Mutual Protection Trust Earns Third A+ Rating From A.M. Best

LOS ANGELES, May 30 The Cooperative of AmericanPhysicians, Inc. (CAP) today announced that the exceptional financial strengthof its core product, Mutual Protection Trust (MPT), has again earned an A+rating from A.M. Best Company, a worldwide rating and information agency.This marks the third consecutive year that MPT has achieved this rating.

"We are pleased and proud to have earned an A+ Rating again this year,"said CEO James L. Weidner. "It validates the hard work and dedication of ourphysician members, our underwriting process, our risk management and patientsafety program, and our entire staff."

According to A.M. Best, the rating not only reflects MPT's financialstrength, but also recognizes "the benefits from its unique business model,selective and rigorous peer review process, and strong member retention. Incontrast to traditional insurance, MPT pre-funds its expected losses andexpenses each year via member assessments. Over the years, MPT's track recordin managing these assessments has been excellent -- reporting pre-tax incomein each of the last ten years and no unanticipated assessment since 1985.Unlike traditional insurers, MPT's results have not been affected by adversereserve development. This is further testament to MPT's assessment process."

In fact, MPT prices have decreased in each of the last three years.Looking further, over the past 10 years, MPT's annual assessment has increasedan average of just 1.0 percent, meaning members pay virtually the same todayas they did 10 years ago. As an unincorporated interindemnity arrangement, MPToperates pursuant to Section 1280.7 of the California Insurance Code and isgoverned by a seven-physician board of trustees.

About CAP

The Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc. was established in 1975 byCalifornia physicians who wanted to manage the escalating cost of medicalprofessional liability coverage. In 1977, CAP launched the Mutual ProtectionTrust which today is recognized as the leading medical professional liabilityprovider in California. Based in Los Angeles, CAP has offices in San Diego,Orange, Sacramento, and Mountain View, California.

James L. Weidner, CEO

A graduate of St. Joseph's College in Indiana, and an alumnus of theStanford Executive Program, he is a board member of the Physician InsuranceAssociation of America, the Insurance Education Association, and serves on theInsurance Council for City of Hope.

SOURCE Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc.