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Exhibit 2.1 / LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
Fourth Floor
1 South Pinckney Street
P.O. Box 927
Madison, WI 53701-0927
Phone o (608) 257-9521
Fax o (608) 283-1709
Jon C. Nordenberg
Direct Dial Number o (608) 283-1739
jnordenberg@boardmanlawfirm.com
December 21, 2005
MESSENGER DELIVERY
------------------
Commissioner Jorge Gomez
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
State of Wisconsin
125 S. Webster Street
Madison, WI 53702
Re: Form A Filing Regarding the Acquisition of Control of
Physicians Insurance Company of Wisconsin, Inc.
by ProAssurance Corporation
Dear Commissioner Gomez:
ProAssurance Corporation ("ProAssurance") seeks the prior approval of the
Commissioner of Insurance for the State of Wisconsin for the acquisition of
control of Physicians Insurance Company of Wisconsin, Inc. ("PIC-Wisconsin")
according to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger between ProAssurance
and PIC-Wisconsin.
Pursuant to Section 611.72 of the Wisconsin Statutes and Chapter INS 40 of the
Wisconsin Administrative Code, I am enclosing the original and a copy of
ProAssurance's Form A Statement Regarding the Acquisition of Control of or
Merger with a Domestic Insurer.
Very truly yours,
Boardman, Suhr, Curry & Field LLP
By /s/ Jon C. Nordenberg
Jon C. Nordenberg
JCN/jmc
Enclosures
cc: Victor T. Adamo, Esq., CPCU
Jeffrey B. Bartell, Esq.
William J. Toman, Esq.
1
<PAGE>
FORM A
STATEMENT REGARDING THE ACQUISITION OF CONTROL OF
OR MERGER WITH A DOMESTIC INSURER
Filed with the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
State of Wisconsin
PHYSICIANS INSURANCE COMPANY OF WISCONSIN, INC.
BY
PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
Filed with the insurance department of Wisconsin
Dated: December 21, 2005
Name, Title, Address and Telephone Number of Individual to Whom Notices and
Correspondence Concerning This Statement Should Be Addressed:
Victor T. Adamo, Esq, CPCU William T. Montei
President President
ProAssurance Corporation Physicians Insurance
100 Brookwood Place, Suite 300 Company of Wisconsin, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama 35209 1002 Deming Way
(205)877-4470 Madison, Wisconsin 53717
(608) 831-8331
with copies to:
Jon C. Nordenberg Jeffrey B. Bartell
Boardman Suhr Curry & Field LLP William J. Toman
One South Pinkney Street, 4th Floor Quarles & Brady LLP
P.O. Box 927 One South Pinckney St., Suite 600
Madison, Wisconsin 53701 Madison, Wisconsin 53703
(608) 257-9521 (608) 251-5000
and
Jack P. Stephenson
Burr & Forman LLP
3100 Southtrust Tower
420 North 20th Street
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
(205) 458-5201
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
ITEM 1. INSURER AND METHOD OF ACQUISITION
Name and Address State of Domicile
---------------- -----------------
Physicians Insurance Company of Wisconsin, Inc. Wisconsin
1002 Deming Way
Madison, Wisconsin 53717
The following stock insurer is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Physicians
Insurance Company of Wisconsin, Inc. ("PIC-Wisconsin") and its state of domicile
is set forth opposite the name below:
Name and Address State of Domicile
---------------- -----------------
Century American Insurance Company ("CAIC") Tennessee
CAIC is currently subject to a Form A proceeding in Tennessee and is expected to
be sold prior to the consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Merger
Agreement (as defined below).
ProAssurance Corporation ("ProAssurance") proposes to acquire control of
PIC-Wisconsin through the acquisition of all the outstanding shares of the Class
A common stock of PIC-Wisconsin pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated December 8, 2005, ("Merger Agreement"), a copy of which is attached as
Exhibit A.
The terms of this transaction are set forth in the Merger Agreement between
ProAssurance and PIC-Wisconsin. The obligation of ProAssurance and PIC-Wisconsin
to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement is
conditioned upon prior approval of this Form A filing or other required
approvals by the Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner. See Section 8.1(d)(iv) of the
Merger Agreement, Exhibit A. Subject to all regulatory and shareholder approvals
required, the transaction may close as early as mid-2006.
ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND OF THE APPLICANT
(a) Name and Address of Applicant: State of Incorporation
----------------------------- ----------------------
ProAssurance Corporation Delaware
100 Brookwood Place, Suite 300
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
(205)877-4400
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
(b) Nature of ProAssurance's Business:
---------------------------------
ProAssurance was incorporated in Delaware to serve as the holding company
for Medical Assurance, Inc. in connection with its acquisition of
Professionals Group, Inc. in 2001. It is a publicly traded company that is
listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "PRA." As a publicly
traded company, ProAssurance has complied with all of the Sarbanes Oxley
and New York Stock Exchange corporate governance requirements.
