A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of The Hanover Insurance Group Property and Casualty Companies (The Hanover) and its members. Additionally, A.M. Best has affirmed the ICR of “bbb” and all existing debt ratings of the parent holding company,The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (THG) [NYSE: THG]. The outlook for all ratings is stable. Both companies are domiciled in Worcester, MA. (Please see below for a detailed listing of the companies and ratings.)

The ratings reflect The Hanover’s excellent risk-adjusted capitalization, stemming from consistently favorable operating earnings. Despite consistent dividend payments to THG in recent years, The Hanover has been able to increase surplus over the past five years through solid net investment income, and to a lesser degree, generally favorable underwriting performance. In addition, the ratings reflect the company’s prudent risk management and diversified product offerings, especially in the commercial and specialty segments of its book of business. The ratings also recognize moderate financial leverage and the financial flexibility at THG.

Partially offsetting these positive rating factors is The Hanover’s comparatively high underwriting leverage and somewhat elevated expense structure.

Previously, A.M. Best commented that both The Hanover and THG’s ratings were unchanged following the announcement in April 2011 that THG was proposing to acquire Chaucer Holdings PLC (Chaucer) (United Kingdom) [LSE: CHU], a leading specialist insurance group and the parent of Lloyd’s Syndicates 1084 and 1176. The transaction, which is subject to the approval of regulatory bodies in the United States and United Kingdom, is expected to close during the third quarter of 2011. (Please see the A.M. Best press release dated April 20, 2011 for further details.)

The FSR of A (Excellent) and ICR of “a” have been affirmed for The Hanover Insurance Group Property and Casualty Companies and its following members:

• AIX Specialty Insurance Company
• Allmerica Financial Alliance Insurance Company
• Allmerica Financial Benefit Insurance Company
• CampMed Casualty & Indemnity Company, Inc. of Maryland
• Citizens Insurance Company of America
• Citizens Insurance Company of Ohio
• Citizens Insurance Company of the Midwest
• Citizens Insurance Company of Illinois
• The Hanover American Insurance Company
• The Hanover Insurance Company
• The Hanover Lloyd’s Insurance Company
• The Hanover New Jersey Insurance Company
• Massachusetts Bay Insurance Company
• NOVA Casualty Company
• Professionals Direct Insurance Company
• Verlan Fire Insurance Company

The following debt ratings have been affirmed:

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.—

-- “bbb” on $199.3 million 7.5% senior unsecured fixed rate notes, due 2020

-- “bbb” on $200 million 7.625% senior unsecured debentures, due 2025 (of which $121.4 million remains outstanding)

-- “bb+” on $166 million 8.207% junior subordinated deferrable debentures, due 2027 (of which $81.2 million remains outstanding)

The principal methodology used in determining these ratings is Best’s Credit Rating Methodology -- Global Life and Non-Life Insurance Edition, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best’s rating process and highlights the different rating criteria employed. Additional key criteria utilized include:

“Understanding BCAR for Property Casualty Insurers”; “Risk Management and the Rating Process for Insurance Companies”; “Catastrophe Analysis in A.M. Best Ratings”; “Rating Members of Insurance Groups”; “Catastrophe Risk Management Incorporated Within the Rating Analysis”; “Natural Catastrophe Stress Test Methodology”; “A.M. Best’s Ratings & the Treatment of Debt”; and “Equity Credit for Hybrid Securities.” Methodologies can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2011 by A.M. Best Company, Inc.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

A.M. Best Co.
Neil Das Gupta
Senior Financial Analyst
908-439-2200, ext. 5206
[email protected]
or
Gary Davis
Assistant Vice President
908-439-2200, ext. 5665
[email protected]
or
Rachelle Morrow
Senior Manager, Public Relations
908-439-2200, ext. 5378
[email protected]
or
Jim Peavy
Assistant Vice President, Public Relations
908-439-2200, ext. 5644
[email protected]

Source: A.M. Best Co.