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 5.02        Departure 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