ProAssurance is a holding company for specialty property and casualty
insurance companies focused on the professional liability and the personal
lines insurance markets. Its operating subsidiaries are The Medical
Assurance Company, Inc. ("TMAC"), ProNational Insurance Company, NCRIC,
Inc., Red Mountain Casualty Insurance Company, Inc., Woodbrook Casualty
Insurance, Inc. and MEEMIC Insurance Company. In addition, ProAssurance
owns the attorney-in-fact for American Medical Insurance Exchange ("AMIE");
an Indiana domiciled insurance reciprocal which is currently dormant. On
November 7, 2005 ProAssurance announced that it had entered into an
agreement to sell its personal lines operations, including MEEMIC Insurance
Company.
ProAssurance is the successor to 12 insurance organizations through its
three predecessor insurance holding company subsidiaries, Medical
Assurance, Inc., Professionals Group, Inc. and NCRIC Group, Inc. Its
predecessor company, Medical Assurance was founded by physicians as a
mutual company in Alabama and began operations in 1977. Medical Assurance
demutualized and became a public company in 1991. Medical Assurance
expanded through internal growth and the acquisition of professional
liability insurance companies with strong regional identities in West
Virginia, Indiana and Missouri, along with books of business in Ohio and
Missouri.
Professionals Group traces its roots to the Brown-McNeely Fund, which was
founded by the State of Michigan in 1975 to provide medical professional
liability insurance to physicians. Physicians Insurance Company of
Michigan, which ultimately became ProNational, was founded in 1980 to
assume the business of the Fund. That company also expanded through
internal growth and the acquisition of books of business in Illinois and
Indiana and the acquisition of a professionals liability insurer in
Florida.
Most recently, earlier this year, ProAssurance acquired NCRIC Group, Inc.
the holding company for NCRIC, Inc., a stock insurance company domiciled in
the District of Columbia, which has a regional presence in the District of
Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.
In each acquisition, ProAssurance has retained key personnel, allowing it
to maintain a local presence and preserve the important institutional
knowledge in claims management and underwriting. ProAssurance believes that
this ability to utilize local knowledge in claims and underwriting is a
critical factor in the operation of its companies. The successful
integration of each organization demonstrates ProAssurance's success and
commitment to the marketplace where it does business.
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
ProAssurance has a regional orientation, applying a focused underwriting
strategy to local markets where it has built a strong reputation among our
customers and producers. Our professional liability business is
concentrated in the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic and serves
physicians, dentists, other healthcare providers and healthcare facilities.
ProAssurance is the fourth largest active writer of medical professional
liability insurance in the United States based on 2004 data.
By concentrating on the health care professional liability market where
customers have specialized needs, ProAssurance seeks to provide value added
solutions through its underwriting expertise and its emphasis on strong
customer service and claims defense. ProAssurance's regional presence
allows it to maintain active relationships with its customers and be more
responsive to their needs. ProAssurance seeks to maintain a strong
financial position to protect its customers.
The following sections deal primarily with the professional liability
segment of ProAssurance Group of which PIC-Wisconsin will be a part.
Underwriting
------------
ProAssurance's underwriting process is driven by risk selection and its
pricing decisions are focused on achieving rate adequacy. ProAssurance
assesses the quality and pricing of the risk, primarily emphasizing loss
history, practice specialty and location of practice in making underwriting
decisions. ProAssurance's underwriters work closely with its local claims
departments. This includes consulting with staff about claims histories and
patterns of practice in a particular locale as well as monitoring claims
activity.
ProAssurance has six regional underwriting offices located in Alabama, the
District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Michigan and Missouri.
Its underwriting department is assisted by ProAssurance's local medical
advisory committees that have been established in each of these and other
key states. These committees are comprised of local physicians, dentists
and representatives of hospitals and healthcare entities and help
ProAssurance maintain close ties to the medical communities, provide
information on the practice of medicine in each state and provide guidance
on critical underwriting and claims issues.
Claims
------
ProAssurance has claims offices throughout the states in which it writes
business in order to provide localized and timely attention to claims. Its
claims department investigates the circumstances surrounding a medical
incident from which a covered claim arises against an insured. Upon
investigation and in consultation with the insured and appropriate experts,
ProAssurance evaluates the merits of the claim and either seeks reasonable
settlement or aggressively defends the claim. If the claim is defended, the
claims department manages the case, including selecting defense attorneys
who specialize in medical liability cases, planning the defense and
obtaining medical and/or other professional experts to assist in the
analysis and defense of the claim.
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
ProAssurance's claims department establishes the appropriate case reserves
for each claim and monitors the level of case reserves as circumstances
require.
The department also decides when and if to settle all but the most
significant claims, which are reviewed by an internal committee made up of
ProAssurance's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Claims
Officer and its outside legal counsel. In each of the states where
ProAssurance operates, ProAssurance meets regularly with its local medical
advisory committee to examine claims, identify potentially problematic
practice patterns and make recommendations to our staff.
