NEW YORK, January 3, 2005—Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ), today announced that it has filed a Form S-1 registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed secondary offering of up to 27.2 million shares of common stock currently owned by Fortis Insurance N.V.

The offering will be led by Morgan Stanley as book-running lead manager.

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time that the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the shares of common stock in any state in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. Any offering will be made only by means of a written prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Copies of the written prospectus, when available, may be obtained from Morgan Stanley, Prospectus Department, 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036.

Assurant is a premier provider of specialized insurance products and related services in North America and selected other markets. The four key businesses -- Assurant Employee Benefits; Assurant Health; Assurant Preneed; and Assurant Solutions -- have partnered with clients who are leaders in their industries and have built leadership positions in a number of specialty insurance market segments in the U.S. and selected international markets. The Assurant businesses provide creditor-placed homeowners insurance; manufactured housing homeowners insurance; debt protection administration; credit-related insurance; warranties and extended services contracts; individual health and small employer group health insurance; group dental insurance; group disability insurance; group life insurance; and pre-funded funeral insurance.

Press Contact:
Drew Guthrie
Manager, Communications
and Media Relations
Phone: 212-859-7002
Fax: 212-859-5893
[email protected]

Investor Relations:
Melissa Kivett
Investor Relations
Phone: 212-859-7029
Fax: 212-859-5893
[email protected]

Larry Cains
Senior Vice President
Investor Relations
Phone: 212-859-7045
Fax: 212-859-5893
[email protected]