-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 NE+dN0j0QK4/t9M8h7VndS6biInJvwpF6TPGxtC/2UIaD9WR7Qo3WjWzZDKe3w5x
 lZr71C81+WvnWem3ZLgUpA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000783603-08-000079.txt : 20080731
<SEC-HEADER>0000783603-08-000079.hdr.sgml : 20080731
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080731163705
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000783603-08-000079
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080731
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080731
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080731

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BIRDWELL CODY W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001244782

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14795
		FILM NUMBER:		08982314

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		44 CHURCH ST
		STREET 2:		P O BOX HM2064
		CITY:			HAMILTON
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			99999

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN SAFETY INSURANCE HOLDINGS LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000783603
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INSURANCE AGENTS BROKERS & SERVICES [6411]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		31 QUEENS STREET
		STREET 2:		2ND FLOOR
		CITY:			HAMILTON
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			HM 11
		BUSINESS PHONE:		441-296-8560

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		31 QUEENS STREET
		STREET 2:		2ND FLOOR
		CITY:			HAMILTON
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			HM 11

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMERICAN SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP LTD
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19971218
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4birdwell073108_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-07-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000783603</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERICAN SAFETY INSURANCE HOLDINGS LTD</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ASI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001244782</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BIRDWELL CODY W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>44 CHURCH ST</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P O BOX HM2064</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HAMILTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>D0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>99999</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>BERMUDA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>common stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-07-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2008-07-31</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1608</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>21.77</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>113781</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Cody W. Birdwell</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-07-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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