ProAssurance aggressively defends claims that are believed to have no merit
or those which ProAssurance cannot reasonably settle. As a result, many
claims are litigated to a jury verdict, and ProAssurance engages
experienced trial attorneys in each venue to defend its insured in the
litigation.
Marketing
---------
ProAssurance companies primarily write insurance in the Midwest, Southeast
and Mid-Atlantic, and one or more subsidiaries are licensed to do business
in every state except Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and
Vermont.
ProAssurance utilizes direct marketing and independent agents to write
business. In Alabama, it relies solely on direct marketing and in the
District of Columbia, Florida and Missouri, direct marketing accounts for a
majority of its business. ProAssurance utilizes independent agents to
market its professional liability insurance products in other states.
ProAssurance focuses its marketing efforts on physicians. However,
ProAssurance also insures large groups, hospitals, and other healthcare
facilities. ProAssurance's marketing efforts differentiate its professional
liability insurance products by emphasizing:
o excellent claims service,
o the sponsorship of risk management education seminars as an
accredited provider of continuing medical education,
o risk management consultation, loss prevention seminars and other
educational programs, o legislative oversight and active support
of proposed legislation we believe will have a positive effect on
liability issues affecting the healthcare industry,
o the preparation and dissemination of newsletters and other
printed material with information of interest to the healthcare
industry, and
o endorsements by, and attendance at meetings of, the state and
local medical societies and related organizations.
These communications and services have helped us gain exposure among
potential insureds and demonstrate ProAssurance's understanding of the
insurance needs of the healthcare industry and promote a commonality of
interest among ProAssurance and its insureds.
5
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
Products and Services
---------------------
ProAssurance generates the majority of its premiums from professional
liability insurance for providers of medical and other healthcare services.
ProAssurance also offers professional liability insurance for providers of
legal services, and professional office package and workers' compensation
insurance products in connection with its professional liability products.
ProAssurance writes primarily claims-made coverage.
In October 2002, ProAssurance started offering professional liability
insurance on an excess and surplus lines basis to medical and other
healthcare professionals who generally do not qualify for standard coverage
because of their claim history or other factors. Red Mountain Casualty
Insurance Company, Inc. ("Red Mountain") is the main subsidiary in which
this business is written and provides ProAssurance with opportunities to
expand its business while offering alternatives to physicians and other
risks who are unable to secure coverage in the admitted market.
Reinsurance
-----------
In accordance with industry practice, ProAssurance reinsures professional
liability risks under treaties pursuant to which the reinsurer agrees to
assume all or a portion of all risks that it insures above ProAssurance's
individual risk retention of $1 million per claim, up to the maximum
individual limit offered (currently $16 million). Historically, per claim
retention levels have varied between the first $200,000 and the first $2
million depending on the coverage year and the state in which business was
written. Periodically, ProAssurance will provide insurance to policyholders
above the maximum limits of its reinsurance treaties. In those situations,
ProAssurance reinsures the excess risk above the limits of our reinsurance
treaties on a facultative basis, whereby the reinsurer agrees to insure a
particular risk up to a designated limit.
(c) Organizational Chart:
--------------------
Please see the attached organizational chart. Exhibit B.
ITEM 3. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND OF INDIVIDUALS ASSOCIATED WITH APPLICANT
Board of Directors of ProAssurance
Set forth below are the names and addresses of the current directors and
executive officers of ProAssurance and a brief description of their principal
occupations and employment during the last five (5) years. None of the directors
or executive officers of ProAssurance has ever been convicted in a criminal
proceeding (excluding traffic violations not involving death or injury) during
the last 10 years.
ProAssurance is a publicly traded company. According to the latest reports filed
with the SEC, there are no owners of 10% or more of the voting securities of
ProAssurance.
6
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
The current directors and executive officers can be contacted at 100 Brookwood
Place, Birmingham, Alabama 35209.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS A. DERRILL CROWE, M.D. - Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of ProAssurance. Member of ProAssurance board since June, 2001. See
Dr. Crowe's biographical statement under the heading "Executive Officers"
in this Item 4.
VICTOR T. ADAMO, ESQ., CPCU - Vice Chairman and President of ProAssurance.
Member of ProAssurance board since June, 2001. See Mr. Adamo's biographical
statement under the heading "Executive Officers" in this Item 4.
LUCIAN F. BLOODWORTH - Member of ProAssurance board since August, 2002. Mr.
Bloodworth is currently the Chairman of Cain Manufacturing, a Birmingham,
Alabama based firm. He has held several positions at Cain Manufacturing,
including President, Director and Chairman since 1988. Mr. Bloodworth is a
director of National Bank of Commerce of Birmingham, Alabama and served as
its Executive Vice President from 1983 to 1987. Mr. Bloodworth has been a
fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of
Actuaries.
PAUL R. BUTRUS - Vice Chairman. Member of ProAssurance board since June,
2001. See Mr. Butrus's biographical statement under the heading "Executive
Officers" in this Item 4.
