AM Best

A.M. Best Withdraws Rating of Beacon Insurance Company of America Due to Merger

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Analyst(s)

David Fidecaro

(908) 439-2200, ext. 5420

david.fidecaro@ambest.com

Rick Decker

(908) 439-2200, ext. 5423

rick.decker@ambest.com
Public Relations

Jim Peavy

(908) 439-2200, ext. 5644

james.peavy@ambest.com

Rachelle Morrow

(908) 439-2200, ext. 5378

rachelle.morrow@ambest.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OLDWICK, N.J. - FEBRUARY 23, 2007 12:00 AM (EST)
A.M. Best Co. has withdrawn the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and assigned a category of NR-5 (Not Formally Followed) to Beacon Insurance Company of America (Beacon).

Beacon had been a wholly owned subsidiary of Ohio Farmers Insurance Company (Ohio Farmers) and a fully-reinsured member of Westfield Group. Effective December 31, 2006, Beacon was merged into Westfield Insurance Company, which is also wholly owned by Ohio Farmers and a pool member of Westfield Group. The FSR of A (Excellent) of Ohio Farmers, Westfield Group and Westfield Insurance Company is unchanged by this transaction. All companies are domiciled in Ohio.

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Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial services industries, including the banking and insurance sectors.

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