Kemper Affirmed

A.M. Best Co. affirmed the financial strength rating of “A-” (Excellent) of the Kemper Insurance Companies, Long Grove, Ill., with a stable outlook and removed the rating from under review with negative implications. The action applies to the group’s three pool members, led by Lumbermen’s Mutual Casualty Company and numerous reinsured affiliates.

It follows Kemper’s announcement that the sale of its personal lines business has been closed and the comprehensive strategic relationship with Berkshire Hathaway Inc., including a $125 million investment in the group’s commercial casualty and specialty insurance operations, has been finalized.

At year-end 2001, the group entered into a retroactive reinsurance agreement on its asbestos reserves, and in April 2002, it entered into two reinsurance transactions. These transactions incorporated an adverse development reinsurance cover on $3.5 billion core loss reserves and a third-party quota-share reinsurance agreement for 80 percent of some of its middle-market businesses; both of these reinsurance covers are being provided by Berkshire Hathaway.

The transactions, along with the finalization of the sale of its personal lines business and issuance of common stock for a newly formed downstream holding company to Berkshire Hathaway, have re-capitalized the group in accordance with a reduced, more focused book of business.