A.M. Best Places Ratings of Omni Insurance Group Under Review.

OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has placed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of "a-" of Omni Insurance Group, Inc. (Atlanta, GA) under review with negative implications. Omni Insurance Group consists of Omni Insurance Company and Omni Indemnity Company.

These rating actions follow the July 19, 2006 announcement that The Hartford Financial Services Group (The Hartford) (Hartford, CT) (NYSE: HIG) and Independent Insurance Investments, Inc. (Conshohocken, PA) have entered into a definitive agreement whereby The Hartford intends to sell Omni Insurance Group to Independent Insurance Investments, Inc. The transaction is expected to close by fourth quarter 2006.

A.M. Best expects that should this transaction close, the FSRs and ICRs of Omni Insurance Group will likely be downgraded to a level commensurate with the insurance operations of Independent Insurance Investments, Inc., which are currently rated B+ (Very Good) and "bbb-". Any rating action will be conducted after A.M. Best meets with the new management and assesses the financial and operational positions of Omni Insurance Group after the transaction closes.

The A+ FSR and "aa-" ICR of the Hartford Insurance Pool are unchanged as are all the other ratings assigned to The Hartford.

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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.