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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-49378
(MEDICAL ASSURANCE LOGO) (PROFESSIONALS GROUP LOGO)
To the Shareholders of Medical Assurance, Inc. and Professionals Group, Inc.:
The boards of directors of Medical Assurance, Inc. and Professionals Group,
Inc. have approved the consolidation of Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group. A new holding company will be formed under the name of ProAssurance
Corporation. Medical Assurance and Professionals Group will become wholly-owned
subsidiaries of ProAssurance.
If the consolidation is completed, then, subject to the adjustments and
limitations described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus:
- each share of Medical Assurance common stock you own will be converted
into one share of ProAssurance common stock; and
- each share of Professionals Group common stock you own will be converted
into the right to receive YOUR CHOICE OF EITHER $12.00 in cash and shares
of ProAssurance common stock initially valued at $14.00 OR $26.00 in
cash, with the cash payment in each case to be adjusted to reflect
changes in the value of the portfolio assets of Professionals Group since
December 31, 1999.
To determine the number of shares of ProAssurance common stock that has an
initial value of $14.00, we will divide $14.00 by the average sales price of
Medical Assurance common stock during the 20 trading day period ending on the
date of the Professionals Group shareholder meeting. On April 25, 2001 the last
reported sales price of Medical Assurance common stock was $14.99, making $14.00
worth of ProAssurance common stock equivalent to 0.934 shares. The closing price
of Professionals Group common stock on that date was $25.30.
Shareholder approval is needed to complete the consolidation and we have
called special meetings of our shareholders for the purpose of approving the
consolidation.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO VOTE BY COMPLETING AND
MAILING THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD IN THE WHITE ENVELOPE THAT HAS BEEN
PROVIDED.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus provides you with detailed
information about the consolidation. We encourage you to read this entire
document carefully. You can also get information about Medical Assurance,
Professionals Group and ProAssurance from publicly available documents we have
filed with the SEC.
/s/ A. DERRILL CROWE, M.D. /s/ VICTOR T. ADAMO, ESQ., CPCU
A. Derrill Crowe, M.D. Victor T. Adamo, Esq., CPCU
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer President and Chief Executive Officer
Medical Assurance, Inc. Professionals Group, Inc.
You should consider the matters set forth in "Risk Factors" beginning on
page 10 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE COMMON STOCK TO BE ISSUED UNDER THIS
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated April 30, 2001, and was
first mailed to shareholders on or about May 7, 2001.
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(MEDICAL ASSURANCE LOGO)
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held June 25, 2001
A special meeting of the shareholders of Medical Assurance, Inc. will be
held at the Harbert Center, 2019 Fourth Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203
on June 25, 2001, at 9:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
1. To consider and vote on a proposal to approve the Agreement to
Consolidate dated June 22, 2000, as amended, by and between Medical
Assurance, Inc., and Professionals Group, Inc. and to approve the
consolidation and other transactions described in the consolidation
agreement. A copy of the consolidation agreement is attached as Exhibit A
to the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus; and
2. To transact any other business that may properly come before this
meeting or any adjournments or postponements of this meeting.
Medical Assurance's Board of Directors is not aware of any other business
to come before this meeting.
Medical Assurance common stock constitutes the only security of Medical
Assurance whose holders are entitled to vote upon the proposals to be presented
at this meeting. The close of business on May 3, 2001 has been fixed as the
record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to
vote at this meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on such date are entitled to
notice of and to vote at this meeting and any adjournments or postponements of
the meeting.
A complete list of shareholders entitled to vote at this meeting will be
available for examination by any Medical Assurance shareholder for any purpose
relevant to this meeting between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on working days at the
100 Brookwood Place, Birmingham, Alabama 35209 office of Medical Assurance, for
a period of ten days prior to this meeting.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR PROXY ACCORDING TO THE
INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ ROBERT D. FRANCIS
Robert D. Francis
Secretary
May 7, 2001
TO ASSURE THAT YOUR SHARES ARE REPRESENTED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE
SUBMIT YOUR PROXY ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ATTACHED WHITE PROXY
CARD, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. YOU CAN REVOKE YOUR PROXY
AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS VOTED. SUBMITTING YOUR PROXY DOES NOT PREVENT YOU FROM
ATTENDING THE MEETING, OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS OF THE MEETING, AND
VOTING YOUR SHARES IN PERSON. IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD IN "STREET NAME" AT A
BROKERAGE FIRM OR A BANK, YOU MUST INSTRUCT THEM HOW TO VOTE YOUR SHARES. IF YOU
DO NOT VOTE OR DO NOT INSTRUCT YOUR BROKER OR BANK HOW TO VOTE, IT WILL HAVE THE
SAME EFFECT AS VOTING AGAINST THE CONSOLIDATION.
This notice and the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus were
prepared by management for your Board of Directors and are being furnished to
you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by your Board of Directors
for use at the meeting. They describe in more detail the matters to be acted
upon at the meeting and your voting rights with respect to such matters. Please
review them carefully.
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ADDENDUM
Addendum to Joint Proxy Statement of Medical Assurance, Inc. and Professionals
Group, Inc. and Prospectus of ProAssurance Corporation dated April 30, 2001
THE CONSOLIDATION -- FINANCING FOR THE CONSOLIDATION
ProAssurance anticipated that the loan documents for the term loan and
credit facility would be executed and delivered to the banks prior to the date
of this joint proxy statement/ prospectus. Those loan documents are expected to
be executed and delivered to the banks in the near future.
The first full paragraph on page 30 of the joint proxy statement/prospectus
is revised to reflect this fact and that the obligation of the banks to fund the
term loan and credit facility is subject to, among other things, the execution
of the loan documents by ProAssurance and the banks.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE CONSOLIDATION AND THE
MEETINGS.................................................. 1
SUMMARY..................................................... 4
RISK FACTORS................................................ 10
Risks Related to the Consolidation........................ 10
Risks Related to Professionals Group Shareholders......... 12
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION................................. 15
SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION............................... 16
Selected Condensed Consolidated Historical Financial and
Operating Data of Medical Assurance.................... 16
Selected Condensed Consolidated Historical Financial and
Operating Data of Professionals Group.................. 17
Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data
of ProAssurance Corporation............................ 18
Unaudited Comparative Per Share Data of ProAssurance
Corporation............................................ 19
Comparative Stock Prices.................................. 20
THE SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS.................................... 21
Dates, Times and Places................................... 21
Matters to be Considered; Votes Required.................. 21
Voting of Proxies......................................... 22
Revocability of Proxies................................... 23
Record Dates; Voting Rights; Quorums...................... 24
No Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal........................ 24
Solicitation of Proxies................................... 24
THE CONSOLIDATION........................................... 26
General................................................... 26
Consideration to be Received in the Consolidation......... 26
Financing for the Consolidation........................... 28
Exchange Procedures....................................... 31
Treatment of Stock Options................................ 32
Background of the Consolidation........................... 32
Recommendation of Board of Directors; Reasons for the
Consolidation.......................................... 39
Opinion of Medical Assurance's Financial Advisor.......... 43
Opinion of Professionals Group's Financial Advisor........ 50
Accounting Treatment...................................... 55
Regulatory Approvals...................................... 56
Listing of ProAssurance Stock; Delisting of Medical
Assurance and Professionals Group Stock................ 57
Resale of ProAssurance Stock.............................. 57
MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES.................... 57
INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THE CONSOLIDATION.... 59
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS AFTER THE CONSOLIDATION........... 63
General................................................... 63
Directors and Executive Officers.......................... 63
Dividend Policy........................................... 64
Security Ownership........................................ 65
SUMMARY OF THE CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT...................... 67
Representations and Warranties............................ 67
Conduct of Business Before Completion of the
Consolidation.......................................... 68
Conditions to the Completion of the Consolidation......... 69
No Solicitation of Transactions........................... 71
Termination............................................... 71
Termination Fees.......................................... 72
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PAGE
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Extension, Waiver and Amendment of the Consolidation
Agreement.............................................. 73
Additional Agreements..................................... 74
SUMMARY OF RECIPROCAL STOCK OPTIONS......................... 75
General................................................... 75
Exercisability............................................ 76
Termination............................................... 77
Registration Rights....................................... 77
Total Profit Limitation................................... 77
Anti-Dilution Adjustments................................. 78
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS................................................ 79
DESCRIPTION OF PROASSURANCE CAPITAL STOCK................... 89
Authorized Capital Stock.................................. 89
Common Stock.............................................. 89
Preferred Stock........................................... 89
Exchange Agent and Registrar.............................. 90
Authorized but Unissued Shares............................ 90
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS............................ 91
Board of Directors........................................ 91
Shareholder Meetings...................................... 92
Amendments to Organizational Documents.................... 95
Exculpation and Indemnification of Directors, Officers,
and Other Employees.................................... 97
Payment of Dividends...................................... 98
Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal........................... 98
Mergers; Acquisitions; Other Extraordinary Corporation
Transactions........................................... 98
Antitakeover Laws......................................... 99
OPINIONS.................................................... 100
EXPERTS..................................................... 100
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION......................... 101
APPENDIX A -- AGREEMENT TO CONSOLIDATE...................... A-1
APPENDIX B -- OPINION OF FIRST UNION SECURITIES............. B-1
APPENDIX C -- OPINION OF COCHRAN, CARONIA & CO.............. C-1
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE CONSOLIDATION AND THE MEETINGS
REFERENCES IN THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS TO "WE," "US,"
"OUR," OR "OURS" REFER, AS THE CONTEXT MAY REQUIRE, TO MEDICAL ASSURANCE,
PROFESSIONALS GROUP OR PROASSURANCE AFTER THE CONSOLIDATION. REFERENCES IN THIS
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS TO "MEDICAL ASSURANCE," "PROFESSIONALS GROUP"
AND THE "PROASSURANCE" INCLUDE THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES UNLESS THE CONTEXT
OTHERWISE REQUIRES.
Q. WHAT AM I BEING ASKED TO VOTE ON?
A. You are being asked to approve the proposed consolidation of Medical
Assurance and Professionals Group as subsidiaries of a newly formed holding
company named ProAssurance Corporation.
Q. WHY ARE MEDICAL ASSURANCE AND PROFESSIONALS GROUP CONSOLIDATING?
A. We are consolidating because we believe that combining will create a
stronger and more diversified company that will provide significant
benefits to our shareholders and customers alike. As of December 31, 2000,
the combined company would be the third largest provider of medical
malpractice insurance in the United States with over $2 billion in assets.
Q. WHEN WILL THE CONSOLIDATION TAKE PLACE?
A. We plan to complete the consolidation as soon as possible after our
shareholder meetings, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the
conditions to the consolidation and all necessary regulatory approvals.
Although we cannot predict exactly when all conditions will be satisfied
and all regulatory approvals obtained, we hope to complete the
consolidation before June 30, 2001.
Q. WHAT WILL I RECEIVE IN THE CONSOLIDATION?
A. If the consolidation is completed, then, subject to the adjustments and
limitations described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus:
- each share of Medical Assurance common stock you own will be converted
into one share of ProAssurance common stock; and
- each share of Professionals Group common stock you own will be converted
into the right to receive YOUR CHOICE OF EITHER $12.00 in cash and shares
of ProAssurance common stock initially worth $14.00 OR $26.00 in cash,
with the cash payment in each case to be adjusted to reflect changes in
the value of the portfolio assets of Professionals Group since December
31, 1999.
Q. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NOW?
A. You need to read this joint proxy statement/prospectus and vote your shares
by completing your white proxy card and mailing it in the enclosed white
envelope as soon as possible.
Q. CAN I SUBMIT MY PROXY BY TELEPHONE OR OVER THE INTERNET?
A. You may be able to submit your proxy by telephone or over the Internet. You
should refer to the white proxy card for instructions on how to vote. If
you vote by telephone or over the Internet you do not need to complete and
mail your proxy card.
Q. WHAT DO I DO IF I WANT TO CHANGE MY VOTE?
A. You can change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at your
shareholder meeting. There are three ways for you to do this:
- send written notice that you wish to revoke your proxy;
- send a later dated, signed proxy card; or
- attend your shareholder meeting and vote in person (your attendance alone
will not revoke your proxy, you must complete and submit a ballot at your
shareholder meeting).
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In addition to the above procedures, votes submitted electronically via the
Internet may also be revoked by subsequent Internet votes at any time
before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight time, on June 22, 2001.
Q. IF MY SHARES ARE HELD IN "STREET NAME," WILL MY BROKER OR BANKER VOTE MY
SHARES FOR ME?
A. Your broker or banker will vote your shares only if you provide
instructions to your broker on how to vote. You should instruct your broker
to vote your shares by following the directions provided by your broker.
Without instructions, your shares held in "street name" by your broker will
not be voted and the effect will be the same as a vote against the
consolidation proposal.
Q. DO I NEED TO SEND IN MY STOCK CERTIFICATES?
A. No, if you are a Medical Assurance shareholder. Your certificates for
Medical Assurance stock will represent the same number of shares of
ProAssurance stock automatically after the consolidation.
Yes, if you are a Professionals Group shareholder. YOU MUST DELIVER YOUR
PROPERLY COMPLETED YELLOW ELECTION FORM/LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, TOGETHER
WITH YOUR PROFESSIONALS GROUP STOCK CERTIFICATES, A BOOK ENTRY TRANSFER FOR
YOUR SHARES, OR A GUARANTEE OF DELIVERY FOR YOUR CERTIFICATES, TO THE
EXCHANGE AGENT BY 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE DAY THE
CONSOLIDATION IS COMPLETED, WHICH WE EXPECT TO BE JUNE 27, 2001. After this
deadline, you may not make any elections with respect to the consideration
you wish to receive in the consolidation.
The yellow election form/letter of transmittal must be sent, together with
your Professionals Group stock certificates, a book entry transfer for your
shares, or a guarantee of delivery for your certificates, to the exchange
agent at the address below:
Mellon Investor Services LLC
85 Challenger Road
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660
Q. HOW DO I ELECT THE TYPE OF CONSIDERATION I WISH TO RECEIVE FOR MY SHARES OF
PROFESSIONALS GROUP COMMON STOCK?
A. You can elect the type of consideration you wish to receive for your shares
of Professionals Group common stock by completing the enclosed yellow
election form/letter of transmittal and specifying:
- the number of your shares of Professionals Group common stock that you
wish to be converted into cash and shares of ProAssurance common stock;
and
- the number of your shares of Professionals Group common stock that you
wish to be converted into solely cash.
Because the total amount of cash that can be paid to Professionals Group
shareholders as a group may not exceed 90% of the total consideration
payable with respect to all outstanding shares of Professionals Group
common stock, you may not receive the form of payment you select for your
shares of Professionals Group common stock. If the cash consideration
elected by Professionals Group shareholders is more than the amount of cash
available for payment, then some "all cash" elections will be converted to
"cash and stock" elections, and the shares of Professionals Group common
stock subject to such converted elections will be exchanged for a
combination of cash and shares of ProAssurance common stock as if the
holder had made a "cash and stock" election. The "all cash" elections to be
converted into "cash and stock" elections will be selected by the exchange
agent in the order last received by the exchange agent.
You should note that the tax consequences of the consolidation depend on
what you receive in the consolidation. See "Material Federal Income Tax
Consequences" on page 57 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
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Q. CAN I MAKE PARTIAL ELECTIONS?
A. Yes. If you are a Professionals Group shareholder, then you can elect to
receive cash and shares of ProAssurance common stock for some of your
shares of Professionals Group common stock and solely cash for the
remainder. JUST COMPLETE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED YELLOW ELECTION FORM/LETTER
OF TRANSMITTAL, TOGETHER WITH YOUR PROFESSIONALS GROUP STOCK CERTIFICATES,
A BOOK ENTRY TRANSFER FOR YOUR SHARES, OR A GUARANTEE OF DELIVERY FOR YOUR
CERTIFICATES, TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE LISTED ABOVE. As
described above, elections to receive solely cash are subject to change in
the event the solely cash election is oversubscribed.
Q. CAN I REVOKE OR CHANGE MY ELECTION?
A. Yes. If you are a Professionals Group shareholder, then you can revoke or
change your election for any or all of your shares of Professionals Group
common stock by giving written notice to the exchange agent prior to 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the day the consolidation is completed, which
we expect to be June 27, 2001. You can also revoke your election by
withdrawing your shares of Professionals Group common stock (or withdrawing
your guarantee of delivery of your certificates) prior to the deadline
listed above. After this deadline, you may not revoke or change any
elections you have made with respect to the consideration you wish to
receive in the consolidation.
Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL TO MAKE A TIMELY VALID ELECTION?
A. If you are a Professionals Group shareholder and you fail to make a timely
valid election, then you will receive cash and shares of ProAssurance
common stock for your shares of Professionals Group common stock.
Q. WHO CAN HELP ANSWER MY QUESTIONS?
A. If you have more questions about the consolidation or the meetings, you
should contact:
FOR MEDICAL ASSURANCE INFORMATION: FOR PROFESSIONALS GROUP INFORMATION:
Medical Assurance, Inc. Professionals Group, Inc.
100 Brookwood Place 2600 Professionals Drive
Birmingham, Alabama 35209 Okemos, Michigan 48864
Attention: Frank B. O'Neil Attention: Lori A. Beachnau
(205) 877-4400 (800) 292-1036 (Ext. 6300)
This joint proxy statement/prospectus incorporates by reference important
business and financial information about Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group that is not included in or delivered with this
document. The information incorporated by reference is available without
charge to shareholders upon written or oral request to the persons
identified above.
IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE, SHAREHOLDER REQUESTS SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY JUNE 18, 2001, IN THE
CASE OF MEDICAL ASSURANCE, AND BY JUNE 18, 2001, IN THE CASE OF
PROFESSIONALS GROUP.
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SUMMARY
The following summary highlights aspects of the consolidation that we
believe are important to you. To better understand the consolidation agreement
and the consolidation and for a more complete description of its terms, you
should carefully read this entire document and the documents to which we have
referred you. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page 101 of this
joint proxy statement/prospectus.
OUR COMPANIES PROVIDE INSURANCE
Medical Assurance. Medical Assurance is a Delaware insurance holding
company. Medical Assurance, through The Medical Assurance Company, Inc. and
other insurance subsidiaries, provides medical malpractice liability insurance
for health care providers in the United States, with its most significant
presence in states located in the south and midwest sections of the United
States. Medical Assurance's principal executive offices are located at 100
Brookwood Place, Birmingham, Alabama 35209; telephone (205) 877-4400.
Professionals Group. Professionals Group is a Michigan insurance holding
company. Professionals Group, through ProNational Insurance Company and other
insurance subsidiaries, provides medical malpractice liability insurance for
healthcare providers in the United States, with its most significant presence in
states located in the midwest section of the United States and in Florida.
Professionals Group also provides personal auto, homeowners, boat and umbrella
insurance for educational employees and other Michigan residents through its
subsidiary MEEMIC Holdings, Inc. Professionals Group's executive offices are
located at 2600 Professionals Drive, Okemos, Michigan 48864; telephone (517)
349-6500.
ProAssurance. ProAssurance Corporation is a newly formed Delaware
corporation that has been organized to serve as the parent holding company for
Medical Assurance and Professionals Group. It has yet to conduct any business
operations. After the consolidation is completed, Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group will continue to operate as wholly-owned subsidiaries of
ProAssurance. The principal executive offices of ProAssurance are located at 100
Brookwood Place, Birmingham, Alabama 35209; telephone (205) 877-4400.
MEDICAL ASSURANCE SHAREHOLDERS WILL RECEIVE ONLY STOCK IN THE CONSOLIDATION
(PAGE 26)
Each share of Medical Assurance common stock you own will be converted into
one share of ProAssurance common stock.
We have fixed the exchange ratio for shares of Medical Assurance common
stock. Because we cannot predict the market price of shares of ProAssurance
common stock prior to or following the completion of the consolidation, we
cannot predict the value of the shares of ProAssurance common stock you will
receive for your shares of Medical Assurance common stock. That value could be
significantly higher or lower than the current value of your shares of Medical
Assurance common stock. On April 25, 2001 the last reported sales price of
Medical Assurance common stock was $14.99.
PROFESSIONALS GROUP SHAREHOLDERS WILL RECEIVE THEIR CHOICE OF CASH AND STOCK OR
ONLY CASH IN THE CONSOLIDATION (PAGE 26)
Each share of Professionals Group common stock you own will be converted
into the right to receive YOUR CHOICE OF EITHER $12.00 in cash and shares of
ProAssurance common stock initially valued at $14.00 OR $26.00 in cash. However,
in each case the cash payable with respect to a share of Professionals Group
common stock may be increased or decreased to reflect certain increases or
decreases in the value of Professionals Group's portfolio assets since December
31, 1999. Your choice will be subject to the following limitations:
- the total amount of cash that can be paid to Professionals Group
shareholders as a group may not exceed 90% of the total consideration
payable with respect to all outstanding shares of Professionals Group
common stock; and
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- fractional shares of ProAssurance common stock will not be issued;
instead, you will receive the value of any fractional share in cash.
Because we cannot predict the market price of shares of ProAssurance common
stock prior to or following the completion of consolidation, to determine the
number of shares of ProAssurance common stock that has an initial value of
$14.00, we will divide $14.00 by the average sales price of Medical Assurance
common stock during the 20 trading day period ending on the date of the
Professionals Group shareholder meeting. On April 25, 2001 the last reported
sales price of Medical Assurance common stock was $14.99, making $14.00 worth of
ProAssurance common stock equivalent to 0.934 of a share.
We have fixed the exchange ratio for shares of Professionals Group common
stock, subject to adjustment to reflect certain changes in the aggregate market
value of Professionals Group's consolidated portfolio assets. Because we cannot
predict the market price of shares of ProAssurance common stock prior to or
following completion of the consolidation, we cannot predict the value of the
shares of ProAssurance common stock that you may receive for your shares of
Professionals Group common stock. Accordingly, the value of the combination of
cash and shares of ProAssurance common stock following completion of the
consolidation, based on reported market prices, could be significantly higher or
lower than the amount payable solely in cash for a share of Professionals Group
common stock in the consolidation. On April 25, 2001 the last reported sales
price of Professionals Group common stock was $25.30.
YOU SHOULD OBTAIN CURRENT STOCK PRICE QUOTATIONS FOR MEDICAL ASSURANCE
COMMON STOCK (NYSE SYMBOL: MAI) AND PROFESSIONALS GROUP COMMON STOCK (NASDAQ
NATIONAL MARKET SYMBOL: PICM). THESE QUOTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FROM YOUR STOCK
BROKER, IN MAJOR NEWSPAPERS AND ON THE INTERNET.
PROFESSIONALS GROUP SHAREHOLDERS MUST COMPLETE A YELLOW ELECTION FORM/LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL TO SELECT THE TYPE OF CONSIDERATION THEY WISH TO RECEIVE (PAGE 31).
You can elect the type of consideration you wish to receive for your shares
of Professionals Group common stock by completing the enclosed yellow election
form/letter of transmittal and specifying:
- the number of your shares of Professionals Group common stock that you
wish to be converted into cash and shares of ProAssurance common stock;
and
- the number of your shares of Professionals Group common stock that you
wish to be converted into solely cash.
You may make partial elections and elect to receive cash and shares of
ProAssurance common stock for some of your shares of Professionals Group common
stock and solely cash for the remainder.
Because the total amount of cash that can be paid to Professionals Group
shareholders as a group may not exceed 90% of the total consideration payable
with respect to all outstanding shares of Professionals Group common stock, you
may not receive the form of payment you select for your shares of Professionals
Group common stock. If the cash consideration elected by Professionals Group
shareholders is more than the amount of cash available for payment, then some
"all cash" elections will be converted to "cash and stock" elections, and the
shares of Professionals Group common stock subject to such converted elections
will be exchanged for a combination of cash and shares of ProAssurance common
stock as if the holder had made a "cash and stock" election. The "all cash"
elections subject to conversion to "cash and stock" elections will be selected
by the exchange agent in the order last received by the exchange agent. "All
cash" elections will be converted into "cash and stock" elections until
ProAssurance common stock to be issued to Professionals Group shareholders
comprises at least 10% of the total consideration payable with respect to all
outstanding shares of Professionals Group common stock. If you make an "all
cash" election, you will not know the actual mix of consideration that you will
receive for your Professionals Group shares at the time you make your election
because of the possibility of an "all cash" election being converted to a "cash
and stock" election.
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If you are a Professionals Group shareholder, then YOU MUST DELIVER YOUR
PROPERLY COMPLETED YELLOW ELECTION FORM/LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, TOGETHER WITH
YOUR PROFESSIONALS GROUP STOCK CERTIFICATES, A BOOK ENTRY TRANSFER FOR YOUR
SHARES, OR A GUARANTEE OF DELIVERY FOR YOUR CERTIFICATES, TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT
BY 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE DAY THE CONSOLIDATION IS COMPLETED,
WHICH WE EXPECT TO BE JUNE 27, 2001. After this deadline, you may not make any
elections with respect to the consideration you wish to receive in the
consolidation.
The yellow election form/letter of transmittal must be sent, together with
your Professionals Group stock certificates, a book entry transfer for your
shares, or a guarantee of delivery for your certificates, to the exchange agent
at the address below:
Mellon Investor Services LLC
85 Challenger Road
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660
You can revoke your election for any or all of your shares of Professionals
Group common stock by giving written notice to the exchange agent prior to 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the day the consolidation is completed, which we
expect to be June 27, 2001, or, by withdrawing your shares of Professionals
Group common stock (or withdrawing your guarantee of delivery of your
certificates) prior to the deadline listed above.
If you fail to make a timely valid election, then you will receive cash and
shares of ProAssurance common stock for your shares of Professionals Group
common stock.
THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONSOLIDATION TO YOU DEPEND ON WHAT YOU RECEIVE IN
THE CONSOLIDATION (PAGE 57)
The consolidation will not result in the recognition of gain or loss by
ProAssurance, Medical Assurance or Professionals Group. The federal income tax
consequences to the shareholders of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group
will be as follows:
- If you hold shares of Medical Assurance common stock, you will not
recognize any gain or loss on the exchange of your shares of Medical
Assurance common stock for shares of ProAssurance common stock in the
consolidation. Your adjusted tax basis in the shares of ProAssurance
common stock that you receive in the consolidation will equal your
adjusted basis in the shares of Medical Assurance common stock that you
surrendered. The holding period for the shares of ProAssurance common
stock that you receive in exchange for your shares of Medical Assurance
common stock will include your holding period for the shares of Medical
Assurance common stock that you surrendered.
- If you hold shares of Professionals Group common stock, and you exchange
those shares of Professionals Group common stock for both cash and shares
of ProAssurance common stock in the consolidation, you will recognize
gain equal to the lesser of (a) the amount of cash received in the
exchange or (b) the amount of gain that you realize on the exchange. The
amount of gain that you realize on the exchange will be equal to the
excess of the sum of the cash (including cash received for any fractional
shares) and the value of the shares of ProAssurance common stock received
in the exchange over your tax basis of the shares of Professionals Group
common stock exchanged therefor. You will not be entitled to recognize a
loss on such exchange for federal income tax purposes. Your tax basis in
the shares of ProAssurance common stock you receive in exchange for your
shares of Professionals Group common stock will be the same as your tax
basis in those Professionals Group shares increased by any gain that you
recognize on those Professionals Group shares as a result of the
consolidation and reduced by the amount of any cash that you receive for
those Professionals Group shares in the consolidation.
- If you hold shares of Professionals Group common stock, and you exchange
those shares of Professionals Group common stock for solely cash in the
consolidation, you will recognize gain or
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loss equal to the difference between the cash received and your adjusted
tax basis in the shares of Professionals Group common stock exchanged
solely for cash.
Tax matters are complicated, and tax results may vary among shareholders.
The tax consequences of the consolidation to you will depend entirely upon your
own financial and tax situation. Accordingly, we urge you to contact your own
tax advisor to understand fully how the consolidation will affect you.
THERE ARE RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSOLIDATION
This joint proxy statement/prospectus includes, or incorporates by
reference, certain additional factors related to our operations and business
strategies generally and the consolidation and the consolidation's effects on
our companies specifically. YOU SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE SECTION ENTITLED "RISK
FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 10 AND THE SECTION ENTITLED "FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION" BEGINNING ON PAGE 15.
You should also review the factors considered by our boards of directors
and the analyses of their financial advisors that are described on pages 43-55.
YOU WILL NOT HAVE DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL (PAGE 24)
Dissenters' rights of appraisal are not available to either Medical
Assurance shareholders or Professionals Group shareholders.
OUR BOARDS OF DIRECTORS RECOMMEND THAT YOU APPROVE THE CONSOLIDATION (PAGES
39-43)
Medical Assurance. The Medical Assurance board of directors believes that
the consolidation is fair to you and in your best interests. It recommends that
Medical Assurance shareholders vote FOR the consolidation.
Professionals Group. The Professionals Group board of directors believes
that the consolidation is fair to you and in your best interests. It recommends
that Professionals Group shareholders vote FOR the consolidation.
OUR FINANCIAL ADVISORS BELIEVE THE CONSOLIDATION IS FAIR FROM A FINANCIAL POINT
OF VIEW (PAGES 43-55)
In deciding to approve the consolidation, your board of directors
considered an opinion from its financial advisor as to the fairness, from a
financial point of view, of the consideration to be paid in the consolidation.
Medical Assurance received an opinion from its financial advisor, First
Union Securities, Inc., that the exchange ratio is fair to Medical Assurance
from a financial point of view.
Professionals Group received an opinion from its financial advisor,
Cochran, Caronia & Co., that the consideration to be paid in the consolidation
to holders of Professionals Group common stock is fair, from a financial point
of view, to the holders of Professionals Group common stock.
These opinions are attached as Appendices B and C to this joint proxy
statement/prospectus. We encourage you to read these opinions completely and
carefully.
WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO COMPLETE THE CONSOLIDATION (PAGE 69)
To complete the consolidation we must satisfy a number of conditions
including:
- approval of the consolidation by both Medical Assurance shareholders and
Professionals Group shareholders;
- the absence of any legal restraints that prevent the completion of the
consolidation;
- approval of the consolidation by regulatory authorities;
- approval for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official
notice of issuance, of the shares of ProAssurance common stock to be
issued in the consolidation;
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- receipt of an opinion from Ernst & Young LLP, or other nationally
recognized accounting firm, with respect to the federal income tax
treatment of our companies and our shareholders; and
- ratings from the A.M. Best Rating Agency no less favorable than A- with
respect to each of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group, and no
notice that either of their ratings will be less favorable than A- after
the consolidation.
None of the conditions listed above will be waived by either of us.
However, we may elect to waive the other conditions to the consolidation. If
either of us waives any condition to the closing of the consolidation, we will
each consider at the time whether the facts and circumstances of the waiver make
a resolicitation of proxies from shareholders appropriate. However, if either of
us waives a condition that we deem material to the closing of the consolidation,
we will resolicit proxies from shareholders. We can't be certain when or if the
conditions to the consolidation will be satisfied or waived, or that the
consolidation will be completed.
RECIPROCAL TERMINATION FEES (PAGE 72)
Generally, if the consolidation agreement is terminated because Medical
Assurance failed to support the consolidation or to oppose an offer from a third
party to acquire it, then Medical Assurance must pay Professionals Group an
expense allowance and liquidated damages of not more than $9.9 million.
Generally, if the consolidation agreement is terminated because
Professionals Group failed to support the consolidation or to oppose an offer
from a third party to acquire it, then Professionals Group must pay Medical
Assurance an expense allowance and liquidated damages of not more than $9.9
million.
The termination fees are intended to increase the likelihood that the
consolidation will be completed.
RECIPROCAL STOCK OPTION AGREEMENTS (PAGE 75)
To increase the likelihood that the consolidation will be completed, and to
discourage other persons who may be interested in acquiring Professionals Group,
Medical Assurance required Professionals Group to grant Medical Assurance a
stock option that allows Medical Assurance to buy up to 437,230 shares of
Professionals Group common stock at a price of $26.00 per share. Medical
Assurance can exercise this option only if another person attempts to acquire
control of Professionals Group.
To increase the likelihood that the consolidation will be completed, and to
discourage other persons who may be interested in acquiring Medical Assurance,
Professionals Group required Medical Assurance to grant Professionals Group a
stock option that allows Professionals Group to buy up to 1,146,838 shares of
Medical Assurance common stock at a price of $14.26 per share. Professionals
Group can exercise this option only if another person attempts to acquire
control of Medical Assurance.
OUR OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS HAVE INTERESTS IN THE CONSOLIDATION THAT ARE
DIFFERENT FROM YOUR INTERESTS (PAGE 59)
When considering the recommendation of our boards of directors, you should
be aware that some of our directors and officers have interests in the
consolidation that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as
shareholders. These interests exist because of agreements that certain of our
directors and officers have with Professionals Group or Medical Assurance, as
applicable, including severance agreements, and rights that they may have under
incentive compensation plans maintained by us. Some of these agreements and
plans will provide the officers of Professionals Group and its subsidiary,
MEEMIC Holdings, with severance benefits after the consolidation. In addition,
unvested stock options and stock grants previously granted to employees of
Professionals Group and MEEMIC Holdings, will become exercisable by their
holders in connection with the consolidation.
These interests also arise from provisions in the consolidation agreement
relating to appointments to the ProAssurance board of directors, director and
officer indemnification and insurance, and employment
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arrangements and employee benefits after the consolidation. Our boards of
directors were aware of these interests and considered them, among other
matters, in approving the consolidation agreement.
Also, following the consolidation, ProAssurance and Medical Assurance will
purchase directors' and officers' insurance for Professionals Group's officers
and directors. In addition, ProAssurance and its subsidiaries will indemnify
directors and officers of our companies, for events occurring before the
consolidation, including events that are related to the consolidation. This
indemnity and insurance will be in addition to the indemnification and insurance
that our officers and directors are entitled to while acting in that capacity
after the consolidation.
DIRECTORS AFTER THE CONSOLIDATION (PAGE 63)
If the consolidation is completed, the board of directors of ProAssurance
will consist of 11 persons, including eight of the persons who are currently
directors of Medical Assurance and three of the persons who are currently
directors of Professionals Group.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AFTER THE CONSOLIDATION (PAGE 63)
A. Derrill Crowe, M.D., the current chairman of the board and chief
executive officer of Medical Assurance, will serve as chairman of the board and
chief executive officer of ProAssurance. Victor T. Adamo, Esq., CPCU, the
current chief executive officer and a director of Professionals Group, will
serve as vice chairman of the board and president of ProAssurance.
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
There are significant differences among the rights of ProAssurance
shareholders, the rights of Professionals Group shareholders and the rights of
Medical Assurance shareholders. Among the material differences are differences
in:
- the election and removal of directors (page 91);
- the calling of shareholder meetings, shareholder voting requirements and
the procedures for shareholder nominations (page 92);
- the right and power to amend charter and by-law provisions (page 95-96);
- indemnification (page 97);
- the payment of dividends (page 98);
- dissenters' rights of appraisal (page 98); and
- anti-takeover laws (page 99).
These differences exist because the rights of Medical Assurance
shareholders are currently governed by Delaware law and Medical Assurance's
certificate of incorporation and by-laws, the rights of Professionals Group
shareholders are currently governed by Michigan law and Professionals Group's
articles of incorporation and by-laws, and the rights of ProAssurance's
shareholders will be governed by Delaware law and its certificate of
incorporation and by-laws. When the consolidation is completed, Medical
Assurance shareholders and those shareholders of Professionals Group who receive
shares of ProAssurance common stock will become ProAssurance shareholders and
their rights will be governed by Delaware law and ProAssurance's certificate of
incorporation and by-laws.
THE CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT (PAGE 67 AND APPENDIX A)
A copy of the consolidation agreement, as amended, without any exhibits or
schedules is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix A and
is incorporated by reference. We encourage you to read the consolidation
agreement completely and carefully as it is the legal document that governs the
consolidation.
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RISK FACTORS
You should consider the following matters in deciding whether to vote in
favor of the consolidation, in addition to the other information included or
incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
RISKS RELATED TO THE CONSOLIDATION
Both Medical Assurance and Professionals Group shareholders should consider
the following risks related to the consolidation and the combined company.
You Could Receive Consideration Having a Value That is Less Than the
Current Value of Your Shares. Because we cannot predict the market price of
ProAssurance common stock prior to or following the completion of the
consolidation, we cannot predict the value of the shares of ProAssurance common
stock that you receive for your shares. Moreover, because stock prices
fluctuate, the market value of the shares of ProAssurance common stock that you
receive in the consolidation may increase or decrease following the
consolidation.
For Professionals Group shareholders, this means that the value of the
combination of cash and shares of ProAssurance stock that you may receive for
one of your shares of Professionals Group common stock following completion of
the consolidation, based on reported market prices, could be significantly
higher or lower than the amount payable solely in cash for a share of
Professionals Group common stock in the consolidation.
Professionals Group Shareholders May Receive Consideration That is
Inconsistent with Their Elections. Because the total amount of cash that can be
paid to Professionals Group shareholders as a group may not exceed 90% of the
total consideration payable with respect to all outstanding shares of
Professionals Group common stock, you may not receive the form of payment you
select for your shares of Professionals Group common stock. If the cash
consideration elected by Professionals Group shareholders is more than the
amount of cash available for payment, then some "all cash" elections will be
converted to "cash and stock" elections, and the shares of Professionals Group
common stock subject to such converted elections will be exchanged for a
combination of cash and shares of ProAssurance common stock as if the holder had
made a "cash and stock" election. The "all cash" elections subject to such
conversion will be selected by the exchange agent in the order last received by
the exchange agent. "All cash" elections will be converted into "cash and stock"
elections until ProAssurance common stock to be issued to Professionals Group
shareholders comprises at least 10% of the total consideration payable with
respect to all outstanding shares of Professionals Group common stock.
Our Officers and Directors Have Potential Conflicts of Interest in the
Consolidation. Our directors and officers will have interests in the
consolidation that are different from and in addition to your interests as
shareholders. All of the directors of Medical Assurance and three of the current
directors of Professionals Group have been elected to serve as directors of
ProAssurance, and all of the executive officers of Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group are expected to be employed in similar capacities with
similar employee benefits after the consolidation. As discussed under "Interests
of Directors and Officers in the Consolidation," certain of the officers and
directors of Professionals Group have "change of control" arrangements that
provide for severance payments after a "change of control" of Professionals
Group, and certain of them have stock options and stock grants that will vest
upon a change of control. The approval of the consolidation by the shareholders
of Professionals Group will result in a change of control for purposes of such
arrangements, options and grants. You should be aware of these potential
conflicts of interest relating to the benefits available to certain of our
officers and directors when considering the determinations of our boards of
directors to approve the consolidation.
The Internal Revenue Service May Disagree With Our Description of the
Federal Income Tax Consequences. We have not applied for, nor do we expect to
obtain, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to the federal
income tax consequences of the consolidation. We have received an opinion from
Ernst & Young LLP as to certain anticipated federal income tax consequences as
described
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under "Material Federal Income Tax Consequences." Such opinion is qualified in
certain respects and is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service. No
assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service will not challenge the
favorable income tax consequences of the consolidation. We would vigorously
contest any such challenge.
