Contract

Exhibit 4.2

Bank of America, N.A.
c/o Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000


		September 14, 2010


To:		Tower Group, Inc. 000 Xxxxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Attention: Treasurer Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000 Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000


Re:		Base Call Option Transaction (Transaction Reference Number: NY-108281860)

The purpose of this letter agreement (this “Confirmation”) is to confirm the terms and conditions of the call option transaction entered into between Bank of America, N.A. (“Dealer”) and Tower Group, Inc. (“Counterparty”) as of the Trade Date specified below (the “Transaction”). This letter agreement constitutes a “Confirmation” as referred to in the ISDA Master Agreement specified below. This Confirmation shall replace any previous agreements and serve as the final documentation for the Transaction.

The definitions and provisions contained in the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the “Equity Definitions”), as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) are incorporated into this Confirmation. In the event of any inconsistency between the Equity Definitions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation shall govern. Certain defined terms used herein are based on terms that are defined in the Offering Memorandum dated September 14, 2010 (the “Offering Memorandum”) relating to the 5.00% Convertible Senior Notes due September 15, 2014 (as originally issued by Counterparty, the “Convertible Notes” and each USD 1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, a “Convertible Note”) issued by Counterparty in an aggregate initial principal amount of USD 135,000,000 (as increased by up to an aggregate principal amount of USD 15,000,000 if and to the extent that the Initial Purchasers (as defined herein) exercise their option to purchase additional Convertible Notes pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined herein)) pursuant to an Indenture to be dated September 20, 2010 between Counterparty and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Indenture”). In the event of any inconsistency between the terms defined in the Offering Memorandum, the Indenture and this Confirmation, this Confirmation shall govern. The parties acknowledge that this Confirmation is entered into on the date hereof with the understanding that (i) definitions set forth in the Indenture which are also defined herein by reference to the Indenture and (ii) sections of the Indenture that are referred to herein will conform to the descriptions thereof in the Offering Memorandum. If any such definitions in the Indenture or any such sections of the Indenture differ from the descriptions thereof in the Offering Memorandum, the descriptions thereof in the Offering Memorandum will govern for purposes of this Confirmation. The parties further acknowledge that the Indenture section numbers used herein are based on the draft of the Indenture last reviewed by Dealer as of the date of this Confirmation, and if any such section numbers are changed in the Indenture as executed, the parties will amend this Confirmation in good faith to preserve the intent of the parties. Subject to the foregoing, references to the Indenture herein are references to the Indenture as in effect on the date of its execution, and if the Indenture is amended following such date, any such amendment will be disregarded for purposes of this Confirmation unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.

Each party is hereby advised, and each such party acknowledges, that the other party has engaged in, or refrained from engaging in, substantial financial transactions and has taken other material actions in reliance upon the parties’ entry into the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates on the terms and conditions set forth below.

1. This Confirmation evidences a complete and binding agreement between Dealer and Counterparty as to the terms of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. This Confirmation shall supplement, form a part of, and be subject to an agreement in the form of the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement (the “Agreement”) as if Dealer and Counterparty had executed an agreement in such form (but without any Schedule except for the election of the laws of the State of New York as the governing law (without reference to choice of law doctrine)) on the Trade Date. In the event of any inconsistency between provisions of the Agreement and this Confirmation, this Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. The parties hereby agree that no transaction other than the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates shall be governed by the Agreement.

2. The terms of the particular Transaction to which this Confirmation relates are as follows:

General Terms.


Trade Date:		September 14, 2010

Effective Date:		The third Exchange Business Day immediately prior to the
		Premium Payment Date

Option Style:		“Modified American”, as described under “Procedures for Exercise” below

Option Type:		Call

Buyer:		Counterparty

Seller:		Dealer

Shares:		The common stock of Counterparty, par value USD 0.01 per share (Exchange symbol “TWGP”).

Number of Options:		135,000. For the avoidance of doubt, the Number of Options
		shall be reduced by any Options exercised by Counterparty. In
		no event will the Number of Options be less than zero.

Applicable Percentage:		50%

Option Entitlement:		A number equal to the product of the Applicable Percentage and
		36.3782.

Strike Price:		USD 27.4890

Premium:		USD 6,885,000.00

Premium Payment Date:		September 20, 2010

Exchange:		The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Related Exchange(s):		All Exchanges

Excluded Provisions:		Section 14.03 and Section 14.04(h) of the Indenture.

Procedures for Exercise.


	Conversion Date:		With respect to any conversion of a Convertible Note, the date on which the Holder (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of such Convertible Note satisfies all of the requirements for conversion thereof as set forth in Section 14.02(b) of the Indenture.

	Free Convertibility Date:		March 15, 2014

	Expiration Time:		The Valuation Time

	Expiration Date:		September 15, 2014, subject to earlier exercise.

	Multiple Exercise:		Applicable, as described under “Automatic Exercise” below.

	Automatic Exercise:		Notwithstanding Section 3.4 of the Equity Definitions, on each Conversion Date, a number of Options equal to the number of Convertible Notes in denominations of USD 1,000 as to which such Conversion Date has occurred shall be deemed to be automatically exercised; provided that such Options shall be exercised or deemed exercised only if Counterparty has provided a Notice of Exercise to Dealer in accordance with “Notice of Exercise” below.

			Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the number of Options that are exercised or deemed exercised hereunder exceed the Number of Options.

	Notice of Exercise:		Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Equity Definitions or under “Automatic Exercise” above, in order to exercise any Options, Counterparty must notify Dealer in writing before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Scheduled Valid Day immediately preceding the scheduled first day of the Settlement Averaging Period for the Options being exercised of (i) the number of such Options, (ii) the scheduled first day of the Settlement Averaging Period and the scheduled Settlement Date, (iii) the Relevant Settlement Method for such Options, and (iv) if the Relevant Settlement Method for such Options is not Net Share Settlement, Settlement in Shares or Settlement in Cash (each as defined below), the fixed amount of cash per Convertible Note that Counterparty has elected to deliver to Holders (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of the related Convertible Notes (the “Specified Cash Amount”), and such notice shall also include the information, representations, acknowledgements and agreements required pursuant to “Settlement Method Election Conditions” below; provided that in respect of any Options relating to Convertible Notes with a Conversion Date occurring on or after the Free Convertibility Date, (A) such notice may be given on or prior to the second Scheduled Valid Day immediately preceding the Expiration Date and need only specify the information required in clause (i) above, and (B) if the Relevant Settlement Method for such Options is


		not Net Share Settlement, Dealer shall have received a separate notice (the “Notice of Final Settlement Method”) in respect of all such Convertible Notes before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on or prior to the Free Convertibility Date specifying the information required in clauses (iii) and (iv) above, as well as the information, representations, acknowledgements and agreements required pursuant to “Settlement Method Election Conditions” below.

