A.M. Best Affirms Orion Capital Pool Members, Removes Ratings From Under Review.

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 1999--

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the A (Excellent) rating of Orion Capital Cos.' intercompany pool members and removed the rating from under review. Other Orion ratings also were affirmed and removed from under review, including members of the OrionAuto Group at A and Viking Group at A- (Excellent).

The action followed the Nov. 16, 1999 announcement that Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group plc, London, had completed the acquisition and merger of Orion Capital Corp. into a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Royal & SunAlliance USA Insurance Group. Orion maintains historically strong performance, a leadership position in certain specialty segments and adequate liquidity. Immediate plans are for Orion to operate outside of the Royal & SunAlliance USA Insurance Group pool.

This transaction effectively doubles the size of Royal & SunAlliance USA, with combined 1998 net written premium of $3 billion, placing the organization among the leading U.S. property and casualty insurers and among the largest U.S. commercial insurance carriers. The addition of Orion's specialty franchises in workers' compensation, professional liability and nonstandard automobile insurance create a more diversified product line. -0-

     The following members of the Orion Capital's intercompany pool
had their A ratings affirmed and removed from under review:

     -    Connecticut Indemnity Co.
     -    Connecticut Specialty Insurance Co.
     -    Design Professionals Insurance Co.
     -    EBI Indemnity Co.
     -    Employee Benefits Insurance Co.
     -    Fire & Casualty Insurance Company of Connecticut
     -    Orion Insurance Co.
     -    Security Insurance Company of Hartford.

     The following members of the OrionAuto Group had their A ratings
affirmed and removed from under review:

     -    Atlantic Indemnity Co.
     -    Atlantic Security Insurance Co.
     -    Guaranty National Insurance Co.
     -    Guaranty National Insurance Company of California
     -    Landmark American Insurance Co.
     -    Peak Property & Casualty Insurance Corp.
     -    Unisun Insurance Co.

     The following members of the Viking Group had their A- ratings
affirmed and removed from under review:

     -    Viking County Mutual Insurance Co.
     -    Viking Insurance Company of Wisconsin

In addition, the A- rating for Grocers Insurance Co. was affirmed and removed from under review.

Royal & SunAlliance USA is part of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group plc, headquartered in London. Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group plc operates in over 55 countries and transacts business in over 130 countries. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and has a Level 1 American depositary receipt program.

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.