Our Increased Leverage will Create Increased Demands on Cash Flow for Debt
Service. ProAssurance will derive the cash needed to pay the Professionals Group
shareholders in the consolidation from the following sources:
- Up to $135 million as dividends from Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group payable to ProAssurance immediately upon completion of the
consolidation; and
- Approximately $110 million from a bank term loan to be made to
ProAssurance and funded concurrently with completion of the
consolidation.
Medical Assurance intends to fund in part its dividend to ProAssurance with
the proceeds of an extraordinary dividend of approximately $25 million from its
principal insurance subsidiary, The Medical Assurance Company, Inc. The balance
of the funds to be distributed as a dividend from Medical Assurance to
ProAssurance were previously paid to Medical Assurance as ordinary dividends
from its insurance subsidiaries.
Professionals Group intends to fund in part its dividend with the proceeds
of an extraordinary dividend of approximately $50 million from one of its
principal insurance subsidiaries, ProNational Insurance Company. The balance of
the funds to be distributed as a dividend from Professionals Group to
ProAssurance were previously paid to Professionals Group as ordinary dividends
from its insurance subsidiaries.
Because ProAssurance will have no business operations of its own, it will
be dependent on dividends paid from its insurance subsidiaries to fund the debt
service on the term loan. The payment of dividends by insurance companies is
subject to regulation under state insurance laws which in some cases require
regulatory approval prior to payment of the dividend. The failure of the
insurance subsidiaries to generate cash flow in an amount sufficient to pay
dividends to fund debt service may result in a default under the loan which, if
not waived, may cause the loan to become immediately due and payable.
In addition, increased debt and debt service may have an adverse effect on
the combined company's capital position and liquidity. While ProAssurance
believes that future operating cash flow of its subsidiaries will be sufficient
to fund their operations and the debt service of ProAssurance, leverage and debt
service requirements could have important consequences to holders of
ProAssurance common stock, including the following:
- making ProAssurance more vulnerable to economic downturns and adverse
changes in interest rates;
- restricting ProAssurance's ability to obtain additional financing in the
future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, general
corporate purposes and other purposes;
- making it more difficult for ProAssurance and its insurance subsidiaries
to maintain favorable credit ratings with rating agencies such as A.M.
Best; and
- requiring a substantial portion of the combined companies' cash flow from
operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on
its indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available for operations or
dividends to shareholders.
In connection with such indebtedness, ProAssurance expects to become
subject to numerous financial and other restrictive covenants (including
restrictions on payments of dividends, incurrences of additional indebtedness
and mergers and acquisitions). The failure to comply with these covenants may
result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could cause such
indebtedness to be declared immediately due and payable. Any substantial
increase in ProAssurance's debt levels, or the inability of ProAssurance to
borrow funds at favorable interest rates or to comply with the financial or
other restrictive covenants,
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could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition,
results of operations or prospects of ProAssurance.
Substantial Sales of ProAssurance Common Stock Could Adversely Affect its
Market Price. All of the shares of ProAssurance common stock that are to be
issued in the consolidation may be sold immediately, except for those shares
received by those shareholders who are affiliates of Medical Assurance,
Professionals Group or ProAssurance within the meaning of Rule 145 of the
Securities Act of 1933. Substantially all of the shares of ProAssurance common
stock outstanding after the consolidation will be freely tradeable (subject to
certain Rule 144 restrictions in the case of affiliates). The sale of a
substantial amount of ProAssurance common stock after the consolidation could
adversely affect its market price. It could also impair ProAssurance's ability
to raise money through the sale of more stock or other forms of capital. In
addition, the sale of authorized but unissued shares of ProAssurance common
stock by ProAssurance after the consolidation could adversely affect its market
price. Based on certain assumptions we have made, we expect that there will be
approximately 25.4 million shares of ProAssurance common stock outstanding after
the consolidation, excluding ProAssurance shares issuable upon the exercise of
outstanding options. ProAssurance's certificate of incorporation authorizes the
issuance of up to approximately 74.6 million additional shares of ProAssurance
common stock.
Professionals Group's Personal Lines Insurance is Concentrated in a Single
State and is Highly Cyclical. Professionals Group provides personal auto,
homeowners, boat and umbrella insurance for educational employees and others in
Michigan through its subsidiary, MEEMIC Holdings. Since this personal lines
insurance is currently offered only in Michigan, the revenues and earnings
associated with it are subject to prevailing economic, regulatory, demographic
and other conditions in Michigan, as well as the impact of natural catastrophes,
to a greater extent than if it were offered in several states or regions.
Personal lines insurance is highly cyclical. The profitability of personal
lines insurance can be affected significantly by price competition, regulatory
changes, volatile weather conditions, legal developments affecting insurer
liability and the size of jury awards, and fluctuations in interest rates and
other investment factors.
Personal lines insurance is also very competitive. Competitors include
numerous insurance companies as well as various self-insurance mechanisms.
Principal competitors of Professionals Group in this area include large national
property and casualty insurance companies that have substantially greater
financial resources than does Professionals Group.
Our Corporate Structure Could Limit Our Ability to Pay
Dividends. ProAssurance is a legal entity separate and distinct from its
subsidiaries. Because ProAssurance will have no significant operations of its
own, the principal sources of its funds will be dividends and other
distributions from its subsidiaries, borrowings and sales of equity. The rights
of ProAssurance, and consequently its shareholders, to participate in any
distribution of assets of any of its subsidiaries is subject to prior claims of
policyholders, creditors and preferred shareholders, if any, of such subsidiary
(except to the extent claims of ProAssurance in its capacity as a creditor are
recognized), and to certain regulatory restrictions. Consequently,
ProAssurance's ability to fund its operations and pay debt may be limited.
ProAssurance may engage in activities in addition to providing insurance
through its subsidiaries. Such activities could include activities related to
providing insurance, such as claims and risk management services, and activities
unrelated to insurance. However, ProAssurance has not presently specifically
identified any such additional activities. To the extent that ProAssurance
engages in activities that are unrelated to its insurance operations, it may
have no or limited experience or senior management expertise related to such new
activities.
RISKS RELATED TO PROFESSIONALS GROUP SHAREHOLDERS
As a Professionals Group shareholder you have the right to receive, subject
to certain limitations and adjustments described in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus, your choice of either $12.00 in cash and shares of
ProAssurance common stock initially worth $14.00 or $26.00 in cash. If you elect
to receive
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"cash and stock" you will receive stock in an entity principally engaged in the
medical malpractice insurance industry. In determining whether to make a "cash
and stock" election or an "all cash" election, you should consider the risks
that follow:
Our Revenue May Fluctuate With the Business Cycle and Interest
Rates. Virtually all of Medical Assurance's insurance premium revenue is
derived from medical malpractice risks. Approximately one-half of Professionals
Group's insurance premium revenue is derived from medical malpractice risks.
Many factors influence the financial results of the medical malpractice
insurance business, several of which are beyond our control. The supply of
medical malpractice insurance, or the industry's underwriting capacity, is
determined principally by the industry's level of capitalization, historical
underwriting results, returns on investment and perceived premium rate adequacy.
Historically, the financial performance of the medical malpractice
insurance industry has tended to fluctuate in cyclical patterns characterized by
periods of greater competition in pricing and underwriting terms and conditions
(a "soft insurance market") followed by periods of capital shortage and lesser
competition (a "hard insurance market"). For several years, the medical
malpractice insurance industry has faced a soft insurance market that has
generally resulted in lower premiums and reduced profitability. More recently,
loss costs have begun to rise beyond normal inflationary levels. We are
endeavoring to compete in this market through premium rate increases and more
selective underwriting practices, but there can be no assurance that these
practices will be successful. Moreover, there can be no assurances regarding
whether or when market conditions will improve, or the manner in which, or the
extent to which, changes in market conditions may impact our results and
operations.
We generally rely on the positive performance of our investment portfolios
to offset insurance losses and to enhance profitable results. Consequently,
prevailing economic conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates,
may significantly affect our operations. In addition, changes in interest rates
also can affect the value of our interest-earning assets, which are principally
comprised of fixed and adjustable-rate investment securities. Generally, the
value of fixed-rate investment securities fluctuates inversely with changes in
interest rates. Changes in interest rates also can affect the average life of
investment securities. We are subject to reinvestment risk to the extent that we
are not able to reinvest prepayments at rates which are comparable to the rates
on the maturing investments.
Changes in market interest rates have resulted in, and future changes in
market interest rates may result in, significant changes in the market value of
our portfolios of fixed maturity investments. As of December 31, 2000:
Medical Assurance's portfolio had a modified duration of 2.9 years and
a market value of $604 million which approximated the amortized cost of the
portfolio. A one hundred basis point increase in market interest rates
would decrease the value of this portfolio by 3.0 percent, whereas a one
hundred basis point decrease in market interest rates would increase the
value of this portfolio by 2.8 percent.
Professionals Group's portfolio had a modified duration of 4.3 years
and a market value that was $7.2 million more than the $676 million
amortized cost of such portfolio. A one hundred basis point increase in
market interest rates would decrease the value of this portfolio by
approximately 4.6 percent, whereas a one hundred basis point decrease in
market interest rates would increase the value of this portfolio by
approximately 4.7 percent.
We Face Competition That Could Adversely Affect Our Profitability. Each of
us competes with numerous insurance companies as well as various self-insurance
mechanisms. Principal competitors of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group
include large national property and casualty insurance companies such as GE
Capital, AIG, CNA Insurance and St. Paul Insurance Companies, and doctor
sponsored insurers at the regional and local levels. Many of our competitors
have substantially greater financial resources than we do.
Competition in the medical malpractice insurance industry may take several
forms, including pricing, service quality, breadth and flexibility of coverages,
method of sale, and insurance carrier financial stability and ratings. Each of
us competes through name recognition and reputation, especially by emphasizing a
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high level of customer service to insureds. We also compete in certain states by
using local insurance agencies to sell and distribute our insurance products.
Each of us has attempted to balance the need for upward rate adjustments with
the goal of maintaining market share in a very competitive insurance market.
Health Care Industry Consolidation Could Have a Material Impact on Our
Operations. Each of us derives substantially all of its medical professional
liability insurance premium income from physicians and other individual health
care providers, physician groups, and smaller health care facilities. The health
care industry is undergoing rapid market driven change and consolidation which
may negatively impact the medical practice and economic independence of
physicians who are our primary customer base. For example, the emergence of
"managed care" has made it more difficult for physicians to conduct a
traditional fee-for-service practice and has caused some physicians to leave
private practice for employment with medical systems or to join or contractually
affiliate with managed care organizations or practice management organizations.
Such change and consolidation may result in the elimination of, or a significant
decrease in, the role of the physician in the medical malpractice insurance
purchasing decision. It could also result in greater emphasis on the role of
professional managers, who may seek to purchase insurance on a price competitive
basis, and who may favor insurance companies that are larger and more highly
rated than us. In addition, such change and consolidation could reduce medical
malpractice premiums available to us as groups of insurance purchasers generally
retain more risk by accepting higher deductibles and self-insured retentions or
by forming their own captive insurance mechanisms.
The movement from traditional fee-for-service practice to the managed care
environment may also result in an increase in the liability profile of our
insureds. The majority of our insured physicians practice in primary care
specialties such as internal medicine, family practice, general practice and
pediatrics. In the managed care environment, these primary care physicians are
being required to take on the role of "gatekeeper" and restrain the use of
specialty care by controlling access to specialists and by performing certain
procedures that would customarily be performed by specialists in a
fee-for-service setting. These practice changes are resulting in an increase in
the claims frequency and severity experienced by primary care physicians and by
us as their insurance carrier.
Regulatory Changes Could Have a Material Impact on Our Operations. Our
insurance businesses are subject to extensive regulation by state insurance
authorities in each state in which we operate. These regulatory authorities have
broad administrative and supervisory power relating to:
- licensing requirements;
- trade practices;
- accounting and financing practices;
- capital and surplus requirements;
- the amount of dividends and other payments that can be made by our
insurance subsidiaries without prior regulatory approval;
- investment practices; and
- rate schedules.
Most states also regulate insurance holding companies, like Medical
Assurance, Professionals Group and ProAssurance, in a variety of matters such as
acquisitions, changes of control and the terms of affiliated transactions. These
regulations may impede or impose burdensome conditions on rate increases or
other actions that we may want to take to enhance our operating results, and
could affect our ability to pay dividends on our common stock. In addition, we
may incur significant costs in the course of complying with regulatory
requirements. We cannot assure you that future legislative or regulatory changes
will not adversely affect our business operations.
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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This joint proxy statement/prospectus contains forward-looking statements.
These statements are based on our estimates and assumptions and are subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include
information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of each
of our companies and the combined company. Also, when we use the words
"anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "hopes," "intends," or
similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.
The future results of ProAssurance, Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group could be affected by subsequent events and could differ materially from
those expressed in our forward-looking statements. If future events and actual
performance differ from our assumptions, our actual results could vary
significantly from the performance projected in our forward-looking statements.
There are numerous important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in our forward-looking statements, including the
following:
- underwriting losses if the risks we insure are greater than expected;
- fluctuations in our loss and loss adjustment expense reserves as a result
of uncertainties inherent in our reserving process;
- changes in the availability, cost, quality, or collectibility of
reinsurance;
- inflation and changes in the interest rate environment and/or the
securities markets that adversely impact the fair value of our
investments or operations;
- regulatory and legislative actions or decisions that adversely affect our
business plans or operations;
- restrictions on our ability to achieve continued growth through expansion
into other states or through acquisitions or business combinations;
- general economic conditions, either nationally or in the combined
company's market areas, that are worse than anticipated;
- changes in the legal system that affect the frequency and severity of
claims;
- lower than expected revenues after the consolidation, higher than
expected operating costs after the consolidation, or higher than expected
losses of customers and business after the consolidation;
- lower than expected costs savings from the consolidation, or delays in
obtaining, or an inability to obtain, the costs savings from the
consolidation;
- greater than expected difficulties in integrating our businesses or
retaining key personnel;
- significantly increased competition among insurance providers and related
pricing weaknesses in some markets; and
- the ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth
opportunities.
Due to these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance
on any forward-looking statements.
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SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
SELECTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL AND
OPERATING DATA OF MEDICAL ASSURANCE
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
We are providing the following financial information to aid you in your
analysis of the financial aspects of the consolidation. We derived this
information from Medical Assurance's audited financial statements for 1996
through 2000. All information is presented in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. The information is only a summary and you should read it
in conjunction with Medical Assurance's historical financial statements and
related notes contained in the annual reports and other information that Medical
Assurance has filed with the SEC. This historical financial information has also
been incorporated into this joint proxy statement/prospectus by reference. See
"Where You Can Find More Information."
AT, OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
INCOME STATEMENT DATA(A):
Direct and assumed premiums written......................... $ 223,871 $ 201,593 $ 192,479 $ 188,195 $137,840
Net premiums earned......................................... 177,596 164,424 141,316 118,967 104,518
Net investment income....................................... 41,450 39,273 39,402 38,474 32,114
Other income................................................ 3,543 4,332 12,885 3,301 2,642
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses..................... 155,710 104,657 93,893 77,674 72,759
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change........ 24,300 46,700 48,523 37,458 31,149
Cumulative effect of accounting change(b)................... -- -- (1,123) -- --
Net income.................................................. 24,300 46,700 47,400 37,458 31,149
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted(c)...................................... 23,291 23,992 24,729 24,844 24,108
PER COMMON SHARE DATA(A)(C):
Basic and diluted:
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change...... $ 1.04 $ 1.95 $ 1.96 $ 1.51 $ 1.29
Cumulative effect of accounting change(b)................. -- -- (0.04) -- --
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
Net income.......................................... $ 1.04 $ 1.95 $ 1.92 $ 1.51 $ 1.29
========== ========== ========== ========== ========
Book value at period-end.................................... $ 15.22 $ 13.92 $ 13.24 $ 11.57 $ 9.81
BALANCE SHEET DATA(A):
Total investments........................................... $ 796,526 $ 761,918 $ 791,579 $ 720,202 $666,759
Total assets................................................ 1,122,836 1,117,668 1,132,239 1,063,173 905,308
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses............. 659,659 665,792 660,640 614,729 548,742
Total liabilities........................................... 777,669 791,944 808,059 775,985 660,743
Total capital............................................... 345,167 325,724 324,180 287,188 244,565
Common stock outstanding at end of period(c)................ 22,682 23,401 24,477 24,829 24,933
---------------
(a) Amounts attributable to Medical Assurance of Missouri, acquired December 20,
1996, are included in the above balance sheet data but are considered
immaterial for inclusion in Medical Assurance's 1996 operations.
(b) Net income for 1998 was reduced by $1.1 million which represents the
cumulative effect (net of tax) of an accounting change for guaranty fund
assessments due to the adoption of the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants' Statement of Position 97-3.
(c) The Medical Assurance board of directors declared special stock dividends in
December 1999 (5%), 1998 (10%), 1997 (5%), and 1996 (6%); in August 1997 the
Medical Assurance board of directors declared a two-for-one stock split. All
per share data of Medical Assurance has been restated as if the dividends
and the stock split had been declared on January 1, 1996. Treasury stock is
excluded from the date of acquisition for purposes of determining the
weighted average number of shares outstanding used in the computation of net
income per share of common stock.
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SELECTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL AND
OPERATING DATA OF PROFESSIONALS GROUP
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
We are providing the following financial information to aid you in your
analysis of the financial aspects of the consolidation. We derived this
information from Professionals Group's audited financial statements for 1996
through 2000. All information is presented in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. The information is only a summary and you should read it
in conjunction with Professionals Group's historical financial statements and
related notes contained in the annual reports and other information that
Professionals Group has filed with the SEC. This historical financial
information has also been incorporated into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus by reference. See "Where You Can Find More Information."
AT, OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER, 31
--------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- -------- -------- --------
INCOME STATEMENT DATA(A):
Direct and assumed premiums written......................... $ 271,241 $ 225,123 $162,529 $181,170 $154,739
Net premiums earned......................................... 226,390 195,169 153,449 132,026 125,406
Net investment income....................................... 46,232 41,142 38,443 39,521 39,051
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses(b).................. 213,628 160,760 172,086 126,442 126,164
Income (loss) before extraordinary item..................... 11,699 25,791 (3,231) 22,428 18,961
Extraordinary item(c)....................................... -- 1,397 -- -- --
Net income (loss)........................................... 11,699 27,188 (3,231) 22,428 18,961
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic(d).................................................. 8,894 9,145 9,189 9,174 9,155
Diluted(d)................................................ 8,986 9,253 9,189 9,176 9,155
PER COMMON SHARE DATA(A)(D):
Basic:
Income (loss) before extraordinary item................... $ 1.32 $ 2.82 $ (0.35) $ 2.44 $ 2.07
Extraordinary item(c)..................................... -- 0.15 -- -- --
---------- ---------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)................................... $ 1.32 $ 2.97 $ (0.35) $ 2.44 $ 2.07
========== ========== ======== ======== ========
Diluted:
Income (loss) before extraordinary item................... $ 1.27 $ 2.75 $ (0.35) $ 2.44 $ 2.07
Extraordinary item(c)..................................... -- 0.15 -- -- --
---------- ---------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)................................... $ 1.27 $ 2.90 $ (0.35) $ 2.44 $ 2.07
========== ========== ======== ======== ========
Book value at period-end(d)................................. $ 27.52 $ 24.10 $ 24.13 $ 23.97 $ 20.73
BALANCE SHEET DATA(A):
Total investments........................................... $ 780,941 $ 758,268 $691,033 $678,642 $644,992
Total assets................................................ 1,136,753 1,072,089 889,211 847,990 774,904
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses............. 711,187 659,655 567,257 514,835 524,932
Total liabilities and minority interest..................... 893,177 855,273 667,114 628,110 584,747
Total capital............................................... 243,576 216,816 222,097 219,880 190,157
Common stock outstanding at end of period(d)................ 8,851 8,998 9,205 9,174 9,174
---------------
(a) From July 1, 1997 through June 30, 1999, Professionals Group assumed 40% of
the net premiums of Michigan Educational Employees Mutual Insurance Company,
the predecessor to MEEMIC Holdings. On July 1, 1999, MEEMIC Holdings was
consolidated into Professionals Group's financial statements as a result of
Professionals Group obtaining majority ownership.
(b) In 1998, Professionals Group increased its estimated liability for loss and
loss adjustment expense reserves by $25.6 million to reflect actuarial
estimates and the application of Professionals Group's reserving practices
to its Florida book of business.
(c) In 1999, Professionals Group recognized a $1.4 million gain on the early
extinguishment of debt by MEEMIC Holdings, net of taxes of $0.7 million that
was reported as an extraordinary item.
(d) Prior period amounts have been restated for the effects of 10% stock
dividends on December 13, 1999, December 23, 1998 and December 16, 1996,
respectively.
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SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
OF PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
The following selected unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data has
been derived from and should be read in conjunction or together with the
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related
notes on pages 79 to 88. This information is based on the historical
consolidated balance sheets and related consolidated statements of income of
ProAssurance Corporation, Medical Assurance, and Professionals Group. The
balance sheet information gives effect to the consolidation transaction as of
December 31, 2000. The income statement data gives effect to the corporate
reorganization of Medical Assurance and ProAssurance, treated in a manner
similar to a pooling of interests, and gives effect to the consolidation of
Professionals Group and ProAssurance, treated as a purchase transaction, as if
the transaction had occurred on January 1, 2000. The statements include pro
forma adjustments as described in the notes accompanying the financial
statements. The pro forma data is based on preliminary estimates, available
information and certain assumptions, and may be revised as additional
information becomes available. This information is for illustrative purposes
only. The companies may have performed differently had they always been
combined. The selected unaudited pro forma financial data may not be indicative
of what the combined company will experience after the consolidation.
AT, OR FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2000
-----------------
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Net premiums earned......................................... $ 403,986
Net investment income....................................... 80,403
Other income................................................ 4,346
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses..................... 369,338
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses............ 88,402
Interest expense............................................ 8,045
Income before extraordinary item and cumulative effect of
accounting change......................................... 24,198
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic..................................................... 25,973
Diluted................................................... 25,977
Income before extraordinary item and cumulative effect of
accounting change:
Basic..................................................... $ 0.93
Diluted................................................... $ 0.92
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total investments........................................... $1,455,467
Total assets................................................ 2,132,807
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses............. 1,370,846
Total liabilities and minority interest..................... 1,745,957
Total capital............................................... 386,850
Common stock outstanding.................................... 25,364
Book value per common share at period-end................... 15.25
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UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA
OF PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
The information below should be read together with the historical financial
statements and related notes contained in the annual reports and other
information of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group that have been filed
with the SEC and incorporated herein by reference. The unaudited ProAssurance
pro forma consolidated data below is for illustrative purposes only. The
companies may have performed differently had they always been combined. This
information should not be relied upon as being indicative of the historical
results that would have been achieved had the companies always been combined or
the future results that the combined company will experience after the
consolidation. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements" and "Where You Can Find More Information."
FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2000
-----------------
INCOME PER SHARE BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY ITEM
AND CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE
Medical Assurance (historical)
Basic..................................................... $ 1.04
Diluted................................................... $ 1.04
Professionals Group (historical)
Basic..................................................... $ 1.32
Diluted................................................... $ 1.27
ProAssurance Pro Forma Consolidated(a)
Basic..................................................... $ .93
Diluted................................................... $ .92
Professionals Group Pro Forma Equivalent(c)
Basic..................................................... $ 1.00
Diluted................................................... $ 0.99
BOOK VALUE PER COMMON SHARE AT PERIOD-END
Medical Assurance (historical).............................. $15.22
Professionals Group (historical)............................ 27.52
ProAssurance Pro Forma Consolidated(b)...................... 15.25
Professionals Group Pro Forma Equivalent(b)(c).............. 16.47
---------------
(a) ProAssurance pro forma consolidated earnings per share data gives effect to
the corporate reorganization of Medical Assurance and ProAssurance, treated
in a manner similar to a pooling of interests, and to the consolidation of
Professionals Group and ProAssurance, treated as a purchase transaction, as
if the transactions had occurred on January 1, 2000.
(b) ProAssurance pro forma consolidated book value per share gives effect to the
consolidation transaction as of December 31, 2000.
(c) Professionals Group pro forma equivalent information represents the
unaudited pro forma consolidated data per share of Professionals Group
common stock, assuming an exchange ratio of 1.08 based on the average
Medical Assurance stock price of $13.00 per share for the twenty trading day
period ended April 20, 2001. The Medical Assurance exchange ratio is 1.00
thus the pro forma equivalent information is the same as the ProAssurance
pro forma consolidated per share amounts.
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COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICES
Medical Assurance common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol "MAI." Professionals Group common stock is traded on the Nasdaq
National Market under the symbol "PICM." Although transactions in Medical
Assurance common stock and Professionals Group common stock have been, and are
expected to continue to be, facilitated by market-makers, there can be no
assurance that an established or liquid trading market in Medical Assurance
common stock or Professionals Group common stock will continue. The following
table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing sale
prices per share of Medical Assurance common stock as reported on the NYSE and
the high and low closing sale prices for Professionals Group common stock as
reported on the Nasdaq National Market. The stock price information has been
adjusted to reflect all stock dividends and stock splits on Medical Assurance
common stock and Professionals Group common stock. The information with respect
to such sale prices was obtained from the New York Stock Exchange (MAI) and the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (PICM).
MEDICAL ASSURANCE PROFESSIONALS GROUP
COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK
------------------ --------------------
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
------- ------- -------- --------
1998
First Quarter........................................... $25.97 $21.65 $35.95 $32.23
Second Quarter.......................................... 25.97 23.11 35.12 27.48
Third Quarter........................................... 24.94 20.83 31.41 20.66
Fourth Quarter.......................................... 29.33 22.19 31.82 20.71
1999
First Quarter........................................... 31.43 25.60 28.30 23.18
Second Quarter.......................................... 28.57 25.48 32.16 21.93
Third Quarter........................................... 28.57 23.87 31.48 21.93
Fourth Quarter.......................................... 23.81 19.29 25.69 20.91
2000
First Quarter........................................... 23.13 16.88 24.00 16.13
Second Quarter.......................................... 20.81 10.19 24.44 13.18
Third Quarter........................................... 12.50 10.56 24.06 21.00
Fourth Quarter.......................................... 16.68 12.38 24.13 21.94
2001
First Quarter........................................... 18.06 12.00 25.25 21.81
Second Quarter (through April 25, 2001)................. 14.99 12.54 25.44 23.88
Because no shares of ProAssurance common stock have been issued, they are
not currently traded in any regularly established securities market. However, it
is a condition to the completion of the consolidation that shares of
ProAssurance common stock to be issued in the consolidation be approved for
listing on the New York Stock Exchange subject to official notice of issuance.
Following completion of the consolidation, trading in shares of Medical
Assurance common stock and shares of Professionals Group common stock will cease
and there will be no further market for such shares.
The last sales prices of Medical Assurance common stock and Professionals
Group common stock prior to the public announcement of the consolidation
agreement on June 23, 2000 were $11.13 and $16.00, respectively. The last sales
prices of Medical Assurance common stock and Professionals Group common stock on
April 25, 2001, the last practicable trading day prior to the mailing of this
joint proxy statement/prospectus, were $14.99 and $25.30, respectively.
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THE SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
DATES, TIMES AND PLACES
Medical Assurance. This joint proxy statement/prospectus is being
furnished to Medical Assurance shareholders in connection with the solicitation
by Medical Assurance's board of directors of proxies to be used at the special
meeting of Medical Assurance's shareholders to be held at the Harbert Center,
2019 Fourth Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203 on June 25, 2001 at 9:00
a.m., local time.
Professionals Group. This joint proxy statement/prospectus is being
furnished to Professionals Group shareholders in connection with the
solicitation by Professionals Group's board of directors of proxies to be used
at the special meeting of Professionals Group's shareholders to be held at 2600
Professionals Drive, Okemos, Michigan on June 25, 2001, at 10:00 a.m., local
time.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED; VOTES REQUIRED
Medical Assurance. At the special meeting of Medical Assurance's
shareholders, the shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the
proposed consolidation. On each matter considered at the Medical Assurance
meeting, each Medical Assurance shareholder will have one vote at the Medical
Assurance meeting for each share of Medical Assurance common stock owned by him
or her at the close of business on May 3, 2001.
To complete the consolidation, a majority of the outstanding shares of
Medical Assurance common stock must vote FOR the consolidation.
If any other action is to be taken by a vote of Medical Assurance's
shareholders, it will be authorized by a majority of the votes cast by the
holders of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Medical
Assurance meeting and entitled to vote on the action.
THE MEDICAL ASSURANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT
MEDICAL ASSURANCE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE CONSOLIDATION.
As of March 31, 2001, Medical Assurance's directors and executive officers
and their affiliates owned 3,058,585 shares, about 13.3%, of the outstanding
shares of Medical Assurance common stock (including 355,516 shares of Medical
Assurance common stock which may be acquired upon the exercise of options which
are exercisable within 60 days of such date). As of March 31, 2001 Professionals
Group's directors and executive officers and their affiliates did not own any of
the outstanding shares of Medical Assurance common stock. The directors and
executive officers of Medical Assurance and of Professionals Group have
indicated that they intend to vote all shares of Medical Assurance common stock
owned by them FOR the consolidation.
As of March 31, 2001, neither Medical Assurance nor any of its subsidiaries
had or shared the right to vote any of the outstanding shares of Medical
Assurance common stock, and Professionals Group and its subsidiaries had or
shared the right to vote 308 of the outstanding shares of Medical Assurance
common stock. Professionals Group and its subsidiaries intend to vote all shares
of Medical Assurance common stock owned by them FOR the consolidation.
Additional information with respect to beneficial ownership of Medical
Assurance common stock by persons and entities owning more than 5% of such stock
and more detailed information with respect to beneficial ownership of Medical
Assurance common stock by Medical Assurance's directors and executive officers
is contained in Medical Assurance's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2000, which is incorporated by reference in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information."
Professionals Group. At the special meeting of the Professionals Group's
shareholders, the shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the
proposed consolidation. On each matter considered at the Professionals Group
meeting, each Professionals Group shareholder will have one vote
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for each share of Professionals Group common stock owned by him or her at the
close of business on April 27, 2001.
To complete the consolidation, a majority of the outstanding shares of
Professionals Group common stock must vote FOR the consolidation.
If any other action is to be taken by a vote of Professionals Group's
shareholders, it will be authorized by a majority of the votes cast by the
holders of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the
Professionals Group meeting and entitled to vote on the action.
THE PROFESSIONALS GROUP BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT PROFESSIONALS
GROUP SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE CONSOLIDATION.
As of March 31, 2001 Professionals Group's directors and executive officers
and their affiliates owned 371,912 shares, about 4.2%, of the outstanding shares
of Professionals Group common stock (including 123,676 shares of Professionals
Group common stock which may be acquired upon the exercise of options which are
exercisable within 60 days of such date). The directors and executive officers
of Professionals Group have indicated that they intend to vote all shares of
Professionals Group common stock owned by them FOR the consolidation. As of
March 31, 2001, the directors and officers of Medical Assurance did not own any
shares of Professionals Group common stock.
As of April 18, 2001, neither Professionals Group nor any of its
subsidiaries had or shared the right to vote any of the outstanding shares of
Professionals Group common stock, and Medical Assurance and its subsidiaries had
or shared the right to vote 373,761 of the outstanding shares of Professionals
Group common stock. Medical Assurance and its subsidiaries intend to vote all
shares of Professionals Group common stock owned by them FOR the consolidation.
Additional information with respect to beneficial ownership of
Professionals Group common stock by persons and entities owning more than 5% of
such stock and more detailed information with respect to beneficial ownership of
Professionals Group common stock by Professionals Group's directors and
executive officers is contained in Professionals Group's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 as amended by Form 10-K/A (Amendment
No. 1) filed on April 24, 2001, which is incorporated by reference in this joint
proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information." Medical
Assurance filed a Schedule 13D on March 26, 2001, as amended April 18, 2001, to
disclose its ownership of Professionals Group common stock.
VOTING OF PROXIES
All shares of Medical Assurance common stock and Professionals Group common
stock represented by properly executed proxies received at or prior to the
applicable meeting, and not revoked, will be voted at that meeting in accordance
with the instructions indicated in those proxies.
Properly executed Medical Assurance proxies which do not contain voting
instructions will be voted FOR the consolidation.
Properly executed Professionals Group proxies which do not contain voting
instructions will be voted FOR the consolidation.
You may be able to vote by telephone or electronically via the Internet in
accordance with instructions included on your white proxy card instead of
submitting your proxy vote on the paper proxy card. Votes submitted by telephone
must be received by 4:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight time, on June 22, 2001. Votes
submitted electronically via the Internet must be received by 4:00 p.m., Eastern
Daylight time, on June 22, 2001. To submit your vote by telephone, you should
call (800) 840-1208, have your white proxy card in hand, enter your company
control number, which is indicated on your white proxy
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card, and follow the instructions provided to you when you call. To submit your
vote electronically via the Internet, visit
- www.eproxy.com/picm/ if you are a Professionals Group shareholder, or
- www.eproxy.com/mai/ if you are a Medical Assurance shareholder, and
have your white proxy card in hand and follow the instructions to enter your
company control number, which is indicated on your proxy card, and to create an
electronic voting instruction form. These instructions are also contained on the
accompanying white proxy card.
Brokers who hold shares of Medical Assurance common stock or Professionals
Group common stock for customers are not authorized to vote on the consolidation
without specific voting instructions from their customers (a "broker nonvote").
However, solely for purposes of determining whether the consolidation has
received the vote of shareholders required for approval, each "broker nonvote"
and each abstention is functionally equivalent to a vote "against" the
consolidation. If any other matters are properly presented at a meeting for
consideration, the persons named in the relevant form of proxy enclosed herewith
and acting thereunder will have discretion to vote on such matters in accordance
with their best judgment; provided, however, that no proxy will be voted in
favor of adjournment or postponement to solicit further proxies for such
proposal.
Neither Medical Assurance nor Professionals Group knows of any other
matters to be brought before the meetings other than those referred to in this
joint proxy statement/prospectus, but if any other business should properly come
before a meeting, the persons named in the proxy, or authorized substitutes,
intend to vote in accordance with their best judgment.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
Medical Assurance. If your Medical Assurance shares are held in your name
and not through a broker or bank, then you can change your vote at any time
before your proxy is voted at the applicable meeting. You can do this in three
ways: First, you can send a written statement that you would like to revoke your
proxy. Second, you can send a new proxy card. You should send your revocation or
new proxy card to Mellon Investor Services LLC, 600 Willow Tree Road, Leonia,
New Jersey 07605, Attention: Proxy Department. Third, you can attend the Medical
Assurance special meeting and vote in person. However, your attendance alone
will not revoke your proxy.
Medical Assurance votes submitted by telephone may be revoked in the same
manner as is indicated in the preceding paragraph and may also be revoked by
subsequent telephonic votes at any time before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight time,
on June 22, 2001. Medical Assurance votes submitted electronically via the
Internet may be revoked in the same manner as is indicated in the preceding
paragraph and may also be revoked by subsequent Internet votes at any time
before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight time, on June 22, 2001. Attendance at the
Medical Assurance special meeting will not constitute a revocation of a previous
vote via telephone or electronically via the Internet.
If your Medical Assurance shares are held by a broker or bank and you
instructed the broker or bank to vote your Medical Assurance shares, you must
follow the directions of your broker or bank for changing those instructions.
Professionals Group. If your Professionals Group shares are held in your
name and not through a broker or bank, then you can change your vote at any time
before your proxy is voted at the applicable meeting. You can do this in three
ways: First, you can send a written statement that you would like to revoke your
proxy. Second, you can send a new proxy card. You should send your revocation or
new proxy card to Mellon Investor Services LLC, 600 Willow Tree Road, Leonia,
New Jersey 07605 Attention: Proxy Department. Third, you can attend the
Professionals Group special meeting and vote in person. However, your attendance
alone will not revoke your proxy.
Professionals Group votes submitted by telephone may be revoked in the same
manner as is indicated in the preceding paragraph and may also be revoked by
subsequent telephonic votes at any time before
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4:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight time, on June 22, 2001. Professionals Group votes
submitted electronically via the Internet may be revoked in the same manner as
is indicated in the preceding paragraph and may also be revoked by subsequent
Internet votes at any time before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight time, on June 22,
2001. Attendance at the Professionals Group special meeting will not constitute
a revocation of a previous vote via telephone or electronically via the
Internet.
If your Professionals Group shares are held by a broker or bank and you
instructed the broker or bank to vote your Professionals Group shares, you must
follow the directions of your broker or bank for changing those instructions.
RECORD DATES; VOTING RIGHTS; QUORUMS
Medical Assurance. Only holders of record of Medical Assurance common
stock at the close of business on May 3, 2001 are entitled to receive notice of
and to vote at the Medical Assurance meeting. As of March 31, 2001, 22,681,782
shares of Medical Assurance common stock were outstanding. At least a majority
of the outstanding shares of Medical Assurance common stock must be represented
in person or by proxy at the Medical Assurance meeting in order for a quorum to
be present. "Broker nonvotes" and abstentions are counted for purposes of
determining a quorum. However, solely for purposes of determining whether the
consolidation has received the vote of Medical Assurance shareholders required
for approval, each "broker nonvote" and each abstention is functionally
equivalent to a vote "against" the consolidation.
Professionals Group. Only holders of record of Professionals Group common
stock at the close of business on April 27, 2001 are entitled to receive notice
of and to vote at the Professionals Group meeting. As of March 31, 2001,
8,851,223 shares of Professionals Group common stock were outstanding. At least
2,950,408 shares of Professionals Group common stock must be represented in
person or by proxy at the Professionals Group meeting in order for a quorum to
be present. "Broker nonvotes" and abstentions are counted for purposes of
determining a quorum. However, solely for purposes of determining whether the
consolidation has received the vote of Professionals Group shareholders required
for approval, each "broker nonvote" and each abstention is functionally
equivalent to a vote "against" the consolidation.
NO DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL
Dissenters' rights of appraisal are not available to either Medical
Assurance shareholders or Professionals Group shareholders.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Medical Assurance will pay the cost of soliciting Medical Assurance proxies
and Professionals Group will pay the cost of soliciting Professionals Group
proxies. However, Medical Assurance and Professionals Group will share equally
the cost of printing this joint proxy statement/prospectus. In addition to
solicitation by mail, proxies may be solicited by telephone, telegram, datagram,
in person or by other written and electronic forms of communication.
Arrangements will be made with brokerage firms, nominees, fiduciaries and other
custodians for the forwarding of solicitation materials to the beneficial owners
of shares held of record by such persons, and each company will reimburse such
persons for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith.