Valuation Time:		At the close of trading of the regular trading session on the Exchange; provided that if the principal trading session is extended, the Calculation Agent shall determine the Valuation Time in its reasonable discretion.

Market Disruption Event:		Section 6.3(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby replaced in its entirety by the following:

		“‘Market Disruption Event’ means, in respect of a Share, (i) a failure by the primary United States national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Shares are listed or admitted for trading to open for trading during its regular trading session or (ii) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any Scheduled Valid Day for the Shares for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise) in the Shares or in any options or futures contracts relating to the Shares.”

Settlement Terms.


	Settlement Method:		For any Option, Net Share Settlement; provided that if the Relevant Settlement Method set forth below for such Option is not Net Share Settlement, then the Settlement Method for such Option shall be such Relevant Settlement Method, but only if the Settlement Method Election Conditions have been satisfied and Counterparty shall have notified Dealer of the Relevant Settlement Method in the Notice of Exercise or Notice of Final Settlement Method, as applicable, for such Option.

	Relevant Settlement Method:		In respect of any Option, subject to the Settlement Method Election Conditions:

			(i) if Counterparty has elected to settle its conversion obligations in respect of the related Convertible Note (A) entirely in Shares pursuant to Section 14.02(v) of the Indenture (together with cash in lieu of fractional Shares) (such settlement method, “Settlement in Shares”), (B) in a combination of cash and Shares pursuant to Section 14.02(a)(vii) of the Indenture with a Specified Cash Amount less than USD 1,000 (such settlement method,


			“Low Cash Combination Settlement”), or (C) in a combination of cash and Shares pursuant to Section 14.02(a)(vii) of the Indenture with a Specified Cash Amount equal to USD 1,000 (such settlement method, “Par Cash Combination Settlement”), then, in each case, the Relevant Settlement Method for such Option shall be Net Share Settlement;

			(ii) if Counterparty has elected to settle its conversion obligations in respect of the related Convertible Note in a combination of cash and Shares pursuant to Section 14.02(a)(vii) of the Indenture with a Specified Cash Amount greater than USD 1,000, then the Relevant Settlement Method for such Option shall be Combination Settlement; and

			(iii) if Counterparty has elected to settle its conversion obligations in respect of the related Convertible Note entirely in cash pursuant to Section 14.02(a)(vi) of the Indenture (such settlement method, “Settlement in Cash”), then the Relevant Settlement Method for such Option shall be Cash Settlement.

	Settlement Method Election Conditions:		For any Relevant Settlement Method other than Net Share Settlement, such Relevant Settlement Method shall apply to an Option only if the Notice of Exercise or Notice of Final Settlement Method, as applicable, contains:

			(i) a representation that, on the date of such Notice of Exercise or Notice of Final Settlement Method, as applicable, Counterparty is not in possession of any material non-public information with respect to Counterparty or the Shares;

			(ii) a representation that Counterparty is electing the settlement method for the related Convertible Note and such Relevant Settlement Method in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of Rule 10b-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”);

			(iii) a representation that Counterparty has not entered into or altered any hedging transaction relating to the Shares corresponding to or offsetting the Transaction;

			(iv) a representation that Counterparty is not electing the settlement method for the related Convertible Note and such Relevant Settlement Method to create actual or apparent trading activity in the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares) or to raise or depress or otherwise manipulate the price of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares); and


			(v) an acknowledgment by Counterparty that (A) any transaction by Dealer following Counterparty’s election of the settlement method for the related Convertible Note and such Relevant Settlement Method shall be made at Dealer’s sole discretion and for Dealer’s own account and (B) Counterparty does not have, and shall not attempt to exercise, any influence over how, when, whether or at what price to effect such transactions, including, without limitation, the price paid or received per Share pursuant to such transactions, or whether such transactions are made on any securities exchange or privately.

	Net Share Settlement:		If Net Share Settlement is applicable to any Option exercised or deemed exercised hereunder, Dealer will deliver to Counterparty, on the relevant Settlement Date for each such Option, a number of Shares (the “Net Share Settlement Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for each such Option, of (i) the Daily Option Value for such Valid Day, divided by (ii) the Relevant Price on such Valid Day, divided by (iii) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period; provided that, except in the case of Par Cash Combination Settlement, in no event shall the Net Share Settlement Amount for any Option exceed a number of Shares equal to the Applicable Limit for such Option divided by the Applicable Limit Price on the Settlement Date for such Option.

			Dealer will deliver cash in lieu of any fractional Shares to be delivered with respect to any Net Share Settlement Share Amount valued at the Relevant Price for the last Valid Day of the Settlement Averaging Period.

	Combination Settlement:		If Combination Settlement is applicable to any Option exercised or deemed exercised hereunder, Dealer will deliver to Counterparty, on the relevant Settlement Date for each such Option:

			(i) an amount of cash (the “Combination Settlement Cash Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option, of (A) an amount (the “Daily Combination Settlement Cash Amount”) equal to the lesser of (1) the product of (x) the Applicable Percentage and (y) the Specified Cash Amount minus USD 1,000 and (2) the Daily Option Value, divided by (B) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period; provided that if the calculation in clause (A) above results in zero or a negative number for any Valid Day, the Daily Combination Settlement Cash Amount for such Valid Day shall be deemed to be zero; and

			(ii) a number of Shares (the “Combination Settlement Share Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option,


			of a number of Shares for such Valid Day (the “Daily Combination Settlement Share Amount”) equal to (A) the Daily Option Value on such Valid Day minus the Daily Combination Settlement Cash Amount for such Valid Day, divided by (B) the Relevant Price on such Valid Day, divided by (C) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period; provided that if the calculation in clause (A) above results in zero or a negative number for any Valid Day, the Daily Combination Settlement Share Amount for such Valid Day shall be deemed to be zero.

