2009-11-09 22:39:04 -

A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to A- (Excellent) from B++ (Good) and issuer credit rating to “a-” from “bbb+” of Kodiak Insurance Company (Kodiak) (West Trenton, NJ). The outlook for both ratings has been revised to stable from positive.

These rating actions reflect the explicit support provided by an affiliate, Preserver Insurance Company (Preserver) (Paramus, NJ), in the form of a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement. Both Kodiak and Preserver are ultimately owned by Tower Group, Inc. (headquartered in New York) [NASDAQ: TWGP].

For Best’s Credit Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .. .

The principal methodologies used in determining these ratings, including any additional methodologies and factors that

may have been considered, can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .. .



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 : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .. .



A.M. Best Co.Analysts:Duncan McColl,

908-439-2200, ext. 5826 duncan.mccoll@ambest.com : mailto:duncan.mccoll@ambest.com orJoseph
Roethel, 908-439-2200, ext. 5630 joseph.roethel@ambest.com : mailto:joseph.roethel@ambest.com orPublic
Relations:Jim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. 5644 james.peavy@ambest.com : mailto:james.peavy@ambest.com orRachelle
Morrow, 908-439-2200, ext. 5378 rachelle.morrow@ambest.com : mailto:rachelle.morrow@ambest.com