News Details

A.M. Best Assigns Ratings to Employers Security Insurance Company

September 30, 2008

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating (ICR) of "a-" to Employers Security Insurance Company (ESIC) following its and Employers Security Holding Company's (ESHC) (both of Indianapolis, IN) recent acquisitions by Eastern Insurance Holdings, Inc. (EIHI) (NASDAQ: EIHI). The outlook for both ratings is positive. On April 18, 2008, the group ratings of Eastern Alliance Insurance Group (EAIG) were affirmed with a positive outlook. Upon receipt of an approved intercompany pooling agreement the group ratings were extended to ESIC.

The other members of EAIG are Eastern Alliance Insurance Company, Allied Eastern Indemnity Company and Eastern Advantage Assurance Company and operate under an intercompany pooling agreement. Concurrently, on April 18, 2008, A.M. Best affirmed the ICR of "bbb-" of EIHI and the FSR of A- (Excellent) and ICR of "a-" of Eastern Life and Health Insurance Company (Eastern Life and Health). EIHI's ICR outlook is positive, and Eastern Life and Health's FSR and ICR outlook is stable. All companies are domiciled in Lancaster, PA unless otherwise noted.

For Best's 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.

Source: A.M. Best Co.

Contact: A.M. Best Co. Analysts: Gordon McLean, 908-439-2200, ext. 5304 gordon.mclean@ambest.com Michelle Baurkot, 908-439-2200, ext. 5507 michelle.baurkot@ambest.com or Public Relations: Jim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. 5644 james.peavy@ambest.com Rachelle Morrow, 908-439-2200, ext. 5378 rachelle.morrow@ambest.com