A.M. Best Comments on ProAssurance Corporation's Planned Acquisitions of the PICA Group and Georgia Lawyers Insurance Company

A.M. Best Co. has commented that the ratings and outlook of ProAssurance Corporations (PRA) (NYSE: PRA) insurance subsidiaries remain unchanged following its recent announcements of two transactions.

On October 28, 2008, PRA announced that the PICA Group (PICA) (Nashville, TN) will become part of PRA. The ratings and outlook of PICA also are unchanged.

The PICA transaction is an all-cash, sponsored demutualization, which has been approved by its and PRAs Board of Directors and now requires the approval of PICA policyholders and approval of insurance regulators in Illinois, where PICA is domiciled. When the demutualization is approved by PICAs insureds, PRA will pay PICAs eligible mutual policyholders $120 million to buy the stock created by the demutualization. The transaction, which is expected to close in first quarter 2009, also provides PICA policyholders a total of $15 million in premium credits upon policy renewals, beginning in 2010 and spread over three years. The approved definitive agreement also includes a capital contribution from PRA to PICA upon closing. PICA is expected to operate as a wholly-owned, stand-alone subsidiary of PRA with its current management.

On October 15, 2008, PRA announced its purchase of Georgia Lawyers Insurance Company (GLIC) (Fayetteville, GA). ProNational Insurance Company (ProNational) (Okemos, MI), a PRA subsidiary, will pay $4.3 million in cash to GLIC shareholders. The closing, which also is expected in first quarter 2009, has been approved by GLICs shareholders and is subject to the approval of the Georgia Department of Insurance. Following the closing, GLIC will be merged into ProNational.

For Bests Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Contacts:

Analysts
Greg Williams, 908-439-2200, ext. 5815
greg.williams@ambest.com
or
Robert Brokaw, 908-439-2200, ext. 5771
robert.brokaw@ambest.com
or
Public Relations
Jim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com
or
Rachelle Morrow, 908-439-2200, ext. 5378
rachelle.morrow@ambest.com

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