Proxies may be solicited on behalf of each company by mail or personally,
or by telephone, telegraph, datagram or other forms of communication, by
directors, officers and regular employees of such company and its subsidiaries
(none of whom shall receive any additional compensation for such services, but
will be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection
with such solicitation).
Professionals Group has retained Morrow & Co. at an estimated cost of
$7,500 to assist them in the solicitation of proxies for the Professionals Group
special meeting.
The white proxy card is for your use to vote for or against the
consolidation. Please indicate on your proxy card how you want to vote your
shares and sign and mail the proxy card in the enclosed return
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white envelope as soon as possible so that your shares may be represented at the
meeting. You also have the ability to vote electronically via the Internet or by
telephone as is indicated on your proxy card.
Medical Assurance shareholders should not send stock certificates with
their proxy cards.
PROFESSIONALS GROUP SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT SEND THEIR PROFESSIONALS GROUP
STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR PROXY CARDS. IF YOU ARE A PROFESSIONALS GROUP
SHAREHOLDER, YOUR ELECTION WITH RESPECT TO THE TYPE OF CONSIDERATION YOU WISH TO
RECEIVE IN THE CONSOLIDATION MUST BE MADE ON THE YELLOW ELECTION FORM/LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL ENCLOSED WITH THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. You must deliver
your validly completed election form/letter of transmittal, together with your
Professionals Group stock certificates, a book entry transfer for your shares,
or a guarantee of delivery for your certificates, to the exchange agent by 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the day the consolidation is completed, which we
expect to be June 27, 2001. After this deadline, you may not make any elections
with respect to the type of consideration you wish to receive.
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THE CONSOLIDATION
The following discussion describes the material aspects of the
consolidation. Because this discussion is a summary, it may not contain all of
the information that is important to you. To understand the consolidation fully,
and for a more complete description of the legal terms of the consolidation, you
should read carefully this entire joint proxy statement/prospectus and the
documents we have referred you to. See "Where You Can Find More Information."
A copy of the consolidation agreement without any exhibits or schedules is
attached as Exhibit A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is
incorporated by reference. We encourage you to read the consolidation agreement
completely and carefully as it is the legal document that governs the
consolidation.
GENERAL
Our boards of directors have unanimously approved the consolidation. When
the consolidation is completed:
- Medical Assurance will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of ProAssurance;
- Professionals Group will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of
ProAssurance;
- each share of Medical Assurance common stock you own will be converted
into one share of ProAssurance common stock; and
- subject to the adjustments and limitations described in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus, each share of Professionals Group common stock you
own will be converted into the right to receive your choice of either
$12.00 in cash and shares of ProAssurance common stock initially worth
$14.00 OR $26.00 in cash.
The shares of ProAssurance common stock to be issued in the consolidation
will be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official
notice of issuance, before the completion of the consolidation.
If the consolidation is completed, then Medical Assurance common stock will
be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, Professionals Group common stock
will be delisted from the Nasdaq National Market, and both Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group will no longer be subject to periodic reporting requirements
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
We are working towards completing the consolidation as quickly as possible,
and we expect to complete the consolidation before June 30, 2001.
CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED IN THE CONSOLIDATION
Medical Assurance shareholders will receive only stock in the
consolidation. Each share of Medical Assurance common stock you own will be
converted into one share of ProAssurance common stock.
We have fixed the exchange ratio for shares of Medical Assurance common
stock. Because we cannot predict the market price of shares of ProAssurance
common stock prior to or following the completion of the consolidation, we
cannot predict the value of the shares of ProAssurance common stock you will
receive for your shares of Medical Assurance common stock. That value could be
significantly higher or lower than the current value of your shares of Medical
Assurance common stock. On April 25, 2001, the last reported sales price of
Medical Assurance common stock was $14.99.
Professionals Group shareholders will receive their choice of cash and
stock or only cash in the consolidation. Each share of Professionals Group
common stock you own will be converted into the right to receive, subject to
certain limitations and adjustments described in this joint proxy statement/
prospectus, your choice of either $12.00 in cash and shares of ProAssurance
common stock initially valued at $14.00 OR $26.00 in cash.
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Because we cannot predict the market price of shares of ProAssurance common
stock prior to or following the completion of consolidation, to determine the
number of shares of ProAssurance common stock that has an initial value of
$14.00, we will divide $14.00 by the average sales price of Medical Assurance
common stock during the 20 trading day period ending on the date of the
Professionals Group shareholder meeting. On April 25, 2001, the last reported
sales price of Medical Assurance common stock was $14.99, making $14.00 worth of
ProAssurance common stock equivalent to 0.934 shares.
The amount of cash payable with respect to a share of Professionals Group
stock under either choice will be subject to increase or decrease to reflect
certain changes in the aggregate market value of Professionals Group's
consolidated portfolio assets from the end of 1999 to the end of the second to
last calendar month prior to completion of the consolidation. The change in the
market value of those consolidated portfolio assets will be equal to the sum of
(i) the unrealized gain or loss attributable to those consolidated portfolio
assets held on both December 31, 1999, and the valuation date and (ii) the
amount by which the net realized gain or loss on portfolio assets held on
December 31, 1999, and sold prior to the valuation date exceeds $2,000,000. If
the change in the market value of Professional Group's consolidated portfolio
assets reflects a net gain, the amount of the increase will be adjusted to
reflect net after tax charges and the resulting amount will be divided by the
number of shares of Professionals Group stock in order to determine the amount
by which the per share cash consideration will increase. If, on the other hand,
the change in the market value of Professionals Group's consolidated portfolio
assets reflects a net loss, the amount of the decrease will be adjusted to
reflect net after tax benefits and the resulting amount will be divided by the
number of shares of Professionals Group stock in order to determine the amount
by which the per share cash consideration will decrease.
For example, if you assume that the valuation date was at March 31, 2001,
the change in the market value of Professionals Group's consolidated portfolio
assets as determined in accordance with the consolidation agreement reflected a
per share increase to the purchase price of approximately $1.95.
Because we have limited the total amount of cash that can be paid to
Professionals Group shareholders as a group to a maximum of 90% of the total
consideration payable with respect to all outstanding shares of Professionals
Group common stock, you may not receive the form of payment you select for your
shares of Professionals Group common stock. If the cash consideration elected by
Professionals Group shareholders is more than the amount of cash available for
payment, then some "all cash" elections will be converted to "cash and stock"
elections, and the shares of Professionals Group common stock subject to such
converted elections will be exchanged for a combination of cash and shares of
ProAssurance common stock as if the holder had made a "cash and stock" election.
The "all cash" elections subject to conversion to "cash and stock" elections
will be selected by the exchange agent in the order last received by the
exchange agent. "All cash" elections will be converted into "cash and stock"
elections until ProAssurance common stock to be issued to Professionals Group
shareholders comprises at least 10% of the total consideration payable with
respect to all outstanding shares of Professionals Group common stock. If you
are a Professionals Group shareholder and you make a "cash election," you will
not know the actual mix of consideration that you will receive for your
Professionals Group shares at the time you vote or make your election because of
the possibility that an "all cash" election will be converted to a "cash and
stock" election.
We have fixed the cash price and exchange ratio per share for shares of
Professionals Group common stock, subject to adjustment to reflect changes in
the aggregate market value of Professionals Group's consolidated portfolio
assets. Because we cannot predict the market price of shares of ProAssurance
common stock prior to or following completion of the consolidation, we cannot
predict the value of the shares of ProAssurance common stock that you may
receive for your shares of Professionals Group common stock. Accordingly, the
value of the combination of cash and shares of ProAssurance common stock
following completion of the consolidation, based on reported market prices,
could be significantly higher or lower than the amount payable solely in cash
for a share of Professionals Group common stock. On April 25, 2001, the last
reported sales price of Professionals Group common stock was $25.30.
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YOU SHOULD OBTAIN CURRENT STOCK PRICE QUOTATIONS FOR MEDICAL ASSURANCE
COMMON STOCK AND PROFESSIONALS GROUP COMMON STOCK. THESE QUOTATIONS ARE
AVAILABLE FROM YOUR STOCK BROKER, IN MAJOR NEWSPAPERS AND ON THE INTERNET.
No fractional shares of ProAssurance common stock will be issued in the
consolidation. No fractional shares will result from the exchange of Medical
Assurance stock for ProAssurance stock. Each Professionals Group shareholder who
would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share of ProAssurance common
stock will receive cash. The amount of cash paid to Professionals Group
shareholders in lieu of fractional shares will be equal in amount to the product
of the fraction of a share of ProAssurance common stock that would be otherwise
issued multiplied by the average sales price of Medical Assurance common stock
during the 20 trading day period ending on the date of the Professionals Group
shareholder meeting.
FINANCING FOR THE CONSOLIDATION
ProAssurance will derive the cash needed to pay the Professionals Group
shareholders in the consolidation from the following sources:
- Up to $135 million as dividends from Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group payable to ProAssurance immediately upon completion of the
consolidation; and
- Approximately $110 million from a bank term loan to be made to
ProAssurance and funded concurrently with completion of the
consolidation.
The dividend from Medical Assurance to ProAssurance will be funded in part
by an extraordinary dividend from its principal insurance subsidiary, The
Medical Assurance Company, Inc. The Medical Assurance Company, Inc. filed a
notice with the Alabama Commissioner of Insurance - a Form D Notice -- in
support of its request for approval of the payment of an extraordinary dividend
of approximately $25 million. The payment of this dividend was approved by the
Alabama Commissioner of Insurance on November 16, 2000, and will be paid to
Medical Assurance upon completion of the consolidation. The balance of the funds
to be distributed as a dividend from Medical Assurance to ProAssurance were
previously paid to Medical Assurance as ordinary dividends from its insurance
subsidiaries.
The dividend from Professionals Group will be funded in part with the
proceeds of an extraordinary dividend from one of its principal insurance
subsidiaries, ProNational Insurance Company. ProNational filed a Form D Notice
with the Michigan Commissioner of Insurance in support of its request for
approval of the payment of an extraordinary dividend of approximately $50
million. The payment of this dividend was approved by the Michigan Commissioner
of Insurance on November 28, 2000, and will be paid to Professionals Group upon
completion of the consolidation. The balance of the funds to be distributed as a
dividend from Professionals Group to ProAssurance were previously paid to
Professionals Group as ordinary dividends from its insurance subsidiaries.
SouthTrust Bank has acted as the lead bank in arranging for a term loan of
up to $110 million to ProAssurance. The term loan provides for:
- Payment of interest on the outstanding principal balance of the term loan
at a variable rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or
the base rate of SouthTrust as elected from time to time by ProAssurance.
- Payment of the principal amount of the term loan over a five year term in
minimum quarterly installments of $2.5 million and in annual
installments -- beginning 2002 equal to the lesser of the amount by which
50% of the annual net cash flow of ProAssurance exceeds the minimum
quarterly payments for such year ($10 million) or $15 million.
- The term loan will be secured by a pledge of the stock of Medical
Assurance and Professionals Group and certain of their principal
subsidiaries.
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- The term loan may be repaid at any time without penalty subject to an
interest rate make-up adjustment.
ProAssurance anticipates that it will enter into an interest rate
protection agreement to fix the interest expense on some or all of the
outstanding indebtedness under the term loan.
SouthTrust has also arranged for a revolving credit facility to
ProAssurance of up to $40 million for general corporate purposes. Interest will
be payable at the same rate as the term loan. ProAssurance may borrow funds on
this credit facility from time to time so long as the outstanding principal does
not exceed $40 million. The principal on this credit facility will be payable in
full in two years, subject to renewal. The pledge of stock of Medical Assurance
and Professionals Group and their principal subsidiaries will also secure this
credit facility.
So long as indebtedness is outstanding under the term loan or the credit
facility, ProAssurance and its principal subsidiaries must:
- provide the banks financial and other information periodically and permit
the banks to inspect their books and records;
- maintain their corporate existence and not permit any of them to
dissolve, or to merge with or into, or to transfer substantially all of
its assets to, another person without the consent of the banks;
- not create or incur any additional debt or liens on any assets, except as
specifically provided in the loan agreement;
- not acquire whether by purchase of assets, stock or merger any other
business or entity at a cost of more than $10 million, without the
consent of the banks;
- comply with a consolidated debt service coverage ratio of 3.75 to 1
through June 30, 2002 and 3.0 to 1 thereafter;
- comply with a minimum consolidated tangible net worth equal to the sum of
(i) the greater of (A) 90% of the consolidated net worth of ProAssurance
as of June 30, 2001, or (B) $290,000,000, plus (ii) 75% of cumulative
consolidated net income after June 30, 2001;
- comply with a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1
through December 31, 2001 and 1.5 to 1 thereafter;
- comply with a funded debt to adjusted statutory capital ratio of 3.5 to
1; and
- maintain the ability of ProAssurance's subsidiaries to pay dividends free
and clear of any restrictions or encumbrances other than those imposed by
applicable insurance laws and regulations.
The Medical Assurance Company, Inc. and ProNational Insurance Company must
each comply with an NAIC risk-based capital ratio of 3.5 to 1. At the end of any
fiscal year, if the NAIC risk-based capital ratio for either company is below
3.5 to 1 but not less than 3.0 to 1, ProAssurance will have 30 days to pledge to
the banks excess cash in an amount required to achieve a 3.5 to 1 ratio in order
to avoid a default.
The banks have a right to demand full payment of the term loan and credit
facility upon the occurrence of certain events of default. In addition to the
failure to make any scheduled payment of principal or interest, the following
are events of default:
- failure to observe any covenant or agreement under the loan agreement;
- the inaccuracy of any representation or warranty under the loan agreement
in any material respect;
- failure to make a scheduled payment on any indebtedness of ProAssurance
or any of its subsidiaries with an outstanding principal balance in
excess of $1 million;
- the occurrence of an event that enables the acceleration of maturity of
any indebtedness of ProAssurance or any of its subsidiaries having an
outstanding principal balance in excess of $1 million;
- the bankruptcy or insolvency of ProAssurance or any of its subsidiaries;
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- failure to pay any judgment or order for the payment of funds in excess
of $7.5 million for a period of more than 30 days unless such judgment or
order has been stayed or is being appealed; and
- a change in control of ProAssurance.
- the failure of the lender to retain a security interest in the pledged
stock;
- expiration or termination of any material license of ProAssurance or its
principal subsidiaries,
The obligation of the banks to fund the term loan and credit facility is
subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. ProAssurance has satisfied
the condition that the term loan and credit facility be authorized by all
necessary corporate action and that the loan documents be executed by
ProAssurance and delivered to the banks. The obligation to fund the term loan
and credit facility is subject to the following additional conditions:
- the absence of any material adverse change with respect to the business
operations or financial condition of either Medical Assurance or
Professionals Group;
- the absence of any proceeding in any court or before any arbitrator or
governmental authority that is likely to have a material adverse effect
on either of them or their ability to complete the consolidation;
- all representations and warranties in the loan agreement being true and
correct in all material respects;
- the absence of any continuing event of default;
- the payment of all fees payable to the banks in connection with the term
loan and credit facility (approximately $525,000);
- the delivery of an opinion of legal counsel satisfactory to the banks;
- the delivery of audited financial statements of Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group for the year ended December 31, 2000 and unaudited
quarterly financial statements of Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group commencing after December 31, 2000; and
- the receipt of all regulatory and shareholder approvals necessary for the
transactions contemplated by the consolidation agreement.
- the completion of the consolidation.
ProAssurance has agreed to pay SouthTrust Bank an annual administrative fee
of $49,500 and to indemnify the banks and hold them harmless for any loss or
damage from the use of the proceeds made available under the term loan and the
credit facility or from ProAssurance's breach of the terms and conditions of the
term loan and the credit facility.
The debt service on the term loan will be paid from the funds made
available to ProAssurance from dividends by Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group. ProAssurance anticipates that the loan proceeds and dividends to be paid
in connection with the consolidation will exceed the cash needed to pay the
Professionals Group shareholders in the consolidation, and the excess funds will
be available for payment of ProAssurance's debt service after completion of the
consolidation. ProAssurance intends to cause The Medical Assurance Company and
ProNational Insurance Company to declare and pay dividends each year in the
maximum amount that can be paid under the insurance laws without the approval of
the applicable insurance regulatory authorities. Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group will in turn pay these dividends to ProAssurance, and such
funds will be available for the payment of its debt service. ProAssurance
believes that the proceeds from these dividends will be sufficient to fund the
debt service under the term loan.
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EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
Medical Assurance. If you are a Medical Assurance shareholder, you will
not be required to surrender your certificate(s) for Medical Assurance stock in
connection with the consolidation. Because each share of Medical Assurance stock
will be converted into one share of ProAssurance stock, your certificate(s) for
Medical Assurance stock will represent the same number of shares of ProAssurance
common stock after completion of the consolidation. You will be entitled to vote
the shares of ProAssurance stock into which your Medical Assurance shares are
converted immediately after completion of the consolidation, and you will be
entitled to receive all dividends and distributions with respect to such stock.
If you desire to sell or otherwise transfer your ProAssurance stock after the
consolidation, you may complete the sale or transfer by delivery of your
certificate(s) for Medical Assurance stock. You may voluntarily submit your
certificate(s) for Medical Assurance stock to ProAssurance's transfer agent and
have certificates for the same number of shares of ProAssurance stock reissued
in your name.
Professionals Group. If you are a Professionals Group shareholder, then a
yellow election form/letter of transmittal has been included with this joint
proxy statement/prospectus. Please read the yellow election form/letter of
transmittal carefully and follow all instructions contained therein.
To elect the type of consideration you wish to receive for your shares of
Professionals Group common stock, you must deliver your properly completed
election form/letter of transmittal, together with your Professionals Group
stock certificates, a book entry transfer for your shares, or a guarantee of
delivery for your certificates, to the exchange agent by 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the day the consolidation is completed, which we expect to be June
27, 2001. After this deadline, you may not make any elections with respect to
the consideration you wish to receive in the consolidation.
The yellow election form/letter of transmittal must be sent, together with
your Professionals Group stock certificates, a book entry transfer for your
shares or a guarantee of delivery for your certificates, to the exchange agent
at the address below:
Mellon Investor Services LLC
85 Challenger Road
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660
You can revoke or change your election for any or all of your shares of
Professionals Group common stock by giving written notice to the exchange agent
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the day the consolidation is
completed, which we expect to be June 27, 2001. You can also revoke your
election by withdrawing your shares of Professionals Group common stock (or
withdrawing your guarantee of delivery of your certificates) prior to the
deadline listed above. After this deadline, you may not revoke or change any
elections you have made with respect to the consideration you wish to receive in
the consolidation.
If you fail to make a timely valid election, then you will receive cash and
shares of ProAssurance common stock for your shares of Professionals Group
common stock.
Professionals Group has the power, which it may delegate to the exchange
agent, to determine whether any election has been properly or timely made and to
disregard immaterial defects in any election form/letter of transmittal. Any
decision by Professionals Group or the exchange agent regarding such matters
will be conclusive and binding. None of Professionals Group, Medical Assurance,
ProAssurance or the exchange agent is under any obligation to notify any person
of any defect in any election form/letter of transmittal.
Simultaneously with the completion of the consolidation, ProAssurance will
deliver to the exchange agent the number of shares of ProAssurance common stock
and the cash that will be issued in exchange for shares of Professionals Group
common stock.
As soon as practicable after the completion of the consolidation, each
holder of Professionals Group common stock who has surrendered his or her shares
of Professionals Group common stock to the exchange agent will be issued the
consideration into which those shares have been converted. NO CONSIDERATION WILL
BE PAID TO, AND NO DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS, IF ANY, WILL BE PAID ON ANY
SHARES OF
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PROASSURANCE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE TO, ANY PROFESSIONALS GROUP SHAREHOLDER UNTIL
SUCH SHAREHOLDER SURRENDERS HIS OR HER PROFESSIONALS GROUP STOCK CERTIFICATES TO
THE EXCHANGE AGENT. IN ADDITION, PROFESSIONALS GROUP SHAREHOLDERS WILL NOT
RECEIVE ANY INTEREST ON ANY CASH PAYABLE TO THEM.
TREATMENT OF STOCK OPTIONS
Medical Assurance Stock Options. When the consolidation is completed, each
outstanding and unexercised option to purchase shares of Medical Assurance
common stock will be assumed by ProAssurance and converted, on a one for one
basis, into an option to purchase shares of ProAssurance common stock on the
same terms and conditions as were in effect immediately prior to the
consolidation.
Professionals Group Stock Options. When the consolidation is completed,
each outstanding and unexercised option to purchase shares of Professionals
Group common stock will be assumed by ProAssurance and converted into a vested
and immediately exercisable option to purchase shares of ProAssurance stock.
However, the number of shares subject to, and the exercise price of, each of
those Professionals Group stock options outstanding immediately prior to the
consolidation will be adjusted as follows:
- the number of shares of ProAssurance common stock subject to the new
option will be equal to the product of the number of shares of
Professionals Group common stock subject to such Professionals Group
stock option immediately prior to the consolidation and a conversion
ratio, provided that any fractional shares of ProAssurance common stock
resulting from such multiplication will be rounded down to the nearest
whole share; and
- the exercise price per share of ProAssurance common stock under the new
option will be equal to the exercise price per share of Professionals
Group common stock under the original Professionals Group stock option
divided by a conversion ratio, provided that the exercise price will be
rounded down to the nearest whole cent.
The conversion ratio will be the figure derived by dividing $26.00,
adjusted to reflect certain increases or decreases in the value of Professionals
Group's consolidated portfolio assets since December 31, 1999, by the average
sales price of Medical Assurance common stock during the 20 trading day period
ending on the date of the Professionals Group shareholder meeting.
BACKGROUND OF THE CONSOLIDATION
Medical Assurance and Professionals Group can trace their origins to the
medical malpractice insurance crisis that occurred in the late 1970's. As a
result of that crisis, which was created when large national commercial
insurance companies withdrew from the medical professional liability insurance
market, a number of medical professional liability insurance companies were
formed by or for physicians.
Until the last several years, many of these physician-oriented insurance
companies tended to be small and limited their activities to a single state.
However, in order to achieve growth, diversification and enhanced shareholder
value, a number of these companies began to expand their operations and product
lines by entering new markets de novo or through acquisitions. As a result, the
medical professional liability insurance market has become increasingly
competitive and is experiencing industry-wide consolidation.
During this period of consolidation, Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group have each achieved growth and geographic diversification in their
respective medical professional liability insurance businesses through
acquisitions of medical professional liability insurance companies located in
other states. In addition, Professionals Group achieved a measure of insurance
product diversification through its 1999 acquisition of MEEMIC Holdings, Inc.,
which provides personal auto, homeowners, boat and umbrella insurance for
educational employees and others in Michigan.
Since the early 1990s, Medical Assurance has included in its SEC disclosure
documents and public releases a statement of its intention to expand its
business through the acquisition of, or combination with,
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medical professional liability insurance companies that have a significant
presence in states other than Alabama. Prior to that time, Medical Assurance
provided professional liability insurance to physicians and hospitals primarily
in Alabama. In 1994, Medical Assurance acquired the business of a company that
provided professional liability insurance to hospitals in West Virginia. In
1995, Medical Assurance acquired the businesses of two companies that provided
professional liability insurance to physicians in Indiana and Ohio,
respectively. In 1996 and 1999, Medical Assurance acquired the business of two
companies that provided professional liability insurance to physicians in
Missouri.
During this period, management of Medical Assurance has sought additional
opportunities for expansion through the acquisition of the medical malpractice
insurance business of other companies in the eastern United States. Medical
Assurance has determined Professionals Group to be an attractive candidate for a
strategic combination given the significant presence of the medical malpractice
business of both companies in the Midwest and the recent acquisition by
Professionals Group of the medical malpractice insurance business of a company
in Florida. Because all discussions have contemplated the former directors and
shareholders of Medical Assurance controlling ProAssurance after the completion
of the consolidation, Medical Assurance has approached the proposed
consolidation as substantially equivalent to the acquisition of Professionals
Group by Medical Assurance in a transaction that is consistent with Medical
Assurance's publicly announced expansion policy.
Management of Professionals Group has regularly evaluated Professionals
Group's position in the insurance industry generally, and in the medical
professional liability insurance industry in particular. They have also
regularly evaluated Professionals Group's corporate goals and objectives. The
purpose of these evaluations has been to identify what alternatives are
available to Professionals Group to further enhance shareholder value.
In July, 1999, after Professionals Group completed its acquisition of
MEEMIC Holdings, its second significant acquisition in two years, Professionals
Group's management and the executive committee of Professionals Group's board of
directors reviewed various strategic alternatives available to Professionals
Group. Professionals Group's management and executive committee were assisted in
their examination by Cochran, Caronia & Co., Professionals Group's financial
advisors.
The industry trends examined by Professionals Group's management and
executive committee included:
- continued industry consolidation;
- increasing geographic diversification;
- increasing price competition;
- decreasing underwriting margins;
- continued industry overcapitalization and specialization; and
- continued pressure on earnings.
The alternatives that were reviewed included remaining independent, expanding de
novo or through acquisitions, or seeking a possible strategic affiliation with
another insurance company. Based on this review, Professionals Group's board of
directors determined that a strategic affiliation with another sizable medical
professional liability insurance company provided a more effective means of
implementing and accelerating Professionals Group's long-term growth strategy
since combining with such an entity could provide Professionals Group with a
significant presence in other geographic markets and with a larger and stronger
financial position in an increasingly competitive medical professional liability
insurance market.
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Based on the results of this examination, Professionals Group's board of
directors instructed management and the executive committee to pursue the
possibility of a strategic affiliation of the company and to regularly advise
the executive committee and the board of directors of the results of their
efforts. Towards that end, management of Professionals Group began to identify
other medical professional liability insurance companies that satisfied the
criteria outlined by Professionals Group's board of directors. The general
criteria included:
- the potential partner's ability to provide Professionals Group with a
significant presence in geographic markets and product markets that
complemented the principal geographic market and the principal product
market of Professionals Group;
- the potential partner's insurance practices and philosophies, including
its commitment to providing a high level of insurance protection, its
underwriting and reserving practices, its commitment to a strong claims
defense and its service to its insureds;
- the potential partner's prospects for future growth and enhanced
shareholder value; and
- the potential partner's reputation within the insurance industry and its
relations with its insureds and its employees.
Based on, among other things, their knowledge of the medical professional
liability insurance market, their knowledge of Professionals Group's competitors
and their internal review and examination of those competitors in light of the
criteria outlined by Professionals Group's board of directors, management and
the executive committee of Professionals Group determined that Medical Assurance
best satisfied such criteria and provided the opportunity for a strategic
alliance that would implement and accelerate Professionals Group's long-term
growth strategy. Accordingly, they determined to discuss with Medical Assurance
the possibility of a strategic alliance between the two companies.
Management representatives of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group
first met in Atlanta, Georgia, in September 1999, following several telephone
discussions between A. Derrill Crowe, M.D., the Chairman of Medical Assurance,
and Victor T. Adamo, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Professionals
Group. Also present at this initial meeting was the consulting actuary for both
Medical Assurance and Professionals Group, Tillinghast Towers-Perrin. The
purpose of the meeting was to explore the interest of the companies in combining
or affiliating. The parties discussed the current state of affairs of, and
trends in, the medical professional liability insurance market, the respective
insurance operations and loss reserve positions of Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group, and Professionals Group's recent acquisition of control of
MEEMIC Holdings. Following this meeting, the parties determined that it would be
worthwhile to explore further the possibility of combining Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group.
On September 3, 1999, management representatives of Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group had a conference call to discuss accounting issues,
principally relating to pooling of interests accounting, typically associated
with business combinations or affiliations. Representatives of Medical
Assurance's auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, as well as a representative of
Professionals Group's legal counsel, Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone,
P.L.C., participated in this discussion.
On September 25, 1999, a meeting of Professionals Group's board of
directors was held. Among the topics discussed at the meeting were current
trends in the medical professional liability insurance market, the executive
committee's examination of Professionals Group in the context of those trends,
and management's views of various potential strategic alliance partners,
including the discussions with Medical Assurance. Although no conclusions were
reached, it was determined that management should continue to pursue its
discussions with Medical Assurance.
On October 22, 1999, Dr. Crowe and Mr. Adamo met in Okemos, Michigan, to
discuss further the possibility of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group
combining or affiliating. They discussed the rationale and potential value of a
business combination between Medical Assurance and Professionals Group, the
business and operational compatibility of the companies, the management of, and
operational
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responsibilities within, a combined organization, and contractual obligations of
Professionals Group and Medical Assurance.
On December 1, 1999, management representatives of Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group, including Dr. Crowe and Mr. Adamo, met in Atlanta, Georgia
to discuss further the topics explored by Dr. Crowe and Mr. Adamo at their
October meeting. At this meeting, the parties began to discuss, in general
terms, possible transaction structures, including transaction structures that
could involve the payment of cash and/or stock to shareholders of Medical
Assurance and Professionals Group. At this meeting, Medical Assurance indicated
a desire to structure a combination of the companies in a manner that minimized
the dilutive effect of the transaction. Professionals Group indicated that any
potential transaction should be structured in a manner that minimized any
federal income taxes payable by stockholders with respect to any stock received
in the transaction.
On December 11, 1999, a meeting of Professionals Group's board of directors
was held. At this meeting there were further discussions regarding the efficacy
of a strategic affiliation with another sizeable medical professional liability
company to implement and accelerate Professionals Group's long-term growth
strategy. Although no conclusions were reached, Professionals Group's board of
directors noted that an affiliation with Medical Assurance could facilitate
growth in the medical professional liability insurance market by creating a
larger, more geographically diversified, medical professional liability
insurance provider. It also noted Medical Assurance's interest in combining or
affiliating with Professionals Group and the business and operational
compatibility of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group. Management was
instructed to continue to explore its discussions with Medical Assurance.
On December 21, 1999, management representatives of Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group, including Dr. Crowe and Mr. Adamo, met in Atlanta, Georgia,
to discuss potential transaction structures and the anticipated federal income
tax consequences of each structure. At this meeting Medical Assurance first
proposed the consolidation of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group through
the formation of a new publicly held holding company for Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group (the "super holding company structure"). Medical Assurance
proposed this structure after determining that the super holding company
structure permitted the payment of a substantial amount of cash in a
transaction, thereby providing an opportunity to minimize any dilutive effect of
the transaction, without adversely affecting the tax-free exchange of holding
company stock for the stock of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group.
On January 25, 2000, management representatives of Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group, including Dr. Crowe and Mr. Adamo, met in Atlanta, Georgia,
to discuss possible transaction structures. Medical Assurance's legal counsel,
Burr & Forman LLP, and Professionals Group's financial advisors, Cochran,
Caronia & Co., also participated in this discussion. Among the matters discussed
were the types of consideration that could be paid to shareholders of Medical
Assurance and shareholders of Professionals Group in the context of the super
holding company structure. Mr. Adamo expressed his desire that Professionals
Group shareholders be offered the opportunity to participate in the growth and
operations of the combined company. However, both Dr. Crowe and Mr. Adamo
indicated a belief that providing Professionals Group shareholders with the
opportunity to receive cash for their shares also might be attractive to some
Professionals Group shareholders in view of Professionals Group's recent stock
performance and the thinly-traded market for Professionals Group shares.
On February 7, 2000, Dr. Crowe and Mr. Adamo met in Atlanta, Georgia, to
further discuss the super holding company structure that had been proposed by
Medical Assurance. In addition to discussing methodologies for valuing Medical
Assurance, Professionals Group and the combined company, they discussed the size
and composition of the board of directors of the combined company and its
insurance operations, the composition and operational responsibilities of senior
management of the combined company and its insurance operations, and the
long-term strategy of the combined company with respect to growth and geographic
and product diversification.
On February 9, 2000 and February 21, 2000, meetings of the executive
committee of Professionals Group's board of directors were held. At these
meetings management described the discussions that had occurred with Medical
Assurance. The executive committee also explored the potential benefits of a
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combination with Medical Assurance and the potential value of Professionals
Group. At the latter meeting, the executive committee also received a
presentation from Dr. Crowe regarding Medical Assurance's history, insurance
practices and philosophies, including its commitment to providing a high level
of insurance protection, its underwriting and reserving practices, its
commitment to a strong claims defense and its service to its insureds, and its
perception of trends in the medical professional liability insurance industry.
Dr. Crowe also presented Medical Assurance's reasons for desiring to combine
with Professionals Group. Following the February 21, 2000 meeting, the executive
committee concluded that management should expand its investigation of Medical
Assurance.
On February 28, 2000, representatives of Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group met in Atlanta, Georgia, with their respective legal and
financial advisors to discuss combining Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group under the super holding company structure that had been proposed by
Medical Assurance. Among other topics, the parties discussed the type of
consideration that might be paid to shareholders of Medical Assurance and to
shareholders of Professionals Group. At this meeting, it was agreed that Medical
Assurance shareholders should receive holding company stock in the transaction
and that Professionals Group shareholders should have the right to elect to
receive either cash or a combination of cash and stock in the transaction.
Following these discussions, the parties executed a customary confidentiality
agreement and agreed to conduct due diligence in anticipation of negotiating a
definitive agreement for the proposed transaction.
On February 29, 2000, at a meeting of the executive committee of
Professionals Group's board of directors, management described the discussions
that had occurred with Medical Assurance on the prior day. The executive
committee also explored further the potential benefits of a combination with
Medical Assurance and the potential value of Professionals Group.
A meeting of Professionals Group's board of directors was held on March
2-4, 2000. At this meeting, management described the discussions that had
occurred with Medical Assurance. Professionals Group's board of directors also
explored further the potential benefits of a combination with Medical Assurance
and the value of Professionals Group. In addition, it received a presentation
from Cochran, Caronia & Co., Professionals Group's financial advisors, regarding
the discussions that had occurred with Medical Assurance, the value of
Professionals Group common stock over the past three years, historical
transaction multiples, current market multiples for comparable medical
professional liability insurers, the value of Professionals Group's equity
interest in MEEMIC Holdings, and the positions of Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group in the medical professional liability insurance industry,
and the pro forma effects of the proposed consolidation. Professionals Group's
board of directors also received a presentation from Dr. Crowe regarding Medical
Assurance's history, insurance practices and philosophies, including its
commitment to providing a high level of insurance protection, its underwriting
and reserving practices, its commitment to a strong claims defense and its
service to its insureds, and its perception of trends in the medical
professional liability insurance industry. Dr. Crowe also indicated Medical
Assurance's rationale for combining with Professionals Group. Following this
meeting, Professionals Group's board of directors instructed management to
continue its discussions with, and its due diligence investigation of, Medical
Assurance.
Due diligence by Medical Assurance and Professionals Group proceeded slowly
during March and early April in order to allow each of Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group sufficient time to file their 1999 annual reports and to
mail their proxy statements for their 2000 annual shareholders' meetings.
In latter part of April 2000, both Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group became concerned about deteriorating legal trends in the medical
professional liability insurance industry that were causing the frequency and
severity of medical malpractice claims to increase. As a result, each of them
independently re-examined their prior years' reserves.
On April 26, 2000, representatives of Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group met in Atlanta, Georgia, to discuss the adequacy of each company's loss
reserves in light of recent legal trends and the increased frequency and
severity of medical malpractice claims. Present at the meeting were the internal
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actuaries for each party as well as Tillinghast Towers-Perrin, the consulting
actuary for Medical Assurance and Professionals Group.
On April 27, 2000, Medical Assurance publicly announced that it would slow
recognition of favorable reserve development as a result of deteriorating legal
trends. On May 1, 2000, Professionals Group made a similar announcement. After
the release of this information the shares of Medical Assurance suffered a
substantial decline in market value and the shares of Professionals Group
experienced a slight decline in market value.
On May 16, 2000, management representatives of Medical Assurance, including
Dr. Crowe, met with Mr. Adamo and Mr. John Waller of Cochran, Caronia & Co.,
Professionals Group's financial advisors, to discuss the valuations of Medical
Assurance and Professionals Group under the proposed super holding company
structure. As the market value of each company had fallen below its book value
per share, approximately $14.26 for Medical Assurance and approximately $24.63
for Professionals Group, the discussion focused on pricing structures that would
deliver value to Professionals Group's shareholders comparable to Professionals
Group's book value. At this meeting, the parties agreed in principle to an
exchange ratio of one share of holding company common stock for each issued and
outstanding share of Medical Assurance common stock. They also agreed in
principle to a price of $26.00 per share of Professionals Group common stock
with Professionals Group's shareholders being provided the opportunity to
receive that price in the form of either cash or a combination of cash and
holding company stock substantially as contemplated in the consolidation
agreement. Following this meeting the parties' legal representatives commenced
drafting and negotiating a definitive consolidation agreement.
During the drafting and negotiating of the consolidation agreement, Medical
Assurance requested the inclusion of certain terms and provisions designed to
limit Professionals Group's ability to solicit competing offers and to protect
the proposed transaction. The transaction protection provisions requested by
Medical Assurance included an option to purchase shares of Professionals Group
common stock in the event of a competing bid and the payment of certain
termination fees. Ultimately, after much negotiation, it was agreed that each
party would grant the other party a stock option for up to 4.9% of its shares
and would pay certain termination fees to the other party in the event that it
subsequently accepted a competing offer. The parties also agreed that each party
would be permitted to consider and respond to unsolicited acquisition inquiries
and that the public announcement of the proposed transaction would include a
description of each party's right to consider and respond to unsolicited
acquisition proposals. A summary of these provisions is included under "Summary
of The Consolidation Agreement -- Termination Fees" and "Summary of Reciprocal
Stock Options." The parties believed that these measures were appropriate since
the substantial time period between the announcement and closing of the proposed
transaction would allow any suitor interested in acquiring either Medical
Assurance or Professionals Group the opportunity to develop and submit an
acquisition proposal.
The annual meeting of Professionals Group's board of directors was held on
May 24, 2000. At this meeting, and among other things, management described the
discussions that had occurred with Medical Assurance and Professionals Group's
board of directors explored further the potential benefits of a combination with
Medical Assurance and the value of Professionals Group. Professionals Group's
board of directors also explored the impact of MEEMIC Holdings' operations on
the value of Professionals Group. Following this meeting, Professionals Group's
board of directors instructed management to continue its discussions with
Medical Assurance.
Following the May 24, 2000 meeting of Professionals Group's board of
directors, the parties made progress on negotiating the terms of the
consolidation agreement, the charter documents of the holding company and the
reciprocal stock options.
On June 6, 2000, representatives of Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group met in Birmingham, Alabama to discuss the outstanding open issues and
drafts of the various documents required by the proposed transaction. At this
meeting, the parties agreed on the method for valuing holding company common
stock, the treatment of outstanding Medical Assurance stock options and
outstanding Professionals Group stock options, the terms of the adjustment to
the Professionals Group per share price
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based on changes in the value of the consolidated portfolio assets of
Professionals Group, the terms of the reciprocal stock options, and the amounts
of the reciprocal termination fees.