ROBERT E. FLOWERS, M.D. - Member of ProAssurance board since June, 2001.
Dr. Flowers has served on the board of directors of Medical Assurance since
its formation on February 8, 1995 and as a director of TMAC from 1985 to
2000. He practiced as a physician with Gynecology Associates of Dothan,
P.C., Dothan, Alabama, prior to his retirement in 2001.
JOHN J. MCMAHON, JR. - Member of ProAssurance board since February, 2002.
Mr. McMahon has served as the Chairman of Ligon Industries, LLC and
Chairman of the Executive Committee of McWane, Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama
since 1999. Prior to that time, Mr. McMahon served as Chairman of the Board
of McWane, Inc. He also serves as a director of John H. Harland Co.,
Protective Life Corporation, and Alabama National BanCorporation.
JOHN P. NORTH, JR. - Member of ProAssurance board since June, 2001. Mr.
North has served on the board of directors of Medical Assurance since June
of 1996. He is a certified public accountant who was a partner of the
accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand LLP until his retirement in September
1995.
ANN F. PUTALLAZ, Ph.D., - Member of ProAssurance board since June, 2001.
Ms. Putallaz served as a director of Professionals Group, Inc. since 1996
and its Vice Chairman since 1999. For the past five years, Ms. Putallaz has
been the Vice President and Director of Marketing Information Services of
Munder Capital Management, an investment advisor to The Munder Funds, an
open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
WILLIAM H. WOODHAMS, M.D., Westside Family Medical Center, P.C. Member of
the ProAssurance Board since 2001. Dr. Woodhams had served as a director of
Professionals Group (since 1996) and its Chairman (since 1999) and a
director of ProNational Insurance Company since 1980. Dr. Woodhams is a
board certified family practice physician and has been in private practice
in Kalamazoo, Michigan since 1964.
WILFRED W. YEARGAN, JR.,M.D., Member of the ProAssurance Board since 2003.
Dr. Yeargan has practiced medicine in private practice in Tuscaloosa,
Alabama, specializing in ophthalmology for over thirty years. Dr. Yeargan
has participated as a member of the underwriting and claims advisory
committees of The Medical Assurance Company, Inc. since it began operations
in 1977.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
VICTOR T. ADAMO - Mr. Adamo has served as a director and as Vice Chairman
of the Board and President of ProAssurance since it began operations in June
2001. Mr. Adamo served as a director and President and Chief Executive Officer
of Professionals Group (since 1996), Mr. Adamo has served as a director of
ProNational Insurance Company since 1990 and its Chief Executive Officer from
1987 to October 1, 2005. He has been a director of MEEMIC Holdings, Inc. since
October 1998 and is also chairman and a director of MEEMIC Insurance Company.
Mr. Adamo also serves as a director of TMAC, NCRIC, Inc., ("NCRIC"), Woodbrook
Casualty Insurance, Inc. and Red Mountain Casualty Insurance Company, Inc. ("Red
Mountain"). Prior to joining ProNational, Mr. Adamo was in private legal
practice from 1975 to 1985. Mr. Adamo also holds positions as an officer and
director of various direct and indirect subsidiaries of ProAssurance.
A. DERRILL CROWE, M.D. - Dr. Crowe has served as a director and as Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of ProAssurance since it began
operations in June 2001. Dr. Crowe has served as a director and Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Medical Assurance, Inc. since its
organization in 1995 and as President and Chief Executive Officer and a director
of The Medical Assurance Company, Inc. (formerly Mutual Assurance, Inc.) since
its first operations in 1977 until October 1, 2005. Dr. Crowe has also been
Chairman and a director of MEEMIC Holdings, Inc. and a director of MEEMIC
Insurance Company since 2001. Dr. Crowe is the President and a director of
Woodbrook Casualty Insurance, Inc., (f/k/a Medical Assurance of West Virginia,
Inc. ("Woodbrook") and is a director of ProNational, NCRIC, and Red Mountain.
Dr. Crowe also holds positions as an officer and director of various direct and
indirect subsidiaries of ProAssurance.
PAUL R. BUTRUS - Mr. Butrus has served as a director of ProAssurance since
it began operations in June 2001 and was appointed its Vice Chairman in
September 2001. Prior to that time, Mr. Butrus was a director and Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer of Medical Assurance, Inc. (since 1995).
Mr. Butrus has held various positions with TMAC since 1977. Mr. Butrus is Vice
President and a director of Woodbrook and serves as a director of ProNational,
NCRIC and Red Mountain. Mr. Butrus also holds positions as an officer and
director of various direct and indirect subsidiaries of ProAssurance.
8
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
HOWARD H. FRIEDMAN - Mr. Friedman has served as Secretary of ProAssurance
since it began operations in 2001. From 2001 until April 1, 2005, Mr. Friedman
also served as Chief Financial Officer of ProAssurance and beginning on April 1,
2005, Mr. Friedman has served as Chief Underwriting Officer of ProAssurance. Mr.
