B. We will pay the amounts incurred under IIA above, but any such payments shall serve to reduce the Limits of Liability of this policy as stated in the Declarations.

C. In all other instances except IIA above:

we shall not be called upon to assume charge of the investigation, settlement or defense of any claim made or suit brought or proceedings instituted against the Insured, but shall have the right and be given the opportunity to be associated in the defense and trial of any such claims, suits or proceedings relative to any occurrence which, in our opinion, may create liability for us under the terms of this policy.

III. LIMITS OF LIABILITY

A. Aggregate

This policy is subject to an aggregate limit of liability as stated in the Declarations. This aggregate limit of liability is the maximum amount which will be paid under this policy for all losses in excess of the underlying policy limits occurring during the policy period, except automobile liability, for which there is no applicable aggregate limit of liability.

B. Occurrence Limit

Subject to the above provision respecting aggregate, the Limit of Liability stated in the Declarations as per occurrence is the total limit of our liability for ultimate net loss including damages for care, loss of services or loss of consortium because of personal injury and property damage combined, sustained by one or more persons or organizations as a result of any one (1) occurrence.

C. Limit Exhaustion

This policy shall cease to apply after the applicable limits of liability have been exhausted by payments of defense costs and/or judgments and/or settlements.

In the event of exhaustion of the aggregate Limits of Liability of the underlying insurance as stated in Section II of the Declarations, this policy will continue in force as underlying insurance.

The aggregate limits of the underlying insurance will only be reduced or exhausted by payment of claims that would be insured by this policy.

IV. INSURED'S DUTIES

The Insured named in the Declarations hereby agrees to promptly furnish us with a copy of the underlying policy and all endorsements thereto which in any way effect this excess insurance. Written notice of any loss likely to give rise to a claim hereunder shall be given to us by or on behalf of the Insured named in the Declarations, containing particulars sufficient to identify the Insured and also reasonably obtainable information with respect to the time, place and circumstances of the loss.

EXCLUSIONS

This policy does not apply:

1. to any injury caused by, contributed to or arising out of the actual or threatened discharge, dispersal, release, or escape of smoke, vapors, soot, fumes, acids, alkalis, toxic chemicals, liquids or gases, waste materials or other irritants, pollutants or contaminants into or upon the land, the atmosphere or any course or body of water, whether above or below ground. It is understood and agreed that the intent and effect of this exclusion is to delete from any and all coverages afforded by this policy any claim, action, judgment, liability, settlement, defense or expense (including any loss, cost, or expense arising out of any governmental direction or request that the Insured test for, monitor, clean up, remove, contain, treat, detoxify or neutralize pollutants) in any way arising out of such actual or threatened discharge, dispersal, release or escape, whether such results from the Insured's activities or the activities of others, and whether or not such is sudden or gradual, and whether or not such is accidental, intended, foreseeable, expected, fortuitous or inevitable, and wherever such occurs;