On June 12, 2000, Professionals Group's board of directors met to consider
the status of the proposed transaction with Medical Assurance. At the request of
Professionals Group's board of directors, Professionals Group's legal counsel,
Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. reviewed and described in detail the
terms and conditions of the proposed consolidation agreement and other
transaction documents which had been distributed, in advance of the meeting, to
the directors. This review and description covered such matters as the
representations and warranties of the parties, the conditions to the completion
of the proposed transaction, and the termination provisions of the agreement
(including the operation of the proposed reciprocal stock options and the
proposed reciprocal termination fees). It also covered the treatment of various
other issues relating to the transaction, such as the conversion of existing
employee and director stock options, and the anticipated treatment of
Professionals Group employees and employee benefits following the transaction.
Legal counsel also reviewed with the members of Professionals Group's board of
directors their fiduciary duties and responsibilities in approving a transaction
such as the proposed consolidation, the expected timing of the transaction from
signing the definitive agreement through closing and required regulatory and
stockholder approvals. At the meeting, Cochran, Caronia & Co., Professionals
Group's financial advisors, made a presentation of the results of various
financial analyses undertaken by it and advised Professionals Group's board of
directors that it was prepared to deliver its opinion as to the fairness, from a
financial point of view, of the proposed exchange ratio to the holders of
Professionals Group's common stock. The members of Professionals Group's board
of directors then discussed the presentations they had received at this and
other of its meetings from management and Professionals Group's advisors.
At this meeting, Professionals Group's board of directors also discussed
the inquiry that Professionals Group had recently received from a midwestern
mutual medical malpractice insurance company regarding a possible transaction
involving the combination of the two companies. Based on the experience of
Professionals Group and of individual directors in negotiating with that company
in the past, and on recent discussions between Mr. Adamo and that company's
president and CEO regarding the inquiry, it was determined that that company had
no present ability to finance such a transaction and that any such transaction
would be conditioned upon that company's prior demutualization. The company did
not subsequently pursue its proposal and Professionals Group did not have any
further deliberations regarding that company's proposal.
During the next week the parties continued to make progress on the terms of
the documents required for the proposed transaction. During this period
representatives and advisors for both parties spoke on numerous occasions
regarding the transaction, the related documentation and the terms of those
documents. As part of this process the parties prepared and exchanged their
respective disclosure schedules and reviewed various drafts of the documents
required for the transaction.
On June 19, 2000, Medical Assurance's board of directors met to consider
the proposed consolidation. It reviewed the proposed terms of the consolidation,
the plans for financing the consolidation, and a presentation by representatives
of First Union Securities, Inc., Medical Assurance's financial advisors. Medical
Assurance's board of directors then authorized management to execute the
consolidation agreement subject to the condition that neither Medical Assurance
nor Professionals Group be rated lower than A- by A.M. Best Rating Agency before
or after completion of the consolidation.
In taking the foregoing action, the Medical Assurance board of directors
considered the factors described below under "Recommendation of its Board of
Directors; Reasons for the Consolidation." The Medical Assurance board of
directors did not assign any relative or specific weights to any of such
factors, and individual directors may have given differing weights to differing
factors.
On June 19, 2000, Professionals Group's board of directors met to consider
the proposed consolidation with Medical Assurance. At the request of
Professionals Group's board of directors, management and Professional Group's
legal advisors, Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C., provided a
description of the negotiations that occurred since May 24, 2000 and of the
terms and provisions of the proposed
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definitive transaction documents (including the amount of the reciprocal
termination fees). At the meeting, Cochran, Caronia & Co., Professionals Group's
financial advisors, made a presentation of the results of various financial
analyses undertaken by it and advised Professionals Group's board of directors
that, as of such date, the proposed exchange ratio was fair, from a financial
point of view, to the holders of Professionals Group's common stock. The members
of Professionals Group's board of directors then discussed the presentations
they had received at this and other of its meetings from management,
Professionals Group's financial advisors and legal counsel and Medical
Assurance's chairman and, upon conclusion, unanimously (with all directors
present and one director, R. Kevin Clinton, abstaining):
- approved the proposed consolidation with Medical Assurance;
- determined that the consolidation was fair and in the best interest of
Professionals Group and its shareholders;
- recommended that Professionals Group's shareholders vote FOR the
consolidation;
- instructed senior management, with the assistance of Professionals
Group's financial and legal advisors, to promptly finish negotiating the
transaction documents; and
- authorized Professionals Group's officers to execute definitive
transaction documents upon the conclusion of negotiations satisfactory to
senior management.
In taking the foregoing actions, Professionals Group's board of directors
considered the factors described below under "Recommendation of the Board of
Directors; Reasons for the Consolidation." Professionals Group's board of
directors did not assign any relative or specific weights to any of such
factors, and individual directors may have given differing weights to different
factors.
Over the next three days the consolidation agreement and disclosure
schedules were finalized. On June 22, 2000, the consolidation agreement and the
reciprocal stock option agreements were executed by Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group. Before the opening of trading of Medical Assurance common
stock and Professionals Group common stock on June 23, 2000, a joint news
release announcing the transaction was issued.
RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS; REASONS FOR THE CONSOLIDATION
Medical Assurance. In deciding to enter into the consolidation agreement
with Professionals Group, the Medical Assurance board of directors considered a
number of factors. The principal factors that led the Medical Assurance board to
approve the consolidation were:
- The consolidation furthers Medical Assurance's strategy for expanding its
business through business combinations with other medical professional
liability insurers with significant presence in geographic markets that
complement the principal geographic markets of Medical Assurance.
- The exchange ratio for the consolidation is based upon the book value of
each of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group, and as such, the
consolidation is expected to provide ProAssurance with an opportunity to
enhance shareholder value. In its effort to evaluate the book value of
Professionals Group, the Medical Assurance board of directors considered
the projected value and/or financial impact of the stock options, stock
grants and other compensation arrangements of Professionals Group's
officers and directors that would become vested as a result of the
consolidation.
- The cash consideration to be received by the Professionals Group
shareholders is expected to increase financial leverage of the combined
company and provide an opportunity to improve the rate of return on
equity from operations.
- The larger size and economies of scale of the combined company should
enhance its ability to compete in markets where size is a factor and
provide more flexibility in underwriting and pricing decisions with
respect to insured risks in the intensely competitive medical
professional liability insurance market.
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- The interests of the policyholders of Medical Assurance should not be
affected by the consolidation as Medical Assurance will continue to
operate with its existing employees, management and board of directors.
In making its determination, the Medical Assurance board also considered a
number of other items and factors, including without limitation, the factors
described under "Background of the Consolidation" and "General" and the
following:
- current industry, economic and market conditions, including intense
competition in the medical professional liability insurance industry and
recent consolidation activity;
- the financial condition, results of operations and business prospects of
Medical Assurance and Professionals Group (including MEEMIC Holdings),
including the results of Medical Assurance's due diligence review of
Professionals Group (and MEEMIC Holdings);
- the business reputation of Professionals Group and the strength of its
management team;
- the financial presentation of First Union Securities, Inc. to the Medical
Assurance board and the oral opinion of First Union to the effect that,
as of June 19, 2000, and based upon the assumptions made, general
procedures followed, matters considered and limits on the review
undertaken by First Union described in its written opinion dated as of
June 19, 2000, the exchange ratio under the consolidation agreement was
fair, from a financial point of view, to Medical Assurance;
- the terms and conditions of the transactions and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and conditions to the
respective obligations of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group,
including without limitation, the condition that the transaction be
approved by the Medical Assurance shareholders and the condition that
neither Medical Assurance nor Professionals Group will have a rating
lower than A- by the A.M. Best Rating Agency at the time of the
consolidation or as a result thereof;
- the federal income tax consequences of the consolidation, including the
treatment of the consolidation as a tax free exchange of Medical
Assurance stock for ProAssurance stock; and
- the percentage ownership of ProAssurance common stock expected to be held
by the Medical Assurance shareholders, as a group, after completion of
the consolidation.
The foregoing discussion of the factors considered by the Medical Assurance
board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive but is believed to include
all material factors considered by the Medical Assurance board of directors. In
reaching its decision to approve the consolidation and the consolidation
agreement, the Medical Assurance board of directors did not assign any relative
or specific weights to the foregoing factors, and individual directors may have
given differing weights to different factors.
After deliberating with respect to the consolidation, and consideration of
the factors discussed above and other relevant matters, the Medical Assurance
board of directors unanimously concluded that the proposed consolidation with
Professionals Group would be in the best interest of Medical Assurance and its
shareholders and would further its goal of enhancing shareholder value. THE
MEDICAL ASSURANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE MEDICAL
ASSURANCE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSOLIDATION AND THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THE CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT.
Professionals Group. Professionals Group's board of directors believes
that the combination of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group will create an
organization that should be able to compete more effectively in the medical
professional liability insurance market and, consequently, should have the
potential to realize greater long-term positive operating and financial results
than either company alone. During its deliberations, Professionals Group's board
of directors consulted with Professionals Group's management, legal advisors and
financial advisors, and considered a number of factors, including the following:
- the significant premium over the closing price for Professionals Group
common stock on June 16, 2000, the last trading day preceding the day on
which Professionals Group's board of directors
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approved the consolidation, represented by the consideration to be paid
to Professionals Group shareholders on a per share basis;
- the increased liquidity to Professionals Group's shareholders resulting
from at least 46% of the consideration consisting of cash;
- the opportunity of Professionals Group shareholders to participate in the
combined company's potential for growth and further enhancements of
shareholder value;
- the financial presentation of Cochran, Caronia & Co. to Professionals
Group's board of directors and the oral opinion of Cochran, Caronia & Co.
to the effect that, as of June 19, 2000 and based upon the qualifications
and assumptions made and matters considered by Cochran, Caronia & Co.
described in its written opinion dated June 19, 2000, that the
consideration to be paid in the consolidation to the holders of
Professionals Group common stock is fair to the holders of Professionals
Group common stock from a financial point of view;
- the role of the consolidation in implementing and accelerating
Professionals Group's long-term external growth strategy by providing it
with a significant presence in geographic markets that complement the
principal geographic market of Professionals Group;
- the potential of the combined company, as a larger entity with economies
of scale, to obtain greater flexibility in underwriting and pricing
decisions in an increasingly competitive medical professional liability
insurance market;
- the continuing ability of MEEMIC Holdings to provide diversification of
insurance revenues;
- that Professionals Group shareholders will only recognize gain for U.S.
tax purposes to the extent that they receive cash consideration; and
- the ability of Professionals Group's directors and senior managers to
influence and participate in the management of the combined company in a
meaningful way.
In the course of its deliberations, Professionals Group's board of
directors also considered a number of other items and factors, including the
factors described under "Background of the Consolidation" and the following:
- the belief of Professionals Group's management and the executive
committee that a consolidation with Medical Assurance fit both
Professionals Group's long-term external growth strategy and the criteria
for a strategic affiliation established by Professionals Group's board of
directors;
- the terms of the consolidation agreement regarding Professionals Group's
right to consider and negotiate other transaction proposals, as well as
the possible effects of the reciprocal stock option agreements and
termination fees;
- current industry, economic and market conditions impacting the
professional liability insurance operations of Professionals Group,
including increased competition and the resulting downward pressure on
pricing, together with the recent consolidation trend within the medical
professional liability insurance market;
- current industry, economic and market conditions impacting the insurance
operations of MEEMIC Holdings, including continuing price competition,
rising medical and auto replacement part costs, increasing reinsurance
costs associated with increased weather severity, and the challenges
associated with financial-services convergence, multiple distribution
channels and technological advances within the personal lines insurance
market;
- the current and historical trading prices and values of Professionals
Group common stock, Medical Assurance common stock, current and
historical trading multiples of other comparable companies, and
information regarding the value and prospects of Professionals Group as
an independent entity;
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- the information regarding mergers and acquisitions involving other
medical malpractice insurance companies and specialty insurance companies
that is described on page 52 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus;
- Professionals Group's knowledge and review of the financial condition,
results of operations and business prospects of Medical Assurance,
including the results of Professionals Group's due diligence review of
Medical Assurance;
- the business reputation, underwriting and reserving practices, and
policyholder service, of Medical Assurance;
- the terms and conditions of the consolidation and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the parties and
the conditions to their respective obligations, including the condition
that the transaction be approved by Professionals Group's shareholders
and the condition that neither Medical Assurance nor Professionals Group
be rated lower than A- by the A.M. Best Rating Agency at the time of the
consolidation or as a result thereof;
- the ability of Professionals Group to consider bona fide unsolicited
offers to acquire it; and
- the impact of the consolidation on Professionals Group's shareholders,
policyholders and employees.
Professionals Group's board of directors also identified and considered a
variety of potentially negative factors in its deliberations concerning the
consolidation, including the following:
- the risk that the potential benefits in the consolidation might not be
fully realized;
- the difficulties and costs associated with undertaking a business
combination of, and with integrating the operations of, two sizeable
companies;
- the inability of shareholders who elect to receive "all cash" for their
shares of Professionals Group common stock to participate in any future
growth of Professionals Group;
- the possible distraction of management from day-to-day operations and
possible concerns of employees regarding their employment status;
- as described on pages 59 to 62 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus,
and by virtue of certain indemnification rights, change of control
arrangements, stock options, stock grants and positions to be held in the
combined company, certain members of Professionals Group's board of
directors and management might have interests in the consolidation that
are different than those of other Professionals Group shareholders;
- the regulatory and other approvals required in connection with the
consolidation as well as the risk of possible delays associated with the
completion of the consolidation; and
- the other risks described under "Risk Factors" beginning on page 10 of
this joint proxy statement/ prospectus.
Professionals Group's board of directors believed that these risks were
outweighed by the potential benefit of the consolidation and that the
consolidation would enable Professionals Group's shareholders to realize greater
value than Professionals Group could deliver to them alone. Based on the
consideration of these and other relevant matters, Professionals Group's board
of directors unanimously (with all directors present and one director, R. Kevin
Clinton, abstaining):
- approved the proposed consolidation with Medical Assurance;
- determined that the consolidation was fair and in the best interest of
Professionals Group and its shareholders;
- recommended that Professionals Group's shareholders vote FOR the
consolidation;
- instructed senior management with the assistance of Professionals Group's
financial and legal advisors to promptly finish negotiating the
transaction documents; and
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- authorized Professionals Group's officers to execute definitive
transaction documents upon the conclusion of negotiations satisfactory to
senior management.
The foregoing discussion of the factors considered by Professionals Group's
board is not intended to be exhaustive, but is believed to include all material
factors considered by Professionals Group's board of directors. In reaching its
decision to approve the proposed consolidation with Medical Assurance.
Professionals Group's board of directors did not assign any relative or specific
weights to any of such factors, and individual directors may have given
differing weights to different factors.
OPINION OF MEDICAL ASSURANCE'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Medical Assurance retained First Union Securities, Inc. to act as its
financial advisor in connection with the possible business combination with
Professionals Group. On June 19, 2000, First Union rendered an oral opinion,
later confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated June 19, 2000, to the
Medical Assurance board of directors to the effect that, as of that date, the
exchange ratio in the consolidation agreement was fair, from a financial point
of view, to Medical Assurance. In determining the value of the exchange ratio
for purposes of its analysis, First Union assumed that each share of
Professionals Group will be exchanged for aggregate consideration of $26 per
share consisting of either (i) $14.00 in common shares of Medical Assurance
(equivalent to 1.19 shares of stock of ProAssurance based on a closing price for
Medical Assurance common stock of $11.75 on June 15, 2000), and $12 in cash; or
(ii) $26 in cash. Based on the assumed exchange ratio, First Union valued the
total consideration (enterprise value) to be paid for Professionals Group to be
approximately $257.9 million made up of the following elements: $232 million to
be paid for the 8,924,909 outstanding shares of Professionals Group; $4.4
million to be paid for 178,142 outstanding options of Professionals Group to be
assumed by ProAssurance; $17.5 million of debt of Professionals Group to be
assumed by ProAssurance; and $4 million in transaction related fees and
expenses.
The full text of the First Union opinion, which describes, among other
things, the assumptions made, matters considered, and qualifications and
limitations on the review undertaken by First Union is attached as Appendix B to
this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated in this joint proxy
statement/ prospectus by reference. First Union's opinion is directed to the
Medical Assurance board of directors and addresses only the fairness, from a
financial point of view, of the exchange ratio to Medical Assurance. The opinion
does not address any other aspect of the consolidation or any related
transaction, nor does it constitute a recommendation to any shareholder as to
how to vote at the Medical Assurance special meeting. YOU ARE URGED TO, AND
SHOULD, READ FIRST UNION'S OPINION CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY.
In arriving at its opinion, First Union, among other things:
- reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information
relating to Medical Assurance, Professionals Group and MEEMIC Holdings
that First Union deemed to be relevant;
- reviewed certain information furnished to First Union by Medical
Assurance, Professionals Group, and MEEMIC Holdings, including the
financial terms of the transaction, certain financial analyses, certain
actuarial analyses of loss reserves, anticipated strategic benefits, and
projected operational synergies resulting from the combination prepared
by management.
- conducted discussions with members of senior management and
representatives of Medical Assurance, Professionals Group, and MEEMIC
Holdings concerning the matters described in the above points, as well as
their respective businesses and prospects before and after giving effect
to the consolidation and the synergies expected to result from the
consolidation;
- reviewed the potential accretive/dilutive effect of the consolidation on
Medical Assurance's earnings;
- reviewed reported prices and trading activity of the shares;
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- reviewed publicly available information relating to the businesses of
other companies whose operations First Union considered to be relevant;
- reviewed, to the extent publicly available, the financial terms of
certain other transactions that First Union deemed to be relevant;
- reviewed a draft of the consolidation agreement dated June 9, 2000; and
- reviewed such other financial studies and analyses and took into account
other matters as First Union deemed necessary, including First Union's
assessment of general economic, market and monetary conditions.
In rendering its June 19, 2000 opinion, First Union assumed and relied,
without independent verification, upon the accuracy and completeness of all
financial and other information and data publicly available or furnished to or
otherwise reviewed and discussed with it. With respect to the financial
projections and the estimate of operational synergies furnished to or discussed
with First Union by Medical Assurance or Professionals Group, First Union
assumed that they had been reasonably prepared and reflected the best current
management estimates of the future financial performance of Medical Assurance or
Professionals Group, as the case may be. First Union further assumed that the
consolidation of Professionals Group will be accounted for as a purchase under
generally accepted accounting principles and that it will qualify as a tax-free
transaction for federal income tax purposes to the extent that Medical Assurance
and Professionals Group shareholders receive ProAssurance stock in the
transaction. First Union also assumed that the final form of the consolidation
agreement would be substantially similar to the June 9, 2000 draft reviewed by
First Union.
First Union's June 19, 2000 opinion relates to the relative values of
Medical Assurance and Professionals Group and does not express any opinion as to
what the value of ProAssurance stock actually will be when issued in the
consolidation, or the price at which Medical Assurance common stock or
Professionals Group common stock will trade subsequent to the announcement to
the consolidation. First Union did not make and was not provided with an
independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets and liabilities of Medical
Assurance or Professionals Group, nor did it make any physical inspection of the
properties or assets of Medical Assurance or Professionals Group. First Union
was advised that the actuarial reserve analyses relating to Professionals Group
prepared by its independent actuaries were reasonably prepared on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the actuaries
as to Professionals Group's reserves. First Union is not an actuarial firm and
its services did not include any actuarial determinations or evaluations by it
or an attempt to evaluate actuarial assumptions, nor did First Union express any
views as to matters relating to Professionals Group's reserves, including,
without limitation, the adequacy of Professionals Group's reserves. First Union
did not make and, was not provided with an independent evaluation or appraisal
of the assets, liabilities (contingent or otherwise) or reserves of
Professionals Group.
First Union was not requested to, and did not approach, or hold discussions
with, third parties to evaluate alternative acquisition candidates for Medical
Assurance.
In performing its analysis, First Union considered industry performance,
general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters,
many of which are beyond the control of First Union, Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group. Any estimates contained in the analyses performed by First
Union are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results, which
may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by these analyses.
Additionally, estimates of the value of businesses or securities do not purport
to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which such businesses or securities
might actually be sold. Accordingly, these analyses and estimates are inherently
subject to substantial uncertainty. First Union's analyses were prepared solely
as a part of its analysis of the fairness, from a financial point of view, of
the exchange ratio in the consolidation, and were provided to the Medical
Assurance board of directors in that connection.
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses presented by
First Union to the Medical Assurance board of directors on June 19, 2000, in
connection with the rendering of its opinion on that date
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and is not a complete description of the analyses underlying the First Union
opinion or presentation. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex
analytic process involving various determinations as to the most appropriate and
relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of those methods to
the particular circumstances. Therefore, a fairness opinion is not readily
susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. In arriving at its
opinion, First Union did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis or
factor that it considered, but rather made qualitative judgments as to the
significance and relevance of each analysis and factor. First Union believes
that its analyses and the summary of its analyses must be considered as a whole
and that selecting portions of its analyses and factors or focusing on the
information presented below, without considering all analyses and factors or the
benefit of a comprehensive description of the financial analyses, including the
methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, could create a misleading
or incomplete view of the process underlying its analyses and opinion.
First Union used comparable public company analysis and comparable
transaction analysis to derive the ranges of implied enterprise value of
Professionals Group. Comparable public company analysis evaluates a company's
operating performance and outlook relative to a group of publicly traded peers
to determine an implied market trading value. Comparable transaction analysis
provides a valuation range based upon financial information of the companies in
the same or similar industries, which have been acquired in selected recent
transactions. None of the companies used in the comparable company analysis or
in the comparable transaction analysis is identical to ProNational or MEEMIC
Holdings. Accordingly, an analysis of the results involves complex
considerations and judgements concerning differences in financial and operating
characteristics of the companies and other factors that could affect the public
trading value or the acquisition value to which they are being compared.
Due to the differences in primary business focus, the two principal
insurance subsidiaries of Professionals Group, First Union valued ProNational
without its 77% interest in MEEMIC Holdings and valued MEEMIC Holdings
independently. The implied values were then adjusted and combined to account for
ProNational's then 77% stake in MEEMIC. Reference to ProNational in the
discussions regarding comparable public company analysis and comparable
transaction analysis refers to ProNational and the other consolidated medical
malpractice insurance subsidiaries of Professionals Group absent its 77%
interest in MEEMIC Holdings.
First Union also performed a pro forma analysis to evaluate the potential
accretive/dilutive effect of the consolidation on the earnings of Medical
Assurance. Discounted cash flow analysis was not utilized because of the limited
scope of the financial projections and underlying assumptions provided and the
dependency of cash flow on periodic and proactive reserve analysis. Medical
Assurance, Professionals Group and MEEMIC Holdings only provided First Union
with estimates of earnings per share through 2000. Because of the limited and
uncertain nature of the projections provided to it, First Union used historical
data as the basis for its comparable public company and comparable transaction
analyses.
Comparable Public Company Analysis. First Union reviewed publicly
available financial, operating, and stock market information for ProNational and
the following other publicly traded medical malpractice insurance companies:
- Medical Assurance
- SCPIE Holdings, Inc.
- MIIX Group, Inc.
- FPIC Insurance Group, Inc.
- NCRIC Group, Inc.
First Union reviewed publicly available financial, operating and stock
market information for MEEMIC Holdings and the following publicly traded
automobile and personal lines insurance companies:
- Commerce Group, Inc.
- Ohio Casualty Corporation
- Horace Mann Educators Corporation
- Selective Insurance Group
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- Harleysville Group, Inc.
- State Auto Financial Corporation
- Farm Family Holdings, Inc.
- Meridian Insurance Group, Inc.
- Donegal Group, Inc.
- Merchants Group, Inc.
First Union considered the companies selected to be reasonably similar to
ProNational and MEEMIC Holdings, respectively, as they participate in business
segments that are similar to the respective business segments of ProNational and
MEEMIC Holdings. First Union examined a broad universe of insurers and excluded
the majority of the insurers examined because of the dissimilarity of their
business lines to those of ProNational and MEEMIC Holdings and due to
significant differences in size or financial condition. In addition, First Union
excluded MMI Companies and Frontier Insurance Group from its Comparable Public
Company Analysis due to MMI Companies' pending acquisition by St. Paul Companies
(the transaction was included in First Union's Comparable Transaction Analysis)
and the financial performance of Frontier Insurance Group, which had negative
earnings over the period examined. For each of the comparable companies
selected, First Union calculated, among other things, the multiples, based on
trading information as of June 15, 2000 of:
- Market price to operating earnings for the 12 months preceding March 31,
2000; and
- Market price to book value at March 31, 2000.
First Union first compared these multiples to the comparable multiples for
each of ProNational and MEEMIC Holdings, respectively. First Union then
determined the range multiples appropriate for Professionals Group with 77% of
MEEMIC plus a 30% control premium to be as follows:
MULTIPLE RANGES*
--------------------------------------------
MARKET PRICE/EARNINGS** PRICE/BOOK VALUE**
----------------------- ------------------
ProNational 6.3x - 7.0x 0.7x - 0.8x
MEEMIC Holdings 10.1x - 11.2x 0.8x - 0.9x
Professionals Group w/77% of MEEMIC Holdings 8.1x - 9.0x 0.7x - 0.8x
---------------
* Plus a 30% control premium.
** Earnings and Book Value are for the year and quarter ended March 31, 2000.
With regard to the comparable public company analysis summarized above,
First Union selected comparable public companies on the basis of various
factors, including the size of the public company and the similarity of the line
of business. However, no public company utilized as a comparison is identical to
Professionals Group, or its subsidiaries, ProNational and MEEMIC Holdings. As a
result, these analyses are not purely mathematical, but also involve complex
considerations and judgments concerning the differences in financial and
operating characteristics of the comparable companies and other factors. These
factors could affect the transaction or public trading value of the comparable
companies to which ProNational, or its subsidiaries, ProNational and MEEMIC
Holdings, are being compared.
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Comparable Transaction Analysis. First Union analyzed publicly available
financial, operating and stock market information for merger and acquisition
transactions involving companies that it believed to be comparable to each of
ProNational and MEEMIC Holdings on a stand-alone basis. With respect to
ProNational, First Union analyzed the following merger and acquisition
transactions involving specialty property and casualty insurance companies since
1998:
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY/EXECUTIVE RISK TARGET ACQUIROR
-------------------------------------------- --------
MMI Companies, Inc. St. Paul Companies
Centris Group, Inc. HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.
Executive Risk, Inc. Chubb Corporation
Gryphon Holdings, Inc. Markel Corp.
Medical Protective Corporation General Electric Company
Summit Holding Southeast, Inc. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
Business Insurance Group, Inc. Superior National Insurance Group, Inc.
Anesthesiologists' Professionals Assurance FPIC Insurance Company
Group, Inc.
First Union noted that recent transaction activity provided limited
guidance on the potential value of ProNational because of the absence of recent
transactions involving pure medical malpractice targets with publicly available
financial information. First Union selected certain transactions involving
professional liability and executive risk targets as a proxy for businesses
reasonably comparable to ProNational but discounted this analysis. The implied
range of multiples computed for these transactions were 18.0x to 21.0x trailing
twelve months net income and 1.4x to 1.5x book value.
With respect to MEEMIC Holdings, First Union considered information on the
following merger and acquisitions transactions involving personal line insurance
companies since 1997:
AUTO INSURANCE TARGET ACQUIROR
--------------------- --------
Northeast Insurance Company Motor Club of America
Worldwide Insurance Company American Financial Group, Inc.
Automobile Club Insurance Company Commerce Group Incorporated
North Pointe Financial Services, Inc. Queensway Financial Holdings, Limited
Colonial Penn Group, Inc. General Electric Company
York Insurance Company of Maine Commercial Union PLC
Anthem Casualty Insurance Company Vesta Insurance Group
First Union considered the targets involved in these transactions to be
reasonably similar to MEEMIC Holdings. However, First Union noted that recent
transaction activity provided limited guidance on the potential value of MEEMIC
Holdings. The implied range of multiples computed for these transactions were
19.0x to 20.0x trailing twelve months net income and 1.2x to 1.3x book value.
First Union analyzed the equity value paid for each of the target
companies, measured as a multiple of selected financial data, including net
income for the twelve months preceding the announcement date of each acquisition
and the book value per share for the most recent quarter prior to the
announcement date of each acquisition. The range of multiples for Professionals
Group with 77% of MEEMIC Holdings implied from the review of selected
transactions was 19.0x to 21.0x trailing twelve months net income and 1.3x to
1.4x book value. First Union discounted the implied price to trailing twelve
months earnings multiples in rendering its opinion as the number of data points
available did not allow for a statistically significant representative sample.
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MULTIPLE RANGES
------------------------------------------
MARKET PRICE/EARNINGS* PRICE/BOOK VALUE*
---------------------- -----------------
ProNational............................................... 18.0x -- 21.0x 1.4x -- 1.5x
MEEMIC Holdings........................................... 19.0x -- 20.0x 1.2x -- 1.3x
Professionals Group w/77% of MEEMIC Holdings.............. 19.0x -- 21.0x 1.3x -- 1.4x
---------------
* Earnings and Book Value are for the year and quarter ended March 31, 2000.
Because the reasons for, and circumstances surrounding, each of the
comparable transactions analyzed are highly diverse due to the inherent
differences between the operations and financial conditions of Pro National and
MEEMIC Holdings and the selected companies, First Union expressed its view that
a purely quantitative comparable transaction analysis would not be dispositive
in the context of the consolidation. First Union further expressed its view that
an appropriate use of a comparable transaction analysis in this instance
involves qualitative judgments concerning the differences between the
characteristics of these transactions and the consolidation that would affect
the value of the acquired companies and the acquisition of Professionals Group.
Such qualitative judgments are reflected in the First Union opinion.
Pro Forma Financial Impact. First Union analyzed certain pro forma effects
resulting from the consolidation, including among other things, the impact of
the consolidation on the projected earnings per share of Medical Assurance for
the year 2000 based on limited projections provided to First Union by Medical
Assurance and Professionals Group. For the purpose of this analysis, First Union
assumed the following:
- the holders of 72.2% of the outstanding common stock of Professionals
Group will elect to receive cash only in the consolidation based upon
First Union's analysis of information relating to the stockholders and
trading characteristics of the Professionals Group stock which formed the
basis of its assumption that 100% of institutional stockholders will
elect the all-cash consideration and 60% of all other stockholders will
elect the all-cash consideration;
- ProAssurance will utilize $100 million of internal capital to fund the
consolidation and the cost of such internal capital will be 5.75% based
on the historical yield from investments of the constituent companies;
- approximately $105 million will be borrowed by ProAssurance at an
interest rate of 8.5% to fund the consolidation;
- ProAssurance will be required to issue 3,012,140 shares of its common
stock to the former holders of Professionals Group common stock based on
an assumed share price of $11.75 for a share of Medical Assurance common
stock;
- transaction costs in the amount of approximately $4 million;
- the realization of approximately $1.3 million in annual after tax
operating synergies as a result of the elimination of Professionals Group
as a separate public company; and
- estimated net income for 2000 of $23.4 million for Medical Assurance and
$12.7 million for Professionals Group.
The analysis performed indicated that, on a pro forma first year basis, the
consolidation would be slightly accretive to Medical Assurance's estimated
earnings per share for the year 2000.
First Union also performed a sensitivity analysis to determine the pro
forma earnings per share accretion/(dilution) using a variety of assumptions.
The sensitivity analysis reflected the accretion/(dilution) if various
combinations of the following should occur with respect to the consolidation:
- a range in the market value of a share of Medical Assurance common stock
from $10.00 per share to $15.50 per share;
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- a range from 50% to 90% of the percentage of Professionals Group
shareholders who elect the all-cash consideration; and
- a range from $75 million to $125 million of the amount of internal
capital utilized to fund the consolidation.
The sensitivity analysis demonstrates that the consolidation will have
comparatively less risk of dilution for the Medical Assurance shareholders on a
pro forma basis if the number of shares of Medical Assurance common stock to be
issued to the Professionals Group shareholders is reduced as a result of a
higher percentage of cash elections, a higher assumed price for a share of
Medical Assurance common stock, or a combination of the foregoing. The
sensitivity analysis reflects that there is not a significant risk of dilution,
or a significant benefit of accretion, to the Medical Assurance shareholders
using various combinations of the assumptions used by First Union in determining
the pro forma impact of the consolidation. As an example, the results of the
sensitivity analysis include the following:
- if $100 million of internal capital is utilized to fund the consolidation
and the market value of a share of Medical Assurance common stock is
assumed to be $11.75 per share, there would be a 0.2% accretive impact to
Medical Assurance 2000 earnings on a pro forma basis if 100% of the
institutional Professionals Group shareholders elect to receive the
all-cash consideration and 60% of all other shareholders elect to receive
the all-cash consideration (implies 72.2% of all shareholders elect the
all-cash consideration);
- if the minimum assumed amount of $75 million of internal capital is
utilized to fund the consolidation, the market value of a share of
Medical Assurance common stock is the minimum assumed value of $10 per
share, and the minimum assumed percentage of 50% of the Professionals
Group shareholders elect the all-cash consideration, there would be a
7.3% dilutive impact to Medical Assurance 2000 earnings on a pro forma
basis; and
- if the maximum assumed amount of $125 million of internal capital is
utilized to fund the consolidation, the market value of a share of
Medical Assurance common stock is the maximum assumed value of $15.50 per
share, and the maximum assumed percentage of 90% of the Professionals
Group shareholders elect the all-cash consideration, there would be a
5.4% accretive impact to Medical Assurance 2000 earnings on a pro forma
basis.
The actual operating and financial results achieved by the pro forma
combined company may vary from the projected results and such variations may be
material.
Medical Assurance retained First Union based on its experience and
expertise. First Union is an internationally recognized investment banking and
advisory firm. As part of its investment banking business, First Union is
regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in
connection with mergers, acquisitions, tender offers, divestitures, leveraged
buyouts and private placements of debt and equity securities.
In the ordinary course of its business, First Union and its affiliates may
actively trade the equity securities of Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group for their own account and/or the accounts of their respective customers,
and, accordingly, may at any time hold long or short positions in these
securities. Although First Union has not provided to Medical Assurance financial
advisory, investment banking or other services within the past two years, First
Union may provide these types of services to Medical Assurance or ProAssurance
in the future and receive fees for those services.
Pursuant to a letter agreement between Medical Assurance and First Union,
dated as of April 10, 2000, Medical Assurance paid to First Union an advisory
fee of $50,000 on the date of the execution of the letter agreement and an
opinion fee in the amount of $250,000 on the delivery of the fairness opinion.
In addition, Medical Assurance has also agreed to pay First Union a success fee
on closing of the consolidation in an amount equal to $1 million, less the
foregoing amounts.
Medical Assurance has also agreed to reimburse First Union for its
reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with
its engagement, including the reasonable fees and
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disbursement of its counsel. In addition, Medical Assurance will indemnify First
Union against liabilities and expenses related to or arising out of its
engagement including the liabilities under the federal securities laws.
The consideration to be received by the Professionals Group shareholders in
the consolidation was determined by arms-length negotiations between
Professionals Group and Medical Assurance, in consultation with their respective
financial advisors and other representatives, and was not established by those
financial advisors.
OPINION OF PROFESSIONALS GROUP'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Professionals Group retained Cochran, Caronia & Co. to act as its financial
advisor in connection with the proposed consolidation. As part of that
engagement, Professionals Group requested that Cochran, Caronia & Co. evaluate
the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be paid in
the consolidation to the holders of Professionals Group common stock. On June
19, 2000, at a meeting of Professionals Group's board of directors held to
evaluate the proposed consolidation, Cochran, Caronia & Co. delivered to the
Professionals Group board of directors an oral opinion to the effect that, as of
the date of the opinion and based on and subject to the matters described in the
opinion, the consideration to be paid in the consolidation to the holders of
Professionals Group common stock was fair, from a financial point of view, to
the holders of Professionals Group common stock.
In arriving at its opinion, Cochran, Caronia & Co.:
- reviewed recent drafts of the consolidation agreement and related
documents;
- examined publicly available financial statements of Professionals Group
and Medical Assurance;
- examined internal business, operating and financial information and
forecasts of Professionals Group and Medical Assurance, prepared by the
senior management of Professionals Group and Medical Assurance;
- considered information regarding publicly available financial terms of
certain comparable transactions in the medical malpractice industry;
- analyzed financial, stock market and other publicly available information
relating to the businesses of other companies whose operations are
similar to those of Professionals Group, including its medical
malpractice and personal lines operations;
- reviewed current and historical market prices and trading volumes of the
common stock of Professionals Group and Medical Assurance;
- examined publicly available business and financial information relating
to Professionals Group;
- held discussions with senior officers, directors and other
representatives and advisors of Professionals Group concerning the
business, operations and prospects of Professionals Group; and
- considered other matters that it deemed relevant to its inquiry and have
taken into account such accepted financial and investment banking
procedures and considerations as it deemed relevant.
In rendering its opinion, Cochran, Caronia & Co. assumed and relied,
without independent verification, on the accuracy and completeness of all
financial and other information and data that it reviewed or considered. With
respect to financial projections and information and data, senior management of
Professionals Group advised Cochran, Caronia & Co. that they were reasonably
prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and
judgments of senior management of Professionals Group as to the future financial
performance of Professionals Group.
Cochran, Caronia & Co. also was advised that the actuarial reserve analyses
relating to Professionals Group prepared by its independent actuaries were
reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates
and judgments of the actuaries as to Professionals Group's reserves. Cochran,
Caronia & Co. is not an actuarial firm and its services did not include any
actuarial determinations or
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evaluations by it or an attempt to evaluate actuarial assumptions, nor did
Cochran, Caronia & Co. express any views as to matters relating to Professionals
Group's reserves, including, without limitation, the adequacy of Professionals
Group's reserves. Cochran, Caronia & Co. did not make and, except for the
actuarial reserve analyses prepared by Professionals Group's independent
actuaries, was not provided with an independent evaluation or appraisal of the
assets, liabilities (contingent or otherwise) or reserves of Professionals
Group, and did not make any physical inspection of the properties or assets of
Professionals Group. Cochran, Caronia & Co. assumed, with Professionals Group's
consent, that in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals for
the consolidation, no limitations, restrictions or conditions would be imposed
that would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the parties to
complete the consolidation. Cochran, Caronia & Co. further assumed that the
transactions contemplated by the consolidation agreement would be completed on
the terms described in the consolidation agreement, without the waiver of any
material rights, terms or conditions thereof by Professionals Group.
Cochran, Caronia & Co. expressed no view as to, and its opinion does not
address, the relative merits of the consolidation as compared with any
alternative business strategies that might exist for Professionals Group or the
effect of any other transaction in which Professionals Group might engage.