Friedman has served in a number of positions for TMAC since 1996, and as of
October 1, 2005, has served as President of TMAC. Effective October 1, 2005, Mr.
Friedman was also elected President of NCRIC, Inc. and Red Mountain. He also
serves as a director of TMAC, ProNational and Woodbrook and holds positions as
an officer and director of various direct and indirect subsidiaries of
ProAssurance. Mr. Friedman is an Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society.
JAMES J. MORELLO - Mr. Morello has served as Senior Vice President, Chief
Accounting Officer and Treasurer of ProAssurance since June 2001. Mr. Morello
has been Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Medical Assurance, Inc. since is
formation in February of 1995. Mr. Morello has been employed as Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer of TMAC since 1984. He also serves as Treasurer of
ProNational and Red Mountain and serves as Treasurer and a director of
Woodbrook. Mr. Morello also holds positions as an officer and director of
various direct and indirect subsidiaries of ProAssurance. Mr. Morello is a
certified public accountant.
FRANK B. O'NEIL - Mr. O'Neil has served as Senior Vice President and
Investor Relations since September 2001. Mr. O'Neil has been Senior Vice
President of Corporate Communications for Medical Assurance, Inc. since 1997 and
employed by TMAC and its subsidiaries since 1987.
EDWARD L. RAND, JR. - Mr. Rand was appointed Senior Vice President of
Finance in November, 2004 and was named Chief Financial Officer of ProAssurance
on April 1, 2005. Prior to joining ProAssurance, Mr. Rand was Head of Corporate
Finance at PartnerRe, Ltd. from 2001 until September, 2004. Prior to that
position, Mr. Rand was Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Atlantic
American Corporation from August 1997 through 2000, a company he joined after
serving as Controller of United Capitol Insurance Company. Prior to his
employment in the insurance industry, Mr. Rand spent four years with Coopers &
Lybrand, which is now part of PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Rand also serves as a
director of TMAC, ProNational, Red Mountain, NCRIC and holds positions as an
officer or director of various direct and indirect subsidiaries of ProAssurance.
Please see complete biographical affidavits of all officers and directors
which are attached as Exhibit C.
ITEM 4. NATURE, SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF CONSIDERATION
(a) Nature, source and amount of funds:
----------------------------------
The proposed purchase price is approximately $99 million. The exact amount
will not be determined until closing of the transaction.
The transaction is stock-for-stock merger. Shares of Common Stock of
ProAssurance Corporation will be used to complete the transaction. The
number of shares will be determined as described in section (b) below and
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
the shares will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 under a Form
S-4 registration statement to be filed with the SEC (the "S-4 Proxy
Statement/Prospectus"). The transaction will require the approval of the
PIC-Wisconsin shareholders. The shareholders will vote after the SEC
declares the S-4 Proxy Statement/Prospectus effective. The S-4 Proxy
Statement/Prospectus contains required disclosures and will be submitted as
an Exhibit to this Form A as soon as it is filed with the SEC.
(b) Criteria Used to Determine Nature and Amount of Consideration:
-------------------------------------------------------------
The nature and amount of consideration under the Merger Agreement was
determined by arm's-length negotiations between the parties. The criteria
utilized as a basis for those negotiations encompassed a number of factors.
The value of PIC-Wisconsin was determined using common valuation techniques
including public company valuation comparisons, a multiple of tangible book
value of PIC-Wisconsin and discounted cash flow models. In performing its
evaluation, ProAssurance used a variety of normal business operating
assumptions including, but not limited to the potential savings from the
integration of the companies' operations. ProAssurance is using the common
stock of ProAssurance for consideration in the transaction due to its
liquidity in the capital markets and the fact that the transaction can be
structured as a tax free exchange for the current holders of PIC-Wisconsin
stock.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, each share of PIC-Wisconsin common
stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger (the "PIC
Wisconsin Common Stock") is to be converted into the right to receive such
number of shares of ProAssurance Common Stock (as defined in Section 5.3 of
the Merger Agreement) determined based on an exchange ratio (the "Exchange
Ratio"). The Exchange Ratio is based on the average closing price of a
share of ProAssurance stock on the ten trading days preceding the effective
date of the Merger (the "ProAssurance Closing Stock Price"). This ratio is
subject to a 20% range around $49.76, which is the average closing price in
the ten days preceding the date of the Merger Agreement (the" ProAssurance
Agreement Stock Price"). The Exchange Ratio is to be determined as follows:
(i) If the ProAssurance Closing Stock Price is greater than $59.71,
which is 120% of the ProAssurance Agreement Stock Price then the
Exchange Ratio will equal 83.738 which is the number obtained by
dividing (A) $5,000 by (B) $59.71;
(ii) If the ProAssurance Closing Stock Price is less than or equal
to$59.71, but more than $39.80 which is 80% of the ProAssurance
Agreement Stock Price, then the Exchange Ratio will equal the
number obtained by dividing (A) $5,000 by (B) the ProAssurance
Closing Stock Price; or
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
(iii) If the ProAssurance Closing Stock Price is less than or equal to
$39.80, then the Exchange Ratio will equal 125.628, which is the
number obtained by dividing (A) $5,000 by (B) $39.80.
