Wires

TEXT-Fitch affirms the Doctors Company Group's ratings

(The following statement was released by the rating agency)

Oct 9 - Fitch Ratings has affirmed the 'A' Insurer Financial Strength (IFS)ratings on The Doctor's Company, an Inter-Insurance Exchange (Doctors) and itswholly owned insurance subsidiaries (see list below), collectively referred toas The Doctors Company Group (TDC). The Rating Outlook for all ratings isStable.

TDC's ratings are based on above-average underwriting performance andprofitability relative to medical professional liability insurance (MPLI) peers,favorable loss reserve levels, strong statutory capital position, and anexperienced management team that employs a conservative operating strategy thatis focused on long-term underwriting profitability.

The rating also considers that TDC is a mono-line insurer operating in one ofthe more volatile segments of the property/casualty insurance industry. Marketconditions in the last decade were favorably affected by legislative reforms, adrop in claims frequency, and market exits from underperforming competitors.While Fitch does not anticipate a precipitous drop in underwriting results forthe MPLI industry, near-term softening of rates will promote downward pressureon profitability.

Fitch notes that while TDC's acquisition of FPIC last year is still recent, theintegration efforts to date have not encountered any significant issues. TheFPIC acquisition will give TDC an opportunity to better compete primarily inFlorida and Texas.

TDC reported a statutory calendar year and accident year combined ratio of103.1% and 103.3% respectively for first half 2012 compared to full year 2011calendar and accident year combined ratios were 87.7% and 106.4% respectively.

Fitch notes that TDC's calendar year underwriting results have been influencedby sizeable favorable reserve development for several years and thus analyzesunderwriting results more so on an accident year basis to reduce the influenceof reserve development when looking at profitability.

Within Fitch's rating rationale are multiple rating triggers. If TDC were tomaterially deviate from any of these items, especially for an extended period,the ratings could be affected.

Fitch believes that a ratings upgrade in the near term is less likely given thecompany's narrow product focus in a highly volatile line of business.

The following is a list of triggers that could lead to a downgrade:

-- An increase in the company's operating leverage, as defined by net writtenpremiums to policyholder surplus, of 1.0x or higher.

--Material adverse reserve development.

--Failure to maintain pricing discipline in a softening rate environment.

Fitch has affirmed the 'A' IFS ratings of the following TDC insurancesubsidiaries with a Stable Outlook:

-- Doctors Company, An Interinsurance Exchange;

--Professional Underwriters Liability Insurance Company (PULIC);

--Underwriter for the Professions Insurance Company (UPIC);

--OHIC Insurance Company (OHIC);

--SCPIE Indemnity Company

--American Physicians Capital Inc

--First Professional Insurance Company

--Anesthesiologists Professional Assurance Company

--Intermed Insurance Company

--Advocate MD Insurance of the Southwest, Inc.

Additional information is available at '

'. The ratingsabove were solicited by, or on behalf of, the issuer, and therefore, Fitch hasbeen compensated for the provision of the ratings.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

--'Insurance Rating Methodology' (Sept. 19, 2012);

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

Insurance Rating Methodology(New York Ratings Team)

((e-mail: pam.niimi@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging:pam.niimi.reuters.com@reuters.net; Tel:1-646-223-6330;))