Cochran, Caronia & Co.'s opinion was necessarily based on information available,
and financial, stock market and other conditions and circumstances existing and
disclosed to Cochran, Caronia & Co., as of the date of its opinion. Although
Cochran, Caronia & Co. evaluated the consideration to be paid in the
consolidation to the holders of Professionals Group common stock from a
financial point of view, Cochran, Caronia & Co. was not asked to and did not
recommend the specific form or amount of consideration to be paid in the
consolidation to the holders of Professionals Group common stock. The form and
amount of such consideration was determined through arm's-length negotiations
between Professionals Group and Medical Assurance. No other instructions or
limitations were imposed by Professionals Group on Cochran, Caronia & Co. with
respect to the investigations made or procedures followed by Cochran, Caronia &
Co. in rendering its opinion.
THE FULL TEXT OF COCHRAN, CARONIA & CO.'S WRITTEN OPINION DATED JUNE 19,
2000, WHICH DESCRIBES THE ASSUMPTIONS MADE, MATTERS CONSIDERED AND LIMITATIONS
ON THE REVIEW UNDERTAKEN, IS ATTACHED TO THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
AS APPENDIX C AND IS INCORPORATED IN THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS BY
REFERENCE. COCHRAN, CARONIA & CO.'S OPINION IS DIRECTED TO PROFESSIONALS GROUP'S
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND RELATES ONLY TO THE FAIRNESS OF THE CONSIDERATION TO BE
PAID IN THE CONSOLIDATION TO HOLDERS OF PROFESSIONALS GROUP COMMON STOCK FROM A
FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW. COCHRAN, CARONIA & CO.'S OPINION DOES NOT ADDRESS ANY
OTHER ASPECT OF THE CONSOLIDATION OR ANY RELATED TRANSACTION AND DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION TO ANY SHAREHOLDER WITH RESPECT TO HOW TO VOTE AT
THE MEETINGS OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE PROPOSED
CONSOLIDATION.
In preparing its opinion, Cochran, Caronia & Co. performed a variety of
financial and comparative analyses, including those described below. The summary
of these analyses is not a complete description of the analyses underlying
Cochran, Caronia & Co.'s opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a
complex analytical process involving various determinations as to the most
appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of
those methods to the particular circumstances and, therefore, a fairness opinion
is not readily susceptible to summary description. Accordingly, Cochran, Caronia
& Co. believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that
selecting portions of its analyses and factors, without considering all analyses
and factors, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the processes
underlying its analyses and opinion.
In its analyses, Cochran, Caronia & Co. considered industry performance,
general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters
existing as of the date of its opinion, many of which are beyond the control of
Professionals Group. No company, transaction or business used in those analyses
as a comparison is identical to Professionals Group or the proposed
consolidation, and an evaluation of those analyses is not entirely mathematical.
Rather, the analyses involve complex considerations and judgments concerning
financial and operating characteristics and other factors that could affect the
acquisition, public trading or other values of the companies, business segments
or transactions analyzed.
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The estimates contained in Cochran, Caronia & Co.'s analyses and the
valuation ranges resulting from any particular analyses are not necessarily
indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or values, which may
be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by its analyses. In
addition, analyses relating to the value of businesses or securities do not
necessarily purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which
businesses or securities actually may be sold. Accordingly, Cochran, Caronia &
Co.'s analyses and estimates are inherently subject to substantial uncertainty.
Cochran, Caronia & Co.'s opinion and analyses were only one of many factors
considered by Professionals Group's board of directors in its evaluation of the
consolidation and should not be viewed as determinative of the views of the
Professionals Group board of directors or management with respect to the
consideration payable to holders of Professionals Group common stock or the
proposed consolidation.
The material financial analyses performed by Cochran, Caronia & Co. in
connection with rendering its opinion and the implied per share valuation of
Professionals Group are summarized in the following table:
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF IMPLIED PER SHARE VALUATION
VALUATION ANALYSIS VALUATION ANALYSIS OF PROFESSIONALS GROUP
------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------------
Selected companies analysis An analysis of the market values $18.40 to $21.60
and trading multiplies of selected
comparable public companies
Precedent transaction analysis An analysis of the consideration $22.00 to $24.00
paid in selected comparable
transactions
Discounted cash flow analysis An analysis of the net present $18.00 to $24.00
value of projected dividendable
cash flows using selected discount
rates ranging from 10% to 15%
Acquisition premium analysis An analysis of the acquisition $17.20 to $17.70
premiums paid in comparable
transactions
All analyses as a group $20.00 to $24.00
Consolidation consideration $27.95(1)
---------------
(1) As of March 31, 2001.
The material financial analyses performed by Cochran, Caronia & Co. in
connection with rendering its opinion are further described and summarized
below:
Selected companies analysis. Using publicly available information,
Cochran, Caronia & Co. analyzed the market values and trading multiples of
certain selected publicly traded medical malpractice insurance companies, which
are listed below. Although there were no public companies with precisely the
same mix of businesses and financial conditions as Professionals Group, Cochran,
Caronia & Co. believes the following publicly traded medical malpractice
insurance companies listed below were reasonably comparable. The following
publicly traded companies, which were the only companies considered for this
analysis, were selected for this analysis because they primarily write medical
malpractice insurance for healthcare providers.
- FPIC Insurance Group, Inc.
- Medical Assurance, Inc.
- The MIIX Group, Inc.
- NCRIC Group, Inc.
- SCPIE Holdings, Inc.
All multiples were based on stock prices available as of June 16, 2000.
Cochran, Caronia & Co. also analyzed the market values and trading
multiples of MEEMIC Holdings and the following publicly traded personal lines
insurance companies. The following publicly
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traded companies, which were the only companies considered for this analysis,
were selected for this analysis because they write a significant amount of
personal lines insurance. All of the companies selected for this analysis,
except for Commerce Group, Inc. and Horace Mann Educators Corporation, are also
of similar size to MEEMIC Holdings. Commerce Group, Inc. was included in this
analysis despite being larger than MEEMIC Holdings because of its single state
focus in personal lines insurance. Horace Mann Educators Corporation was
included in this analysis despite being larger than MEEMIC Holdings because of
its focus on the education market.
- Commerce Group, Inc.
- Donegal Group, Inc.
- Horace Mann Educators Corporation
- Merchants Group, Inc.
- Meridian Insurance Group, Inc.
- Midland Company
- Mobile American Corporation
- Motor Club of America
All multiples were based on stock prices available as of June 16, 2000.
Estimated financial data for the selected companies were based on research
analysts' estimates, and estimated financial data for Professionals Group and
MEEMIC Holdings were based on internal estimates of Professionals Group's
management. Cochran, Caronia & Co. compared market values of Professionals
Group, MEEMIC Holdings and the selected companies as a multiple of, among other
things, calendar year 2000 and 2001 estimated earnings computed in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, commonly known as GAAP, and GAAP
book value as of March 31, 2000. Cochran, Caronia & Co. then applied a range of
selected multiples derived from the selected companies of calendar year 2000 and
2001 estimated GAAP earnings and latest GAAP book value as of March 31, 2000, to
corresponding financial data of Professionals Group and MEEMIC Holdings in order
to derive an implied equity valuation range for Professionals Group (including
its stake in MEEMIC Holdings).
The ranges of market values for the companies comparable to Professionals Group
and for the companies comparable to MEEMIC Holdings were determined to be as
follows:
RANGE OF MULTIPLES
------------------
PROFESSIONALS GROUP MEEMIC HOLDINGS
COMPARABLES COMPARABLES
------------------- ---------------
Market value to calendar year 2000 estimated earnings... 5.5 x to 12.6x 5.5 x to 12.6x
Market value to calendar year 2001 estimated earnings... 5.3 x to 11.8x 7.0 x to 11.2x
Market value to GAAP book value......................... 0.50x to 1.57x 0.52x to 1.57x
Based on the foregoing, the implied equity reference ranges appropriate for
Professionals Group were determined to be as follows:
- 7.0x to 8.0x 2000 estimated earnings plus a 15% to 20% control premium;
- 7.0x to 8.0x 2000 estimated earnings plus a 15% to 20% control premium;
and
- 0.60x to 0.80x GAAP book value plus a 15% to 20% control premium.
The implied equity valuation range for Professionals Group resulting from this
analysis was $167.4 million to $196.6 million, or $18.40 to $21.60 per share.
Precedent transactions analysis. Using publicly available information,
Cochran, Caronia & Co. reviewed the financial terms and implied transaction
value multiples paid or proposed to be paid in certain selected transactions in
the medical malpractice and specialty insurance industries. Although no
transaction
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utilized in this analysis was identical to the consolidation, Cochran, Caronia &
Co. believes the selected transactions listed below were most reasonably
comparable.
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE COMPANIES
ACQUIROR TARGET
-------- ------
St. Paul Companies, Inc. MMI Companies, Inc.
FPIC Insurance Group, Inc. Administrators for the Professions
FPIC Insurance Group, Inc. Tenere Group, Inc.
Medical Group Holdings, Inc. PMSLIC
Employers Reinsurance Corporation The Medical Protective Company
FPIC Insurance Group, Inc. Anesthesiologists' Prof. Assn.
PIC Wisconsin Century American Insurance Group
Frontier Insurance Group, Inc. Western Indemnity Insurance Co.
Professionals Group, Inc. Physicians Protective Trust Fund
MMI Companies, Inc. Unionamerica Holdings, Plc
SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANIES
ACQUIROR TARGET
-------- ------
Leucadia National Corporation Reliance Group Holdings, Inc.
Westfield Companies Old Guard Group, Inc.
Fairfax Financial Holdings, Ltd. Seneca Insurance Company
Markel Corporation Terra Nova Holdings, Ltd.
ACE Ltd. Capital Re Corp.
Millers American Group, Inc. Phoenix Indemnity Insurance Co.
United Fire & Casualty Co. American Indemnity Financial Corp.
Fairfax Financial Holdings, Ltd. TIG Holdings, Inc.
Exel Ltd. Intercargo Corp.
Markel Corporation Gryphon Holdings, Inc.
Orion Capital Corp. Grocers Insurance Group
Fund American Enterprises Hldgs. Folksamerica Holding Co., Inc.
Orion Capital Corp. Unisun
GE Capital Corp. Coregis Group, Inc.
Cochran, Caronia & Co. compared purchase prices in the selected
transactions as a multiple of, among other things, trailing twelve-month GAAP
earnings and GAAP book value for the most recent quarter prior to the
announcement date of each acquisition. The range of multiples for Professionals
Group calculated by Cochran, Caronia & Co. from the review of the selected
transactions was 9.4x to 20.4x trailing twelve-month GAAP earnings and 0.26x to
1.90x GAAP book value for the most recent quarter prior to the announcement date
of each acquisition.
Cochran, Caronia & Co. then applied a range of selected multiples derived
from the selected transactions of trailing twelve-month GAAP earnings and GAAP
book value to Professionals Group's trailing twelve-month GAAP earnings and GAAP
book value as of March 31, 2000, in order to derive implied equity valuation
ranges for Professionals Group. Cochran, Caronia & Co. determined the range
multiples appropriate for Professionals Group to be 10.0x to 12.0x trailing
twelve-month GAAP earnings and 0.95 to 1.05x GAAP book value.
The implied equity valuation range for Professionals Group resulting from
this analysis was $200.2 million to $218.4 million, or $22.00 to $24.00 per
share.
Discounted cash flow analysis. Cochran, Caronia & Co. performed a
discounted cash flow analysis of Professionals Group's projected dividendable
cash flows during calendar year 2000 through 2004 based on internal estimates of
Professionals Group's management. Cochran, Caronia & Co. derived an implied
equity valuation range for Professionals Group by applying a terminal value
multiple of 8.0x to 10.0x to Professionals Group's 2004 estimated GAAP earnings
and a range of selected discount rates from 10% to
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15%. The implied equity valuation range for Professionals Group resulting from
this analysis was $163.8 million to $200.2 million, or $18.00 to $22.00 per
share.
Acquisition Premium Analysis. Cochran, Caronia & Co. performed an
acquisition premium analysis based on comparable public property and casualty
transactions announced since 1998. Cochran, Caronia & Co. analyzed the
acquisition premiums paid by buyers for the target's stock one day prior to the
announcement of the transaction and one month prior to the announcement of the
transaction. The median acquisition premium paid by a buyer for a target's stock
for the selected transactions one day prior to announcement of a transaction was
18.6% and one month prior to the announcement of a transaction was 22.1%.
Cochran, Caronia & Co. compared these acquisition premiums with the proposed
premium of 79.3% to Professionals Group's stock price of $14.50 as of June 16,
2000.
Other factors. In rendering its opinion, Cochran, Caronia & Co. also
reviewed and considered other factors, including:
- historical and projected financial data for Professionals Group,
including Professionals Group's financial performance and financial
position as well as financing options available to Professionals Group;
- historical trading prices for Professionals Group common stock; and
- a business and financial profile of Medical Assurance.
Valuation results. The combination of these various analyses resulted in
an implied equity valuation range for Professionals Group of approximately
$180-$220 million (approximately $20 to $24 per share) compared to consolidation
consideration of approximately $237 million (approximately $26 per share).
Miscellaneous. Professionals Group engaged Cochran, Caronia & Co. as its
financial advisor based upon the nationally recognized experience and expertise
of Cochran, Caronia & Co. in the insurance industry. Cochran, Caronia & Co. is a
full service investment bank focused exclusively on the insurance industry and
regularly engages in the valuation of insurance company securities in connection
with business combinations, investments and other transactions.
Under the terms of its engagement, Professionals Group has agreed to pay
Cochran, Caronia & Co. for its financial advisory services upon completion of
the consolidation an aggregate fee of $1.4 million. Professionals Group also has
agreed to reimburse Cochran, Caronia & Co. for reasonable travel and other
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Cochran, Caronia & Co. in performing its
services, including the fees and expenses of its legal counsel, and to indemnify
Cochran, Caronia & Co. and related persons against liabilities, including
liabilities under the federal securities laws, arising out of its engagement.
In the ordinary course of business, Cochran, Caronia & Co. and its
affiliates may actively trade or hold the securities of Professionals Group for
the account of customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short
position in those securities.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The consolidation will be effected by the merger of each of Medical
Assurance and Professionals Group with newly formed wholly-owned subsidiaries of
ProAssurance. Each of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group will survive
their respective mergers as wholly-owned subsidiaries of ProAssurance. The
outstanding stock of Medical Assurance will be converted into the shares of
ProAssurance stock as contemplated by the consolidation agreement. The
outstanding stock of Professionals Group will be converted into cash and shares
of stock of ProAssurance as provided in the consolidation agreement.
The merger of Medical Assurance into a subsidiary of ProAssurance and the
exchange of Medical Assurance stock for ProAssurance stock will be accounted for
as a corporate reorganization of Medical Assurance and will be treated similar
to a pooling of interests transaction. This means that the historical
consolidated assets and liabilities and results of operations of Medical
Assurance and its subsidiaries will be included in the consolidated financial
statements of ProAssurance.
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The merger of Professionals Group into a subsidiary of ProAssurance and the
exchange of the Professionals Group stock for cash and ProAssurance stock will
be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, the aggregate
consideration paid by ProAssurance in connection with the transaction, together
with the direct costs of the acquisition, will be allocated to the consolidated
assets and liabilities of Professionals Group based on their estimated fair
market values at the date of the transaction. The assets and liabilities and
results of operations of Professionals Group will be consolidated into the
assets and liabilities and results of operations of ProAssurance after the
transaction.
Stock awards outstanding under the stock compensation plans of
Professionals Group will be settled as part of the transaction. The settlement
costs will be recorded as compensation expense by Professionals Group in its
final pre-acquisition financial statements. Outstanding options under the stock
compensation plans of Professionals Group will be converted to options for
shares of ProAssurance at the transaction date. The estimated fair market value
of these options will be included in the purchase price of the transaction.
REGULATORY APPROVALS
Before the consolidation can be completed, we must receive the approvals of
certain regulatory authorities. While we have agreed to use our reasonable
efforts to obtain all required regulatory approvals, we cannot be certain that
we will obtain the required regulatory approvals within the time frame
contemplated by the consolidation agreement or on terms that are satisfactory to
us. It is also possible that any such approval may be accompanied by a
conditional requirement which causes such approvals to fail to satisfy the
conditions set forth in the consolidation agreement.
We are not aware of any material regulatory approvals or actions that are
required to complete the consolidation, except as described below. If any
additional regulatory approvals or actions are required, then we presently
intend to obtain those approvals and actions. There can be no assurance,
however, that any such regulatory approvals or actions will be obtained.
Federal Antitrust Laws. Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976 we cannot complete the consolidation until we notify and furnish
information to the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and the
Federal Trade Commission and specified waiting period requirements are
satisfied. On December 22, 2000, we filed with the FTC and the Antitrust
Division a Notification and Report form under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. The
waiting period expired on January 5, 2001. At any time before or after the
consolidation is completed and notwithstanding that the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act
waiting period has expired, the Department of Justice or the FTC could take any
action under the antitrust laws it deems necessary or desirable in the public
interest, including seeking to enjoin the consummation of the consolidation or
seeking divestiture of substantial assets of Medical Assurance or Professionals
Group. Private parties and the state attorneys general may also bring actions
under applicable antitrust laws.
State Insurance Laws. The insurance laws and regulations of all states
generally require that, prior to the acquisition of control of an insurance
company domiciled in that state, the acquiring company must obtain the approval
of the proposed transaction by the insurance commissioner of the domiciliary
state. In connection with the state approval process, ProAssurance has made
formal filing applications, generally called Form A filings, for approval of the
consolidation with the insurance commissioners of Alabama and West Virginia, the
states in which insurance company subsidiaries of Medical Assurance are
domiciled. ProAssurance has also made Form A filings for approval of the
consolidation with the insurance commissioners of Michigan, Indiana, and
Illinois, the states in which the insurance company subsidiaries of
Professionals Group are domiciled. In Alabama, Indiana and West Virginia, the
insurance commissioners were required to hold a public hearing before granting
approval for the consolidation. The Form A filings of ProAssurance have been
approved by the insurance commissioners in Alabama, Michigan, Indiana and West
Virginia subject to receipt of all necessary insurance regulatory approvals. The
Form A has been filed but not yet approved in Illinois.
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The insurance laws and regulations of the states also generally require
that, prior to the payment of an extraordinary dividend, an insurance company
must obtain approval by the insurance commissioner of its state of domicile. A
substantial portion of the capital proposed to be used by ProAssurance to fund
the cash consideration of the consolidation will be provided from the proceeds
of extraordinary dividends payable by an Alabama insurance subsidiary of Medical
Assurance and a Michigan insurance subsidiary of Professionals Group. Medical
Assurance has made formal filing applications, generally called Form D filings,
for approval of extraordinary dividends with the Alabama insurance commissioner
in the amount of approximately $25 million in January 2001 and approximately $20
million in May 2001. Professionals Group has made a Form D filing for approval
of extraordinary dividends with the Michigan insurance commissioner in the
amount of approximately $50 million in January 2001 and approximately $19
million in May 2001. Medical Assurance's application for the payment of the $25
million extraordinary dividend was approved by the Alabama insurance
commissioner on November 16, 2000. Professionals Group's application for the
payment of the $50 million extraordinary dividend was approved by the Michigan
insurance commissioner on November 28, 2000.
In addition, the insurance laws and regulations of certain states require
notification and approval by the insurance commissioner of the state prior to an
acquisition of an insurance company doing business in that state (or the
acquisition of its holding company) when the acquirer and its insurance company
affiliates, together with the acquired company and its insurance company
affiliates, have market share sufficiently large enough in particular insurance
lines to require notification and approval. ProAssurance has either received
affirmative approval from the insurance commissioners or constructive approval
by reason of the time period for review having ended without objection from the
commissioner.
LISTING OF PROASSURANCE STOCK; DELISTING OF MEDICAL ASSURANCE AND PROFESSIONALS
GROUP STOCK
It is a condition to the consolidation that the shares of ProAssurance
common stock to be issued in the consolidation be approved for listing on the
New York Stock Exchange. If the consolidation is completed, shares of Medical
Assurance and Professionals Group stock will be delisted from the New York Stock
Exchange and Nasdaq National Market, respectively.
RESALE OF PROASSURANCE STOCK
ProAssurance common stock that you receive in the consolidation will be
freely transferable, unless you are deemed to be an "affiliate" of Medical
Assurance or Professionals Group under the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules
and regulations promulgated under that act, at the time of the special meeting.
"Affiliates" may only re-sell their holding company common stock in transactions
permitted by rule 145 under the Securities Act of 1933 or as otherwise permitted
under that act. Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of Medical Assurance
or Professionals Group for these purposes generally include individuals or
entities that control, are controlled by, or are under common control with,
Medical Assurance or Professionals Group and may include officers, directors and
principal shareholders of Medical Assurance or Professionals Group. The
consolidation agreement requires Medical Assurance and Professionals Group to
obtain from each of these affiliates an agreement to the effect that these
persons will not offer or sell or otherwise dispose of any ProAssurance common
shares issued to these persons in the consolidation in violation of the
Securities Act of 1933.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus does not cover any resales of
ProAssurance common shares to be received by shareholders of Medical Assurance
and Professionals Group upon consummation of the consolidation, and no person is
authorized to make any use of this document in connection with any such resale.
MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The consolidation will qualify as a partially tax deferred exchange for
federal income tax purposes under Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Accordingly, none of Medical Assurance, Professionals Group and ProAssurance
will recognize any gain or loss as a result of the consolidation. Ernst & Young
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LLP, certified public accountants, has provided its opinion to the boards of
directors of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group as to the material
federal income tax consequences of the consolidation generally applicable to the
shareholders of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group. The opinion may be
summarized as follows:
- If you are a Medical Assurance shareholder, you will not recognize any
gain or loss on the exchange of your Medical Assurance shares for
ProAssurance shares in the consolidation. Your adjusted tax basis in the
ProAssurance shares that you receive in the consolidation will equal your
adjusted basis in the Medical Assurance shares that you surrendered. The
holding period for the ProAssurance shares that you receive in exchange
for your Medical Assurance shares will include your holding period for
the Medical Assurance shares that you surrendered.
- If you hold Professionals Group shares and you exchange those shares for
both ProAssurance shares and cash in the consolidation, you will
recognize gain equal to the lesser of (a) the amount of cash received in
the exchange, and (b) the amount of gain that you realize on the
exchange. The amount of gain that you realize on the exchange will be
equal to the excess of the sum of the cash (including cash received for
fractional shares) and the value of ProAssurance shares received in the
exchange over your tax basis of the Professionals Group shares exchanged
therefor. You will not be entitled to recognize a loss on such exchange
for federal income tax purposes. The tax basis of ProAssurance shares you
receive in exchange for your Professionals Group shares will be the same
as the tax basis of the Professionals Group shares exchanged therefor,
increased by any gain that you recognize as a result of the consolidation
and reduced by the amount of any cash received in the consolidation.
- If you hold Professionals Group shares and you receive only cash in
exchange for your Professionals Group shares in the consolidation, you
will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the cash
received and your adjusted tax basis in the Professionals Group shares
exchanged for the cash.
- Any gain that you recognize as a Professionals Group shareholder as a
result of the receipt of cash and stock in the consolidation will
generally be a capital gain if you hold such shares as a capital asset at
the time the consolidation is completed and your holding period in your
Professionals Group shares exceeds one year at that time. The holding
period for ProAssurance shares received in exchange for Professionals
Group shares pursuant to the consolidation will include the holding
period of the Professionals Group shares exchanged therefor.
If you are a Professionals Group shareholder, you should provide your tax
identification number, social security or employer identification number to the
exchange agent by completing and signing the Form W-9 that is a part of your
yellow election form/letter of transmittal. Otherwise, payments in respect of
your Professionals Group common stock may be subject to information reporting to
the Internal Revenue Service and to a 31% backup withholding tax. You can avoid
backup withholding by completing and signing a substitute Form W-9 or otherwise
proving to ProAssurance and the exchange agent that you are exempt from backup
withholding.
The opinion of Ernst & Young LLP relies on assumptions, including
assumptions regarding the absence of changes in existing facts and the
completion of the consolidation in accordance with the joint proxy
statement/prospectus and the consolidation agreement. This opinion also relies
on representations and covenants, including those contained in the officers
certificates of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group. If any of the
assumptions, representations or covenants are inaccurate, the conclusions
contained in the opinions could be affected. This opinion together with attached
officer certificates has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus is a part.
We did not obtain any ruling by the Internal Revenue Service concerning the
federal income tax consequences of the consolidation. Furthermore, the opinion
of Ernst & Young LLP does not bind the Internal Revenue Service or any court.
The Internal Revenue Service may disagree with the opinions
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expressed by Ernst & Young LLP and contest the tax treatment of the
consolidation and a court may sustain this contest.
The summary of the material tax consequences of the consolidation set forth
above and the opinion from Ernst & Young LLP do not address all of the federal
income tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular
circumstances. Neither the above summary nor the tax opinion addresses the
federal income tax consequences that may be applicable to taxpayers subject to
special treatments under the Internal Revenue Code, such as:
- insurance companies;
- financial institutions;
- dealers;
- traders that mark to market;
- tax exempt organizations;
- shareholders who hold their shares as part of a "hedge," appreciated
financial position, straddle or conversion transaction;
- shareholders who acquired the shares of Medical Assurance or
Professionals Group through the exercise of options or otherwise as
compensation or through a tax deferred retirement plan; and
- foreign corporations, foreign partnerships or other foreign entities and
individuals who are not citizens or residents of the United States.
No information is provided in this joint proxy statement/prospectus with
respect to the tax consequences, if any, of the consolidation under applicable
foreign, state, local and other tax laws. The description of the federal income
tax consequences summarized above and the above referenced tax opinion are based
on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, applicable Treasury Regulations,
and IRS rulings and judicial decisions, as in effect as of the date of such
opinion. There can be no assurance that future legislative, administrative, or
judicial changes or interpretations, which changes could apply retroactively,
will not affect the accuracy of the statements or conclusions set forth in the
description of the federal income tax consequences summarized above and the
above referenced tax opinion.
THE PRECEDING SUMMARY OF THE MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
THE CONSOLIDATION DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OR DISCUSSION OF
ALL POTENTIAL TAX EFFECTS RELEVANT TO THE CONSOLIDATION. THIS DISCUSSION IS
INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND MAY NOT APPLY TO A PARTICULAR
SHAREHOLDER IN LIGHT OF THE SHAREHOLDER'S PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. YOU ARE
URGED TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO
YOU OF THE CONSOLIDATION, INCLUDING TAX RETURN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, THE
APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER
APPLICABLE TAX LAWS AND THE EFFECT OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE TAX LAWS.
INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THE CONSOLIDATION
When considering the recommendation of our boards of directors, you should
be aware that certain directors and officers of Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group may have interests in the consolidation that are different
from, or in addition to, your interests. These interests are described below. In
each case, our boards of directors were aware of these interests and considered
them, among other matters, in approving the consolidation.
INDEMNIFICATION
Medical Assurance, Professionals Group, and ProAssurance have agreed to
jointly and severally indemnify all persons serving or having served as
directors or officers of Medical Assurance or Professionals Group prior to the
completion of the consolidation. ProAssurance and Medical Assurance also have
agreed to provide directors' and officers' liability insurance for the present
officers and directors of Professionals Group comparable to the coverage
currently provided by Professionals Group before the consolidation.
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Officers of ProAssurance. A. Derrill Crowe, M.D., the current chairman of
the board and chief executive officer of Medical Assurance, will serve as
chairman of the board and chief executive officer of ProAssurance. Victor T.
Adamo, the current chief executive officer and a director of Professionals
Group, will serve as vice chairman of the board and president of ProAssurance.
Directors of ProAssurance. All of the directors of Medical Assurance will
serve as directors of ProAssurance. Victor T. Adamo, Ann F. Putallaz, and
William H. Woodhams, who are directors of Professionals Group, will serve as
directors of ProAssurance. See "Management and Operations after the
Consolidation."
Employees and Benefit Plans. ProAssurance will review Medical Assurance's
and Professionals Group's employee benefit plans and programs with a view toward
combining those plans or developing appropriate new benefit plans in replacement
of such plans. Subject to restrictions and limitations that applicable law may
impose, ProAssurance will continue in effect the current employee benefit plans
of each of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group until such time as the
benefit plans are merged with each other or terminated or frozen and replaced
with new benefit plans. Such employee benefit plans will be designed to treat
similarly situated employees of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group and
their respective subsidiaries on a substantially equivalent basis, provide
employees full credit for prior service with Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group and their subsidiaries for vesting and eligibility purposes, and waive all
waiting periods and pre-existing conditions and exclusions with respect to such
employees.
CHANGE OF CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
The approval of the consolidation by the shareholders of Professionals
Group will be a "change of control" for purposes of Professionals Group's Key
Employee Retention Plan and other "change of control" agreements covering
certain executives of Professionals Group and of its subsidiaries. That plan and
those agreements generally provide "key employees" with a severance payment and
certain insurance and other benefits in the event that there is a change in
control of Professionals Group that is coupled with the actual involuntary or
constructive termination of such key employee for any reason other than cause
within two years after such change in control. The amount of the severance
payment is equal to two times the key employee's base salary plus bonus, average
of last three years.
The dollar amounts of the severance payments and insurance and other
benefits potentially payable to those persons who were executive officers of
Professionals Group on March 30, 2001 and whose salary and bonus exceeded
$100,000 in 2000 (the "named executive officers"), calculated as of December 31,
2000, are as follows: Victor T. Adamo -- $1,257,639; R. Kevin
Clinton -- $1,195,810; John F. Lang -- $494,622; and William P. Sabados -- $0.
The aggregate amount of the severance payments and other benefits potentially
payable under Professionals Group's Key Employee Retention Plan and "change of
control" agreements to all key employees as a group (11 persons) was $6,397,955,
calculated as of December 31, 2000.
The consolidation will also be a "change of control" for purposes of change
of control agreements entered into between MEEMIC Holdings, a subsidiary of
Professionals Group, and certain employees of MEEMIC Holdings. Each of these
agreements provides the employee with a severance payment and certain insurance
and other benefits in the event that there is a change in control of MEEMIC
Holdings that is coupled with the actual involuntary or constructive termination
of such employee for a reason other than cause within two years after such
change in control. The amount of the severance payment is equal to two times the
employee's base salary plus bonus, average of last three years. As of December
31, 2000 there were three such agreements in effect and the aggregate amount of
the severance payments and other benefits potentially payable under those
agreements was $1,469,395, calculated as of December 31, 2000. William P.
Sabados, the Chief Information Officer of Professionals Group, is a party to one
of these agreements and the dollar amount of the severance payment and insurance
and other benefits potentially payable to him was $453,525, calculated as of
December 31, 2000.
Medical Assurance may cause ProAssurance to implement key employee
retention agreements that would provide severance and insurance benefits for
some or all of its key employees similar to those
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provided by Professionals Group upon actual or constructive termination of
employment of the employee for any reason other than cause after the
consolidation.
STOCK OPTIONS
The approval of the consolidation by the shareholders of Professionals
Group will be a "change of control" for purposes of the stock options issued
under Professionals Group's 1996 Long Term Incentive Plan. Consequently, all
unvested options that are issued and outstanding under this plan will
immediately vest and become exercisable upon shareholder approval. As of the
date of this joint proxy statement/ prospectus, there were a total of 76,583
unvested options issued and outstanding under this plan with exercise prices
ranging from $23.50 to $30.58.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the unvested
Professionals Group stock options currently held by each of Professionals
Group's named executed officers.
VALUE OF
NUMBER OF OPTIONS IN-THE-MONEY
SUBJECT TO OPTIONS SUBJECT TO
NAME ACCELERATED VESTING ACCELERATED VESTING
---- ------------------- -------------------
Victor T. Adamo...................................... 14,520* $ 0
R. Kevin Clinton..................................... 9,680* 0
John F. Lang......................................... 9,555** 15,600
William P. Sabados................................... 0 0
---------------
* Absent accelerated vesting, these non-qualified stock options would vest on
February 12, 2002. These options would expire at 5:00 p.m. on February 12,
2007.
** Absent accelerated vesting, these non-qualified stock options would vest as
follows: (1) 605 options vest on February 12, 2002. These options expire at
5:00 p.m. on February 12, 2007; (2) 4,950 options are subject to vesting in
annual increments of 33% commencing March 9, 2002 and expire at 5:00 p.m. on
March 9, 2009; and (3) 4,000 options are subject to vesting in annual
increments of 25% commencing December 10, 2002 and expire at 5:00 p.m. on
December 10, 2009.
Upon completion of the consolidation, such stock options will be adjusted
and will become options to purchase shares of ProAssurance common stock. See
"The Consolidation -- Treatment of Stock Options."
The consolidation will also be a "change of control" for purposes of the
stock options issued under MEEMIC Holdings' Stock Compensation plan.
Consequently, upon completion of the consolidation all unvested options that are
unvested and outstanding under this plan will immediately vest and become
exercisable. As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, there were
a total of 224,000 unvested options issued and outstanding under this plan, each
with an exercise price of $10.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the unvested
MEEMIC Holdings stock options currently held by Professionals Group's named
executive officers.
VALUE OF
NUMBER OF OPTIONS IN-THE-MONEY
SUBJECT TO OPTIONS SUBJECT TO
NAME ACCELERATED VESTING ACCELERATED VESTING
---- ------------------- -------------------
Victor T. Adamo...................................... 20,000* $265,000
R. Kevin Clinton..................................... 48,000* 636,000
John F. Lang......................................... 0 0
William P. Sabados................................... 20,000* 265,000
---------------
* All of these options are non-qualified stock options, are subject to vesting
in annual increments of 25% commencing July 1, 2002 and expire at 5:00 p.m. on
July 1, 2009.
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STOCK GRANTS
The approval of the consolidation by the shareholders of Professionals
Group will be a "change of control" for purposes of certain consulting,
confidentiality and non-competition agreements between Professionals Group and
each of its non-employee directors. Consequently, all unvested stock grants made
pursuant to those agreements will immediately vest upon such shareholder
approval. Non-employee directors of Professionals Group and the unvested stock
grants held by them are as follows: Eliot H. Berg -- 6,582 shares; Joseph C.
Cauthen -- 4,262 shares; John F. Dodge, Jr. -- 4,760 shares; H. Harvey
Gass -- 4,760 shares; Richard P. Horsch -- 4,760 shares; Isaac J.
Powell -- 4,760 shares; Ann F. Putallaz -- 4,760 shares; William H.
Woodhams -- 4,760 shares; and Donald S. Young -- 4,760 shares.
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MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS AFTER THE CONSOLIDATION
GENERAL
After the consolidation, ProAssurance will be the parent corporation of
Medical Assurance and Professionals Group and the subsidiaries of Medical
Assurance and Professionals Group will remain as subsidiaries of those
companies.
It is currently anticipated that the insurance operations of Medical
Assurance and Professionals Group will be conducted through a northern division
and a southern division. Insurance operations in Alabama, West Virginia,
Florida, Missouri, Georgia, Mississippi and other southern states will be
conducted under the principal direction of Medical Assurance with A. Derrill
Crowe continuing to serve as chief executive officer of Medical Assurance.
Insurance operations in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and other northern states will be conducted under the
principal direction of Professionals Group with Victor T. Adamo continuing to
serve as chief executive officer of Professionals Group. The board of directors
of ProAssurance may alter or change the proposed operating structure and the
responsibilities of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group should
circumstances indicate that a change would be in the best interest of the
shareholders of ProAssurance or the policyholders of its insurance subsidiaries.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The consolidation agreement provides that ProAssurance's board of directors
will be comprised of eleven directors divided into three classes. Class I will
be composed of four directors whose initial terms will expire at the first
annual meeting of ProAssurance. Class II will be composed of four directors
whose initial terms will expire at the second annual meeting of ProAssurance.
Class III will be composed of three directors whose initial terms will expire at
the third annual meeting of ProAssurance. Medical Assurance has nominated eight
of the initial directors and Professionals Group has nominated three of the
initial directors, one for each class.
The names, ages, classes and biographical profiles of the initial board of
directors and executive officers of ProAssurance are set forth below.
A. DERRILL CROWE, M.D. -- Age 64, Class I Director -- chairman of the board
of directors and chief executive officer of ProAssurance. Dr. Crowe has served
as chairman of the board and president of Medical Assurance. Dr. Crowe has been
president, chief executive officer and a director of The Medical Assurance
Company, an Alabama insurance company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Medical
Assurance since its organization in 1976.
VICTOR T. ADAMO, ESQ., CPCU -- Age 53, Class III Director -- vice chairman
of the board of directors and president of ProAssurance. Mr. Adamo has been the
chief executive officer, president and a director of Professionals Group since
1996, and a director of ProNational Insurance Company, where he has held various
positions including president and chief executive officer, since 1985. He has
been chairman and a director of MEEMIC Holdings, Inc. since October 1998 and is
also chairman and a director of MEEMIC Insurance Company. Prior to joining
ProNational, Mr. Adamo was in private legal practice from 1975 to 1985 and
represented ProNational in corporate legal matters.
JAMES J. MORELLO, CPA -- Age 52, secretary, treasurer and chief financial
officer of ProAssurance. Mr. Morello has served as treasurer and chief financial
officer of Medical Assurance since its formation on February 8, 1995. He has
been employed as treasurer and chief financial officer of The Medical Assurance
Company since 1984. Mr. Morello is also the treasurer and a director of Medical
Assurance of West Virginia, Inc., a West Virginia insurance company and
wholly-owned subsidiary of Medical Assurance.
RICHARD V. BRADLEY, M.D. -- Age 74, Class II Director. Dr. Bradley has
served on the board of directors of Medical Assurance since December 1996. In
1986, Dr. Bradley retired from medical practice and served as president and
chief executive officer of MOMED Holding Co. and its Missouri insurance
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subsidiary. After Medical Assurance acquired MOMED in 1996, Dr. Bradley
continued to serve in such capacities until the merger of MOMED Holding Co. into
Medical Assurance in August 2000.
PAUL R. BUTRUS -- Age 60, Class III Director. Mr. Butrus has been the
executive vice president and a director of Medical Assurance since its
incorporation on February 8, 1995. Mr. Butrus has been employed by The Medical
Assurance Company since 1977, most recently as executive vice president since
1993. Mr. Butrus serves as a director of each of Medical Assurance's insurance
subsidiaries and participates on their respective claims and underwriting
committees.
NORTON E. COWART, M.D. -- Age 82, Class I Director. Dr. Cowart has served
on the board of directors of Medical Assurance since 1996. Dr. Cowart served as
a director of The Medical Assurance Company from 1977 to 1996, and served as its
chairman of the board from 1987 to 1996. Dr. Cowart retired from the practice of
internal medicine in Huntsville, Alabama in 1992.
PAUL D. EVEREST, M.D. -- Age 80, Class III Director. Dr. Everest has served
on the board of directors of Medical Assurance since its incorporation on
February 8, 1995, and as a director of The Medical Assurance Company since 1982.
Dr. Everest practices medicine in Montgomery, Alabama, specializing in
orthopedic surgery.