Each share of PIC-Wisconsin Common Stock that is owned by PIC-Wisconsin or
any PIC-Wisconsin subsidiary shall automatically be cancelled and retired
and shall cease to exist, and no Merger Consideration shall be delivered in
exchange thereof.
ITEM 5. APPLICANT'S FUTURE PLANS FOR THE INSURER
It is currently anticipated that the insurance operations of PIC-Wisconsin will
be conducted through the current management in Madison, Wisconsin. ProAssurance
may alter or change the proposed operating structure and the responsibilities of
PIC-Wisconsin should circumstances indicate that a change would be appropriate
and not detrimental to the best interest of the policyholders of PIC-Wisconsin.
It is currently anticipated that the post-merger PIC-Wisconsin Board of
Directors will consist of A. Derrill Crowe, M.D., Victor T. Adamo, Edward L.
Rand, Jr., William T. Montei and David L. Maurer. The biographical affidavits
for Dr. Crowe and Messrs. Adamo and Rand are attached as Exhibit C. Mr. Montei
is a current director and executive officer and Mr. Maurer is a current
executive officer of PIC-Wisconsin, and thus they have biographical affidavits
on file.
ProAssurance intends to use its current outside accountants, Ernst & Young LLP,
for PIC-Wisconsin after the merger. ProAssurance has utilized E & Y LLP since
its inception in 2001. The outside actuary will remain the same for both
ProAssurance and PIC-Wisconsin as both parties currently utilize the same
actuarial firm which is Tillinghast of Towers Perrin. It is anticipated that
PIC-Wisconsin will adopt the ProAssurance Investment Guidelines after the
merger, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A to Exhibit D.
ProAssurance does not currently intend to make any material changes in
PIC-Wisconsin's corporate structure or have PIC-Wisconsin declare an
extraordinary dividend.
For a more detailed discussion of the future plans for the PIC-Wisconsin books
of business, see the Plan of Operation which is attached as Exhibit D.
It is anticipated that PIC-Wisconsin will continue to write and renew policies
in Wisconsin and other states and to pay claims on such policies.
In 2007, it is anticipated that ProAssurance will enter into a management
agreement with PIC-Wisconsin to provide accounting and administrative services
for PIC-Wisconsin and its subsidiaries. A Notice on Form D will be filed with
the appropriate insurance regulatory authorities with respect to the management
agreement and the effective date of such agreement will be subject to and
conditioned upon such approval. A copy of ProAssurance's current Management
Services Agreement and Expense Allocation Agreement are attached as exhibits to
the Plan of Operation, Exhibit D.
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
It is also anticipated that ProAssurance will file a consolidated federal income
tax return with PIC-Wisconsin and its respective subsidiaries after the merger.
Such companies propose to enter into a Tax Sharing Agreement to allocate the tax
liability and benefits among the companies included in the consolidated group.
The terms of the Tax Sharing Agreement have yet to be determined. A Notice on
Form D will be filed with the insurance regulatory authorities in each state
where ProAssurance's insurance subsidiaries are domiciled with respect to the
Tax Sharing Agreement and the effective date of such agreements will be subject
to and conditioned upon such approval. A copy of ProAssurance's current Tax
Allocation Agreement is attached and an exhibit to the Plan of Operation,
Exhibit D.
Reinsurance for medical professional liability claims is maintained on an
excess-of-loss basis with a retention of $1 million per claim. The reinsurance
program is placed on a syndicated basis, utilizing reinsurers in the United
States, Bermuda and Europe. Reinsurance contracts provide capacity to write
policy limits of up to $16 million and facultative reinsurance is utilized in
the event additional capacity is required for specific risks. For further
details, please see Plan of Operation, Exhibit D.
At the anniversary of PIC-Wisconsin's reinsurance program, January 1, 2007, it
is anticipated that PIC-Wisconsin will become reinsured under the ProAssurance
reinsurance program. The ProAssurance program is similar to the existing
PIC-Wisconsin program, placed on an excess-of-loss basis, but with a retention
of $1 million per claim.
Notwithstanding the pending sale of Century American Insurance Company which is
currently the subject of a Form A proceeding, ProAssurance has no plans to
liquidate, or sell substantially all of the assets of PIC-Wisconsin or any of
the subsidiaries of PIC-Wisconsin. ProAssurance has no plans to sell the stock
of PIC-Wisconsin nor does it have any present plans to merge or consolidate any
such companies with any other person other than under the Merger Agreement.
ITEM 6. VOTING SECURITIES TO BE ACQUIRED
ProAssurance plans to acquire 100% of the common stock of PIC-Wisconsin of the
issued and outstanding at the date of the merger, which currently represents
19,741.2 shares. The persons listed in Item 3 do not plan to acquire any shares
of PIC-Wisconsin outside of this proposed transaction.
The terms of the agreement will be a stock transaction and the basis for such is
outlined in the attached Merger Agreement, Exhibit A. The method by which the
fairness of the proposal was determined is described in Item 4(b).
ITEM 7. OWNERSHIP OF VOTING SECURITIES
Apart from the potential ownership rights of ProAssurance to stock of
PIC-Wisconsin that is subject to this Form A, ProAssurance does not have any
beneficial ownership or a right to acquire beneficial ownership of any class of
voting security of PIC-Wisconsin nor does Applicant, its Affiliates, or any
person listed in Item 3.
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
ITEM 8. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, OR UNDERSTANDINGS WITH RESPECT TO
VOTING SECURITIES OF THE INSURER
Other than the Merger Agreement which is the subject of this Form A, neither
ProAssurance nor any of its affiliates nor any person listed in Item 3 has any
contracts, arrangements or understandings with respect to any voting security of
PIC-Wisconsin, including but not limited to transfer of any of the securities,
joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of loans,
guarantees against loss or guarantees of profits, division of losses or profits,
or the giving or withholding of proxies.
ITEM 9. RECENT PURCHASES OF VOTING SECURITIES
Neither ProAssurance nor any of its affiliates nor any person listed in Item 3
has acquired any PIC-Wisconsin shares during the 12 calendar months preceding
the filing of this Form A.
ITEM 10. RECENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO PURCHASE
Neither ProAssurance nor any of its affiliates nor any person listed in Item 3
nor anyone based upon interviews or at the suggestion of ProAssurance has made
any recommendations to purchase any voting security of PIC-Wisconsin during the
12 calendar months preceding this Form A filing.
ITEM 11. ARRANGEMENTS WITH BROKER-DEALERS
Neither ProAssurance nor any of its affiliates has any agreement, contract or
understanding with any broker-dealer as to solicitation of voting securities of
PIC-Wisconsin for tender, or for the payment of any fees, commissions or other
compensation to any broker-dealers with regard to this transaction.
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
ITEM 12. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibit A Agreement and Plan of Merger dated December 8, 2005
Exhibit B Organizational Chart
Exhibit C Biographical Affidavits for the following ProAssurance
Corporation Officers and Directors:
A. Derrill Crowe, M.D.
Victor T. Adamo
Lucien F. Bloodworth
Paul R. Butrus
Robert E. Flowers
John J. McMahon, Jr.
John P. North, Jr.
Ann F. Putallaz
William H. Woodhams, M.D.
Wilfred W. Yeargan, Jr., M.D.
Howard H. Friedman
James J. Morello
Frank B. O'Neil
Edward L. Rand, Jr.
Exhibit D Proposed Plan of Operation
Appendix A ProAssurance Investment Guidelines
Appendix B Consulting, Confidentiality and
Non-Competition Agreement
Appendix C ProAssurance Expense Allocation Agreement
effective 1/1/06
Appendix D ProAssurance Management Services Agreement
Appendix E ProAssurance Tax Allocation Agreement
effective 9/1/05
Exhibit E ProAssurance Corporation 10K for year ended 12/31/04 &
Annual Report to Shareholders
Exhibit F ProAssurance Corporation 10K for year ended 12/31/03 &
Annual Report to Shareholders
Exhibit G ProAssurance Corporation 10K for year ended 12/31/02 &
Annual Report to Shareholders
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
Exhibit H ProAssurance Corporation 10K for year ended 12/31/01 &
Annual Report to Shareholders
Exhibit I ProAssurance Corporation 10Q for quarter ended 9/30/05
Exhibit J ProAssurance Corporation Proxy Statement dated 4/18/05
Exhibit K Combined Annual Statement of ProAssurance for the year
ended 12/31/04
Exhibit L ProAssurance S-4 Registration Statement filed with the
SEC will be forwarded as soon as it is available and will
be marked as Exhibit L.
Exhibit M ProAssurance Form E, Consent to Jurisdiction Statement
(c) The Agreement and Plan of Merger dated December 8, 2005 is attached as
Exhibit A. This Merger Agreement describes the transaction in detail.
An Organizational Chart depicting the subsidiaries of Applicant is
attached as Exhibit B.
ProAssurance Annual Report to Shareholders for the years ended
12/31/04, 12/31/03, 12/31/02, 12/31/01 and its 10Q for the quarter
ended 9/30/05 are contained in Exhibits E, F, G, H and I,
respectively. Annual Reports to Shareholders for the insurer are not
included as the insurer is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ProAssurance
which is the publicly traded company.
Combined Annual Statement for the year ended 12/31/04 for ProAssurance
is included in Exhibit K.
S-4 Registration Statement filed with the SEC will be forwarded as
soon as it is available and will be marked as Exhibit L.
