HNR1 Hannover Ruck SE

The earthquake in Japan is one of the most devastating natural disasters suffered by the people of Japan in their history. 'We have been deeply shaken on a personal level by the events that have unfolded in Japan. All our sympathies go out to the Japanese people. We shall assist and support our Japanese clients and, in our role as reinsurer, we shall play our part in shouldering the resulting burden', Ulrich Wallin, Chief Executive Officer of Hannover Re, stated.

In view of the complexity of the event, reliable information on the total market loss for the insurance industry is not yet available. Any assessment of the loss amount is therefore still subject to considerable uncertainty. Based on its analysis of individual treaties, Hannover Re currently anticipates a burden of losses in the order of EUR 250 million after retrocessions and before taxes.

Hannover Re will provide more detailed information on the current financial year on 3 May 2011 in the context of its reporting on the first quarter.

Hannover Re, with a gross premium of around EUR 11 billion, is the third-largest reinsurer in the world. It transacts all lines of non-life and life and health reinsurance. It maintains business relations with more than 5,000 insurance companies in about 150 countries. Its worldwide network consists of more than 100 subsidiaries, branch and representative offices on all five continents with a total staff of roughly 2,200. The rating agencies most relevant to the insurance industry have awarded Hannover Re very strong insurer financial strength ratings (Standard & Poor's AA- 'Very Strong' and A.M. Best A 'Excellent').

Disclaimer:

Some of the statements in this press release may be forward-looking statements or statements of future expectations based on currently available information. Such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors such as the development of general economic conditions, future market conditions, unusual catastrophic loss events, changes in the capital markets and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. Hannover Re does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness or updated status of such statements. Therefore, in no case whatsoever will Hannover Re and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press release or for any related damages.

End of Corporate News

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Language:   English Company: Hannover Rückversicherung AG Karl-Wiechert-Allee 50 30625 Hannover Deutschland Phone: +49-(0)511-5604-1500 Fax: +49-(0)511-5604-1648 E-mail:

info@hannover-re.com

Internet:

www.hannover-re.com

ISIN: DE0008402215 WKN: 840 221 Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Hannover; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München, Stuttgart; Terminb�rse EUREX

End of News

---------------------------------------------------------------------

116486 23.03.2011