ROBERT E. FLOWERS, M.D. -- Age 51, Class I Director. Dr. Flowers has served
on the board of directors of Medical Assurance since its formation on February
8, 1995 and as a director of The Medical Assurance Company since 1985. He
practices medicine in Dothan, Alabama, specializing in gynecology.
LEON C. HAMRICK, M.D. -- Age 75, Class II Director. Dr. Hamrick has served
on the board of directors of Medical Assurance since its incorporation on
February 8, 1995, and as a director of The Medical Assurance Company since 1978.
Dr. Hamrick is a general surgeon with HealthSouth Metro West Hospital in
Fairfield, Alabama.
JOHN P. NORTH, JR. -- Age 65, Class II Director. 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. -- Age 55, Class I Director. Ms. Putallaz has been a
director of Professionals Group since 1996 and has been vice chairman since June
1999. She has been a director of MEEMIC Holdings since September 2000. Since
December 1994, she has been the vice president and director of marketing
information services of Munder Capital Management, an investment advisor to The
Munder Funds, a Maryland corporation and an open-end investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
WILLIAM H. WOODHAMS, M.D. -- Age 63, Class II Director. Dr. Woodhams has
been a director of Professionals Group since 1996 and chairman since June 1999.
Dr. Woodhams was a director of ProNational from 1980 to July 1, 1998. He is
board certified in family practice and has been in private practice in
Kalamazoo, Michigan since 1964. Dr. Woodhams serves as an assistant clinical
professor in the department of family practice at Michigan State University. Dr.
Woodhams is also a member of the Michigan board of medicine committee of
licensure and discipline.
DIVIDEND POLICY
The holders of ProAssurance common stock are entitled to receive such
dividends as may be declared from time to time by the ProAssurance board out of
funds legally available therefor. We do not expect ProAssurance to declare cash
dividends on ProAssurance common stock for the foreseeable future following the
consolidation, as we expect that earnings of ProAssurance and its subsidiaries
will be retained and used for debt service and operations. Any future cash
dividends will depend upon, among other things, future financial results and
requirements and contractual restrictions applicable to ProAssurance or its
subsidiaries. The ability of ProAssurance to fund its operations and to pay cash
dividends on ProAssurance common stock following consummation of the
consolidation will be dependent upon its receipt of dividends from its insurance
subsidiaries. The ability of its insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends is
subject to
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regulatory and contractual restrictions. There can be no assurance as to any
future dividends by ProAssurance or its insurance subsidiaries.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP
The following table shows the number of shares of ProAssurance common stock
expected to be beneficially owned by:
- each person who upon completion of the consolidation will become an owner
of more than 5% of those shares (other than institutional investors);
- each person who is, or upon completion of the consolidation will become,
a director of ProAssurance;
- each person who is, or upon completion of the consolidation will become,
an executive officer of ProAssurance; and
- all persons who are, or upon completion of the consolidation will become,
directors and executive officers of ProAssurance as a group.
The following table is based on information provided by the persons
indicated with respect to the beneficial ownership of Medical Assurance common
stock and Professionals Group common stock, as of March 5, 2001, by each
director and named executive officer of ProAssurance and by all directors and
named executive officers of ProAssurance as a group. Except as indicated below,
there are no stockholders known to ProAssurance management who will be the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of ProAssurance
common stock upon completion of the consolidation (other than institutional
investors).
NUMBER OF RIGHT PERCENTAGE OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES OWNED(3) TO ACQUIRE(4) OUTSTANDING SHARES(5)
------------------------ --------------- ------------- ---------------------
A. Derrill Crowe(1)..................... 2,319,511 168,517 9.5%
Victor T. Adamo(2)...................... 59,905 153,186 *
Richard V. Bradley(1)................... 75,000 -- *
Paul R. Butrus(1)....................... 217,923 168,739 1.5%
Norton E. Cowart(1)..................... 10,657 -- *
Paul D. Everest(1)...................... 11,819 -- *
Robert E. Flowers(1).................... 30,865 -- *
Leon Hamrick(1)......................... 3,651 -- *
James J. Morello(1)..................... 20,662 7,950 *
John P. North, Jr.(1)................... 1,803 -- *
Ann F. Putallaz(2)...................... 10,606 6,174 *
William H. Woodhams(2).................. 18,504 6,174 *
All Directors and Executive Officers as
a group (12 persons).................. 2,780,906 510,740 12.5%
---------------
(1) His business address is 100 Brookwood Place, Birmingham, Alabama 35209.
(2) His or her business address is 2600 Professionals Drive, Okemos, Michigan
48864.
(3) The number of shares stated in this column for each named person includes
shares for which the named person has sole voting and investment power or
has shared voting and investment power with a spouse. It also includes
shares held in a retirement plan or in an individual retirement account over
which the named person has control, shares held by any corporation of which
the named person is a director, executive officer or controlling
stockholder, shares held by a trust of which the named person, or his or her
spouse, is a trustee or custodian, shares held by a partnership which the
named person is a general partner, and shares held by a spouse or minor
children. For Ms. Putallaz and Dr. Woodhams the number of shares stated in
this column also includes stock grants of 4,760 shares each which will
immediately vest upon approval of the consolidation by the shareholders of
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Professionals Group. See "Stock Grants" under "Interests of Directors and
Officers in the Consolidation."
The number of shares stated in this column for each named person was
calculated assuming that upon the completion of consolidation such person
will receive (a) one share of ProAssurance common stock for each share of
Medical Assurance common stock held prior to the completion of the
consolidation and (b) one share of ProAssurance common stock for each share
of Professionals Group common stock held prior to the completion of the
consolidation.
The number of shares stated in this column for each named person excludes
shares that may be acquired through stock option exercises.
(4) Indicates number of shares that can be acquired through stock options
exercisable within 60 days after the completion of the consolidation.
The number of shares stated in this column for each named person was
calculated assuming that upon the completion of consolidation such person
will receive (a) one option to purchase ProAssurance common stock for each
option to purchase Medical Assurance common stock held prior to the
completion of the consolidation and (b) 2.11 options to purchase
ProAssurance common stock for each option to purchase Professionals Group
common stock held prior to the completion of the consolidation.
(5) Percentages have been calculated assuming that upon completion of the
consolidation approximately 25,364,000 shares of ProAssurance common stock
are issued and outstanding and approximately 963,591 options to purchase
ProAssurance common stock are issued and outstanding. An asterisk indicates
that the named person owns less than one percent of ProAssurance common
stock.
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SUMMARY OF THE CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT
We believe this summary describes the material terms of the consolidation
agreement, as amended, that have not been previously described under the caption
"The Consolidation." We recommend that you read carefully the complete text of
the consolidation agreement for the precise legal terms of the consolidation
agreement and other information that may be important to you. The consolidation
agreement, as amended, is included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as
Appendix A.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
In the consolidation agreement, we make representations and warranties to
each other about our companies with respect to, among other things:
- our corporate organization and qualification to do business;
- our ownership of subsidiaries;
- our corporate affairs;
- our articles or certificates of incorporation and by-laws;
- our capitalization;
- our execution and delivery of the consolidation agreement;
- the effect of the consolidation on our existing agreements and
obligations;
- the regulatory approvals required to complete the consolidation;
- our filings and reports with state insurance departments and the SEC;
- our financial statements;
- the regulatory examinations by our state insurance departments;
- our related party transactions;
- the absence of stock purchases creating a change of control;
- our undisclosed liabilities;
- the absence of change in our businesses since March 31, 2000;
- our tax matters and payment of taxes;
- our insurance reserves and premium rates;
- our reinsurance agreements and treaties;
- our investment policies and the composition of our investments;
- our title to our real and personal property;
- environmental matters;
- our intellectual property;
- our material contracts;
- our employee benefit plans;
- labor matters;
- the validity of our accounts receivable;
- litigation;
- the adequacy of insurance coverage on our businesses;
- the absence of illegal payments and contributions;
- our liability for brokers' fees in connection with the consolidation;
- our compliance with applicable laws; and
- the inapplicability of state takeover statutes.
Many of these representations and warranties are qualified by the concept
of "material adverse effect," that is, these representations and warranties are
not intended to apply to facts or circumstances which would not have a material
adverse effect on the business, results of operation, or financial condition of
the representing party and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
The representations and warranties in the consolidation agreement are
complicated and not easily summarized. You are urged to carefully read the
sections of the consolidation agreement entitled "Representations and Warranties
of PICM" starting on page 12 of Appendix A and "Representations and Warranties
of MAI" starting on page 27 of Appendix A. The Disclosure Schedule that each of
us prepared in support of our respective representations and warranties is not
included as part of Appendix A.
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CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BEFORE COMPLETION OF THE CONSOLIDATION
We have agreed that until the completion of the consolidation, we will
conduct our businesses in the ordinary and usual course in a manner consistent
with past practices, and use our reasonable efforts to preserve intact our
current business organizations, keep available the services of our key officers
and employees and preserve current business relationships. Without limiting the
foregoing, and without the prior written consent of the other party, the
consolidation agreement generally limits our ability to:
- incur additional indebtedness or guarantee the indebtedness of others,
except in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice;
- adjust, split, combine or reclassify our shares or issue additional
shares, except that additional shares may be issued for currently
existing and outstanding stock options;
- pay any dividends, other than dividends from subsidiaries;
- redeem, purchase, or otherwise acquire shares of our common stock or
investments convertible into our common stock, except that each of us may
repurchase shares of our common stock in accordance with SEC rules and
regulations, which, among other things, prohibits Medical Assurance from
purchasing its stock during the period that its market value will be
established in the determination of the exchange ratio;
- grant stock options or appreciation rights to any person or entity,
except that we are permitted to grant options under our existing employee
and director plans, subject to some restrictions;
- dispose of or encumber any of our respective properties or assets, except
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or in
accordance with existing contracts or agreements;
- cancel, release, or assign any existing debts payable to us by third
parties, except in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice;
- acquire the shares or assets of another business entity, except in the
ordinary course, consistent with past practice;
- terminate or change, in any material respect, existing contracts, other
than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
- amend in any material respect compensation and employee benefit
arrangements, except as required by law or the agreement;
- settle any claim, action or proceeding involving money damages, except in
the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice;
- amend our articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, or
by-laws;
- materially change our investment securities portfolio, except as done in
accordance with our investment guidelines and prior consultation with the
other party; or
- take actions that would result in the material inaccuracy of our
respective representations and warranties or the conditions to our
obligations not being satisfied.
Each of us has also agreed to use our best efforts to take, or cause to be
taken, all actions necessary, proper or advisable to comply promptly with all
legal requirements which may be imposed on us or our subsidiaries in order to
complete the consolidation, and to obtain, and to cooperate with each other in
order to obtain, any consent, authorization, order or approval of, or any
exemption by, any governmental entity or authority and any other third party
which is required to be obtained by either of us or any of our subsidiaries in
connection with the consolidation.
We have also agreed to use our best efforts to promptly prepare and file
all necessary documentation to effect all applications, notices, petitions and
filings, and to obtain and to cooperate in obtaining permits, consents,
approvals and authorizations of all third parties and governmental entities
necessary or advisable
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to complete the consolidation and to comply with the terms and conditions of all
such permits, consents, approvals and authorizations. Each of us has also agreed
to furnish upon request to the other all information concerning us and our
subsidiaries, directors, officers and shareholders and such other matters as may
be necessary or advisable in connection with the consolidation. We have also
reached certain agreements with respect to directors' and officers'
indemnification and insurance.
Each of us has further agreed to give the other access to all of our
properties, books, contracts, commitments and records and to furnish information
concerning our businesses, properties and personnel, subject to the restrictions
and for the purposes set forth in the consolidation agreement.
CONDITIONS TO THE COMPLETION OF THE CONSOLIDATION
Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Consolidation. The
consolidation agreement contains conditions to our obligation to complete the
consolidation. Neither one of us will be obligated to complete the consolidation
unless:
- the shareholders of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group have
approved the consolidation agreement by the requisite affirmative votes,
as described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus;
- no order, injunction, or decree prohibiting consummation of the
consolidation is in effect;
- any waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act has expired or been
terminated early;
- we have obtained necessary approvals of the consolidation from the
Alabama Insurance Commissioner, the Illinois Insurance Department, the
Indiana Insurance Commissioner, the Michigan Insurance Commissioner, the
West Virginia Insurance Commissioner, and other appropriate state
regulatory departments;
- the registration statement relating to ProAssurance stock described in
this joint proxy statement/ prospectus is effective, and no stop order
suspending effectiveness is in effect;
- any state securities or "blue sky" approvals required in connection with
the consolidation have been received;
- the shares of ProAssurance common stock issuable in the consolidation
have been authorized for trading and reporting on the New York Stock
Exchange;
- we have received a written opinion from Ernst & Young LLP regarding the
consolidation substantially to the effect that (1) Medical Assurance
shareholders will not recognize any gain or loss as a result of the
consolidation, (2) Professionals Group shareholders electing to receive
ProAssurance stock and cash will recognize gain under Section 351(b) of
the Internal Revenue Code, but in an amount not in excess of the lesser
of the gain realized or the amount of cash received, (3) Professionals
Group shareholders electing to receive all cash will recognize gain or
loss measured by the difference between the amount of cash received and
the adjusted basis of the Professionals Group stock surrendered, and (4)
neither ProAssurance, Medical Assurance nor Professionals Group nor any
of their subsidiaries will recognize gain or loss as a result of the
consolidation; and
- ProAssurance and each of the transitory acquisition subsidiaries has been
formed and is authorized to transact business in its state of domicile.
Neither of us will waive compliance with these conditions in spite of the
fact that the consolidation agreement allows us to waive any of the conditions
to the consolidation.
Conditions to the Obligation of Medical Assurance to Complete the
Consolidation. The obligation of Medical Assurance to complete the
consolidation is subject to the fulfillment of the following additional
conditions:
- the representations and warranties made by Professionals Group in the
consolidation agreement must be true and correct on the date that the
consolidation is completed;
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- Professionals Group must have materially performed all obligations
required to be performed by it before the closing;
- there must have been no material adverse change in the financial
condition, operations, assets, or business prospects of Professionals
Group and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and there must also have
been no event or circumstance which has, or is likely to have, a
materially adverse effect on the ability of Professionals Group or its
subsidiaries to conduct their respective businesses as presently
conducted;
- Medical Assurance must have received a favorable opinion from First Union
Securities, Inc. or another recognized investment banking firm that the
consolidation is fair to Medical Assurance shareholders from a financial
point of view and such opinion must not have been withdrawn prior to
completion of the consolidation; and
- Professionals Group and its insurance subsidiaries must not be rated
lower than A- by the A.M. Best Rating Agency, and must not have received
notice from A.M. Best of its intention to lower the rating of
ProAssurance, the Professionals Group insurance subsidiaries or the
Medical Assurance insurance subsidiaries below A- after giving effect to
the consolidation.
In the absence of a resolicitation of proxies from the Medical Assurance
shareholders, Medical Assurance will not waive any of these conditions if the
waiver would result in a material change in the information included in this
joint proxy statement/prospectus or the information incorporated herein by
reference. Medical Assurance will consider the waiver of either the condition
relating to the delivery of a fairness opinion from First Union Securities or
another investment banking firm or the condition relating to the A- or better
rating from A. M. Best Rating Agency to result in a material change in the
information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Conditions to the Obligation of Professionals Group to Complete the
Consolidation. The obligation of Professionals Group to complete the
consolidation is subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions:
- the representations and warranties made by Medical Assurance in the
consolidation agreement must be true and correct on the date that the
consolidation is completed;
- Medical Assurance must have materially performed all obligations required
to be performed by it before the closing;
- there must have been no material adverse change in the financial
condition, operations, assets, or business prospects of Medical Assurance
and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and there must also have been no
event or circumstance which has, or is likely to have, a materially
adverse effect on the ability of Medical Assurance or its subsidiaries to
conduct their respective businesses as presently conducted;
- Professionals Group must have received a favorable opinion from Cochran,
Caronia & Co. or another recognized investment banking that the
consolidation is fair to Professionals Group shareholders from a
financial point of view and such opinion must not have been withdrawn
prior to completion of the consolidation; and
- Medical Assurance and its insurance subsidiaries must not be rated lower
than A- by the A.M. Best Rating Agency, and must not have received notice
from A.M. Best of its intention to lower the rating of ProAssurance, the
Professionals Group insurance subsidiaries or the Medical Assurance
insurance subsidiaries below A- after giving effect to the consolidation.
In the absence of a resolicitation of proxies from the Professionals Group
shareholders, Professionals Group will not waive any of these conditions if the
waiver would result in a material change in the information included in this
joint proxy statement/prospectus or the information incorporated herein by
reference. Professionals Group will consider the waiver of either the condition
relating to the delivery of a fairness opinion from Cochran, Coronia & Co. or
other investment banking firm or the condition relating
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to the A- or better rating from A. M. Best Rating Agency to result in a material
change in the information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
When the consolidation is completed, all representations and warranties of
Medical Assurance and Professionals Group will expire and terminate.
NO SOLICITATION OF TRANSACTIONS
We have agreed that neither we nor our representatives will, directly or
indirectly, initiate, entertain, solicit, encourage, engage in, or participate
in, negotiations with any person concerning any acquisition proposal, other than
the consolidation.
However, either of us may, without breaching the consolidation agreement,
respond to any unsolicited acquisition proposal if our board of directors
determines in good faith that a response to the acquisition proposal is
appropriate in furtherance of the best interests of our shareholders. In
response to the acquisition proposal, either of us may furnish information to
any person pursuant to a customary confidentiality agreement and participate in
discussions regarding the proposal. We may also approve and recommend the
proposal to our shareholders.
We will promptly inform each other of any serious, bona fide inquiry either
of us receives with respect to any acquisition proposal and we will keep each
other informed of the status of any discussions or negotiations concerning the
acquisition proposal.
As to each party, "acquisition proposal" is any transaction, other than the
consolidation, involving any of the following:
- any merger or other business combination involving that party or any of
its subsidiaries;
- any proposal to acquire the right to vote 10% or more of the common stock
of that party;
- any acquisition of 10% or more of the assets of that party, other than in
the ordinary course of business; or
- any acquisition of more than 10% of the outstanding common stock of that
party.
TERMINATION
We may terminate the consolidation agreement at any time before the date
the consolidation becomes effective in any of the following circumstances:
- by our mutual written consent;
- by either party if it becomes certain, for all practical purposes, that
the other party cannot satisfy its requirements to effect the
consolidation and the terminating party's default has not caused such
failure;
- by either party if the consolidation is not completed by January 31,
2001; however, this right to terminate is not available to any party
whose breach of the consolidation agreement was the cause of the failure
of the consolidation to occur by this date;
- by either party if the other party authorizes, recommends, publicly
proposes, or publicly announces an intention to authorize, recommend or
propose an acquisition proposal, or if the other party enters an
agreement with another party to effect an acquisition proposal, or fails
to publicly oppose a tender offer or exchange offer by another person
based on an acquisition proposal; or
- by either party if such party enters an agreement with any person to
effect an acquisition proposal or fails to publicly oppose a tender offer
or exchange offer by another person based on the acquisition proposal
upon the payment by the terminating party of a termination fee to the
other party.
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TERMINATION FEES
Medical Assurance. Medical Assurance must pay Professionals Group an
expense allowance of $2,400,000 if any of the following conditions occur:
- Medical Assurance or Professionals Group refuses or is unable to complete
the consolidation because all approvals of governmental authorities have
not been obtained due to Medical Assurance's fault;
- Medical Assurance or Professionals Group refuses or is unable to complete
the consolidation because the parties have not received a favorable tax
opinion regarding the consolidation due to Medical Assurance's fault;
- Medical Assurance or Professionals Group refuses or is unable to complete
the consolidation because the Medical Assurance shareholders failed to
approve the consolidation;
- Professionals Group refuses or is unable to complete the consolidation
because Medical Assurance breached its representations, warranties, or
obligations under the consolidation agreement;
- Professionals Group refuses or is unable to complete the consolidation
because Medical Assurance has suffered a material adverse change in its
businesses, assets, properties, operations or financial condition, or
there has been an event or circumstance which has, or is likely to have a
materially adverse effect on the ability of Medical Assurance or its
subsidiaries to conduct their respective businesses as presently
conducted;
- Professionals Group elects to terminate the consolidation agreement after
Medical Assurance informs Professionals Group of either an event that
would be likely to cause Medical Assurance's representations or
warranties in the consolidation agreement to be untrue or incorrect in
any material respect, or any failure on Medical Assurance's part or on
the part of any of its officers, directors, employees, representatives or
agents to comply with or satisfy, in any material respect, any covenant,
condition, or agreement in the consolidation agreement;
- Professionals Group elects to terminate the consolidation agreement after
Medical Assurance authorizes, recommends, publicly proposes, or publicly
announces an intention to authorize, recommend or propose an acquisition
proposal, or enters an agreement with another party to effect an
acquisition proposal, or fails to publicly oppose a tender offer or
exchange offer by another person based on the acquisition proposal; or
- Medical Assurance elects to terminate the consolidation agreement after
it enters an agreement with any person to effect an acquisition proposal
or fails to publicly oppose a tender offer or exchange offer by another
person based on an acquisition proposal.
In addition, Medical Assurance will pay Professionals Group liquidated
damages of $7,500,000 if any of the following events occur:
- Medical Assurance enters an agreement with any person to effect an
acquisition proposal or fails to publicly oppose a tender offer or
exchange offer by another person based on an acquisition proposal;
- Professionals Group elects to terminate the consolidation agreement after
Medical Assurance authorizes, recommends, publicly proposes, or publicly
announces an intention to authorize, recommend or propose an acquisition
proposal, or enters an agreement with another party to effect an
acquisition proposal, or fails to publicly oppose a tender offer or
exchange offer by another person based on an acquisition proposal; or
- Medical Assurance fails to call and hold the special meeting of its
shareholders to vote on the proposed consolidation.
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Professionals Group. Professionals Group must pay Medical Assurance an
expense allowance of $2,400,000 if any of the following conditions occur:
- Medical Assurance or Professionals Group refuses or is unable to complete
the consolidation because all approvals of governmental authorities have
not been obtained due to Professionals Group's fault;
- Medical Assurance or Professionals Group refuses or is unable to complete
the consolidation because the parties have not received a favorable tax
opinion regarding the consolidation due to Professionals Group's fault;
- Medical Assurance or Professionals Group refuses or is unable to complete
the consolidation because the Professionals Group shareholders failed to
approve the consolidation;
- Medical Assurance refuses or is unable to complete the consolidation
because Professionals Group breached its representations, warranties, or
obligations under the consolidation agreement;
- Medical Assurance refuses or is unable to complete the consolidation
because Professionals Group has suffered a material adverse change in its
businesses, assets, properties, operations or financial condition, or
there has been an event or circumstance which has, or is likely to have a
materially adverse effect on the ability of Professionals Group or its
subsidiaries to conduct their respective businesses as presently
conducted;
- Medical Assurance elects to terminate the consolidation agreement after
Professionals Group informs Medical Assurance of either an event that
would be likely to cause Professionals Group's representations or
warranties in the consolidation agreement to be untrue or incorrect, in
any material respect, or any failure on Professionals Group's part or on
the part of any of its officers, directors, employees, representatives or
agents to comply with or satisfy, in any material respect, any covenant,
condition, or agreement in the consolidation agreement;
- Medical Assurance elects to terminate the consolidation agreement after
Professionals Group authorizes, recommends, publicly proposes, or
publicly announces an intention to authorize, recommend or propose an
acquisition proposal, or enters an agreement with another party to effect
an acquisition proposal, or fails to publicly oppose a tender offer or
exchange offer by another person based on the acquisition proposal; or
- Professionals Group elects to terminate the consolidation agreement after
it enters an agreement with any person to effect an acquisition proposal
or fails to publicly oppose a tender offer or exchange offer by another
person based on an acquisition proposal.
In addition, Professionals Group will pay Medical Assurance liquidated
damages of $7,500,000 if any of the following events occur:
- Professionals Group enters an agreement with any person to effect an
acquisition proposal or fails to publicly oppose a tender offer or
exchange offer by another person based on an acquisition proposal;
- Medical Assurance elects to terminate the consolidation agreement after
Professionals Group authorizes, recommends, publicly proposes, or
publicly announces an intention to authorize, recommend or propose an
acquisition proposal, or enters an agreement with another party to effect
an acquisition proposal, or fails to publicly oppose a tender offer or
exchange offer by another person based on an acquisition proposal; or
- Professionals Group fails to call and hold the special meeting of its
shareholders to vote on the proposed consolidation.
EXTENSION, WAIVER AND AMENDMENT OF THE CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT
At any time prior to completion of the consolidation, by action taken or
authorized by our directors, each of us may, to the extent legally allowed,
extend the time for the performance of any of the
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obligations or other acts of the other, waive any inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties contained in the consolidation agreement or in
any document delivered pursuant thereto, and waive compliance with any of the
terms of the consolidation agreement.
The consolidation agreement may be amended, whether before or after any
shareholder approval, by action taken or authorized by our directors. However,
once the consolidation agreement has been approved by the shareholders of either
of us, no such amendment may change the amount or form of the consideration to
be delivered to our shareholders without their approval.
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
Confidentiality, Access to Information. We have each agreed to provide to
the officers, employees, accountants, and other representatives of the other
party access to our properties, books, contracts, commitments, and records
during the period between the date of the consolidation agreement and the
completion of the consolidation. We have agreed to keep confidential all
non-public information we receive from the other party and to use such
information only in connection with transactions under the consolidation
agreement.
Best Efforts. We have agreed to use our best efforts to take all actions
necessary, proper or advisable to complete the consolidation and any
transactions contemplated by the consolidation agreement, including:
- taking all acts to comply with all legal requirements associated with the
consolidation; and
- obtaining all necessary consents, authorizations, orders, or approvals
from governmental entities and other third parties.
Listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Medical Assurance has agreed to
cause the shares of ProAssurance common stock to be listed on the New York Stock
Exchange subject to official notice of issuance. It is a condition to the
completion of the consolidation that the shares of ProAssurance be approved for
trading and reporting on the New York Stock Exchange subject to official notice
of issuance.
Employee Benefit Plans. Following the completion of the consolidation,
ProAssurance will honor in accordance with their terms all incentive, deferred
compensation, stock option, stock appreciation right, severance pay, retirement,
group or individual health insurance, welfare or similar plans or arrangements
of Medical Assurance or Professionals Group and all provisions for vested
benefits or other vested amounts earned or accrued under such plans.
The existing employee benefit plans of Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group will not be terminated by reason of the consolidation but will continue as
separate plans for the employees of each of Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group and their respective subsidiaries until such time as the plans are
integrated into or replaced by new employee benefit plans adopted by
ProAssurance. The new employee benefit plans will treat similarly situated
employees on a substantially equivalent basis, provide full credit for prior
service with Medical Assurance or Professionals Group for purposes of vesting
and participation eligibility, and co-payments and deductibles, and waiver of
all waiting period and pre-existing condition exclusions and penalties.
Notice of Change. We have agreed to give each other prompt notice of any
event which causes our representations or warranties in the consolidation
agreement to be untrue or incorrect in any material respect prior to the
completion of the consolidation. We have also agreed to give each other prompt
notice of any failure by either of us to comply with or satisfy in any material
respect any covenant, condition or agreement under the consolidation agreement.
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Indemnification and Insurance. Medical Assurance, Professionals Group, and
ProAssurance have agreed to jointly and severally indemnify all persons serving
or having served as directors or officers of Medical Assurance or Professionals
Group prior to the completion of the consolidation. These directors and officers
will be indemnified from any threatened or actual claim, action, suit,
proceeding, or investigation against them arising in whole or in part out of, or
pertaining to:
- the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of Medical
Assurance, Professionals Group, or ProAssurance; or
- the consolidation agreement or any transactions contemplated by the
consolidation agreement or the reciprocal stock options.
For a period of three years after the consolidation, ProAssurance must use
its best efforts to maintain in effect directors' and officers' liability
insurance covering those persons who are currently covered by Professionals
Group's directors' and officers' liability insurance policy. The coverage will
be in an amount and scope at least as favorable as that applicable to
Professionals Group's current directors and officers, provided, however, that in
no event will ProAssurance be required to pay more than 300% of the current
amount expended by Professionals Group for the insurance. If the cost of such
coverage exceeds 300% of the current amount expended by Professionals Group,
then ProAssurance will provide as much comparable insurance as is available for
300% of the current amount expended by Professionals Group.
MEEMIC Holdings. As of June 22, 2000, the date of the consolidation
agreement, Professionals Group owned approximately 77.3% of MEEMIC Holdings,
Inc., a publicly traded company that provides private passenger automobile and
homeowner's insurance primarily to educational employees and other Michigan
residents. After the consolidation, MEEMIC Holdings will operate as an indirect
subsidiary of ProAssurance. In the consolidation agreement, Medical Assurance,
Professionals Group, and ProAssurance agreed to use their cooperative efforts to
acquire more than 80% and up to 100% of the outstanding voting stock of MEEMIC
Holdings in order for MEEMIC Holdings to become a consolidated subsidiary of
ProAssurance for federal tax purposes. As of the date of this joint proxy
statement/prospectus, Professionals Group owned approximately 84% of MEEMIC
Holdings.
For a period of five years after the completion of the consolidation,
ProAssurance may not sell or otherwise dispose of the common stock or business
of MEEMIC Holdings, unless a special committee of ProAssurance's board of
directors has approved the sale or disposition. The special committee will
consist of three directors of ProAssurance, two of which must be non-management
directors nominated by Professionals Group in accordance with ProAssurance's
by-laws.
SUMMARY OF RECIPROCAL STOCK OPTIONS
The following discussion describes the material aspects of the stock
options that Medical Assurance and Professionals Group granted each other in
connection with the consolidation. Because this discussion is a summary, it may
not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the
stock options fully, and for a more complete description of the legal terms of
the stock options, you should read carefully this entire summary and the
documents we have referred you to. The stock options are exhibits to the
registration statement, and the following discussion is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the stock options. See "Where You Can Find More
Information."
GENERAL
In connection with the consolidation, Medical Assurance granted
Professionals Group an option to acquire up to 1,146,838 shares of Medical
Assurance common stock, at a price of $14.26 per share, and Professionals Group
granted Medical Assurance an option to acquire up to 437,320 shares of
Professionals Group stock, at a price of $26.00 per share. The number of shares
and the purchase price are subject to adjustment as described in the applicable
stock option agreement. The per share price for the Medical Assurance common
stock is based on the estimated book value of a share of such stock. The per
share price of the Professionals Group common stock is based on the cash
consideration to be paid under the
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proposed consolidation. See "Background of the Consolidation" on page 32 for a
discussion of the basis upon which the exchange ratio for the consolidation was
determined and the option prices were established.
Each stock option is exercisable only upon the occurrence of certain
events, all as set forth in the applicable stock option agreement. These events
are generally business combination or acquisition transactions relating to
Medical Assurance and Professionals Group and certain related activities, other
than the consolidation. As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus,
we do not know of any event that has occurred that would permit either Medical
Assurance or Professionals Group to exercise the stock option granted to it.
The stock options are intended to increase the likelihood that the
consolidation will be completed. Some of the aspects of the stock options may
have the effect of discouraging persons who might now or at any time be
interested in acquiring all or a significant interest in Medical Assurance or
Professionals Group before completion of the consolidation even if such person
were prepared to pay a higher price per share for Medical Assurance common stock
or Professionals Group common stock than the price per share for Medical
Assurance common stock or Professionals Group common stock, as applicable,
implicit in the consolidation. If one of our companies acquires shares of the
other company's common stock pursuant to the stock option granted to it, then it
would vote those shares in the election of the other company's directors and in
other matters requiring a vote of the other company's shareholders, thereby
potentially having a material impact on the outcome of such matters.
EXERCISABILITY
Each of the stock options may be exercised, in whole or part, and from time
to time, if, but only if, both an Initial Triggering Event (as hereinafter
defined) and a Subsequent Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined) has occurred
prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event (as hereinafter
defined), provided written notice of such exercise is sent within six months
following the Subsequent Triggering Event, or such later period as is provided
in the applicable stock option agreement.
Under each of the stock options, an Initial Triggering Event is generally
described as any one of the following events or transactions:
- the party that granted the stock option enters an agreement to engage in
an acquisition transaction or recommends that its shareholders approve or
accept any acquisition transaction other than the consolidation. An
"acquisition transaction" is generally: (1) a merger or consolidation, or
any similar transaction, (2) a purchase, lease or other acquisition of
all or any substantial part of the other party's assets, or (3) a
purchase or other acquisition of securities representing 10% or more of
the voting power of the party that granted the stock option, or any
significant subsidiary;
- any person acquires beneficial ownership or the right to acquire
beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of the
party that granted the stock option;
- the shareholders of the party that granted the stock option fail to
approve the consolidation agreement at a meeting of such shareholders, or
such a meeting is not held or is cancelled prior to termination of the
consolidation agreement if, prior to the meeting it shall have been
publicly announced that another person has made, or publicly disclosed an
intention to make, a proposal to engage in an acquisition transaction
with the party that issued the stock option;
- the board of directors of the party that issued the stock option
withdraws or modifies its recommendation that its shareholders approve
the consolidation;
- the party that issued the stock option authorizes, recommends, or
proposes an agreement to engage in an acquisition transaction;
- a third party makes a publicly announced proposal to the party that
issued the stock option or its shareholders to engage in an acquisition
transaction;
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- a third party files with the SEC a registration statement, tender offer
materials, or proxy statement with respect to a potential exchange or
tender offer that would constitute an acquisition transaction with the
party that issued the stock option;
- the party that issued the stock option willfully breaches any covenant or
obligation contained in the consolidation agreement in anticipation of
engaging in an acquisition transaction, and following such breach the
option holder is entitled to terminate the consolidation agreement; or
- a third party files an application or notice with a state insurance
regulatory authority pertaining to an acquisition transaction.
Under each of the stock options, Subsequent Triggering Event is generally
described as any of the following events or transactions:
- any person's acquisition of beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the
common stock of the party that issued the stock option; or
- the occurrence of the Initial Triggering Event described in the first
bullet point of the description of Initial Triggering Event.
Under each of the stock options, each of the following events is generally
described as an Exercise Termination Event:
- the completion of the consolidation;
- termination of the consolidation agreement if termination occurs prior to
the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event;
- the passage of twelve months, or such longer period as is provided in the
applicable stock option agreement, after the consolidation agreement is
terminated due to the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event;
- the termination of the consolidation agreement if an Initial Triggering
Event has occurred with respect to the party holding the option; and
- the date on which the stock option granted to the other party becomes
exercisable.
TERMINATION
Generally, the stock options terminate upon the occurrence of an Exercise
Termination Event.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Each stock option grants registration rights with respect to the shares of
stock options that are the subject of that stock option, including the right to
demand that the shares be registered under the Securities Act of 1933. However,
the option holder may only make one such demand.
TOTAL PROFIT LIMITATION
In no event shall a party's total profit with respect to the stock option
granted to it exceed $4.5 million. The term total profit is generally defined as
either (1) the amount (before taxes) by which the sale price of the shares
purchased pursuant to the stock option exceeds the option price for such shares,
or (2) the amount (before taxes) by which the market price of the shares to be
purchased pursuant to the stock option as of the proposed exercise date exceeds
the option price for the shares to be purchased. If the total profit exceeds
$4.5 million, the buyer or proposed buyer of the option shares is required to do
any one or more of the following at its election: (A) reduce the number of
shares to be purchased pursuant to the stock option; (B) deliver shares
previously purchased under the stock option to the party that issued the stock
option; or (C) pay cash to the seller of the option shares.
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ANTI-DILUTION ADJUSTMENTS
In the event of any change in the issued and outstanding shares of Medical
Assurance or Professionals Group by reason of stock dividends, split-ups,
recapitalization, rights plan, merger or other change in capital structure, the
number of shares subject to the stock option granted by such company will be
adjusted appropriately so as to fully preserve the economic benefit of the stock
option.
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We are providing the following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial statements to aid you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the
proposed consolidation. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance
sheet gives effect to the proposed consolidation transaction as if it had
occurred on December 31, 2000. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2000 gives effect to the
corporate reorganization of Medical Assurance into ProAssurance, treated in a
manner similar to a pooling of interests, and to the consolidation of
Professionals Group and ProAssurance, treated as a purchase transaction, as if
the transactions had occurred January 1, 2000 (See "Accounting Treatment" on
page 55 of this joint proxy statement/ prospectus). The statements include pro
forma adjustments as described in the notes accompanying the financial
statements.
We derived this information from the audited consolidated financial
statements of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group for the year ended
December 31, 2000. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the audited historical financial
statements and related notes of ProAssurance Corporation, which are included in
this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and in conjunction with the audited
historical statements of Medical Assurance, Professionals Group and MEEMIC
Holdings, which are incorporated by reference in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus.
The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information is presented for
illustrative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the
operating results or financial position that would have actually occurred if the
consolidation had been in effect on the dates indicated, nor is it indicative of
the future operating results or financial position of the consolidated company.
The pro forma adjustments are based on the information and assumptions available
at the time of the printing of this joint proxy statement/ prospectus.
