A.M. Best Upgrades Credit Ratings of Mount Vernon Specialty Insurance Company and Radnor Specialty Insurance Company; Affirms Credit Ratings of United States Liability Insurance Company

A.M. Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to A++ (Superior) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) to aa+ from a- of Mount Vernon Specialty Insurance Company and Radnor Specialty Insurance Company (both domiciled in Omaha, NE), strategic affiliates of United States Liability Insurance Company (USLI) (Wayne, PA) that are branded as Devon Park Specialty. Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed the FSR of A++ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICRs of “aa+” of USLI and its subsidiaries: Mount Vernon Fire Insurance Company (MVF) (Wayne, PA) and U.S. Underwriters Insurance Company (USU) (Bismarck, ND). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings of the insurance operating companies reflect their superior risk-adjusted capital position, extended trends of underwriting and operating profitability, very strong market presence and conservative reserve positions. Additional favorable factors include a proactive claims management philosophy, exceptional diversification in their book of business as it regards limiting concentrations, commitment to customer service, and extensive employee training and retention programs that translate into a culture of success.

Furthermore, these ratings continue to benefit from implicit and explicit support provided to USLI and its subsidiaries by their ultimate parent, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) [NYSE: BRK.A and BRK.B].

This support, for some of the operating companies, is in the form of significant reinsurance treaties with National Indemnity Company, a Berkshire subsidiary. In addition to this agreement, Berkshire has established an extended track record of supporting its member companies.

These positive rating factors are partially offset by the above average investment leverage recorded by the group. A.M. Best also continues to monitor the organizational structure and market changes implemented at USLI as it regards the Devon Park Specialty branded companies.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best’s Credit Ratings.

A.M. Best is the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

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