Exhibit 10.5

ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENT

THIS ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of June 7, 2012,
among ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD (“Pledgor”) with an address
at 27 Richmond Road, Pembroke HM08, Bermuda, THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as
custodian (“Custodian”), with an address of BNY Mellon Center, Pittsburgh, PA
15258, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“Administrative Agent”) for
the lenders under the Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) among the
Pledgor, Allied World Assurance Company, Ltd, Allied World Assurance Company
Holdings, AG, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”).

Recitals:

Pledgor and the Custodian are parties to a certain Custody Agreement dated as of
November 19, 2001 (the “Custody Agreement”), governing the Account (as
hereinafter defined);

Pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof,
between Pledgor and the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders (the
“Security Agreement”), Pledgor has pledged to the Administrative Agent for the
benefit of the Lenders securities account number AWAF1003002 (the “Securities
Account”) and the related deposit account, if any, described therein (the
“Deposit Account” and collectively with the Securities Account, the “Account”)
together with all financial assets, investment property, securities, securities
entitlements, cash and other property therein; and

The Lenders have appointed the Administrative Agent as the Lenders’ agent in
relation to the Security Agreement.

Pledgor, Custodian and Administrative Agent are entering into this Agreement to
provide for the control of the Account and to perfect the security interest of
Administrative Agent therein.

The terms “deposit account”, “entitlement holder”, “entitlement order”,
“financial asset”, “investment property”, “proceeds”, “security”, “security
entitlement” and “securities intermediary” shall have the meanings set forth in
Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time
in the State of New York (hereinafter, “UCC”).

Pledgor and the Administrative Agent hereby appoint the Custodian as custodian,
bailee and securities intermediary of all cash and financial assets at any time
delivered to, or deposited with, the Custodian to be credited to the Account.
The Custodian hereby accepts the foregoing appointment as custodian, bailee,
securities intermediary and agent.

Therefore, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and
intending to be legally bound, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. The Account. Custodian hereby represents and warrants to Administrative Agent
and Pledgor that (a) the Account has been established in the name of Pledgor and
(b) to the best of Custodian’s knowledge, except for the claims and interest of
Administrative Agent and

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Pledgor in the Account (subject to any claim in favor of Custodian permitted
under Section 2), Custodian does not know of any claim to or interest in the
Account. All parties agree that the Securities Account and all property held by
Custodian in the Securities Account or credited to the Securities Account and
all other rights of Pledgor against the Custodian arising out of the Securities
Account will be treated as investment property under Article 9 of the UCC and
financial assets under Article 8 of the UCC. The Custodian makes no
representation or warranty, and shall have no responsibility or liability, with
respect to the effectiveness of this Agreement in perfecting such security
interest.

2. Priority of Lien. Custodian hereby acknowledges the security interest granted
to Administrative Agent by Pledgor. Custodian hereby subordinates all liens,
encumbrances, claims and rights of setoff it may have against the Account or any
financial asset carried in the Account or any credit balance in the Account to
the security interests of the Administrative Agent and agrees that, except for
its lien on financial assets in the Account to secure payment for financial
assets purchased for the Account and customary fees and charges pursuant to the
Custody Agreement, it will not assert any such lien, encumbrance, claim or right
against the Account or any financial asset and other property carried in the
Account or any credit balance in the Account. Custodian will not agree with any
third party that Custodian will comply with entitlement orders concerning the
Account originated by such third party.

3. Control. Custodian will comply at all times with instructions, including
entitlement orders, originated by Administrative Agent concerning the Account
without further consent by Pledgor or any other person. Custodian shall make
transfers of cash and trades of financial assets and other property held in the
Account at the direction of Pledgor, or Pledgor’s authorized representative, and
comply with instructions, including entitlement orders, and such other direction
concerning the Account from Pledgor, or Pledgor’s authorized representatives,
until such time as Administrative Agent delivers a written notice to Custodian
and Pledgor that Administrative Agent is thereby exercising exclusive control
over the Account (the “Notice of Exclusive Control”). After Custodian receives
the Notice of Exclusive Control, Custodian will cease complying with written
instructions, including entitlement orders, or other directions concerning the
Account originated by Pledgor or Pledgor’s representatives.

It is understood and agreed that the Custodian’s duty to comply with
instructions and entitlement orders from the Administrative Agent regarding the
Account is absolute, and the Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation, nor
shall it have the authority, to inquire or determine whether or not such
instructions are in accordance with the Security Agreement or any other
agreement, nor seek confirmation thereof from Pledgor or any other person. In
case of any conflict between the entitlement orders or instructions received by
the Custodian from the Administrative Agent and any entitlement orders or
instructions received by the Custodian from the Pledgor or any other person
other than the Administrative Agent in accordance with this Agreement, the
entitlement orders and instructions originated by the Administrative Agent shall
prevail.

4. Statements and Notices of Adverse Claims; Access to Reports. Custodian will
send copies of all monthly statements concerning the Account to each of Pledgor
and Administrative Agent, within ten (10) business days of the end of each
calendar month and at and as of such other times as Administrative Agent may
reasonably request, in all cases at the

 

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address set forth in Section 12 of this Agreement. Upon receipt of written
notice of any lien, encumbrance or adverse claim against the Account or in any
financial asset or other property carried therein, Custodian will make all
reasonable efforts to notify Administrative Agent and Pledgor thereof. Further,
upon any pledge, release or substitution of financial assets or other property
in the Account, Custodian shall notify Administrative Agent within one business
day of such change.

