AM Best Company* affirmed The Mutual's financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and its issuer credit rating stable "a."

Best's rationale was based on The Mutual's excellent balance sheet strength, its long term underwriting stability and operating profitability.  Best recognized The Mutual's core specialty focus, its close strategic alignment with its insureds, aggressive defense of non-meritorious claims, strict underwriting guidelines, low expense structure, high level of customer service, active and comprehensive patient safety strategies and insurance solutions.

*AM Best Company is a U.S. based rating agency that focuses on the insurance industry.  Both the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners have designated AM Best as a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization ("NRSRO") in the United States.  Unlike other NRSROs like Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch Ratings, whose ratings focus on the business sector, AM Best historically has focused exclusively on the insurance marketplace, measuring insurance companies' ability to pay claims.