			Dealer will deliver cash in lieu of any fractional Shares to be delivered with respect to any Combination Settlement Share Amount valued at the Relevant Price for the last Valid Day of the Settlement Averaging Period.

	Cash Settlement:		If Cash Settlement is applicable to any Option exercised or deemed exercised hereunder, in lieu of Section 8.1 of the Equity Definitions, Dealer will pay to Counterparty, on the relevant Settlement Date for each such Option, an amount of cash (the “Cash Settlement Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option, of (i) the Daily Option Value for such Valid Day, divided by (ii) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period.

	Daily Option Value:		For any Valid Day, an amount equal to (i) the Option Entitlement on such Valid Day, multiplied by (ii) the Relevant Price on such Valid Day less the Strike Price on such Valid Day; provided that if the calculation contained in clause (ii) above results in a negative number, the Daily Option Value for such Valid Day shall be deemed to be zero. In no event will the Daily Option Value be less than zero.

	Applicable Limit:		For any Option, an amount of cash equal to the Applicable Percentage multiplied by the excess of (i) the aggregate of (A) the amount of cash, if any, delivered to the Holder of the related Convertible Note upon conversion of such Convertible Note and (B) the number of Shares, if any, delivered to the Holder of the related Convertible Note upon conversion of such Convertible Note multiplied by the Applicable Limit Price on the Settlement Date for such Option, over (ii) USD 1,000.

	Applicable Limit Price:		On any day, the opening price as displayed under the heading “Op” on Bloomberg page TWGP.UQ <equity> (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available).

	Valid Day:		A day on which (i) there is no Market Disruption Event and (ii) trading in the Shares generally occurs on the Exchange or, if the Shares are not then listed on the Exchange, on the principal other United States national or regional securities exchange on which the Shares are then



	listed or, if the Shares are not then listed on a United States national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Shares are then listed or admitted for trading. If the Shares are not so listed or admitted for trading, “Valid Day” means a Business Day.

Scheduled Valid Day:	A day that is scheduled to be a Valid Day on the principal United States national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Shares are listed or admitted for trading. If the Shares are not so listed or admitted for trading, “Scheduled Valid Day” means a Business Day.

Business Day:	Any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed.

Relevant Price:	On any Valid Day, the per Share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page TWGP.UQ <equity> AQR (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such Valid Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one Share on such Valid Day, as determined by the Calculation Agent using a volume-weighted average method). The Relevant Price will be determined without regard to after hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.

Settlement Averaging Period:	For any Option and regardless of the Settlement Method applicable to such Option:

	(i)	if the related Conversion Date occurs prior to the Free Convertibility Date, the 40 consecutive Valid Days commencing on, and including, the third Valid Day following such Conversion Date; provided that if the Notice of Exercise for such Option specifies that Settlement in Shares or Low Cash Combination Settlement applies to the related Convertible Note, the Settlement Averaging Period shall be the 80 consecutive Valid Day period commencing on, and including, the second Valid Day immediately following such Conversion Date; or

	(ii)	if the related Conversion Date occurs on or following the Free Convertibility Date, the 40 consecutive Valid Days commencing on, and including, the 42^nd Scheduled Valid Day immediately prior to the Expiration Date; provided that if the Notice of Exercise or Notice of Final Settlement Method, as applicable, for such Option specifies that Settlement in Shares or Low Cash


						Combination Settlement applies to the related Convertible Note, the Settlement Averaging Period shall be the 80 consecutive Valid Days commencing on, and including, the 82^nd Scheduled Valid Day immediately prior to the Expiration Date.


	Settlement Date:		For any Option, the third Business Day immediately following the last Valid Day of the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option.

	Settlement Currency:		USD

	Other Applicable Provisions:		The provisions of Sections 9.1(c), 9.8, 9.9, 9.11, 9.12 and 10.5 of the Equity Definitions will be applicable, except that all references in such provisions to “Physically-settled” shall be read as references to “Share Settled”. “Share Settled” in relation to any Option means that Net Share Settlement or Combination Settlement is applicable to that Option.

	Representation and Agreement:		Notwithstanding Section 9.11 of the Equity Definitions, the parties acknowledge that any Shares delivered to Counterparty shall be, upon delivery, subject to restrictions and limitations arising from Counterparty’s status as issuer of the Shares under applicable securities laws.

3. Additional Terms applicable to the Transaction.

Adjustments applicable to the Transaction:


	Potential Adjustment Events:		Notwithstanding Section 11.2(e) of the Equity Definitions, a “Potential Adjustment Event” means an occurrence of any event or condition, as set forth in any Dilution Adjustment Provision, that would result in an adjustment to the Conversion Rate (as defined in the Indenture) of the Convertible Notes.

	Method of Adjustment:		Calculation Agent Adjustment, which means that, notwithstanding Section 11.2(c) of the Equity Definitions, upon any Potential Adjustment Event that results in an adjustment to the Conversion Rate (as defined in the Indenture) of the Convertible Notes, the Calculation Agent shall make a corresponding adjustment to any one or more of the Strike Price, Number of Options, Option Entitlement and any other variable relevant to the exercise, settlement or payment for the Transaction; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Calculation Agent in good faith disagrees with any adjustment to the Convertible Notes that involves an exercise of discretion by Counterparty or its board of directors (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 14.05 of the Indenture or in connection with any proportional adjustment or the determination of the fair


			value of any securities, property, rights or other assets), then in each such case, the Calculation Agent will determine the adjustment to be made to any one or more of the Strike Price, Number of Options, Option Entitlement and any other variable relevant to the exercise, settlement or payment for the Transaction in a commercially reasonable manner; provided, further, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Potential Adjustment Event occurs during the Settlement Averaging Period but no adjustment was made to any Convertible Note under the Indenture because the relevant Holder (as such term is defined in the Indenture) was deemed to be a record owner of the underlying Shares on the related Conversion Date, then the Calculation Agent shall make an adjustment, as determined by it, to the terms hereof in order to account for such Potential Adjustment Event.

