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): January 20, 2009

AMERICAN SAFETY INSURANCE HOLDINGS, LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Bermuda (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) 001-04795 (Commission File Number) Not applicable (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

The Boyle Building, 2nd Floor

31 Queen Street

Hamilton, Bermuda HM 11

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(441) 296-8560

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

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

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

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) 12 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) 12 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 240.13e-2(c))

Item 5.02Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

On January 20, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Registrant, acting pursuant to the Registrant’s Bye-Laws, appointed Harris K. Chorney to the Board of Directors, filling the vacancy left by the previously disclosed resignation of Joseph F. Fisher in October 2008. Mr. Chorney was also appointed to the Audit Committee of the Board.

On January 22, 2009, the Registrant issued a press release announcing Mr. Chorney’s appointment to the Board.  A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.  The following exhibit is being furnished herewith:

Exhibit No. Description

99.1 Press Release of American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. issued January 22, 2009.  The information set forth in Exhibit 99.1 is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

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.

	AMERICAN SAFETY INSURANCE HOLDINGS, LTD.
	Registrant
Date:  January 22, 2009	By:	_______________________________
		Stephen R. Crim
		President/CEO

EX-99

American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. Announces Appointment of

Harris Chorney to Board of Directors

Hamilton, BERMUDA (January 22, 2009). American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE:ASI) announced today that Harris Chorney has been appointed to serve on its Board of Directors and on the Audit Committee of the Board. Mr. Chorney’s appointment fills the vacancy on the Board created by the previously announced resignation of Joseph Fisher. Mr. Chorney will stand for re-election at the Company’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

“Mr. Chorney brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which will contribute to our continued success,” said Stephen R. Crim, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. “We are pleased to have a professional with his extensive background in audit processes, international business affairs and regulatory compliance join our Board.”

Mr. Chorney joins American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. with more than 30 years of experience with international insurance and reinsurance companies. Mr. Chorney was with KPMG and its predecessor companies for over 27 years and an audit partner for over 17 years. During his time with KPMG, Mr. Chorney served in a number of capacities, including Assurance Partner, Managing Director in the consulting practice, partner in charge of the U.S. Insurance Practice, global engagement and lead partner for major insurance clients, SEC Review partner, lead spokesperson for KPMG on insurance industry issues, and a partner in the firm’s Department of Professional Practice. Since his retirement from KPMG in 2001, Mr. Chorney has served as Founding/Principal member of Holder & Wilcox LLC, an executive search firm specializing in the insurance industry.

Mr. Chorney received a Bachelor of Science with honors from Bryant University in Rhode Island. He is a member of the International Insurance Society, and the National Association of Corporate Directors

About Us:

American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE:ASI), a Bermuda holding company, offers innovative insurance solutions outside the U.S. in the reinsurance and alternative risk markets through its subsidiaries American Safety Reinsurance, Ltd. and American Safety Assurance, Ltd., and in the U.S. for specialty risks and alternative risk markets through its program administrator, American Safety Insurance Services, Inc., and insurance company subsidiaries and affiliates American Safety Casualty Insurance Company, American Safety Indemnity Company and American Safety Risk Retention Group, Inc. As a group, ASI’s insurance subsidiaries and affiliates are rated “A” (Excellent) VIII by A.M. Best. For additional information, please visit www.asih.bm.

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Contact:
Julie L. McDonald	Bill Tepe
American Safety Administrative Services, Inc Media Relations	American Safety Administrative Services, Inc. Investor Relations
(770) 485-4310                                                jmcdonald@amsafety.com	(800) 388-3647 btepe@amsafety.com