Alliance, Inc.

15

Signatures

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SPECIALTY UNDERWRITERS’ ALLIANCE, INC. (Registrant)
By:	/s/ Courtney C. Smith
	Name:	Courtney C. Smith
	Title:	President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 9, 2008
By:	/s/ Peter E. Jokiel. Smith
	Name:	Peter E. Jokiel
	Title:	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date: May 9, 2008

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’Alliance, Inc.

16

     Exhibits Index:

Exhibit
Number	Description
10.1+*	Form of Deferred Stock Award Agreement for Employees under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan of the Registrant
31.1*	Certification of Courtney C. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*	Certification of Peter E. Jokiel, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*	Certification of Courtney C. Smith , Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*	Certification of Peter E. Jokiel, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

*	Filed herewith.
+	Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

2008 First Quarter Form 10-Q
Specialty Underwriters’Alliance, Inc.

17

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

2007 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
OF
SPECIALTY UNDERWRITERS’ ALLIANCE, INC.

DEFERRED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

     AGREEMENT made as of                     , 20___, by and between SPECIALTY UNDERWRITERS’ ALLIANCE, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and                      (the “Holder”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan of Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc. (the “Stock Incentive Plan”) pursuant to which deferred stock awards with respect to shares of the Company’s common stock (“Shares”) may be awarded to employees and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries (“Subsidiaries”); and

     WHEREAS, the Company has granted to the Holder a deferred stock award pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan; and

     WHEREAS, it is intended that this Agreement shall set forth the terms, conditions and restrictions imposed with respect to said deferred stock award;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

     FIRST : Pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan, the Holder has been awarded on                     , 20___ (the “Award Date”), a deferred stock award with respect to ___ Shares (the “Deferred Stock Award” and such Shares, the “Deferred Shares”), subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in the Stock Incentive Plan and in this Agreement.

     SECOND: Except as otherwise provided pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan and this Agreement, the Deferred Stock Award shall vest at a rate of ___% on [                    ] [and on

each of the next ___ anniversaries of [                    ] ([                    ] [and each such anniversary] being referred to herein as a “Deferred Share Delivery Date”), provided the Holder is still in the employ or service of the Company or a Subsidiary on each respective vesting date. If the Holder’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates prior to the date on which any portion of the Deferred Stock Award becomes vested, then the number of Deferred Shares that have not vested shall not be issuable to the Holder. [Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) the Holder retires from the Company or a Subsidiary at or after age 55 and after at least five years of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary following the initial public offering of the Company (“Post-IPO Employment”), and (ii) the sum of the Holder’s (A) age on the day of retirement (the “Retirement Date”) and (B) years of Post-IPO Employment on the Retirement Date exceeds 65, then the Retirement Percentage (as defined below) of the Deferred Shares which have not vested on the Retirement Date shall continue to vest in accordance with the terms of this award. Retirement Percentage shall mean 0% if the Holder has not given the Company a nine-month advance written notice of such Holder’s retirement prior to the Retirement Date (which notice requirement may be waived by the Committee in its sole discretion) and otherwise the following:

50% — 5 years of Post-IPO Employment on the Retirement Date
60% — 6 years of Post-IPO Employment on the Retirement Date
70% — 7 years of Post-IPO Employment on the Retirement Date
80% — 8 years of Post-IPO Employment on the Retirement Date
90% — 9 years of Post-IPO Employment on the Retirement Date
100% -10 years of Post-IPO Employment on the Retirement Date.

At any time that the Holder is not in compliance with the Restrictive Covenants set forth below all remaining unvested Deferred Shares shall not be issuable to the Holder and shall be forfeited.]
The number of Deferred Shares with respect to which the Deferred Stock Award has become vested, if any, shall be issued to the Holder on or as soon as practicable following the applicable

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Deferred Share Delivery Date, and in no event later than the end of the calendar year which includes the Deferred Share Delivery Date; provided, however, that if the vesting of the Deferred Stock Award is accelerated pursuant to the acceleration provisions of the Stock Incentive Plan, then the Deferred Shares shall be issued to the Holder as soon as practicable after having become vested, and in no event later than 2-1/2 months following the end of the calendar year in which such vesting occurs. With respect to any issuance of Deferred Shares, any applicable restrictions or conditions under the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Deferred Shares or shares of the same class are listed at the time of issuance, and under any securities law applicable to such Shares, shall be imposed.
[“Restrictive Covenants” shall have the meaning set forth below in subsection (a) through (e) of this Second Section.

     (a) Non-Competition. The Holder hereby acknowledges and recognizes that during the term of Holder’s employment with the Company (the “Employment Period”) he will be privy to trade secrets and confidential information critical to the Company’s business and that the Company would find it extremely difficult or impossible to replace the Holder. Accordingly, the Holder agrees that, in consideration of the premises contained herein, and the consideration to be received by the Holder hereunder, he will not and will not permit any of his Affiliates to, except with the Company’s prior written consent, during the Employment Period and for such period of time as the Holder shall have any unvested Deferred Shares (collectively being the “Non-Competition Period”), engage, directly or indirectly, whether as an employee, officer, director, consultant or otherwise, in any activity that competes with the Company or any of its Affiliates in the business of insurance. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the Holder or any of his Affiliates from owning for passive investment purposes less than 5% of the publicly traded

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securities of any corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ.

