A.M. Best Assigns Issuer Credit Rating to Westward Insurance Company

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Tue May 20, 2008 9:31am EDT 

OLDWICK, N.J.--(Business Wire)--
A.M. Best Co. has assigned an issuer credit rating of "bbb-" and
affirmed the financial strength rating of B+ (Good) of Westward
Insurance Company (Westward) (Newport Beach, CA). The outlook assigned
to the ICR is stable, and the outlook for the FSR is stable.

   The ratings reflect Westward's sound capitalization and liquidity
and favorable investment returns. The company's business was generated
by affiliated auto dealerships, the last two of which were sold in
2004 and are presently in run off. The company's parent, Westward Life
Insurance Company (Arizona), a life insurance company with the same
ratings, also was placed in run off in 2005.

   For Best's Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating
methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings.

   Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit
rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care
service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals
and health care system providers. For more information, visit
www.ambest.com.

A.M. Best Co.
Analysts
Thomas Herriger
908-439-2200, ext. 5375
thomas.herriger@ambest.com
or
Steven Chirico
908-439-2200, ext. 5087
steven.chirico@ambest.com
or
Public Relations
Jim Peavy
908-439-2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com
or
Rachelle Morrow
908-439-2200,ext. 5378
rachelle.morrow@ambest.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008
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