	Dilution Adjustment Provisions:		Section 14.04(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) and Section 14.05 of the Indenture.

Extraordinary Events applicable to the Transaction:


	Merger Events:		Applicable; provided that notwithstanding Section 12.1(b) of the Equity Definitions, a “Merger Event” means the occurrence of any event or condition set forth in the definition of “Merger Event” in Section 14.07(a) of the Indenture.

	Tender Offers:		Applicable; provided that notwithstanding Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions, a “Tender Offer” means the occurrence of any event or condition set forth in Section 14.04(e) of the Indenture.

	Consequence of Merger Events /Tender Offers:		Notwithstanding Section 12.2 and Section 12.3 of the Equity Definitions, upon the occurrence of a Merger Event or a Tender Offer, the Calculation Agent shall make a corresponding adjustment in respect of any adjustment under the Indenture to any one or more of the nature of the Shares (in the case of a Merger Event), Strike Price, Number of Options, Option Entitlement and any other variable relevant to the exercise, settlement or payment for the Transaction; provided, however, that such adjustment shall be made without regard to any adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to any Excluded Provision; provided further that if, with respect to a Merger Event or a Tender Offer, (i) the consideration for the Shares includes (or, at the option of a holder of Shares, may include) shares of an entity or person not organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia or (ii) the Counterparty to the Transaction following such Merger Event or Tender Offer, will not be the Issuer following such Merger Event or Tender Offer, then Cancellation


				and Payment (Calculation Agent Determination) shall apply.

		Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting:		Cancellation and Payment (Calculation Agent Determination); provided that, in addition to the provisions of Section 12.6(a)(iii) of the Equity Definitions, it will also constitute a Delisting if the Exchange is located in the United States and the Shares are not immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of the New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or their respective successors); if the Shares are immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of the New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or their respective successors), such exchange or quotation system shall thereafter be deemed to be the Exchange.

		Additional Disruption Events:

		Change in Law:		Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(a)(ii)(X) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by replacing the word “Shares” with the phrase “Hedge Positions.”

		Failure to Deliver:		Not Applicable

		Hedging Disruption:		Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(b)(iii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by inserting in the third line thereof, after the words “to terminate the Transaction”, the words “or a portion of the Transaction affected by such Hedging Disruption”.


	Hedging Party:	For all applicable Additional Disruption Events, Dealer.

	Determining Party:	For all applicable Extraordinary Events, Dealer.

	Non-Reliance:	Applicable

	Agreements and Acknowledgements

	Regarding Hedging Activities:	Applicable

	Additional Acknowledgments:	Applicable

4. Calculation Agent.		Dealer


5.		Account Details.

(a)

Account for payments to Counterparty:

Bank: State Street Trust Bank
ABA#: 000000000
Acct No.: 00153577
Beneficiary: Tower Group Inc./4RAX
Ref: Tower Group Inc./4RAX

			Account for delivery of Shares to Counterparty:

			To be provided by Counterparty.

	(b)		Account for payments to Dealer: Bank of America, N.A. New York, NY SWIFT: BOFAUS3N Bank Routing: 000-000-000 Account Name: Bank of America Account No. : 0000000-61892

			Account for delivery of Shares from Dealer:

			DTC 0773 Acct Name: Bank of America NA Acct #: 116-00777

Offices.

	(a)		The Office of Counterparty for the Transaction is: Inapplicable, Counterparty is not a Multibranch Party.

	(b)		The Office of Dealer for the Transaction is: New York

			Bank of America, N.A. c/o Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated Bank of America Tower at Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000

Notices.

	(a)		Address for notices or communications to Counterparty:

			Tower Group, Inc. 000 Xxxxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Attention: Treasurer Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000 Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000

	(b)		Address for notices or communications to Dealer:

			Bank of America, N.A. c/o Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated Bank of America Tower at Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Telephone: 000-000-0000 Facsimile: 000-000-0000

8.		Representations and Warranties of Counterparty.

		Each of the representations and warranties of Counterparty set forth in Section 3 of the Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated as of September 14, 2010, between Counterparty and X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC and Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated, as representatives of the Initial Purchasers party thereto (the “Initial Purchasers”), are true and correct and are hereby deemed to be

repeated to Dealer as if set forth herein. Counterparty hereby further represents and warrants to Dealer on the date hereof and on and as of the Premium Payment Date that:

	(a)		Counterparty is duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation.

	(b)		Counterparty has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Confirmation and to perform its obligations hereunder; and all action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery by it of this Confirmation and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby has been duly and validly taken.

	(c)		This Confirmation has been duly authorized by Counterparty and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the parties hereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of Counterparty enforceable against Counterparty in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

	(d)		The execution, delivery and performance by Counterparty of this Confirmation and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority applicable to Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries; except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, default or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or prospects of Counterparty and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the performance by Counterparty of its obligations under this Confirmation (“Material Adverse Effect”).

	(e)		No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority is required for the execution, delivery and performance by Counterparty of this Confirmation and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for (i) such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as may be required under applicable state securities laws or (ii) where the failure to obtain or make any such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, provided that such failure to obtain or make any such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications does not prevent Counterparty from performing its obligations under this Confirmation.

	(f)		Counterparty is not and, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, will not be required to register as an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

	(g)		Counterparty is an “eligible contract participant” (as such term is defined in Section 1a(12) of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, other than a person that is an eligible contract participant under Section 1a(12)(C) of the Commodity Exchange Act).

(h)

Counterparty and each of its affiliates is not, on the date hereof, in possession of any material non-public information with respect to Counterparty or the Shares.

Other Provisions.

	(a)		Opinions. Counterparty shall deliver to Dealer an opinion of counsel, dated as of the Trade Date, with respect to the matters set forth in Sections 8(a) through (e) of this Confirmation. Delivery of such opinion to Dealer shall be a condition precedent for the purpose of Section 2(a)(iii) of the Agreement with respect to each obligation of Dealer under Section 2(a)(i) of the Agreement.