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PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(IN THOUSANDS)
DECEMBER 31, 2000
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
ASSURANCE GROUP PRO FORMA
HISTORICAL HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
---------- ------------- ----------- ----------
ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair
value..................................... $ 603,497 $ 683,298 $(122,000)(A) $1,164,795
Equity securities available for sale, at
fair value................................ 80,872 4,935 -- 85,807
Real estate, net............................ 11,237 2,300 -- 13,537
Short-term investments...................... 100,920 90,408 -- 191,328
---------- ---------- --------- ----------
Total investments.................... 796,526 780,941 (122,000) 1,455,467
Cash and cash equivalents..................... 8,550 24,737 -- 33,287
Premiums receivable........................... 54,405 38,942 -- 93,347
Receivable from reinsurers.................... 166,202 195,559 -- 361,761
Prepaid reinsurance premiums.................. 2,704 7,394 -- 10,098
Deferred taxes................................ 30,757 49,690 (86)(C) 80,361
Other assets.................................. 63,692 39,490 (4,023)(C) 98,486
(673)(B)
---------- ---------- --------- ----------
Total assets......................... $1,122,836 $1,136,753 $(126,782) $2,132,807
========== ========== ========= ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Policy liabilities and accruals:
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment
expenses............................... $ 659,659 $ 711,187 $ -- $1,370,846
Unearned premiums......................... 78,495 93,825 -- 172,320
Reinsurance premiums payable.............. 27,249 -- -- 27,249
---------- ---------- --------- ----------
Total policy liabilities.................... 765,403 805,012 -- 1,570,415
Long-term debt.............................. -- 14,500 91,761(A) 106,261
Excess of net assets acquired over cost..... -- 16,650 (16,650)(D) --
Other liabilities........................... 12,266 39,381 -- 51,647
---------- ---------- --------- ----------
Total liabilities.................... 777,669 875,543 75,111 1,728,323
Commitments and contingencies................. -- -- -- --
Minority interest............................. -- 17,634 -- 17,634
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock................................ 25,107 8,851 27(E) 254
(8,851)(F)
(24,880)(G)
Additional paid-in-capital.................. 231,988 43,864 38,656(E) 251,193
3,000(H)
(43,864)(F)
(22,451)(G)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
income.................................... (854) 6,194 (6,194)(F) (854)
Retained earnings........................... 136,257 184,667 (184,667)(F) 136,257
---------- ---------- --------- ----------
392,498 243,576 (249,224) 386,850
Less treasury stock, at cost................ (47,331) -- 47,331(G) --
---------- ---------- --------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity........... 345,167 243,576 (201,893) 386,850
---------- ---------- --------- ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity............................ $1,122,836 $1,136,753 $(126,782) $2,132,807
========== ========== ========= ==========
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PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
ASSURANCE GROUP PRO FORMA
HISTORICAL HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
---------- ------------- ----------- ---------
Revenues:
Net premiums earned........................... $177,596 $226,390 $ -- $403,986
Net investment income......................... 41,450 46,232 (6,851)(I) 80,403
(428)(J)
Other income.................................. 3,543 803 -- 4,346
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues........................ 222,589 273,425 (7,279) 488,735
Expenses:
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses....... 155,710 213,628 -- 369,338
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance
expenses................................... 38,579 48,446 (582)(K) 88,402
1,959(L)
Interest expense.............................. -- 1,104 6,941(M) 8,045
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total expenses........................ 194,289 263,178 8,318 465,785
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income before income taxes and minority
interest...................................... 28,300 10,247 (15,597) 22,950
Income taxes.................................... 4,000 (5,121) (3,796)(N) (4,917)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income before minority interest................. 24,300 15,368 (11,801) 27,867
Minority interest............................... -- (3,669) -- (3,669)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income...................................... $ 24,300 $ 11,699 $(11,801) $ 24,198
======== ======== ======== ========
Earnings per share:
Net income -- basic........................... $ 1.04 $ 1.32 $ 0.93
======== ======== ========
Net income -- diluted......................... $ 1.04 $ 1.27 $ 0.92
======== ======== ========
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic......................................... 23,291 8,894 25,973
======== ======== ========
Diluted....................................... 23,291 8,986 25,977
======== ======== ========
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PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Pro Forma
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Income Statement give effect to the
consolidation of Medical Assurance and Professionals Group into a newly formed
holding company, ProAssurance Corporation. The corporate reorganization of
Medical Assurance into ProAssurance will be treated similar to a pooling of
interests whereby the historical basis of Medical Assurance will be carried over
as the basis for ProAssurance. The consolidation of Professionals Group into
ProAssurance will be treated as a purchase transaction.
The agreement to consolidate provides that upon completion of the
transaction:
- each share of Medical Assurance common stock will be converted into one
share of ProAssurance common stock; and
- each share of Professionals Group common stock will be converted into the
right to receive either shares of ProAssurance common stock initially
priced at $14.00 and $12.00 in cash, as adjusted, or $26.00 in cash, as
adjusted. The per share cash payment to Professionals Group stockholders
will be adjusted for certain changes in the aggregate market value of
Professionals Group's consolidated investment portfolio assets between
December 31, 1999 and the end of the second to last month prior to the
completion of the consolidation. The agreement specifies that the number
of ProAssurance common shares issued in the transaction will be
calculated by dividing $14.00 by the average sales price of Medical
Assurance common stock during the twenty trading day period ending with
the day of the related Professionals Group shareholder meeting (the
exchange ratio).
The pro forma consolidated financial statements shown assume that 72.2% of
Professionals Group stockholders choose an all cash exchange and that 27.8%
choose to receive both cash and ProAssurance shares. This election assumption is
derived from the pro forma financial impact analysis prepared by Medical
Assurance's financial advisors, First Union Securities, Inc., as discussed in
the section of this document titled "The Consolidation", subsection "Opinion of
Medical Assurance's Financial Advisor -- Pro Forma Financial Impact", and was
based on First Union's analysis of information relating to the stockholders and
trading of Professionals Group stock. The pro forma consolidated financial
statements assume an exchange ratio of 1.08 shares of ProAssurance stock for one
share of Professionals Group stock. The exchange ratio was estimated for pro
forma purposes using $13.00, which is the rounded average closing price of
Medical Assurance stock during the twenty trading day period ended April 20,
2001.
In accordance with GAAP, ProAssurance shares issued in the transaction will
be valued based on the market prices of Medical Assurance stock a few days
before and after the measurement date of the transaction, excluding days after
the effective date of the transaction. The measurement date is anticipated to be
the day of the related Professionals Group shareholder meeting, which is the
first date on which the number of ProAssurance shares to be issued in the
transaction and the amount of other consideration becomes fixed without
subsequent revision. For pro forma purposes, the value of the ProAssurance
shares used to determine the purchase price is assumed to be $14.50, which is
the rounded average Medical Assurance closing market price for a few days prior
to and including April 20, 2001, the assumed measurement date.
The fair values of Professionals Group's reserves for losses and loss
adjustment expenses and related reinsurance recoverables were estimated based on
the present value of the expected underlying cash flows of the loss reserves and
reinsurance recoverables, and include a risk premium and a profit margin. In
determining the fair value estimate, management discounted Professionals Group's
historical GAAP undiscounted net loss reserves to present value assuming a 5%
discount rate, which approximates the current U.S. Treasury rate. The
discounting pattern was actuarially developed from Professionals Group's
historical loss data. An expected profit margin of 5% was applied to the
discounted loss reserves, which is
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PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
consistent with management's understanding of the returns anticipated by the
reinsurance market (the reinsurance market representing a willing party in the
purchase of loss reserves). Additionally, for the medical malpractice loss
reserves of Professionals Group, an estimated risk premium of 5% was applied to
the discounted reserves which is deemed to be reasonable and consistent with
expectations in the marketplace given the long-tail nature and the related high
degree of uncertainty of such reserves. For the personal lines loss reserves
(homeowners and automobile) of Professionals Group, an estimated risk premium of
2% was applied to discounted loss reserves as such reserves develop over a much
shorter period of time and, generally, are less volatile than medical
malpractice reserves.
Described below is the pro forma estimate of the total purchase price of
the transaction as well as the adjustments to allocate the purchase price based
on preliminary estimates of the fair value of the assets and liabilities of
Professionals Group.
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Calculation of Purchase Price:
Professionals Group outstanding common shares, adjusted (see
Note O below)............................................. 8,957
Estimated consideration payable per Professional's Group
common share.............................................. $ 27.40
--------
Total consideration for Professionals Group common shares... 245,422(O)
Consideration to be paid in ProAssurance common shares
assuming 27.8% of Professionals Group shareholders elect
to receive stock and cash................................. (34,861)
--------
Total cash consideration to be paid to Professionals Group
shareholders.............................................. 210,561
ProAssurance common shares to be issued to Professionals
Group shareholders, assuming an exchange ratio of 1.08 and
a value per ProAssurance common share of $14.50........... 38,883
Total consideration for Professionals Group common stock
options................................................... 3,000(H)
Acquisition costs........................................... 3,000(P)
--------
Total purchase price........................................ $255,444
========
Allocation of Purchase Price:
Professionals Group net assets.............................. $243,576
Elimination of Professionals Group intangibles:
Excess of fair value of assets acquired over cost......... 16,650(D)
Other intangibles, primarily goodwill, and related
deferred taxes......................................... (4,109)(C)
Adjustment to carrying value of Professionals Group
property, plant and equipment............................. (673)(B)(C)
--------
Total purchase price........................................ $255,444
========
The consolidation will be funded as follows:
Available cash (primarily from sale of fixed maturity
investments).............................................. $122,000(A)
Borrowings through long term debt........................... 91,761(A)
ProAssurance shares to be issued to Professionals Group
common stockholders....................................... 38,683(E)
ProAssurance paid in capital to be recorded related to
Professionals Group options assumed as a part of the
consolidation............................................. 3,000(H)
--------
Total purchase price........................................ $255,444
========
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PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2. ADJUSTMENTS
The purchase accounting and pro forma adjustments related to the unaudited
pro forma consolidated statement of income and balance sheet are described
below. All amounts are in thousands, except share and per share amounts.
(A) Management estimates that $122 million of the cash needed for the
consolidation will be provided from currently available funds to be
generated from the sale of fixed maturity investments. The remaining
cash needs are expected to be financed with increased long-term debt,
estimated for this pro forma calculation at $92 million. The actual
amount of cash required will vary depending on the elections of
Professionals Group stockholders as discussed in Note 3. At December
31, 2000, Professionals Group had $14.5 million of outstanding debt
which will become due and payable upon closing the consolidation. The
pro forma financial statements assume repayment of this debt with
proceeds from the credit facility to be made available to ProAssurance.
ProAssurance may elect to satisfy all or a portion of this debt from
working capital.
(B) The purchase price for Professionals Group will be allocated to the
Professionals Group net assets acquired based on the fair value of
those assets. It is expected that the fair value of the net assets
acquired will exceed the Professionals Group purchase price. The
resulting excess will be allocated as a reduction to the long-lived
tangible assets acquired, primarily property and equipment. The
allocation of the purchase price will result in adjustments to
Professionals Group historical book values as described in (C) and (D)
below.
(C) Purchase adjustments will be recorded to eliminate intangibles (a
decrease of $4.0 million), primarily goodwill, and related deferred
taxes (a decrease of $0.1 million) recorded in the historical
Professionals Group balance sheet. Purchase adjustments will also be
recorded to reduce the Professionals Group carrying value for
long-lived assets, primarily property and equipment, to the extent that
the fair value of the net assets acquired exceeds the purchase price.
(D) Elimination of the excess of net assets acquired over cost included in
the Professionals Group historical financial statements.
(E) Assuming a stock election percentage of 27.8%, approximately 2,682,000
shares of ProAssurance common stock will be issued at a par value of
$0.01 per share assuming an exchange ratio of 1.08 and a measurement
date value of $14.50 for each ProAssurance share issued. The
consolidation agreement provides that the exchange ratio for each
Professionals Group common share is to be determined using the average
closing price of Medical Assurance stock during the twenty trading day
period ending on the date of the Professionals Group shareholder
meeting; the assumed ratio of 1.08 was based on the rounded average
Medical Assurance closing price of $13.00 during the twenty trading
day period ended April 20, 2001. Paid in capital was reduced by
estimated stock registration fees of $0.2 million.
(F) Elimination of Professionals Group's historical stockholders' equity
accounts.
(G) Adjustments required to reflect the one-for-one exchange of outstanding
Medical Assurance shares for ProAssurance shares and the retirement of
Medical Assurance treasury shares, at cost
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PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
ADDITIONAL
COMMON PAID-IN TREASURY
STOCK CAPITAL STOCK
-------- ---------- --------
Exchange of 22,681,782 outstanding Medical
Assurance $1.00 par value shares for a like
number of ProAssurance $0.01 par value
shares....................................... $(22,455) $ 22,455 $ --
Retirement of 2,425,039 Medical Assurance
treasury shares, at cost..................... (2,425) (44,906) 47,331
-------- -------- -------
Adjustment total............................... $(24,880) $(22,451) $47,331
======== ======== =======
(H) Fair value of vested Professionals Group stock options outstanding that
will be assumed by ProAssurance upon completion of the consolidation.
The number of shares under option assumed will be determined based on
the average value of Medical Assurance shares during the twenty trading
day period ending on the date of the Professionals Group shareholder
meeting: assuming an average Medical Assurance price of $13.00,
approximately 564,000 options will be outstanding upon completion of
the consolidation. The fair value was calculated using the Black
Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions, which
vary, as noted, due to differing terms of the various option
agreements.
Volatility.............................................. .288 to .341
Risk-free interest rate................................. 6.75%
Dividend yield.......................................... 0%
Expected life........................................... 3 to 8 years
(I) The estimated decrease in investment income due to internal funds
assumed to be used for (1) completion of the consolidation, (2)
payment of interest on the long-term debt incurred due to the
consolidation transaction and (3) required principal repayments of the
long-term debt. The effect on investment income was estimated using
the Medical Assurance weighted average rate of return for 2000.
Pro forma reduction in invested funds, at beginning of
period presented:
Funds used in completion of consolidation.............. $(122,000)
Reductions in invested funds for debt service:
Interest expense, see (M) below, net of related tax
effect -- 35%....................................... (4,512)
Repayment of debt...................................... (10,000)
---------
Pro forma reduction in invested funds.................. (14,512)
---------
Pro forma reduction in invested funds, end of period... $(136,512)
=========
Average reduction in invested funds.................... $(129,256)
=========
Average annual investment yield........................ 5.3%
=========
Pro forma reduction in investment income............... $ (6,851)
=========
(J) Professionals Group available-for-sale investment securities are
stated at fair value in the historical Professionals Group financial
statements. However, the accounting cost basis of these securities
will be adjusted from historical cost to the fair value of the
securities on the date of the consolidation transaction. This, in
effect, creates a purchase premium related to fixed maturity
securities. The purchase premium related to fixed maturities will be
amortized to investment income over the remaining life of the related
fixed maturity securities.
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PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(K) Adjustment to reduce amortization expense and depreciation expense
related to the purchase adjustments, as described in (B) and (C) above,
that eliminate intangibles and adjust the carrying value of property
and equipment. Adjustments to the carrying value of property and
equipment will be amortized over the remaining useful life of the
related assets.
Increased depreciation expense due to the reversal of
prior Professionals Group purchase adjustments $ 490
Reduction of depreciation expense (239)
Reduction of amortization expense (833)
-----
$(582)
=====
(L) The elimination of amortization credits related to the purchase
adjustments to eliminate, as noted in (D) above, the excess of fair
value of assets acquired over cost that is included in the historical
Professionals Group balance sheet.
(M) Increase in interest expense related to increased long-term debt of $92
million assumed to be incurred to finance the consolidation. The loan
agreement provides for an interest rate equal to LIBOR plus a variable
margin. The interest rate of 8% approximates current LIBOR plus the
maximum margin.
Initial debt incurred to fund consolidation....... $ 91,761
Repayment of debt following consolidation......... $ 10,000
Average debt outstanding following
consolidation................................... $ 86,760
Estimated interest expense, assuming average rate
of 8% and average debt outstanding balance shown
above........................................... $ 6,941
(N) The income tax effect of the pro forma adjustments reflected in the
income statements at the federal statutory rate of 35%, excluding
adjustments related to tax-exempt investment income and the elimination
of non-deductible amortization of goodwill and the excess of fair value
of assets acquired over cost.
(O) The purchase calculation is based on the actual number of outstanding
shares of Professionals Group common stock as of December 31, 2000
increased by 106,026 Professionals Group shares expected to be issued
prior to the consolidation pursuant to the vesting of Professionals
Group stock award agreements. A per share purchase price adjustment of
$1.40 was used for the purposes of these pro forma statements, based on
the actual change in the aggregate market value of Professionals Group
consolidated investment portfolio assets between December 31, 1999 and
December 31, 2000. The actual purchase price adjustment determined at
the transaction completion date may differ from the adjustment used for
pro forma purposes, depending on changes in the fair market value of
the investment portfolio to the end of the second to last month prior
to the completion of the consolidation.
(P) Acquisition costs are the direct costs expected to be incurred by
ProAssurance related to the consolidation and consist primarily of
professional fees.
NOTE 3. RANGE OF PRO FORMA RESULTS
Management is unable to predict the percentage of Professionals Group
shares that will be exchanged for stock and cash rather than all cash, although
a minimum of 10% of the consideration given Professionals Group stockholders
must be in the form of stock. Also, neither the final Professionals Group
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PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
stock exchange ratio nor the Medical Assurance stock price on the measurement
date for transaction are yet determinable.
As discussed in Note 1, the pro forma financial statements shown assume
that approximately 27.8% of Professionals Group shares are exchanged for
ProAssurance shares and an exchange ratio of 1.08 calculated using a Medical
Assurance stock price of $13.00, which is the rounded average Medical Assurance
closing stock price during the twenty trading day period ended April 20, 2001.
The value of ProAssurance shares used to determine the purchase price is assumed
to be $14.50, which is the rounded average Medical Assurance closing market
price for a few days prior to and including April 20, 2001, the assumed
measurement date.
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PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
The following table presents selected pro forma results calculated assuming
other stock election percentages, stock exchange ratios and measurement date
stock prices. Management has assumed that the value of a share of Medical
Assurance stock for purposes of determining the total purchase price for the
assets and liabilities of Professionals Group will be $1.50 greater than the
average share price used in determining the exchange ratio. This assumption is
based on the difference between the average price of a Medical Assurance share a
few days prior to and including the assumed measurement date of April 20, 2001
($14.50), and the average price of a Medical Assurance share during the twenty
trading days prior to the assumed measurement date ($13.00). Management has
further assumed that the average price of a Medical Assurance share used to
determine the exchange ratio will be within $2.00 of the $13.00 average share
price. This assumption is based on the market prices of a share of Medical
Assurance stock since the transaction was announced on June 23, 2000. The table
also includes the results from the pro forma consolidated financial statements
shown in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. All pro forma amounts were
calculated using the methodologies described in Note 2.
PERCENTAGE OF PROFESSIONALS GROUP
SHARES
EXCHANGED FOR STOCK AND CASH:
---------------------------------
SELECTED PRO FORMA RESULTS (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) 27.8% 50% 90%
--------------------------------------------------------------- --------- --------- ---------
RESULTS NOT IMPACTED BY VARIATION IN MEDICAL ASSURANCE STOCK
PRICE:
Long-term debt incurred.................................... $ 91,761 $ 63,921 $ 13,761
ASSUMING AN AVERAGE MEDICAL ASSURANCE STOCK PRICE OF $13.00
(1.08 EXCHANGE RATIO) AND A MEDICAL ASSURANCE STOCK PRICE ON
THE MEASUREMENT DATE OF $14.50:
ProAssurance stockholders' equity.......................... $386,850 $417,901 $473,850
ProAssurance shares issued to Professionals Group
stockholders............................................ 2,682 4,823 8,682
Pro forma net income, year ended December 31, 2000......... $ 24,198 $ 25,357 $ 27,443
Pro forma earnings per share, year ended December 31, 2000:
Basic................................................... 0.93 0.90 0.86
Diluted................................................. 0.92 0.89 0.85
Book value per share....................................... 15.25 15.19 15.11
ASSUMING AN AVERAGE MEDICAL ASSURANCE STOCK PRICE OF $15.00
(0.93 EXCHANGE RATIO) AND A MEDICAL ASSURANCE STOCK PRICE ON
THE MEASUREMENT DATE OF $16.50:
ProAssurance stockholders' equity.......................... $386,314 $416,937 $472,113
ProAssurance shares issued to Professionals Group
stockholders............................................ 2,324 4,180 7,524
Pro forma net income, year ended December 31, 2000......... $ 24,252 $ 25,453 $ 27,617
Pro forma earnings per share, year ended December 31, 2000:
Basic................................................... 0.95 0.93 0.90
Diluted................................................. 0.94 0.92 0.89
Book value per share....................................... 15.45 15.52 15.63
ASSUMING AN AVERAGE MEDICAL ASSURANCE STOCK PRICE OF $11.00
(1.27 EXCHANGE RATIO) AND A MEDICAL ASSURANCE STOCK PRICE ON
THE MEASUREMENT DATE OF $12.50:
ProAssurance stockholders' equity.......................... $387,581 $419,217 $476,218
ProAssurance shares issued to Professionals Group
stockholders............................................ 3,169 5,700 10,260
Pro forma net income, year ended December 31, 2000......... $ 24,125 $ 25,225 $ 27,206
Pro forma earnings per share, year ended December 31, 2000:
Basic................................................... 0.91 0.87 0.81
Diluted................................................. 0.90 0.86 0.80
Book value per share....................................... 14.99 14.77 14.46
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DESCRIPTION OF
PROASSURANCE CAPITAL STOCK
The following description of ProAssurance's capital stock is subject to and
qualified in its entirety by reference to ProAssurance's certificate of
incorporation and by-laws, which are exhibits to the registration statement of
which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part and are incorporated by
reference. The following description should be read carefully by Medical
Assurance shareholders and those Professionals Group shareholders who receive
shares of ProAssurance common stock since, upon completion of the consolidation,
they will become ProAssurance shareholders. See also "Comparison of Shareholder
Rights" and "Where You Can Find More Information."
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK
ProAssurance's authorized stock will consist of 100,000,000 shares of
common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $0.01 per share.
As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, no shares of
ProAssurance common stock are outstanding and no shares of ProAssurance common
stock are reserved for issuance. Assuming 2,682,000 shares of ProAssurance
common stock are issued to holders of Professionals Group common stock, and the
outstanding Professionals Group stock options are converted into options to
purchase an aggregate of 564,000 shares of ProAssurance common stock, then upon
completion of the consolidation about 25,364,000 shares of ProAssurance common
stock will be outstanding and about 964,000 shares of ProAssurance common stock
will be reserved for issuance pursuant to unexercised stock options previously
issued by Medical Assurance and Professionals Group under their incentive
compensation plans.
COMMON STOCK
Subject to the rights of any outstanding shares of ProAssurance preferred
stock, holders of ProAssurance common stock are entitled to receive such
dividends as may from time to time be declared by ProAssurance board of
directors. On every issue submitted to them as ProAssurance shareholders,
including the election of directors, they are entitled to one vote per share of
ProAssurance common stock.
In the event of dissolution they are generally entitled, after provision
for ProAssurance's debts, obligations and liabilities and payment in full of the
liquidation preference of any outstanding ProAssurance preferred stock, to share
ratably in all assets of ProAssurance available for distribution to holders of
ProAssurance common stock. Holders of ProAssurance common stock do not have
preemptive rights. All shares of ProAssurance common stock outstanding following
the consolidation will be fully paid and nonassessable.
Shares of ProAssurance preferred stock redeemed or acquired by ProAssurance
return to the status of authorized and unissued shares of ProAssurance preferred
stock, without designation as to series, and may be reissued by ProAssurance
board of directors.
No holders of ProAssurance common stock will have any preemptive or
preferential right to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any unissued
or treasury shares or other securities.
PREFERRED STOCK
As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, no shares of
ProAssurance preferred stock are issued and outstanding.
Under ProAssurance's charter, the board of directors of ProAssurance will
have the authority, subject to limitations prescribed by law and by ProAssurance
charter, to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock from time to
time in one or more series as may be determined by the board of directors. This
authority of the board of directors includes, but is not limited to,
determination of the following:
- the designation of, and the number of shares of preferred stock, which
constitutes each series. The board of directors may increase or decrease
this number from time to time;
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- the rate and time at which, and the terms and conditions upon which,
dividends, if any, on the preferred stock of each series will be paid,
the extent of the preference or relation, if any, of such dividends to
the dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of the same
or other classes of stock and whether such dividends shall be cumulative
or non-cumulative;
- whether or not the shares of preferred stock of each series have voting
rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and if so, the
terms of the voting rights;
- the right, if any, of the holders of preferred stock of each series to
convert their preferred shares into, or exchange the same for shares of
any other class or classes or of any series of the same or any other
class or classes of stock and the terms and conditions of this conversion
or exchange, including adjustment of the conversion rate;
- whether or not preferred stock of any series will be subject to
redemption, and the redemption price or prices and the time or times at
which, and the terms and conditions upon which, the preferred stock of
any series may be redeemed;
- the rights, if any, of the holders of preferred stock of any series upon
the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of
ProAssurance, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of
shares of that series;
- whether preferred stock of any series will have a sinking fund for the
redemption or purchase of such class, and if so, the terms and amount of
the sinking fund; and
- any other relative rights, preferences and limitations of any series of
preferred stock.
EXCHANGE AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The exchange agent for ProAssurance, Medical Assurance and Professionals
Group in connection with the consolidation is Mellon Investor Services LLC.
The registrar and transfer agent for ProAssurance common stock is Mellon
Investor Services LLC.
AUTHORIZED BUT UNISSUED SHARES
We believe that the availability of shares of ProAssurance common stock is
advisable to provide ProAssurance with the flexibility to take advantage of
opportunities to issue such stock in order to obtain capital, as consideration
for possible acquisitions or for other purposes (including, without limitation,
the issuance of additional shares of ProAssurance common stock through stock
splits and stock dividends in appropriate circumstances). There are, at present,
no plans, understandings, agreements or arrangements concerning the issuance of
additional shares of ProAssurance common stock, except for the shares of
ProAssurance common stock to be issued in the consolidation, and shares of
ProAssurance common stock presently reserved for issuance pursuant to
outstanding stock options under the incentive stock compensation plans of
Medical Assurance and Professionals Group that are to be assumed by
ProAssurance.
Uncommitted authorized but unissued shares of ProAssurance common stock may
be issued from time to time to such persons and for such consideration as
ProAssurance board of directors may determine and holders of the then
outstanding shares of ProAssurance common stock may or may not be given the
opportunity to vote thereon, depending upon the nature of any such transactions,
applicable law, the rules and policies of the New York Stock Exchange and the
judgment of the ProAssurance board of directors regarding the submission of such
issuance to ProAssurance's shareholders. ProAssurance shareholders have no
preemptive rights to subscribe to newly issued shares.
Moreover, it is possible that additional shares of ProAssurance common
stock could be issued for the purpose of making an acquisition by an unwanted
suitor of a controlling interest in ProAssurance more difficult, time-consuming
or costly or to otherwise discourage an attempt to acquire control of
ProAssurance. Under these circumstances the availability of authorized and
unissued shares of
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ProAssurance common stock may make it more difficult for shareholders to obtain
a premium for their shares. These authorized and unissued shares could be used
to create voting or other impediments or to frustrate a person seeking to obtain
control of ProAssurance by means of a consolidation, tender offer, proxy contest
or other means. They could also be privately placed with purchasers who might
cooperate with the ProAssurance board of directors in opposing such an attempt
by a third party to gain control of ProAssurance. The issuance of new shares of
ProAssurance common stock could also be used to dilute ownership of a person or
entity seeking to obtain control of ProAssurance. Although ProAssurance does not
currently contemplate taking such action, shares of ProAssurance common stock
could be issued for the purposes and effects described above and ProAssurance
board of directors reserves its rights (if consistent with its fiduciary
responsibilities) to issue such stock for such purposes.
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
Upon completion of the proposed consolidation, those shareholders of
Professionals Group who receive shares of ProAssurance stock, as well as the
shareholders of Medical Assurance, will become shareholders of ProAssurance,
rather than shareholders of Professionals Group or Medical Assurance. As
shareholders of ProAssurance, the rights of former Professionals Group and
Medical Assurance shareholders will be governed by ProAssurance's charter and
by-laws, which differ in certain material respects from the charters and by-laws
of Professionals Group and Medical Assurance. In addition, Michigan is the
jurisdiction of incorporation of Professionals Group, while Delaware is the
jurisdiction of incorporation of Medical Assurance and ProAssurance. As
shareholders of ProAssurance, the rights of former Professionals Group
shareholders will therefore be governed by Delaware law instead of Michigan law.
The following is a comparison of:
- the current rights of Professionals Group shareholders under Michigan law
and Professionals Group's charter and by-laws;
- the current rights of Medical Assurance shareholders under Delaware law
and Medical Assurance's charter and by-laws; and
- the rights Professionals Group and Medical Assurance shareholders would
have as shareholders of ProAssurance under Delaware law and
ProAssurance's charter and by-laws upon completion of the consolidation.
The comparison summarizes the material differences but is not intended to
list all differences and is qualified by reference to Michigan law, Delaware
law, the Professionals Group charter and by-laws, the Medical Assurance charter
and by-laws and ProAssurance's charter and by-laws.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Size; Classified Board. The board of directors of Professionals Group may
not be less than 9 nor more than 18. The current board of Professionals Group
consists of 11 directors, and the directors are divided into 3 classes, as
nearly equal as possible, with each class serving a staggered three-year term.
The board of directors of Medical Assurance may not be less than 4 nor more
than 24 directors. The current board of Medical Assurance consists of 8
directors, and the directors are divided into 3 classes, as nearly equal as
possible, with each class serving a staggered three-year term.
The board of directors of ProAssurance may not be less than 3 nor more than
24 directors. Upon completion of the consolidation, the board of ProAssurance
will consist of 11 directors, with the directors divided into 3 classes, as
nearly equal as possible, and each class serving a staggered three-year term.
Election of Directors; Removal of Directors; Filling Board
Vacancies. Nominations for election to the board of Professionals Group may be
made at a meeting of shareholders by or at the direction of the board of
directors or by any shareholder entitled to vote for the election of directors.
A shareholder who intends to make a nomination without board direction must
provide timely written notice of this intention to the
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secretary of the corporation. If a shareholder intends to make a nomination at
an annual meeting of shareholders, he or she must provide to the secretary
written notice of this intention at least 120 days prior to the one-year
anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. If the
shareholder intends to make a nomination at a special meeting of shareholders,
he or she must provide written notice of this intention to the secretary no
later than the close of business on the tenth day following the date that is the
earlier of the date the corporation first publicly announced the meeting, and
the date on which the shareholders first received formal notice of the meeting.
With some exceptions, vacancies on the Professionals Group board of
directors may be filled by a majority vote of the directors then in office. A
director may be removed from the board of Professionals Group only for cause and
only by a vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of
directors.
Directors of Medical Assurance are elected at the annual meeting of
shareholders. Nominations for election to the board of directors of Medical
Assurance may be made by the board of directors, by a committee appointed by the
board of directors, or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital
stock entitled to vote for the election of directors. A shareholder who intends
to make a nomination must provide to the secretary of the corporation written
notice of this intention. If a shareholder intends to make a nomination at an
annual meeting of shareholders, he or she must provide notice of this intention
at least 90 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the immediately preceding
annual meeting. If a shareholder intends to make a nomination for the election
of directors at a special meeting of shareholders, he or she must provide notice
of this intention no later than the close of business on the tenth day following
the date on which shareholders first receive notice of the meeting.
Vacancies on the Medical Assurance board of directors may be filled by a
majority vote of the directors then in office. A director may be removed from
the board of Medical Assurance only by a vote of a majority of the shares
entitled to vote at an election of directors voting together as a single class
at a special meeting of shareholders called for that purpose. Delaware law
generally provides that a director may be removed, with or without cause, by a
majority shareholder vote. An exception applies to corporations with a
classified board like Medical Assurance. Under Delaware law, unless the charter
provides otherwise, directors of a corporation with a classified board may be
removed only for cause. The charter of Medical Assurance does not address this
issue, so the directors of Medical Assurance, like those of Professionals Group,
may only be removed for cause.
Nominations for election to the board of directors of ProAssurance may be
made by the nominating committee of the board of directors, or if none, by the
board of directors. Any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock
entitled to vote for the election of directors may nominate one or more persons
as directors at an annual meeting upon proper notice to the secretary of the
corporation. The shareholders must provide notice to the secretary no later than
December 1 in the year preceding the annual meeting at which the nomination is
to be proposed or the date established by the board of directors as the deadline
for nominations at a particular annual meeting by written notice to the
shareholders.
Vacancies on the board of directors of ProAssurance may be filled by a
majority vote of the directors then in office. The directors of ProAssurance,
like the directors of Professionals Group and Medical Assurance, may be removed
only for cause and only by a majority vote of those shareholders entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors.
Under both Delaware and Michigan law, a corporation may provide for
cumulative voting in the election of the directors of a corporation. The
shareholders of Professionals Group, Medical Assurance and ProAssurance do not
have the right to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.
SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
Date of Annual Meeting; Calling of Special Meetings; Quorum
Requirements. Professionals Group annual meetings are held on the first
Wednesday of June, if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday, then on the
next business day following, or on another date fixed by the board from time to
time. Only the
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chairman of the board, the President, a majority of the board of directors or
the holders of at least 25% of all shares of Professionals Group entitled to
vote at a special meeting may call a special meeting. In addition, Michigan law
entitles the holders of at least 10% of all shares of a corporation entitled to
vote at a meeting to apply to the circuit court of the county in which the
principal place of business or registered office of the corporation is located,
and upon good cause shown, the court has the power to order the corporation to
hold a special meeting of shareholders. Delaware law does not give shareholders
a similar right. The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of shares
of capital stock entitled to cast at least 33 1/3% of the votes at a special
meeting of the shareholders of Professionals Group constitutes a quorum at the
meeting.
Medical Assurance's annual meetings are held on the second Tuesday in May,
if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday, then on the next succeeding
business day, or on another date fixed by the board from time to time. The
by-laws of Medical Assurance provide that only the chairman of the board or the
president of Medical Assurance may call a special meeting. Under Delaware law,
the board of directors of Medical Assurance may also call a special meeting of
shareholders. Medical Assurance's by-laws require the president or secretary to
call a special meeting upon the written request of at least 80% of the board of
directors. The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of 33 1/3% of the
issued and outstanding voting stock of Medical Assurance constitutes a quorum at
the meeting.
ProAssurance's requirements with respect to the date of the annual meeting,
calling of a special meeting, and the quorum requirements are the same as those
of Medical Assurance.
Voting Requirements. Directors of Professionals Group are elected by a
plurality of the votes cast at an election. All other actions, except the
amendment of the by-laws and the amendment of specific provisions of the
charter, are authorized by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares
entitled to vote on the action unless Michigan law requires a greater vote.
Professionals' charter permits the amendment of the by-laws by a vote of a
majority of the board of directors or by the affirmative vote of at least 75% of
the outstanding shares of Professionals Group capital stock entitled to vote on
these matters; however, only a majority shareholder vote is required for any
amendment recommended to the shareholders by at least a two-thirds vote of the
board of directors.
Professionals Group's charter requires the affirmative vote of not less
than 75% of the shares of capital stock of the corporation issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote on an amendment to the articles of
incorporation and not less than 75% of the capital stock of each class or series
entitled to vote on a proposed amendment in order to amend, alter, change, add
to or repeal the following charter provisions:
- Article XVII, which sets forth this supermajority voting requirement;
- Article VII, which describes Professionals Group's director
indemnification policy;
- Article VIII, which provides the number of votes that constitutes a
quorum;
- Article IX, which provides for shareholder action by written consent;
- Article X, which describes the method of calling shareholder meetings and
of bringing business before shareholder meetings;
- Article XI, which describes the method of nominating and electing
directors;
- Article XII, which provides the method of amending the by-laws;
- Article XIII, which describes the size of the board of directors and the
powers of the board of directors; and
- Article XIV, which discusses control share issues.
A 75% shareholder vote is also required in order to establish cumulative
voting in the election of Professional Group's directors.
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Unless otherwise required by Medical Assurance's charter, the vote of the
holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or
represented by proxy is sufficient to decide any question brought before a
meeting of shareholders. Medical Assurance's charter requires the affirmative
vote of the holders of not less than 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the
holders of all outstanding shares of voting stock in order to amend or adopt any
provisions inconsistent with the following charter provisions:
- Article Sixth, which describes the size of the board of directors, the
manner by which directors are elected and the powers of the board of
directors;
- Article Eighth, which describes Medical Assurance's director
indemnification policy;
- Article Ninth, which provides that Medical Assurance will be governed by
the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law;
- Article Tenth, which provides that the board of directors, when
considering a merger, consolidation, business combination or similar
transaction, may consider the effects of the transaction upon Medical
Assurance's employees, customers and suppliers, and upon communities in
which offices of Medical Assurance and its subsidiaries are located, in
considering the best interests of Medical Assurance and its shareholders;
and
- Article Eleventh, which describes the means for amending Medical
Assurance's by-laws.
Under Delaware law, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of
the shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting and entitled
to vote on the election of directors. As a result, the shareholders of Medical
Assurance and ProAssurance, like those of Professionals Group, elect directors
by a plurality vote.
The voting requirements provided in the charter and by-laws of ProAssurance
are the same as the voting requirements of Medical Assurance discussed above.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent; Notice Procedure for Shareholder
Nominations. Under Michigan law, shareholder action by less than unanimous
written consent is permitted only if the corporation's articles of incorporation
so provide. Because Professionals Group's articles of incorporation do not
provide for shareholder action by less than unanimous written consent, action by
the shareholders of Professionals Group may be taken without a meeting, without
prior notice and without a vote, only if all of the shareholders entitled to
vote on the matter consent in writing.
To bring a matter, including nomination of directors, before an annual
meeting of Professionals Group shareholders, a shareholder generally must give
notice of a proposed matter not less than 120 days prior to the anniversary of
the previous year's meeting. To bring a matter, including nomination of
directors, before a special meeting of shareholders of Professionals Group, a
shareholder must give notice no later than on the tenth day following the
earlier of:
- the date on which Professionals Group first disclosed the special meeting
to the public; or
- the date on which shareholders first received formal notice of the
special meeting.
Professionals Group's articles of incorporation contain requirements as to
the form and content of this notice.
Under Delaware law, shareholder action by less than unanimous written
consent is permitted unless the corporation's certificate of incorporation
prohibits it. Because Medical Assurance's certificate of incorporation prohibits
shareholder action by less than unanimous written consent, action by the
shareholders of Medical Assurance may be taken without a meeting, without prior
notice and without a vote, only if all of the shareholders entitled to vote on
the matter sign a written consent.
To bring a matter, excluding the nomination of directors, before any
meeting of the shareholders, a shareholder must give notice of a proposed matter
no later than the tenth day following the date on which notice of the meeting is
first given to the shareholders. To make a nomination for an election of
directors to be held at an annual meeting, a shareholder must give notice not
less than 90 days prior to the
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anniversary of the previous year's meeting. To make a nomination for an election
of directors to be held at a special meeting, a shareholder must give notice no
later than the tenth day following the date on which shareholders first received
notice of the special meeting. Medical Assurance's by-laws contain requirements
as to the form and content of this notice.
As permitted by Delaware law, ProAssurance's certificate of incorporation
specifically provides that, action by the shareholders of ProAssurance must be
taken at an annual or special meeting and cannot be taken by written consent.
To bring a matter, including nomination of directors, before an annual
meeting of the shareholders of ProAssurance, a shareholder must give notice of a
proposed matter not later than December 1 in the year preceding the annual
meeting at which the proposal is to be considered.
AMENDMENTS TO ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS
Amendment of Charter. Under Michigan law, the board of directors may adopt
one or more of the following amendments to the articles of incorporation without
shareholder approval unless the articles of incorporation provides otherwise:
- extend the duration of the corporation;
- delete the names and addresses of the initial directors;
- delete the name and address of the initial registered agent or registered
office;
- change each issued and unissued authorized share into a greater number of
whole shares if the corporation has only shares of that class
outstanding;
- change the corporate name in several limited ways specified by the
statute; or
- institute any other change permitted to be made under Michigan law
without shareholder action.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote on the proposed amendment is required for all other amendments. If any
class or series of shares is entitled to vote on the proposed amendment to the
articles of incorporation as a class, the affirmative vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares of each relevant class or series is also required.