Applicant hereby states that the acquisition of PIC-Wisconsin by Applicant would
not violate the law or be contrary to the interests of the insureds of
PIC-Wisconsin and that:
(i) After the change of control, PIC-Wisconsin will be able to satisfy the
requirements for the issuance of a license to write the line or lines
of insurance for which it is presently licensed;
(ii) The effect of the acquisition of control would not be to create a
monopoly or substantially to lessen competition in insurance in
Wisconsin;
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
(iii) The financial condition of ProAssurance and its affiliates is not
likely to jeopardize the financial stability of PIC-Wisconsin, or
prejudice the interests of its Wisconsin policyholders;
(iv) ProAssurance has no plans or proposals to liquidate PIC-Wisconsin,
sell its assets, consolidate it with any person, or make any other
material change in its corporate structure. ProAssurance's plans to
merge PIC-Wisconsin under the Merger Agreement and make any other
material change in its business or management will be fair and
reasonable to policyholders of PIC-Wisconsin and in the public
interest; and
(v) The competence and integrity of those persons who will control the
operation of PIC-Wisconsin are such that it would be in the interest
of the policyholders of PIC-Wisconsin and of the public to permit the
acquisition of control.
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / FORM A
ITEM 13. SIGNATURE AND CERTIFICATION
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of ch. Ins. 40, Wis. Adm. Code, ProAssurance
Corporation has caused this application to be duly signed on its behalf in the
city of Birmingham, and the state of Alabama on the 21st day of December, 2005
----
(SEAL)
ProAssurance Corporation
BY: /s/ Victor T. Adamo
-------------------
ITS: President
Attest:
/s/ Edward L. Rand, Jr.
--------------------------
BY: Senior Vice President
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned deposes and says that he has duly executed the attached
application dated December 21, 2005 for and on behalf of ProAssurance
Corporation; that he is the President of such company and that he is authorized
to execute and file such instrument.
Deponent further says that he is familiar with the instrument and the contents
thereof, and that the facts therein set forth are true to the best of his
knowledge, information and belief.
/s/ Victor T. Adamo
-------------------
Victor T. Adamo, President
Subscribed and sworn to this
21st day of December, 2005
----
/s/ Kathryn A. Neville
----------------------
Notary Public: Kathryn A. Neville
My Commission Expires on: 3/13/2006
---------
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EXHIBIT 2.1 / EXHIBIT A, FORM A
EXHIBIT A TO FORM A: AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
TO FORM 8-K FILED ON DECEMBER 9, 2005
EXHBIT 2.1 / EXHIBIT B, FORM A
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
[SEE SUPPLEMENTAL PDF]
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Exhibit 2.1 / EXHIBIT D, FORM A
PLAN OF OPERATION
History
Physicians Insurance Company of Wisconsin, Inc. ("PIC-Wisconsin") was organized
under the laws of Wisconsin in 1986. PIC-Wisconsin is a property and casualty
insurance company that currently holds licenses in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio,
South Dakota and Wisconsin.
ProAssurance Corporation is a specialty insurer with more than $3.8 billion in
assets and $789 million in gross written premiums. It was formed through the
2001 merger of Medical Assurance, Inc. and Professionals Group, Inc. and now
represents the consolidation of twelve prior companies or books of business. As
the nation's fourth largest writer of medical professional liability insurance,
ProAssurance is a recognized leader in providing medical malpractice coverages
for physicians and other health care providers, primarily in the Southeast and
Midwest United States.
ProAssurance is also the tenth largest writer of personal auto coverage in
Michigan through its subsidiary MEEMIC Insurance Company. On November 7, 2005
ProAssurance announced that it had entered into an agreement to sell MEEMIC
Insurance Company. The sale is expected to close in January of 2006 and no
further reference will be made to MEEMIC Insurance Company.
States of Domicile
The following ProAssurance companies are domiciled in Alabama: The Medical
Assurance Company, Inc., Red Mountain Casualty Insurance Company, Inc. and
Woodbrook Casualty Insurance, Inc. ProNational Insurance Company is domiciled in
Michigan. NCRIC, Inc. is domiciled in the District of Columbia. American Medical
Insurance Exchange is domiciled in Indiana and is a dormant insurance
reciprocal.
PIC-WISCONSIN is domiciled in Wisconsin.
Market Focus
ProAssurance, through its admitted insurance company subsidiaries -- The Medical
Assurance Company, Inc., ProNational Insurance Company, NCRIC, Inc. and
Woodbrook Casualty Insurance, Inc., provide medical malpractice insurance to
physicians, physician groups, hospitals and other health care facilities and
dentists in 23 states primarily in the Midwest, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic
states.
In addition, ProAssurance provides medical malpractice business on an excess and
surplus lines basis through Red Mountain in 17 states and through ProNational in
2 states.
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Exhibit 2.1 / EXHIBIT D, FORM A
PLAN OF