5. Limited Responsibility of Custodian. Custodian shall have no responsibility
or liability to Administrative Agent for making trades of financial assets held
in the Account at the direction of Pledgor, or Pledgor’s authorized
representatives, or complying with entitlement orders concerning the Account
from Pledgor, or Pledgor’s authorized representatives, that are received by
Custodian before Custodian receives a Notice of Exclusive Control. Custodian
shall have no responsibility or liability to Pledgor for complying with a Notice
of Exclusive Control or complying with entitlement orders concerning the Account
originated by Administrative Agent, even if Pledgor notifies Custodian that the
Administrative Agent is not legally entitled to issue the entitlement order or
Notice of Exclusive Control. Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability
to Administrative Agent with respect to the value of the Account or any asset
held therein. Custodian shall have no duty to investigate or make any
determination as to whether a default exists under any agreement between Pledgor
and Administrative Agent and shall comply with a Notice of Exclusive Control
even if it believes that no such default exists. This Agreement does not create
any obligation or duty of Custodian other than those expressly set forth herein.

6. Indemnification of Custodian. Pledgor hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and
hold harmless Custodian, its directors, officers, agents and employees against
any and all claims, causes of action, liabilities, lawsuits, demands and
damages, including without limitation, any and all court costs and reasonable
attorney’s fees, in any way related to or arising out of or in connection with
this Agreement or any action taken or not taken pursuant hereto, except to the
extent as a result of Custodian’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

7. Termination. The rights and powers granted herein to Administrative Agent
have been granted in order to perfect its security interest in the Account, are
powers coupled with an interest and will not be affected by the lapse of time.
The obligations of Custodian under Sections 2, 3 and 5 above shall continue in
effect until the earlier of (i) the date on which Pledgor makes suitable
arrangements with the prior written consent of Administrative Agent following
the resignation of Custodian on 30 days’ prior written notice to Administrative
Agent and Pledgor and (ii) Administrative Agent has notified Custodian and
Pledgor on 30 days’ prior written notice in writing that this Agreement is to be
terminated.

8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, any schedules or exhibits hereto and the
instructions and notices required or permitted to be executed and delivered
hereunder set forth the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof.

9. Amendments. No amendment, modification or (except as otherwise specified in
Section 7 above) termination of this Agreement, nor any assignment of any rights
hereunder, shall be binding on any party hereto unless it is in writing and is
signed by each of the parties hereto, and any attempt to so amend, modify,
terminate or assign except pursuant to such a writing shall be null and void. No
waiver of any rights hereunder, shall be binding on any party hereto unless such
waiver is in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.

 

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10. Severability. If any term or provision set forth in this Agreement shall be
invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of
such term or provision to persons or circumstances other than those to which it
is held invalid or unenforceable, shall be construed in all respects as if such
invalid or unenforceable term or provision were omitted.

11. Successors. The terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall
inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.

12. Notices. Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to
be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and deemed to have been
properly given (i) when delivered in person, or (ii) when sent by telecopy or
other electronic means and electronic confirmation of error free receipt is
received or (iii) upon receipt of notice sent by certified or registered mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in each case when addressed to the
party at the address (or telecopier number) specified for such party below. Any
party may change its address for notices in the manner set forth above.

 

Pledgor:    Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd    27 Richmond Road   
Pembroke HM 08, Bermuda    Attn: Marchelle Lewis    Telephone: (441) 278-5680   
Telecopy: (441) 295-2618    with copies to:    Allied World Assurance Company,
Ltd    27 Richmond Road    Pembroke HM 08, Bermuda    Attn: Joan Dillard   
Telephone: (441) 278-5678    Telecopy: (441) 295-2618    and    John T. Capetta,
Esq.    Kelley Drye & Warren LLP    400 Atlantic Street, 13th Floor    Stamford,
CT 06901    Telecopy: (203) 327-2669 Custodian:    The Bank of New York Mellon
   BNY Mellon Center    Pittsburgh, PA 15258

 

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   Attn: Tom Spagnol    Telephone: (412) 236-1315    Telephone: (412) 234-8725
Administrative Agent:    Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,    as
Administrative Agent    One South Broad St., MAC Y1375-080    Philadelphia, PA
19107    Attn: Casey Connelly    Telephone: (267) 321-7028    Telecopy: (267)
321-7101

13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument, and any party hereto
may execute this Agreement by signing and delivering one or more counterparts.

14. Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Regardless of any provision
in any other agreement, for purposes of the UCC, New York shall be deemed to be
the “bank’s jurisdiction” for purposes of Section 9-304 of the UCC and the
“securities intermediary’s jurisdiction” for purposes of Sections 9-305 and
8-110 of the UCC, and the Account (as well as the financial assets related
thereto) shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

15. Waiver of Jury Trial. Pledgor, Custodian and Administrative Agent hereby
waive trial by jury in any judicial proceeding involving, directly or
indirectly, any matter in any way arising out of, or related to, or in
connection with this Agreement

16. Representations. Each party hereby represents and warrants that the
individual executing this Agreement on its behalf has the requisite power and
authority to do so and to bind such party to the terms of this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, LTD, as Pledgor

 

By:  

/s/ Joan H. Dillard

  Signature Name:   Joan H. Dillard Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer By:  

/s/ Marchelle D. Lewis

  Signature Name:   Marchelle D. Lewis Title:   Senior Vice President and
Treasurer

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Custodian

 

By:  

/s/ Dawn V. Robertson

  Signature Name:   Dawn V. Robertson Title:   Vice President

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent

 

By:  

/s/ Casey Connelly

  Signature Name:   Casey Connelly Title:   Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENT