A.M. Best Upholds 'Excellent' Rating Of CAP-MPT.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers/Insurance Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 2003

The A.M. Best Company has upheld its rating of "A" (Excellent) to the Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc.-Mutual Protection Trust (CAP-MPT), a provider of medical professional liability protection for more than 7,000 California physicians.

This is the fourth year in a row that CAP-MPT has received an "A" mark from A.M. Best, the world's premier rating agency.

According to A.M. Best, "MPT has responded to the hardening market conditions by maintaining focus on preferred physicians and further enhancing its underwriting practices."

CAP-MPT's rating "also reflects the rigorous underwriting and claim management practices of MPT through its peer review panels staffed by member physicians. This has led to loss experience that is more favorable than other medical malpractice insurance writers."

The rating agency recognized "MPT's comprehensive risk management practices with visits to all members every four years and to new members within the first year of being covered, as well as attendance at CME accredited risk management course."

Furthermore, A.M. Best noted that membership in CAP-MPT continues to increase and membership retention is very high. Net membership increased 17.2 percent in 2002 and CAP-MPT now provides coverage to more than 10 percent of all California physicians. In spite of a nationwide downturn in the medical professional liability industry, CAP-MPT is among the most successful physician-owned medical liability companies in the U.S.