     (b) Customer Non-Solicitation. During the Non-Competition Period, the Holder shall not, and shall not permit any of his Affiliates to solicit, directly or indirectly, any person or entity which (i) is currently a customer or party to any insurance-related contract with the Company and/or its Affiliates, (ii) has been a customer or party to any insurance-related contract with the Company and/or its Affiliates during the two year period immediately preceding such solicitation or (iii) was solicited by the Company and/or its Affiliates during the two year period immediately preceding such solicitation, provided that in the case of (b)(i) above such solicitation diverted or attempted to divert the business of the Company and/or its Affiliates to another person or entity or in the case of (b)(ii) and (b)(iii) above, the business solicited is business in which the Company is currently engaged.

     (c) Employee Non-Solicitation. During the Non-Competition Period, the Holder shall not, and shall not permit any of his Affiliates to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit for employment, engage and/or hire, whether directly or indirectly, any person who is then employed by the Company and/or its Affiliates or engaged by the Company and/or its Affiliates as an independent contractor or consultant; and/or (ii) encourage or induce, whether directly or indirectly, any person who is then employed by the Company and/or its Affiliates or engaged by the Company and/or its Affiliates as an independent contractor or consultant to end his/her business relationship with the Company and/or its Affiliates.

     (d) Non-Disparagement of the Company. The Holder covenants that he will not, directly or indirectly at any time during or after the Employment Period, disparage the Company or any of its shareholders, directors, officers, employees, or agents.

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     (e) Acknowledgement. The Holder understands that the foregoing restrictions may limit his ability to earn a livelihood in a business similar to the business of the Company, but he nevertheless believes that he has received and will receive sufficient consideration and other benefits as an employee of the Company and as otherwise provided hereunder to clearly justify such restrictions which, in any event (given his education, skills and ability), the Holder does not believe would prevent him from earning a living other than in a business which competes with the Company.]

     THIRD : Prior to the date on which the Deferred Shares are issued to the Holder, the Holder shall have no rights of a stockholder of the Company or any other rights with respect to any assets of the Company, other than the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.

     FOURTH : If, with respect to the Deferred Stock Award or the Deferred Shares, the Company shall be required to withhold amounts under applicable federal, state or local tax laws, rules or regulations, the Company shall be entitled to take such action as it deems appropriate in order to ensure compliance with such withholding requirements and may, at its election, have the Company or its agents withhold such vested number of Deferred Shares as would otherwise be issuable and which shall have a Fair Market Value, valued on the date on which such Deferred Shares were issued to the Holder.

     FIFTH : The Company and the Holder each hereby agree to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Stock Incentive Plan, which terms and conditions are hereby incorporated by reference. Any capitalized terms used in this Agreement which are not defined herein shall have the same definitions as set forth in the Stock Incentive Plan.

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     SIXTH : This Agreement shall not be construed as giving the Holder any rights to be an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any other employment rights or relationship.

     SEVENTH : This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding on, the Company and its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding on, the Holder and his heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. This Agreement shall not be assignable by the Holder.

     EIGHTH : Each provision of this Agreement is intended to be severable. If any term or provision hereof is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal or invalid for any reason whatsoever, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Agreement, which shall continue in full force and effect.

     NINTH : Except as required by Delaware corporate law, this Agreement shall be subject to, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Illinois without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. The Company and the Holder each hereby consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of the state (and federal, if applicable) courts in the State of Illinois, for resolution of all disputes and causes of action arising out of the Stock Incentive Plan, the Deferred Stock Award or this Agreement, and the Company and the Holder each hereby waive all questions of personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts, including, without limitation, the claim or defense therein that such courts constitute an inconvenient forum. THE COMPANY AND THE HOLDER EACH HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL IN ANY ACTION ARISING OUT OF THE STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN, THE DEFERRED STOCK AWARD OR THIS AGREEMENT.

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     TENTH : This Agreement, together with the Stock Incentive Plan, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the Deferred Stock Award.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

SPECIALTY UNDERWRITERS’ ALLIANCE, INC.

By:

[Name of Holder]

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EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Exhibit 31.1 CERTIFICATION

I, Courtney C. Smith, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.;
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals;
(c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 9, 2008

/s/ Courtney C. Smith  

Courtney C. Smith 

President and Chief Executive Officer 

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2 CERTIFICATION

I, Peter E. Jokiel, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc.;
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(c)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(d)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals;
(e)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(f)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(g)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(h)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 9, 2008

/s/ Peter E. Jokiel  

Peter E. Jokiel 

Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer 

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     I, Courtney C. Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, do hereby certify as follows:

     (i) The quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended March 31, 2008 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (ii) The information contained in such Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Certification this 9^th day of May, 2008.

/s/ Courtney C. Smith  

Courtney C. Smith 

Chief Executive Officer 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc. and will be retained by Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

Certification pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     I, Peter E. Jokiel, Chief Financial Officer of Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, do hereby certify as follows:

     (i) The quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended March 31, 2008 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (ii) The information contained in such Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Certification this 9^th day of May, 2008.

/s/ Peter E. Jokiel  

Peter E. Jokiel 

Chief Financial Officer 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc. and will be retained by Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.