GUARD Rating Upgraded to ‘A-‘

GUARD Insurance Group, a Wilkes-Barre, Pa.-based workers’ compensation insurer, announced that A.M. Best upgraded the ratings of it and its subsidiaries, AmGUARD, EastGUARD, and NorGUARD, to “A-” in December 2002.

A.M. Best attributed the upgrade to the company’s strong capitalization, profitable operations, and improvements in the workers’ comp market. Other considerations mentioned include GUARD’s strong, local market presence, well-managed network of producers, gradual expansion into new territories, pre-tax operating results that continue to outperform the industry for workers’ comp coverage, and conservative business principles.

GUARD Insurance Group is licensed in 26 states and the District of Columbia to write workers’ compensation coverage and provide accompanying services.