Bermuda-based insurer XL Insurance is ramping up its Australian operations in the construction, marine and products sectors under a global extension of its lines.

In the past seven months, XL Insurance has added a product recall line, a new marine cargo operation and most recently expanded its construction underwriting facility to $100 million as it chases growth in the buoyant Australian economy.

CEO Craig Langham told Sunrise Exchange News XL has also added an underwriter to its Sydney branch and is pondering its next move.

"We do have future plans for additional products and geographic expansion, but these are currently under review," he said.

XL Insurance arrived on the Australia scene when parent company XL Capital purchased Winterthur International in 2001 for $US405 million ($491 million). Since then, XL Insurance in Australia has tripled gross written premiums to more than $85 million.

"We have an opportunity to develop the XL products," Mr Langham said. "Rather than trading offshore we are bringing those products to the Australian market."