	(b)		Repurchase Notices. Counterparty shall, on any day on which Counterparty effects any repurchase of Shares, promptly give Dealer a written notice of such repurchase (a “Repurchase Notice”) on such day if following such repurchase, the number of outstanding Shares as determined on such day is (i) less than 40.1 million (in the case of the first such notice) or (ii) thereafter more than 2.7 million less than the number of Shares included in the immediately preceding Repurchase Notice. Counterparty agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Dealer and its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, advisors, agents and controlling persons (each, an “Indemnified Person”) from and against any and all losses (including losses relating to Dealer’s hedging activities as a consequence of becoming, or of the risk of becoming, a Section 16 “insider”, including without limitation, any forbearance from hedging activities or cessation of hedging activities and any losses in connection therewith with respect to the Transaction), claims, damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), joint or several, which an Indemnified Person may become subject to, as a result of Counterparty’s failure to provide Dealer with a Repurchase Notice on the day and in the manner specified in this paragraph, and to reimburse, within 30 days, upon written request, each of such Indemnified Persons for any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating, preparing for, providing testimony or other evidence in connection with or defending any of the foregoing. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against the Indemnified Person as a result of Counterparty’s failure to provide Dealer with a Repurchase Notice in accordance with this paragraph, such Indemnified Person shall promptly notify Counterparty in writing, and Counterparty, upon request of the Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others Counterparty may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding. Counterparty shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding contemplated by this paragraph that is effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, Counterparty agrees to indemnify any Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Counterparty shall not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding contemplated by this paragraph that is in respect of which any Indemnified Person is a party and indemnity has been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding on terms reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person. If the indemnification provided for in this paragraph is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then Counterparty hereunder, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities. The remedies provided for in this paragraph (b) are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this paragraph shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of the Transaction.

	(c)		Regulation M. Counterparty is not on the Trade Date engaged in a distribution, as such term is used in Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of any securities of Counterparty, other than a distribution meeting the requirements of the exception set forth in Rules 101(b)(10) and 102(b)(7) of Regulation M. Counterparty shall not, until the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date, engage in any such distribution.

	(d)		No Manipulation. Counterparty is not entering into the Transaction to create actual or apparent trading activity in the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares) or to raise or depress or otherwise manipulate the price of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares) in violation of the Exchange Act.

	(e)		Transfer or Assignment.

(i)

Counterparty shall have the right to transfer or assign its rights and obligations hereunder with respect to all, but not less than all, of the Options hereunder (such Options, the “Transfer Options”); provided that such transfer or assignment shall be subject to reasonable conditions that Dealer may impose, including but not limited, to the following conditions:

	(A)		With respect to any Transfer Options, Counterparty shall not be released from its notice and indemnification obligations pursuant to Section 9(b) or any obligations under Section 9(n) or 9(s) of this Confirmation;

	(B)		Any Transfer Options shall only be transferred or assigned to a third party that is a United States person (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended);

	(C)		Such transfer or assignment shall be effected on terms, including any reasonable undertakings by such third party (including, but not limited to, an undertaking with respect to compliance with applicable securities laws in a manner that, in the reasonable judgment of Dealer, will not expose Dealer to material risks under applicable securities laws) and execution of any documentation and delivery of legal opinions with respect to securities laws and other matters by such third party and Counterparty, as are requested and reasonably satisfactory to Dealer;

	(D)		Dealer will not, as a result of such transfer and assignment, be required to pay the transferee on any payment date an amount under Section 2(d)(i)(4) of the Agreement greater than an amount that Dealer would have been required to pay to Counterparty in the absence of such transfer and assignment;

	(E)		An Event of Default, Potential Event of Default or Termination Event will not occur as a result of such transfer and assignment;

	(F)		Without limiting the generality of clause (B), Counterparty shall cause the transferee to make such Payee Tax Representations and to provide such tax documentation as may be reasonably requested by Dealer to permit Dealer to determine that results described in clauses (D) and (E) will not occur upon or after such transfer and assignment; and

	(G)		Counterparty shall be responsible for all reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, incurred by Dealer in connection with such transfer or assignment.

(ii)

Dealer may, without Counterparty’s consent, transfer or assign all or any part of its rights or obligations under the Transaction at any time to any affiliate of Dealer (A) that has a rating for its long term, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness that is equal to or better than the best of Dealer’s credit rating and the credit rating of any guarantor of Dealer’s obligations hereunder, in each case, at the time of the transfer or assignment, or (B) whose obligations hereunder will be guaranteed, pursuant to the terms of a customary guarantee in a form used by Dealer generally for similar transactions, by Dealer or any parent of Dealer that has a credit rating that is equal to or better than the best of Dealer’s credit rating and the credit rating of any guarantor of Dealer’s obligations hereunder, in each case, at the time of the transfer or assignment; provided that any such transfer or assignment shall be subject to the conditions that (I) following such transfer or assignment, the terms and conditions of the Agreement as so transferred or assigned (the “Transferred Agreement”) shall be substantially the same as the terms and conditions of the Agreement immediately prior to such transfer or assignment, (II) Counterparty will not be required to pay to the transferee an amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) of the Transferred Agreement greater than the amount in respect of which Counterparty would have been required to pay to Dealer under Section 2(d)(i)(4) in the absence of the transfer, (III) Counterparty will not receive any payment under the Transferred Agreement from which an amount is required to be withheld or deducted for or on account of a Tax with respect to which no additional amount is required to be paid by the transferee under Section 2(d)(i)(4) of the Transferred Agreement (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B) thereof), (IV) neither an Event of Default with respect to which Dealer is the Defaulting Party nor a Termination Event with respect to which Dealer is the sole Affected Party shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of the transfer, and neither an Event of Default nor a Termination Event shall occur as a result of the transfer, (V) each of Dealer and the transferee is a dealer in “notional principal contracts” within the meaning of Section 1.446-3(c)(4)(iii) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations and in other derivatives, and (VI) Dealer has used its good faith efforts to provide prior notice to Counterparty of such transfer and the proposed date of such transfer, and Dealer shall provide written notice to Counterparty reasonably promptly following such transfer. In addition, if at any time (A) the Section 16 Percentage exceeds 7.5%, (B) the Option Equity Percentage exceeds 14.5%, or (C) the Share Amount exceeds the Applicable Share Limit (if any applies) (any such condition described in clauses (A), (B) or (C), an “Excess Ownership Position”), Dealer may, without Counterparty’s consent, transfer or assign all or any part of its rights or obligations under the Transaction to any third party who is a dealer in “notional principal contracts” within the meaning of Section 1.446-3(c)(4)(iii) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations and in other derivatives, and with a rating for its long term, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness equal to or better than the lesser of (x) the credit rating of Dealer at the time of the transfer and (y) A- by Standard and Poor’s Rating Group, Inc. or its successor (“S&P”), or A3 by Xxxxx’x Investor Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or, if either S&P or Moody’s ceases to rate such debt, at least an equivalent rating or better by a substitute rating agency mutually agreed by Counterparty and Dealer. If at any time an Excess Ownership Position exists, Dealer may designate any Exchange Business Day as an Early Termination Date with respect to all or a portion of the Transaction (the “Terminated Portion”) such that following such termination no Excess Ownership Position exists; provided that Dealer may only designate an Early Termination Date pursuant to this Section 9(e)(ii) if Dealer has used its good faith efforts to notify Counterparty of such Excess Ownership Position, and Dealer is unable, acting in good faith and after using its commercially reasonable efforts, to effect a transfer or assignment of Options to a third party in accordance with this Section 9(e)(ii) on pricing terms reasonably acceptable to Dealer and within a time period reasonably acceptable Dealer such that no Excess Ownership Position exists. In the event that Dealer so designates an Early Termination Date with respect to a Terminated Portion, a payment shall be made

			pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement as if (1) an Early Termination Date had been designated in respect of a Transaction having terms identical to the Transaction and a Number of Options equal to the number of Options underlying the Terminated Portion, (2) Counterparty were the sole Affected Party with respect to such partial termination and (3) the Terminated Portion were the sole Affected Transaction (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Section 9(l) shall apply to any amount that is payable by Dealer to Counterparty pursuant to this sentence as if Counterparty was not the Affected Party). The “Section 16 Percentage” as of any day is the fraction, expressed as a percentage, (A) the numerator of which is the number of Shares that Dealer and each person subject to aggregation of Shares with Dealer under Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act and rules promulgated thereunder directly or indirectly beneficially own (as defined under Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act and rules promulgated thereunder) and (B) the denominator of which is the number of Shares outstanding. The “Option Equity Percentage” as of any day is the fraction, expressed as a percentage, (A) the numerator of which is the sum of (1) the product of the Number of Options and the Option Entitlement and (2) the aggregate number of Shares underlying any other call option transaction sold by Dealer to Counterparty, and (B) the denominator of which is the number of Shares outstanding. The “Share Amount” as of any day is the number of Shares that Dealer and any person whose ownership position would be aggregated with that of Dealer (Dealer or any such person, a “Dealer Person”) under any insurance or other law, rule, regulation, regulatory order or organizational documents or contracts of Counterparty that are, in each case, applicable to ownership of Shares (“Applicable Restrictions”), owns, beneficially owns, constructively owns, controls, holds the power to vote or otherwise meets a relevant definition of ownership under any Applicable Restriction, as determined by Dealer in its reasonable discretion. The “Applicable Share Limit” means a number of Shares equal to (A) the minimum number of Shares that could give rise to reporting or registration obligations or other requirements (including obtaining prior approval from any person or entity) of a Dealer Person, or could result in an adverse effect on a Dealer Person, under any Applicable Restriction, as determined by Dealer in its reasonable discretion, minus (B) 1% of the number of Shares outstanding.

	(iii)		Notwithstanding any other provision in this Confirmation to the contrary requiring or allowing Dealer to purchase, sell, receive or deliver any Shares or other securities, or make or receive any payment in cash, to or from Counterparty, Dealer may designate any of its affiliates to purchase, sell, receive or deliver such Shares or other securities, or to make or receive such payment in cash, and otherwise to perform Dealer’s obligations in respect of the Transaction and any such designee may assume such obligations. Dealer shall be discharged of its obligations to Counterparty only to the extent of any such performance.

(f)

Staggered Settlement. If upon advice of counsel with respect to applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including any requirements relating to Dealer’s hedging activities hereunder, Dealer reasonably determines that it would not be practicable or advisable to deliver, or to acquire Shares to deliver, any or all of the Shares to be delivered by Dealer on the Settlement Date for the Transaction, Dealer may, by notice to Counterparty on or prior to any Settlement Date (a “Nominal Settlement Date”), elect to deliver the Shares on two or more dates (each, a “Staggered Settlement Date”) as follows:

(i)

in such notice, Dealer will specify to Counterparty the related Staggered Settlement Dates (the first of which will be such Nominal Settlement Date and the last of which will be no later than the twentieth (20th) Exchange Business Day following such Nominal Settlement Date) and the number of Shares that it will deliver on each Staggered Settlement Date;

	(ii)		the aggregate number of Shares that Dealer will deliver to Counterparty hereunder on all such Staggered Settlement Dates will equal the number of Shares that Dealer would otherwise be required to deliver on such Nominal Settlement Date; and

	(iii)		if the Net Share Settlement terms set forth above were to apply on the Nominal Settlement Date, then the Net Share Settlement terms will apply on each Staggered Settlement Date, except that the Net Shares will be allocated among such Staggered Settlement Dates as specified by Dealer in the notice referred to in clause (i) above.

	(g)		[Reserved.]

	(h)		Dividends. If at any time during the period from and including the Effective Date, to but excluding the Expiration Date, (i) an ex-dividend date for a regular quarterly cash dividend occurs with respect to the Shares (an “Ex-Dividend Date”), and that dividend is less than the Regular Dividend on a per Share basis or (ii) if no Ex-Dividend Date for a regular quarterly cash dividend occurs with respect to the Shares in any quarterly dividend period of Counterparty, then the Calculation Agent will make a corresponding adjustment to any one or more of the Strike Price, Number of Options, Option Entitlement and/or any other variable relevant to the exercise, settlement or payment for the Transaction to preserve the fair value of the Options to Dealer after taking into account such dividend or lack thereof. “Regular Dividend” shall mean USD 0.125 per Share per quarter. Upon any adjustment to the Initial Dividend Threshold (as defined in the Indenture) for the Convertible Notes pursuant to the Indenture, the Calculation Agent will make a corresponding adjustment to the Regular Dividend for the Transaction.

