A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Subsidiaries of Aon Corporation; Revises Outlook to Stable.

OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of Aon Corporation's (Aon) (NYSE: AOC) (Chicago, IL) life/health operations, Combined Insurance Company of America (CICA), Combined Life Insurance Company of New York (CLICNY) (New York), Resource Life Insurance Company (Resource) and Sterling Life Insurance Company (Sterling). The rating outlook has been revised to stable from negative, except for Resource's which remains stable. A.M. Best has also affirmed the FSRs and ICRs of Aon's property/casualty operations, Virginia Surety Company, Inc. (Virginia Surety) (Chicago, IL) and FFG Insurance Company (FFG) (Texas). The outlook for these ratings is stable. All companies are domiciled in Glenview, IL, except where specified. (See below for a detailed list of the ratings.)

Over the past two years, CICA has made considerable progress in a number of key areas that had been viewed negatively by A.M. Best. These items include the reduction of riskier and less liquid assets in its invested asset portfolio, the implementation of hedge programs to reduce potential foreign currency exchange risk and the maintenance of favorable capital levels in every entity of the group. While CICA has maintained positive operating gains in the past several years, A.M. Best views future organic growth as challenging for the group, given its competitive lines of business and more costly distribution system.

While risk-adjusted capitalization continues to be favorable for CICA, Aon has resumed taking sizeable dividends from CICA. Both 2005 and recent 2006 financials show sizable dividend payments. A.M. Best remains concerned that Aon could begin to rely on its insurance operations as a large source of support in its current restructuring strategy.

The rating actions for Sterling are tied to its close organizational relationship with CICA. Sterling has seen strong revenue growth over the past two years from its established niche in the Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage markets. However, due to increased competition and the potential for regulatory changes in the Medicare market, A.M. Best will continue to monitor Sterling's ability to continue its strong growth trend while maintaining adequate capital.

The ratings of Resource reflect its strategic relationship with Virginia Surety, the group's extended warranty insurance company. Resource markets credit life and disability products.

Virginia Surety's ratings reflect its adequate capitalization, improved underwriting performance and specialty niche underwriting expertise in the extended warranty segment. These factors are offset by its poor underwriting and operating results in 2002 and 2003, the uncertainty regarding future loss reserve development, as well as the recent change in business mix with the increased emphasis on workers' compensation. These ratings also apply to FFG.

The FSRs of A (Excellent) and ICRs of "a" have been affirmed for to the following life/health subsidiaries of Aon Corporation:

--Combined Insurance Company of America

--Combined Life Insurance Company of New York

The FSR of A- (Excellent) and ICRs of "a-" have been affirmed the following property/casualty subsidiaries of Aon Corporation:

--Virginia Surety Company, Inc.

--FFG Insurance Company

The FSR of A- (Excellent) and ICR of "a-" have been affirmed for Sterling Life Insurance Company, a life/health subsidiary of Aon Corporation.

The FSR of B++ (Very Good) and ICR of "bbb" have been affirmed for Resource Life Insurance Company, a life/health subsidiary of Aon Corporation.

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.