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Non-Tech : White Mountains Ins. Grp. (WTM) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Doug (Htfd,CT) who wrote (1)	8/24/2006 4:59:05 PM
From: Peter Dierks	Respond to of 3

A.M. Best Downgrades Rating of Sirius America Insurance Company; Removes Rating from under Review OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 24, 2006-- A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to A- (Excellent) from A (Excellent) of Sirius America Insurance Company (Sirius America) (New York). The rating has been removed from under review and assigned a stable outlook. This rating action follows the August 3, 2006 completion of the acquisition by Lightyear Capital of a majority equity stake in Sirius America from White Mountains Insurance Group (White Mountains) (NYSE: WTM) (New York). As part of the transaction, White Mountains will maintain a significant equity investment in Sirius America. Also effective August 3, Sirius America received regulatory approval to be renamed Delos Insurance Company. The rating reflects A.M. Best's opinion as to the current stand-alone financial strength of Sirius America, removing any rating enhancement previously obtained from White Mountains. The rating also reflects Sirius America's sound business plan and the excellent track record of its management team in running its profitable insurance operations. A.M. Best will closely monitor Sirius America's premium growth and loss experience to ensure that capitalization remains supportive of the rating and will maintain close scrutiny over operating results to ensure that rating expectations are achieved. For Best's Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings. A.M. Best Co., established in 1899, is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit A.M. Best's Web site at www.ambest.com. Source: A.M. Best Co. News Provided by Acquire Media Corporation