Medical Protective Lowers Texas Physician Rates for the Fifth Time.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. & DALLAS -- Medical Protective, Texas' oldest primary medical professional liability insurer, announced today it will reduce its average rates for Texas physicians by another 7.3%, effective January 1, 2008. This will be the fifth reduction in the last three years, cumulatively reducing malpractice premiums for Texas physicians by an average of over 30%. The company also intends to implement two new credits for qualifying applicants and policyholders: (1): a New-to-Company credit and (2) a Preferred Physician credit.

"We are pleased to confirm that emerging data continues to suggest moderating trends in loss costs and that we are, therefore, in a position to reduce our Texas rates yet again," said Timothy Kenesey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Medical Protective. "We pledged to monitor the impact of tort reform legislation enacted in 2003, and the data continues to suggest moderating severity and frequency of claims. While the good news for Texas healthcare providers continues, some caution also continues to be advisable: since 2003, hundreds of claims seeking multi-million dollar awards have been filed against Texas healthcare practitioners. It is thus still crucial for Texas healthcare providers to insist on an insurance company with the strongest financial ratings, the most proactive, winning defense, a clear commitment to never ask policyholders for capital contributions or special assessments, and a stable leadership team. Medical Protective - backed by Berkshire Hathaway ownership - is this company."

Kenesey added: "The most important thing an insurance company can provide its policyholders is financial security and peace of mind knowing that the company will be there 'down the road' to defend proactively and to pay claims when needed. Medical Protective has done that by serving Texas healthcare providers continuously since 1916 with disciplined underwriting and responsible pricing. Medical Protective is built to last and able to back that claim up with 'AAA' S&P and 'A++' A.M. Best ratings. Texas healthcare providers deserve nothing less than the best."

"Our more than 9,000 Texas policyholders - and over 75,000 nationwide - choose us for four reasons: strength - the highest rated medmal insurance; defense - the nation's most proactive and winning defense; solutions - the foremost continuous risk management expertise available; and our commitment to medical malpractice defense, three times longer than our nearest competitor - since 1899," added Steve Simmons, Medical Protective's Vice President of Southwest Sales. "Texas healthcare providers know that Medical Protective will be there to meet commitments today and for decades to come."

About Medical Protective

With approximately $700 million in annual premium, Medical Protective is a national leader in primary medical professional liability coverage and risk solutions for physicians, dentists, healthcare facilities and professional corporations. As the nation's first provider of medical professional liability insurance, Medical Protective has been protecting the assets and reputations of doctors and other providers of healthcare for over 100 years. Its offerings include professional liability insurance on both claims-made and occurrence forms across the healthcare spectrum, risk management consulting and education, premium finance solutions and - through affiliates and partners - additional financial products and services for its healthcare providers. Medical professional liability insurance products are underwritten by The Medical Protective Company, rated AAA (Extremely Strong) by Standard & Poor's and A++ (Superior) by A.M. Best, and are distributed through a nationwide network of employee sales managers and appointed agents. Medical Protective is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of businesses. More information about Medical Protective is available at www.medpro.com.