	(i)		Additional Termination Events. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Confirmation if an event of default with respect to Counterparty occurs under the terms of the Convertible Notes as set forth in Section 6.01 of the Indenture and results in the Convertible Notes becoming due and payable pursuant to the terms of the Indenture before they would otherwise have been due and payable, then the occurrence of such event shall constitute an Additional Termination Event applicable to the Transaction and, with respect to such Additional Termination Event, (A) Counterparty shall be deemed to be the sole Affected Party, (B) the Transaction shall be the sole Affected Transaction and (C) Dealer shall be the party entitled to designate an Early Termination Date pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Agreement.

	(j)		Amendments to Equity Definitions.

	(i)		Section 12.6(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (1) deleting from the fourth line thereof the word “or” after the word “official” and inserting a comma therefor, and (2) deleting the semi-colon at the end of subsection (B) thereof and inserting the following words therefor “or (C) at Dealer’s option, the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(1) through (9) of the ISDA Master Agreement with respect to that Issuer.”

	(ii)		Section 12.9(b)(i) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (1) replacing “either party may elect” with “Dealer may elect” and (2) replacing “notice to the other party” with “notice to Counterparty” in the first sentence of such section.

	(k)		No Setoff. Neither party shall have the right to set off any obligation that it may have to the other party under the Transaction against any obligation such other party may have to it, whether arising under the Agreement, this Confirmation or any other agreement between the parties hereto, by operation of law or otherwise.

	(l)		Alternative Calculations and Payment on Early Termination and on Certain Extraordinary Events. If in respect of the Transaction, an amount is payable by Dealer to Counterparty (i) pursuant to Section 12.7 or Section 12.9 of the Equity Definitions or (ii) pursuant to Section

6(d)(ii) of the Agreement (any such amount, a “Payment Obligation”), Counterparty may request Dealer to satisfy the Payment Obligation by the Share Termination Alternative (as defined below) (except that Counterparty shall not have the right to make such an election in the event of (I) a Nationalization, Insolvency, Merger Event or Tender Offer, in each case, in which the consideration to be paid to holders of Shares consists solely of cash, (II) a Merger Event or Tender Offer that is within Counterparty’s control, or (III) an Event of Default in which Counterparty is the Defaulting Party or a Termination Event in which Counterparty is the Affected Party, other than an Event of Default of the type described in Section 5(a)(iii), (v), (vi), (vii) or (viii) of the Agreement or a Termination Event of the type described in Section 5(b) of the Agreement in each case that resulted from an event or events outside Counterparty’s control) and shall give irrevocable telephonic notice to Dealer, confirmed in writing within one Scheduled Trading Day, no later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Merger Date, the Tender Offer Date, the Announcement Date (in the case of Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting), the Early Termination Date or date of cancellation, as applicable; provided that if Counterparty does not validly request Dealer to satisfy the Payment Obligation by the Share Termination Alternative, Dealer shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to satisfy its Payment Obligation by the Share Termination Alternative, notwithstanding Counterparty’s election to the contrary.


		Share Termination Alternative:		If the Share Termination Alternative is applicable in respect of any Payment Obligation, Dealer shall deliver to Counterparty the Share Termination Delivery Property on, or within a commercially reasonable period of time after, the date when the Payment Obligation would otherwise be due pursuant to Section 12.7 or 12.9 of the Equity Definitions or Section 6(d)(ii) and 6(e) of the Agreement, as applicable (the “Share Termination Payment Date”), in satisfaction of the Payment Obligation in the manner reasonably requested by Counterparty free of payment.

		Share Termination Delivery Property:		A number of Share Termination Delivery Units, as calculated by the Calculation Agent, equal to the Payment Obligation divided by the Share Termination Unit Price. The Calculation Agent shall adjust the Share Termination Delivery Property by replacing any fractional portion of a security therein with an amount of cash equal to the value of such fractional security based on the values used to calculate the Share Termination Unit Price.

		Share Termination Unit Price:		The value to Dealer of property contained in one Share Termination Delivery Unit, as determined by the Calculation Agent in its discretion by commercially reasonable means and notified by the Calculation Agent to Dealer at the time of notification of the Payment Obligation. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that in determining the Share Termination Delivery Unit Price the Calculation Agent may consider the purchase price paid in connection with the purchase of Share Termination Delivery Property.

		Share Termination Delivery Unit:		One Share or, if a Merger Event has occurred and a corresponding adjustment to the Transaction has been


				made, a unit consisting of the number or amount of each type of property received by a holder of one Share (without consideration of any requirement to pay cash or other consideration in lieu of fractional amounts of any securities) in such Merger Event, as determined by the Calculation Agent.

		Failure to Deliver:		Applicable

		Other applicable provisions:		If Share Termination Alternative is applicable, the provisions of Sections 9.8, 9.9, 9.11, 9.12 and 10.5 (as modified above) of the Equity Definitions will be applicable, except that all references in such provisions to “Physically-settled” shall be read as references to “Share Termination Settled” and all references to “Shares” shall be read as references to “Share Termination Delivery Units”. “Share Termination Settled” in relation to the Transaction means that the Share Termination Alternative is applicable to the Transaction.

	(m)		Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action or proceeding relating to the Transaction. Each party (i) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of either party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of such a suit, action or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party have been induced to enter into the Transaction, as applicable, by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications provided herein.

