-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 CN9E7tHRN70xD76ZCdW03tKhyPb79L2ltiuPBwTGKFrm+vTpNAxC/qTsqM6jPcXq
 ukjM6xqJbE4DB1hHcsJmFw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001454716-09-000001.txt : 20090130
<SEC-HEADER>0001454716-09-000001.hdr.sgml : 20090130
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090130121346
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001454716-09-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090121
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090130
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090130

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Chorney Harris
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001454716

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14795
		FILM NUMBER:		09556920

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		860-233-4002

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 37607
		CITY:			WEST HARTFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06137

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>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-01-21</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001454716</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Chorney Harris</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P.O. BOX 37607</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WEST HARTFORD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06137</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Harris Chorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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