GUARD Insurance Group’s A- A.M. Best Rating Reaffirmed

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On November 23rd, 2010, A.M. Best Company reaffirmed the A- ("Excellent") rating of GUARD Insurance Group with a "Stable" outlook. Since all of GUARD’s insurance company subsidiaries are members of a pool, this financial strength rating applies to AmGUARD, EastGUARD, NorGUARD, and WestGUARD.

In issuing this rating, A.M. Best noted in the GUARD Rating Rationale:

"The rating reflects the group's solid capitalization and favorable operating profitability achieved through management's disciplined underwriting initiatives as well as the cautious manner in which initial claim reserves are established. . . . The rating also acknowledges the group's financial flexibility afforded through access to capital given the commitment of its parent, Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings, Ltd. (Clal), to support GUARD's planned premium growth and domestic diversification initiatives."

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is an internationally recognized rating organization dedicated to serving the financial services industries. A Best's Financial Strength Rating is an independent opinion of an insurer's ability to meet current obligations that is based upon a comprehensive study of a company’s financial strength, plan of operations, and performance.

GUARD Chief Executive Officer/President Sy Foguel notes, "We are pleased with this rating. The past few years have been challenging for the insurance industry, and this rating provides strong, objective evidence that we have met these challenges well!"

GUARD is a commercial property and casualty insurance group that specializes in providing coverage and services to small- to mid-sized businesses. Traditionally, the organization focused exclusively on writing Workers’ Compensation policies. However, GUARD has now launched a full complement of products (under the name of BizGUARD Plus) that is designed to match the characteristic property and casualty insurance needs of this targeted audience. GUARD currently offers a Businessowner’s Policy (BOP) and Commercial Auto and Umbrella coverage in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and South Carolina. The BOP as well as Umbrella/Excess is also available in Maryland, New York, and Massachusetts. Over the next several years, these new lines will be systematically introduced in other states with Georgia being targeted for January 1st of 2011. GUARD currently writes Workers’ Compensation insurance across more than half of the continental United States.

In 2009, GUARD wrote approximately $200 million of commercial property and casualty premium for over 40,000 accounts. The company’s premium grew by 20% during the first nine months of 2010. Agents interested in learning more can contact GUARD on-line at www.guard.com/apply or by phone at 1-800-673-2465 (extension 4567).