	(n)		Registration. Counterparty hereby agrees that if, in the good faith reasonable judgment of Dealer, the Shares (“Hedge Shares”) acquired by Dealer for the purpose of hedging its obligations pursuant to the Transaction cannot be sold in the public market by Dealer without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), Counterparty shall, at its election, either (i) in order to allow Dealer to sell the Hedge Shares in a registered offering, use commercially reasonable efforts to make available to Dealer an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and enter into an agreement, in customary form and in substance reasonably satisfactory to Dealer, substantially in the form of an underwriting agreement for a registered secondary offering; provided, however, that if Dealer, in its sole reasonable discretion, is not satisfied with access to due diligence materials, the results of its due diligence investigation, or the procedures and documentation for the registered offering referred to above, then clause (ii) or clause (iii) of this paragraph shall apply at the election of Counterparty, (ii) in order to allow Dealer to sell the Hedge Shares in a private placement, enter into a private placement agreement substantially similar to private placement purchase agreements customary for private placements of equity securities, in form and in substance reasonably satisfactory to Dealer (in which case, the Calculation Agent shall make any adjustments to the terms of the Transaction that are necessary, in its reasonable judgment, to compensate Dealer for any discount from the public market price of the Shares incurred on the sale of Hedge Shares in a private placement), or (iii) purchase the Hedge Shares from Dealer at the Relevant Price on such Exchange Business Days, and in the amounts, requested by Dealer.

	(o)		Tax Disclosure. Effective from the date of commencement of discussions concerning the Transaction, Counterparty and each of its employees, representatives, or other agents may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the Transaction and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to Counterparty relating to such tax treatment and tax structure.

	(p)		Right to Extend. Dealer may postpone or add, in whole or in part, any Valid Day or Valid Days during the Settlement Averaging Period or any other date of valuation, payment or delivery by Dealer, with respect to some or all of the Options hereunder, if Dealer determines, in its commercially reasonable judgment, that such action is reasonably necessary or appropriate to preserve Dealer’s hedging or hedge unwind activity hereunder in light of existing liquidity conditions or to enable Dealer to effect purchases of Shares in connection with its hedging, hedge unwind or settlement activity hereunder in a manner that would, if Dealer were Counterparty or an affiliated purchaser of Counterparty, be in compliance with applicable legal, regulatory or self-regulatory requirements, or with related policies and procedures applicable to Dealer.

	(q)		Status of Claims in Bankruptcy. Dealer acknowledges and agrees that this Confirmation is not intended to convey to Dealer rights against Counterparty with respect to the Transaction that are senior to the claims of common stockholders of Counterparty in any United States bankruptcy proceedings of Counterparty; provided that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Dealer’s right to pursue remedies in the event of a breach by Counterparty of its obligations and agreements with respect to the Transaction; provided, further, that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Dealer’s rights in respect of any transactions other than the Transaction.

	(r)		Securities Contract; Swap Agreement. The parties hereto intend for (i) the Transaction to be a “securities contract” and a “swap agreement” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code (Title 11 of the United States Code) (the “Bankruptcy Code”), and the parties hereto to be entitled to the protections afforded by, among other Sections, Sections 362(b)(6), 362(b)(17), 546(e), 546(g), 555 and 560 of the Bankruptcy Code, (ii) a party’s right to liquidate the Transaction and to exercise any other remedies upon the occurrence of any Event of Default under the Agreement with respect to the other party to constitute a “contractual right” as described in the Bankruptcy Code, and (iii) each payment and delivery of cash, securities or other property hereunder to constitute a “margin payment” or “settlement payment” and a “transfer” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code.

	(s)		Notice of Certain Other Events. Counterparty covenants and agrees that:

	(i)		promptly following the public announcement of the results of any election by the holders of Shares with respect to the consideration due upon consummation of any consolidation, merger and binding share exchange to which Counterparty is a party, or any sale of all or substantially all of Counterparty’s assets, in each case pursuant to which the Shares will be converted into cash, securities or other property, Counterparty shall give Dealer written notice of the types and amounts of consideration that holders of Shares have elected to receive upon consummation of such transaction or event (the date of such notification, the “Consideration Notification Date”); provided that in no event shall the Consideration Notification Date be later than the date on which such transaction or event is consummated; and

	(ii)		promptly following any adjustment to the Convertible Notes in connection with any Potential Adjustment Event, Merger Event or Tender Offer, Counterparty shall give Dealer written notice of the details of such adjustment.

(t)

Early Unwind. In the event the sale of the “Initial Securities” (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) is not consummated with the Initial Purchasers for any reason, or Counterparty fails to deliver to Dealer opinions of counsel as required pursuant to Section 9(a), in each case by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Premium Payment Date, or such later date as agreed upon by the parties (the Premium Payment Date or such later date, the “Early Unwind Date”), the Transaction shall automatically terminate (the “Early Unwind”) on the Early Unwind Date and (i) the Transaction and all of the respective rights and obligations of Dealer and Counterparty under the Transaction shall be cancelled and terminated and (ii) each party shall be released and discharged by the other party from and agrees not to make any claim against the other party with respect to any obligations or liabilities of the other party arising out of and to be performed in

			connection with the Transaction either prior to or after the Early Unwind Date; provided that Counterparty shall purchase from Dealer on the Early Unwind Date all Shares purchased by Dealer or one or more of its affiliates in connection with the Transaction at the then prevailing market price. Each of Dealer and Counterparty represent and acknowledge to the other that, subject to the proviso included in this Section 9(t), upon an Early Unwind, all obligations with respect to the Transaction shall be deemed fully and finally discharged.

	(u)		Payment by Counterparty. In the event that (i) an Early Termination Date occurs or is designated with respect to the Transaction as a result of a Termination Event or an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default arising under Section 5(a)(ii) or 5(a)(iv) of the Agreement) and, as a result, Counterparty owes to Dealer an amount calculated under Section 6(e) of the Agreement, or (ii) Counterparty owes to Dealer, pursuant to Section 12.7 or Section 12.9 of the Equity Definitions, an amount calculated under Section 12.8 of the Equity Definitions, such amount shall be deemed to be zero.

Counterparty hereby agrees (a) to check this Confirmation carefully and immediately upon receipt so that errors or discrepancies can be promptly identified and rectified and (b) to confirm that the foregoing (in the exact form provided by Dealer) correctly sets forth the terms of the agreement between Dealer and Counterparty with respect to the Transaction, by manually signing this Confirmation or this page hereof as evidence of agreement to such terms and providing the other information requested herein and immediately returning an executed copy to Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Facsimile No. 000-000-0000.


	Very truly yours, Bank of America, N.A.
	By:	/s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
		Authorized Signatory
		Name: Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx

Accepted and confirmed
as of the Trade Date:


Tower Group, Inc.
By:	/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx
	Authorized Signatory
	Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx

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