Press Releases - January 2009

Avemco® recognized by A.M. Best's Anniversary BestMark Program

Frederick, MD - (January, 2009)

Avemco Insurance Company has earned prestigious recognition in the Anniversary BestMark Program by the A.M. Best Company.

This newly-launched program was created to distinguish insurance companies with at least a 25 year history of being rated "A" or higher. According to A.M. Best, these companies have continuously maintained an "excellent" ability to meet their ongoing obligations. Best's Ratings are widely accepted as the benchmark for assessing the financial strength of insurance-related organizations.

In fact, Avemco Insurance Company has actually earned the more elevated rating of "A+" from A.M. Best, the international insurance-rating agency for more than 25 consecutive years.

"We're honored to receive this recognition from such a well-respected organization," remarked Avemco President Jim Lauerman. "It's a tribute to our disciplined approach to doing business. For nearly half a century we've worked hard to provide coverage and protection pilots can count on. In fact, even now during these challenging economic times, our A.M. Best rating remains A+."

Avemco Insurance Company, a leading pleasure and business general aviation insurer in the United States, has been insuring planes and pilots since 1961. Headquartered in Frederick, Maryland, Avemco is rated A+ (Superior) by A. M. Best Company and AA (Very Strong) by Standard & Poor's. Avemco is a subsidiary of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HCC) a leading international specialty insurance group with assets of more than $8.4 billion.