Professionals Group's charter requires the affirmative vote of not less
than 75% of the shares of capital stock of the corporation issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote on a proposed amendment to the articles of
incorporation and not less than 75% of the capital stock of each class or series
entitled to vote on a proposed amendment in order to amend, alter, change, add
to or repeal the following charter provisions:
- Article XVII, which sets forth this supermajority voting requirement;
- Article VII, which describes Professionals Group's director
indemnification policy;
- Article VIII, which provides the number of votes that constitutes a
quorum;
- Article IX, which provides for shareholder action by written consent;
- Article X, which describes the method of calling shareholder meetings and
of bringing business before shareholder meetings;
- Article XI, which describes the method of nominating and electing
directors;
- Article XII, which provides the method of amending the by-laws;
- Article XIII, which describes the size of the board of directors and the
powers of the board of directors; and
- Article XIV, which discusses control share issues.
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Under Delaware law, the board of directors must first approve any amendment
to the certificate of incorporation by resolution and then either call a special
meeting of shareholders for consideration of the amendment or direct that the
proposed amendment will be considered at the next annual meeting of
shareholders. The affirmative vote of a majority of outstanding stock entitled
to vote on the matter and the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
stock of each class entitled to vote on the matter as a class are required in
order to adopt the amendment. The holders of the outstanding shares of a
particular class are entitled to vote as a class upon a proposed amendment to
the certificate of incorporation if the amendment would increase or decrease the
aggregate number of authorized shares of the class, increase or decrease the par
value of the shares of the class, or alter or change the powers, preferences or
special rights of the shares of the class in an adverse manner, regardless of
whether the certificate of incorporation entitles the holders of the class to
vote as a class on the proposed amendment. These requirements are subject to any
supermajority voting requirements provided for in the corporation's certificate
of incorporation.
Medical Assurance's charter requires the affirmative vote of the holders of
not less than 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all
outstanding shares of voting stock in order to amend or adopt any provisions
inconsistent with the following charter provisions:
- Article Sixth, which describes the size of the board of directors, the
manner by which directors are elected and the powers of the board of
directors;
- Article Eighth, which describes Medical Assurance's director
indemnification policy;
- Article Ninth, which provides that Medical Assurance will be governed by
the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law;
- Article Tenth, which provides that the board of directors, when
considering a merger, consolidation, business combination or similar
transaction, may consider the effects of the transaction upon Medical
Assurance's employees, customers and suppliers, and upon communities in
which offices of Medical Assurance and its subsidiaries are located, in
considering the best interests of Medical Assurance and its shareholders;
and
- Article Eleventh, which describes the means for amending Medical
Assurance's by-laws.
The method of amending the certificate of incorporation of ProAssurance is
the same as the method of amending Medical Assurance's certificate of
incorporation.
Amendment of By-Laws. Michigan law provides that the shareholders or the
board of directors of a corporation may adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws
unless the articles of incorporation or by-laws of the corporation specify that
the power to adopt new by-laws is reserved exclusively to the shareholders. The
charter and by-laws of Professionals Group permit the amendment of the by-laws
by a vote of a majority of all members of the board of directors or by the
affirmative vote of at least 75% of the outstanding shares of Professionals
Group capital stock entitled to vote on these matters; however, only a majority
shareholder vote is required for any amendment recommended to the shareholders
by at least a two-thirds vote of the board of directors.
Under Delaware law, the power to adopt, amend or repeal by-laws is vested
exclusively in the shareholders entitled to vote, unless the certificate of
incorporation confers this power upon the board of directors as well. The
by-laws of Medical Assurance may be amended by the affirmative vote of a
majority of all of the directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all
outstanding shares of voting stock.
The board of directors of ProAssurance may amend the by-laws of the
corporation by the affirmative vote of a majority of all of the directors. The
shareholders may amend the by-laws by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of
the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all outstanding shares of voting
stock.
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EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES
Professionals Group's charter provides that a director of the corporation
will not be held personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Under Michigan law
and Professionals Group's charter, this provision does not eliminate or limit
the liability of a director for any of the following:
- any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
shareholders;
- acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
- a violation of Section 551(1) of the Michigan Business Corporation Act;
or
- a transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit.
The charter and by-laws of Professionals Group provide that the corporation
will indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law any person involved in
litigation brought by a third party or by or in the right of the corporation by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation
as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another entity.
The corporation will only indemnify such a person if that person acted in good
faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be lawful and in the best
interests of the corporation or its shareholders, except that the person will
not be entitled to indemnification in an action in which he or she is found
liable to the corporation unless a court deems indemnification under these
circumstances to be fair and reasonable. The by-laws of Professionals Group deem
the right of indemnification to be a contract right between the corporation and
any director or officer serving at any time while this provision remains in
effect.
Professionals Group's by-laws provide that the corporation will not be
required to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent in connection with
an action brought by that person unless the board of directors authorized the
action.
As permitted by Delaware law, Medical Assurance's charter provides that the
directors of Medical Assurance will not be held personally liable for a breach
of fiduciary duty as a director, except that a director may be liable:
- for a breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
shareholders;
- for acts made in bad faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of the law;
- for illegal payment of dividends under Section 174 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law; or
- for any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal
benefit.
Delaware law provides similar rights to indemnity and expense advancement
for directors of corporations as does Michigan law.
The by-laws of Medical Assurance provide that Medical Assurance will
indemnify any person involved in litigation brought by a third party or by or in
the right of the corporation by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at
the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another entity. The corporation will only indemnify such a person if that person
acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be lawful
and in the best interests of the corporation, except that the person will not be
entitled to indemnification in an action in which he or she is found to be
liable to the corporation unless the Court of Chancery deems indemnification
under these circumstances proper.
Medical Assurance's by-laws also provide that Medical Assurance will
indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation who has
been successful on the merits or otherwise, to the extent
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that the director, officer, employee or agent has been successful, against any
expenses reasonably incurred by him or her with respect to the action.
Both Delaware and Michigan law provide that if a director, employee,
officer or agent of a corporation prevails in any suit, action, claim or
proceeding brought against him or her because of his or her relationship with
the corporation, indemnification of any actual and reasonable expenses paid by
that person in defense of the suit, action, claim or proceeding is mandatory.
The indemnification provisions of ProAssurance's charter and by-laws are
the same as those in Medical Assurance's organizational documents discussed
above.
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS
Delaware corporations, like Medical Assurance and ProAssurance, may declare
and pay dividends either out of their surplus or, if there is no surplus, out of
their net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or
the preceding fiscal year.
A Michigan corporation like Professionals Group may not make distributions
to its shareholders if, after giving effect to the distribution:
- the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in
the usual course of business; or
- the corporation's total assets would be less than the sum of its total
liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were
to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the
preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential
rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.
In addition to the dividend restrictions imposed on us under the Delaware
General Corporation Law and the Michigan Business Corporation Act, as
applicable, we and our subsidiaries are subject to regulatory restrictions.
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL
Dissenter's rights of appraisal, which may arise in various types of
corporate action, are the rights of a shareholder to demand that the corporation
pay the fair value of his or her stock.
Michigan law provides somewhat broader dissenters' rights of appraisal than
those provided under Delaware law. Michigan law expressly authorizes the
shareholders of a Michigan corporation to exercise dissenters' rights with
respect to certain amendments to the articles of incorporation which adversely
affect the rights of the class of shares held by them. Under Delaware law, a
shareholder may not exercise dissenters' rights of appraisal in connection with
such an amendment unless the corporation's certificate of incorporation so
provides.
In addition, Michigan law expressly permits shareholders to exercise
dissenters' rights of appraisal in connection with the sale or exchange of all
or substantially all of the property of a Michigan corporation if the
shareholder is entitled to vote on the proposal. Appraisal rights are not
available under Delaware law in the event of the sale of all or substantially
all of a corporation's assets or the adoption of an amendment to its certificate
of incorporation, unless such rights are granted in the corporate charter.
Neither the charter of Medical Assurance nor the charter of ProAssurance grants
such rights.
MERGERS; ACQUISITIONS; OTHER EXTRAORDINARY CORPORATION TRANSACTIONS
Michigan law and Delaware law provide similar voting rights with respect to
mergers, sales of substantially all of the assets of a corporation and other
extraordinary corporation transactions.
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ANTITAKEOVER LAWS
Delaware law restricts the ability of certain persons to acquire control of
a Delaware corporation.
Medical Assurance and ProAssurance are subject to Section 203 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law. Under Section 203, a person who acquires 15%
or more of the stock of a Delaware corporation without the approval of the board
of directors of that corporation and thereby becomes an interested shareholder
generally may not engage in certain transactions with the corporation for a
period of three years unless one of the following three exceptions applies:
- the board of directors approved the acquisition of stock or the
transaction prior to the time that the person became an interested
shareholder;
- upon consummation of the transaction in which the person became an
interested shareholder, the interested shareholder became an 85% owner of
the voting stock of the corporation in the transaction, excluding voting
stock owned by directors who are also officers and certain employee stock
plans; or
- the transaction is approved by the board of directors and by the
affirmative vote of 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not
owned by the interested shareholder.
Neither the charter of Medical Assurance nor the charter of ProAssurance
contains any other provisions regarding transactions with interested
shareholders. The charter of Medical Assurance and the charter of ProAssurance
provide that the election to be controlled by Section 203 cannot be amended
without the affirmative vote of the holders of more than 80% of the outstanding
voting stock of the corporation.
Professionals Group is subject to the Michigan "Fair Price" statute
(Chapter 7A of the Michigan Business Corporation Act), which applies to certain
"business combinations" such as mergers, substantial sales of assets or
securities, issuances or liquidation, recapitalization or reorganization plans.
For a business combination with an "interested shareholder" (generally, the
holder of 10% or more of a class of a corporation's voting stock), Chapter 7A
requires:
- an advisory statement from the corporation's board of directors;
- the approval of the holders of 90% of each class of the corporation; and
- the approval of two-thirds of the holders of each such class other than
the interested shareholder.
The supermajority voting requirements do not apply where the interested
shareholder's offer meets certain price, form of consideration and procedural
requirements designed to make such offers fair to all shareholders or where the
board of directors has approved the transaction with respect to a particular
interested shareholder prior to the interested shareholder becoming an
interested shareholder.
Professionals Group is also subject to the Michigan "Control Share
Acquisition" statute (Chapter 7B of the Michigan Business Corporation Act).
Chapter 7B provides that an entity that acquires "control shares" may vote the
control shares on any matter only if a majority of all shares, and of all non-
"interested shares," entitled to vote and of each class of stock entitled to
vote as a class, approve such voting rights. "Interested shares" are defined
generally as those shares owned by officers or employee directors of the
corporation or by the entity making the control share acquisition. "Control
shares" are defined generally as shares that when added to shares already owned
by an entity would give the entity voting power in the election of directors
within any of the three thresholds: one-fifth, one-third and a majority. The
effect of the statute is to condition the acquisition of voting control of a
Michigan corporation on the approval of a majority of its pre-existing
disinterested shareholders.
The articles of incorporation of Professionals Group provide that control
shares acquired in a control share acquisition, with respect to which no
acquiring person statement has been filed with the corporation, may, at any time
during the period ending 60 days after the last acquisition of control shares or
the power to direct the exercise of voting power of control shares by the
acquiring person, be redeemed by
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Professionals Group at the fair value of the shares. After an acquiring person
statement has been filed and after the meeting at which the voting rights of the
control shares acquired in a control share acquisition are submitted to the
shareholders, the shares are subject to redemption by Professionals Group at the
fair value of the shares unless the shares are accorded full voting rights by
the shareholders pursuant to Chapter 7B. A redemption of shares by Professionals
Group pursuant to this provision can be made upon election to redeem by the
board of directors of Professionals Group.
OPINIONS
The legality of ProAssurance common stock to be issued in connection with
the consolidation will be passed upon by Burr & Forman LLP of Birmingham,
Alabama, counsel to Medical Assurance and ProAssurance. Attorneys participating
in Burr & Forman LLP's representation of Medical Assurance and ProAssurance in
the consolidation beneficially own approximately 9,100 shares of Medical
Assurance common stock.
Ernst & Young LLP will deliver an opinion concerning material federal
income tax consequences of the consolidation to ProAssurance, Medical Assurance
and Professionals Group.
EXPERTS
The balance sheets of ProAssurance Corporation as of December 31, 2000 and
October 20, 2000 (the date of inception of ProAssurance) included in this joint
proxy statement/prospectus have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, as set forth in their report thereon which is included this joint
proxy statement/prospectus. Such financial statements are included herein in
reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.
The consolidated financial statements of Medical Assurance, incorporated by
reference from the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2000, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth
in their report thereon which is incorporated herein by reference. Such
consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in
reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Professionals Group, incorporated
in this joint proxy statement/prospectus by reference to Professionals Group's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 as amended by
Form 10K/A (Amendment No. 1) filed on April 24, 2001, have been so incorporated
in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
The consolidated financial statements of Professionals Group as of December
31, 1998 incorporated in this joint proxy statement/prospectus by reference to
Professionals Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2000 as amended by Form 10-K/A (Amendment No. 1) filed on April 24, 2001, have
been audited by KPMG LLP, independent accountants, as set forth in their report
thereon which is incorporated by reference. Such consolidated financial
statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report
given upon the authority of such firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The consolidated financial statements of Michigan Educational Employees
Mutual Insurance Company (predecessor of MEEMIC Holdings), incorporated in this
joint proxy statement/prospectus by reference to Professionals Group's Current
Report on Form 8-K/A (Amendment No. 1) dated July 1, 1999 and filed on September
13, 1999, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of
said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are
expected to be present at each of the meetings. These representatives will have
an opportunity to make statements if they so desire and will be available to
respond to appropriate questions.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Medical Assurance and Professionals Group file annual, quarterly and
special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may
read and copy any of those materials we file at the SEC's public reference rooms
in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the
SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public
reference rooms. These filings are also available at the SEC's web site at
http://www.sec.gov.
ProAssurance has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 under the
Securities Act of 1933 to register the shares of ProAssurance common stock to be
issued to Medical Assurance and Professionals Group shareholders in the
consolidation. As allowed by the rules of the SEC, this joint proxy
statement/prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the
registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. Such
additional information may be inspected and copied as described above.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this joint
proxy statement/prospectus. This means that we can disclose important
information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with
the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this
joint proxy statement/prospectus, except for any information superseded by
information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This joint proxy
statement/prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below
that we have previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain important
information about our companies and their finances.
All of the documents filed with the SEC by Medical Assurance (File No.
001-12129) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 since the end of its
fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 are incorporated by reference in this joint
proxy statement/prospectus. These documents include the following:
- Medical Assurance's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2000.
- All other reports filed by Medical Assurance pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 since the end of the fiscal
year covered by Medical Assurance's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
Year Ended December 31, 2000; and
- The description of Medical Assurance common stock set forth in Medical
Assurance's registration statement on Form 8-A filed on September 6,
1996, pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and all amendments
thereto or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All of the documents filed with the SEC by Professionals Group (File No.
0-21223) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 since the end of its
fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 are incorporated by reference in this joint
proxy statement/prospectus. These documents include the following:
- Professionals Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year
Ended December 31, 2000 as amended by Form 10-K/A (Amendment No. 1) filed
on April 24, 2001;
- Professionals Group's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2001;
- All other reports filed by Professionals Group pursuant to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 since the end of the
fiscal year covered by Professionals Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the Year Ended December 31, 2000 as amended by Form 10-K/A (Amendment
No. 1) filed on April 24, 2001; and
- The description of Professionals Group common stock that was incorporated
by reference in Professionals Group's registration statement on Form 8-A
filed on August 20, 1996 pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act
and is set forth under the captions "Description of Holding Company
Capital Stock" and "Comparison of Shareholder Rights" in the final
prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) under the Securities Act in
connection with Professionals Group's registration statement on Form S-4
(registration no. 333-3138), and all amendments thereto or reports filed
for the purpose of updating such description.
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To comply with the requirements of Regulation S-X relating to its
acquisition of MEEMIC Holdings, Professionals Group is also incorporating by
reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus Professionals Group's Current
Report on Form 8-K/A (Amendment No. 1) dated July 1, 1999 and filed on September
13, 1999, including all of the consolidated financial statements of Michigan
Educational Employees Mutual Insurance Company (predecessor of MEEMIC Holdings)
included therein.
We are also incorporating by reference additional documents that we file
with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 between the date of this
joint proxy statement/prospectus and the dates of the meetings of our
shareholders.
Medical Assurance has supplied all information contained or incorporated by
reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to Medical Assurance
and Professionals Group has supplied all such information relating to
Professionals Group.
If you are a shareholder, we may have previously sent you some of the
documents that are incorporated by reference, but you can obtain any of the
incorporated documents by contacting us or the SEC. If you would like to request
documents from us, including any documents we may subsequently file with the SEC
prior to the special shareholder meetings, please do so as soon as possible so
that you will receive them before your meeting. We will send you the documents
incorporated by reference without charge, excluding exhibits, unless we have
specifically incorporated the exhibit by reference in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus.
Shareholders may obtain documents incorporated by reference in this joint
proxy statement/prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from
the appropriate party at the following addresses:
FOR MEDICAL ASSURANCE INFORMATION: FOR PROFESSIONALS GROUP INFORMATION:
Medical Assurance, Inc. Professionals Group, Inc.
100 Brookwood Place 2600 Professionals Drive
Birmingham, Alabama 35209 Okemos, Michigan 48864
Attention: Frank B. O'Neil Attention: Lori A. Beachnau
(205) 877-4400 (800) 292-1036 (Ext. 6300)
IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS, REQUESTS SHOULD BE
RECEIVED BY JUNE 18, 2001.
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS TO VOTE ON THE PROPOSALS
DESCRIBED IN THIS DOCUMENT. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THIS JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated May 7,
2001. You should not assume that the information contained in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than that date, and
neither the mailing of this joint proxy statement and prospectus to shareholders
nor the issuance of ProAssurance common stock in the consolidation shall create
any implication to the contrary.
This document constitutes a prospectus of ProAssurance with respect to the
shares of ProAssurance common stock to be issued to Medical Assurance and
Professionals Group shareholders upon completion of the consolidation. However,
this document does not cover any resales of those shares of ProAssurance common
stock. No one is authorized to make use of this document in connection with any
such resale.
This document does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in any
state in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the
person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any
person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation.
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PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
AUDITED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2000 and October 20, 2000 (Date of Inception)
with Report of Independent Auditors
103
109
PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
AUDITED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND OCTOBER 20, 2000 (DATE OF INCEPTION)
CONTENTS
Report of Independent Auditors.............................. 105
Balance Sheets.............................................. 106
Notes to Balance Sheets..................................... 107
104
110
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors
ProAssurance Corporation
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of ProAssurance Corporation
as of December 31, 2000 and October 20, 2000 (Date of Inception, no operations
for the period from inception through December 31, 2000). These balance sheets
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these balance sheets based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheets are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheets. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall balance sheet
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the balance sheets referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of ProAssurance Corporation at
December 31, 2000 and October 20, 2000 (Date of Inception), in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
--------------------------------------
Birmingham, Alabama
February 2, 2001
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111
PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2000 OCTOBER 20, 2000
----------------- ----------------
ASSETS
Cash........................................................ $ -- $ --
---------- ----------
Total assets...................................... $ -- $ --
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Total liabilities................................. $ -- $ --
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share; 50,000,000
shares authorized; 0 shares issued..................... -- --
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares
authorized; 0 shares issued............................ -- --
---------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity........................ -- --
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity........ $ -- $ --
========== ==========
See accompanying notes.
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PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO BALANCE SHEETS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
GENERAL
ProAssurance Corporation (the "Company") is an insurance holding company
incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on October 20, 2000. The
Company was incorporated for the sole purpose of merging with Medical Assurance,
Inc. ("MAI") and Professionals Group, Inc. ("PGI") and establishing MAI and PGI
as wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
balance sheet date. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
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APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT TO CONSOLIDATE
THIS AGREEMENT TO CONSOLIDATE (the "Agreement") is made and entered into
this 22nd day of June, 2000 by and between Medical Assurance, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("MAI") and Professionals Group, Inc., a Michigan corporation
("PICM"). A glossary of defined terms used in this Agreement is set forth in
Section 11.17 hereof.
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, MAI is an insurance holding company which provides, through its
insurance subsidiaries, medical professional liability insurance to physicians,
dentists and related health care providers;
WHEREAS, PICM is an insurance holding company which provides, through its
insurance subsidiaries, medical professional liability insurance to physicians,
dentists and related health care providers and personal lines insurance to
educators and Michigan residents; and
WHEREAS, MAI and PICM desire to consolidate the business of MAI and the
business of PICM under one holding company pursuant to the terms and conditions
hereof.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein
and subject to the satisfaction of the terms and conditions set forth herein,
the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. FORMATION OF HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
1.1 Formation. Between the date hereof and the Closing Date (herein
defined), MAI shall cause to be formed Medical and Professional Assurance, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Holding Company"). The Certificate of Incorporation
and Bylaws of the Holding Company are attached hereto as Exhibit A and Exhibit
B, respectively. In addition, MAI shall cause to be formed as wholly owned
subsidiaries of the Holding Company, MAI Acquisition Corporation, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("MAI Acquisition") and PICM Acquisition Corporation, a
Michigan corporation ("PICM Acquisition"). Prior to the Closing Date, none of
the Holding Company, MAI Acquisition and PICM Acquisition shall engage in any
business activities other than those business activities that are expressly
provided for in this Agreement or are necessary to complete the transactions
provided for in this Agreement.
1.2 Issuance of Stock. Until the Closing Date as herein contemplated, no
shares of stock of the Holding Company shall be issued. MAI Acquisition and PICM
Acquisition shall each have authorized 1,000 shares of common stock, par value
$1.00 per share, all of which shall be issued to and held by the Holding
Company.
1.3 Board of Directors. MAI shall be entitled to elect the initial members
of the Board of Directors and initial officers of the Holding Company and MAI
Acquisition, and PICM shall be entitled to elect the members of the Board of
Directors and officers of PICM Acquisition. The initial Board of Directors of
the Holding Company shall be comprised by three directors divided into three
classes as provided in the By-Laws attached hereto as Exhibit B.
1.4 The Holding Company Post Closing Board of Directors and Officers.
(a) MAI and PICM agree that immediately prior to the Closing Date, MAI
shall cause the initial Board of Directors of the Holding Company to be
expanded to eleven (11) directors and shall cause the initial Board of
Directors of the Holding Company to elect eight (8) additional directors
nominated by MAI and PICM to fill the vacancies created on the Holding
Company's Board of
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Directors as herein provided. The Board of Directors of the Holding Company
shall be comprised of three (3) classes designated as Class I, Class II and
Class III. Class I and Class II shall each have four (4) directors and
Class III shall have three (3) directors. PICM shall nominate three (3)
directors with one (1) of such nominees to serve in each of Class I, Class
II and Class III (the "PICM Director Nominees"). MAI shall nominate eight
(8) directors (including those on the initial Board of Directors) to fill
the vacancies in each of Class I, Class II and Class III. The term of the
Class I Directors shall continue until the first annual meeting of the
stockholders of the Holding Company after the Closing Date and their
successors are elected and qualified; the term of the Class II Directors
shall continue until the second annual meeting of the stockholders of the
Holding Company after the Closing Date and their successors are elected and
qualified; and the term of the Class III Directors shall continue until the
third annual meeting of the Holding Company after the Closing Date and
their successors are elected and qualified. The directors of the Holding
Company shall be elected prior to the Closing Date, and it shall be a
condition that each person nominated to serve as a director of the Holding
Company consent to be named as a director in the Registration Statement as
required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(b) Prior to the annual meeting of stockholders of the Holding Company
at which the first term of each of the PICM Director Nominees will expire
(each, a "First Term"), the then PICM Directors (herein defined) shall, by
majority vote, nominate a person for election at said annual meeting to
fill the vacancy in the Board of Directors of the Holding Company to be
created upon the expiration of such First Term (the "Board Vacancy"). In
such event, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the By-Laws of
the Holding Company, the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors of
the Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Holding Company shall
nominate the person so selected by the PICM Directors (the "Selected
Person") for election at said annual meeting to fill the Board Vacancy,
provided the Selected Person (i) consents to being named as a director in
the proxy statement of the Holding Company for said annual meeting and to
serving as a director of the Holding Company if elected and (ii) provides
such information relating to him or her as is required to be disclosed in
such proxy statement under Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"). The Board of Directors of the Holding
Company shall recommend to the shareholders of the Holding Company that
they vote for the election of the Selected Person as a director of the
Holding Company in such proxy statement. With respect to such Board
Vacancy, neither the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Holding Company nor the Board of Directors of the Holding Company shall
either nominate any person other than the Selected Person for election to
the Board Vacancy or solicit proxies in favor of the election of any person
other than the Selected Person to the Board Vacancy. In the event that a
vacancy on the Board of Directors of the Holding Company occurs by reason
of the death, resignation or removal of any PICM Director, the then
remaining PICM Directors, if any, shall, by majority vote, nominate a
person for election by the Board of Directors of the Holding Company to
fill said vacancy for the remainder of the term of such PICM Director. In
such event, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the By-Laws of
the Holding Company, the Board of Directors of the Holding Company shall
elect the person so nominated by the PICM Directors (the "Replacement PICM
Director") to fill the vacancy so created on the Board of Directors of the
Holding Company. As used in this Agreement, "PICM Directors" means the PICM
Director Nominees, the Selected Persons after election to the Board of
Directors of the Holding Company, and each Replacement PICM Director, if
any. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 1.4, all
directors of the Holding Company shall be nominated by the Nominating
Committee of the Board of Directors of the Holding Company or the Board of
Directors of the Holding Company as provided in the By-Laws of the Holding
Company.
1.5 Officers. Immediately prior to the Closing Date, MAI shall cause the
Board of Directors of the Holding Company to elect A. Derrill Crowe, M.D. as
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, and Victor T.
Adamo as Vice Chairman and Vice President. The Board of Directors elected
pursuant to Section 1.4 shall elect the other officers of the Holding Company
prior to filing the
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Registration Statement as contemplated in Section 7.5 hereof. The officers of
the Holding Company shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors,
subject to any limitations or restrictions in any employment or other agreement
approved by the Board of Directors.
1.6 Insurance Operations. The insurance operations of MAI and PICM shall
operate as distinct insurance operating groups as of the Closing Date. It is the
intention of the parties, subject to any applicable tax and operating
constraints, to conduct insurance operations in Alabama, West Virginia, Florida,
Missouri, Georgia, Mississippi and other Southern States through MAI; and, to
conduct insurance operations in Michigan (including the insurance operations of
"MEEMIC" (as hereinafter defined)), Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and other Northern States through PICM. As of the
Closing Date, A. Derrill Crowe, M.D. shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the
insurance operations conducted through MAI and Victor T. Adamo shall be the
Chief Executive Officer of the insurance operations conducted through PICM. The
Board of Directors of the Holding Company may, after the Closing Date, modify or
change the operating structure and the responsibilities of PICM and MAI and
their respective officers and employees if the Board of Directors in the
exercise of its business judgment and fiduciary duty determines such
modification or change to be in the interest of its stockholders or the
policyholders of its subsidiaries.
1.7 Advisory Committees. Until December 31, 2002, PICM, MAI and Holding
Company shall cause ProNational Insurance Company, or its successors (if any),
to maintain the Florida Regional Advisory Board of ProNational Insurance Company
and the Michigan Regional Advisory Board of ProNational Insurance Company
(collectively, the "PICM Advisory Committees"). The members of the PICM Advisory
Committees shall consist of those persons who are members thereof on the date of
this Agreement and such other persons who are appointed to the PICM Advisory
Committees after the date of this Agreement. The PICM Advisory Committees shall
provide advice as to underwriting and claims matters regarding medical
professional liability insurance. Except for compensation pursuant to consulting
agreements described in Section 5.16(c) of the PICM Disclosure Schedule, the
Board of Directors of the Holding Company shall fix the compensation of the PICM
Advisory Committees.
2. THE MAI PLAN OF MERGER
2.1 The MAI Merger. At the MAI Effective Time (as herein defined), MAI
Acquisition shall be merged with and into MAI (the "MAI Merger") in accordance
with the MAI Plan of Merger as set forth in this Section 2, and the MAI Merger
shall have the effect provided for in Section 251 of the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware. MAI shall be the surviving corporation of the MAI
Merger and shall continue to exist and to be governed by the laws of the State
of Delaware. The corporate existence and identity of MAI, with its purposes and
powers, shall continue unaffected and unimpaired by the MAI Merger, and MAI
shall succeed to and be fully vested with the corporate existence and identity
of MAI Acquisition. The separate corporate existence and identity of MAI
Acquisition from MAI shall cease upon the MAI Effective Time.
2.2 Name of Surviving Corporation. The name of the surviving corporation
shall be "Medical Assurance, Inc."
2.3 Certificate of Incorporation. At the MAI Effective Time, the
Certificate of Incorporation of the surviving corporation of the MAI Merger
shall be that of MAI immediately before the MAI Merger.
2.4 Bylaws. Immediately after the MAI Effective Time, the Bylaws of the
surviving corporation of the MAI Merger shall be those of MAI immediately before
the MAI Merger.
2.5 Directors. Immediately after the MAI Effective Time, the Board of
Directors of MAI Acquisition shall be the Board of Directors of the surviving
corporation (who will serve on the Board of Directors until their successors are
elected and qualified).
2.6 Officers. The officers of MAI Acquisition shall be the officers of the
surviving corporation of the MAI Merger to serve until their successors are duly
elected and qualified.
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2.7 MAI Acquisition Shares. At the MAI Effective Time, each share of
common stock of MAI Acquisition, par value $1.00 per share, issued and
outstanding immediately before the MAI Effective Time shall by virtue of the MAI
Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof be automatically
converted into one (1) share of common stock., par value $1.00 per share of MAI.
It is the intention of the parties that, immediately after the MAI Effective
Time, the Holding Company shall continue to own all of the issued and
outstanding shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of MAI as the
surviving corporation of the MAI Merger.
2.8 Conversion of MAI Stock.
(a) Each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $1.00
per share, of MAI ("MAI Common Stock") outstanding immediately prior to the
MAI Effective Time, including MAI Common Stock that is owned by an MAI
Subsidiary shall, by virtue of the MAI Merger and without any action on the
part of the holder thereof, automatically be converted ("MAI Merger
Consideration") into one (1) share of common stock, par value $0.01 per
share, of the Holding Company (the "Holding Company Common Stock"). Each
share of MAI Common Stock that is owned by MAI (other than stock that is
owned by MAI in a fiduciary capacity) shall automatically be cancelled and
retired and shall cease to exist, and no MAI Merger Consideration shall be
delivered in exchange therefor.
(b) As a result of the MAI Merger, the Holding Company should have
more than 2,000 holders of shares of Holding Company Common Stock, and the
Holding Company Common Stock should be registered under the 1934 Act and
listed on the New York Stock Exchange. MAI agrees to assert that no holder
of shares of MAI Common Stock shall be entitled to demand payment for and
appraisal of his or her shares of MAI Common Stock under Section 262 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Dissenters'
Statute") by reason of Section 262(b) of the Delaware Dissenters' Statute.
If, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, a holder of
shares of MAI Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
MAI Effective Time exercises his rights under the Delaware Dissenters'
Statute, such shares of MAI Common Stock shall not be converted into a
right to receive any shares of the Holding Company Common Stock unless such
holder fails to perfect, or is otherwise determined to be not entitled to
any right to such payment or appraisal. If, after the MAI Effective Time,
such holder fails to perfect, or is otherwise not entitled to any right to
such appraisal, each such holder shall then be entitled to receive one
share of the Holding Company Common Stock for each share of MAI Common
Stock held by such holder.
2.9 Rights of Former MAI Stockholders. At the MAI Effective Time, the
stock transfer books of MAI shall be closed as to holders of MAI Common Stock
immediately prior to the MAI Effective Time, and no transfer of MAI Common Stock
by any such holder shall thereafter be made or recognized. At the MAI Effective
Time, each certificate theretofore representing shares of MAI Common Stock,
other than shares as to which dissenters' rights of appraisal, if any, have been
perfected as provided in Section 2.8(b) of this Agreement, shall from and after
the MAI Effective Time represent for all purposes only the right to receive the
Holding Company Common Stock as provided in Section 2.8(a) of this Agreement in
exchange therefor. To the extent permitted by law, former stockholders of record
of MAI Common Stock shall be entitled to vote after the MAI Effective Time at
any meeting of the Holding Company stockholders the number of shares of the
Holding Company Common Stock into which their respective shares of MAI Common
Stock are converted, regardless of whether such holders have exchanged their
certificates for MAI Common Stock for certificates representing the Holding
Company Common Stock.
2.10 MAI Effective Time. As used in this Agreement, "MAI Effective Time"
shall mean the date upon which a Certificate of Merger is issued by the
Secretary of State of Delaware. The Certificate of Merger shall be filed as soon
a practicable after the Closing as provided in Section 9.4 hereof.
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2.11 MAI Stock Options.
(a) Section 6.3 of the MAI Disclosure Schedule contains a list of each
stock option issued by MAI outstanding on the date of this Agreement
(collectively, the "MAI Stock Options") to purchase MAI Common Stock
heretofore granted pursuant to the MAI Incentive Compensation Stock Plan
(the "MAI Stock Option Plan"). The MAI Disclosure Schedule also sets forth
with respect to each MAI Stock Option the option exercise price, the number
of shares subject to the option, the dates of grant, vesting,
exercisability and expiration of the option and that the option is either
an incentive or a nonqualified stock option.
(b) All MAI Stock Options to acquire shares of MAI Common Stock issued
and outstanding at the MAI Effective Time shall be assumed by the Holding
Company at the MAI Effective Time and, except as provided below, shall be
continued in accordance with their terms and conditions as in effect
immediately prior to the MAI Effective Time. The holder of each MAI Stock
Option shall have the right to acquire, on the same terms and conditions as
such option, at and after the MAI Effective Time, and pursuant to any
applicable option plan or agreement, a number of shares of Holding Company
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such option equal to the number of
shares of MAI Common Stock such holder would have been entitled to receive
prior to the MAI Effective Time. The exercise price per share of the
Holding Company Common Stock at which such option is exercisable shall be
the amount of the exercise price per share of MAI Common Stock at which
such option is exercisable immediately prior to the MAI Effective Time.
3. THE PICM PLAN OF MERGER
3.1 The PICM Merger. At the PICM Effective Time (as herein defined), PICM
Acquisition shall be merged with and into PICM (the "PICM Merger") in accordance
with the PICM Plan of Merger set forth in this Section 3, and the PICM Merger
shall have the effect provided for in Section 450.1701 of the Michigan Business
Corporation Act. PICM shall be the surviving corporation of the PICM Merger and
shall continue to exist and to be governed by the laws of the State of Michigan.
The corporate existence of and identity of PICM, with its purposes and powers,
shall continue unaffected and unimpaired by the PICM Merger, and PICM shall
succeed to and be fully vested with the corporate existence and identity of PICM
Acquisition. The separate corporate existence and identity of PICM Acquisition
from PICM shall cease upon the PICM Effective Time (as herein defined).
3.2 Name of Surviving Corporation. The name of the surviving corporation
of the PICM Merger shall be "Professionals Group, Inc."
3.3 Articles of Incorporation. At the PICM Effective Time, the Articles of
Incorporation of the surviving corporation of the PICM Merger shall be that of
PICM immediately before the PICM Merger.
3.4 Bylaws. Immediately after the PICM Effective Time, the ByLaws of the
surviving corporation of the PICM Merger shall be those of PICM immediately
before the PICM Merger.
3.5 Directors. Immediately after the PICM Effective Time, the Board of
Directors of PICM Acquisition shall be the Board of Directors of the surviving
corporation (who will serve on the Board of Directors of PICM until their
successors are elected and qualified).
3.6 Officers. The officers of PICM Acquisition shall be the officers of
the surviving corporation of the PICM Merger to serve until their successors are
duly elected and qualified.
3.7 PICM Acquisition Shares. At the PICM Effective Time, all of the one
thousand (1,000) shares of common stock of PICM Acquisition, par value $1.00 per
share, issued and outstanding prior to the PICM Effective Time shall by virtue
of the PICM Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof be
automatically converted into one (1) share of PICM Common Stock. It is the
intention of the parties that, immediately after the PICM Effective Time, the
Holding Company shall continue to own all of the issued and outstanding shares
of common stock, no par value per share, of PICM as the surviving corporation of
the PICM Merger.
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3.8 Conversion of PICM Stock.
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein and subject to the provisions
of Section 3.9 and Section 3.10 below, each holder of the shares of the
common stock of PICM, no par value ("PICM Common Stock") shall have the
right to elect to have each of such holder's shares converted as of the
PICM Effective Time into either of the following ("PICM Merger
Consideration"):
(i) the right to receive shares of the Holding Company Common Stock
and cash, as herein determined, having a combined value of $26.00 for a
share of PICM Common Stock ("Stock Election"), subject to adjustment
under subparagraph (iv) below, and payable as follows:
A. $12.00 in cash; and
B. Such number of shares of the Holding Company Common Stock
and/or fractional shares thereof as will have a Market Value of
$14.00; or
(ii) the right to receive $26.00 in cash for a share of PICM Common
Stock (the "Cash Election") subject to adjustment under subparagraph
(iv) below.
(iii) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Market Value" shall
refer to an amount equal to the arithmetic average of the last reported
sale prices of one share of MAI Common Stock as reported on the New York
Stock Exchange during the twenty (20) trading days ending on the date of
the meeting of the stockholders to be held in accordance with Section
7.6(a) hereof (the "Market Value Calculation Period"); provided,
however, that if the Market Value Calculation Period would otherwise
include any trading days from the month of December 2000, such December
2000 trading days shall be excluded from the Market Value Calculation
Period and shall be replaced with a corresponding number of the most
recent trading days in the month of November 2000 that would not
otherwise be included in the Market Value Calculation Period.
(iv) (A) The PICM Merger Consideration payable under either
subparagraph (i)(A) or (ii) above shall be subject to adjustment (the
"Adjustment") to the extent that the aggregate market value of the
"Portfolio Assets" (as defined below) of PICM and its consolidated
subsidiaries at December 31, 1999, is greater or less than the pro forma
value of the Portfolio Assets at the end of the second-to-last calendar
month preceding the Closing Date (the "Valuation Date"). For purposes of
this Section the "Portfolio Assets" shall mean and include all assets
required by Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement 115 to be
valued at market on the consolidated balance sheet of PICM and its
consolidated subsidiaries at December 31, 1999. PICM represents that a
complete and accurate listing of the "Portfolio Assets" is reflected on
Schedule D, Parts 1 and 2 (exclusive of common stock held in affiliates)
of the "PICM Insurance Subsidiaries Statutory Financial Statements" (as
hereinafter defined) at December 31, 1999, and in Section 3.8(a)(iv) of
the PICM Disclosure Schedule (as hereinafter defined).
(B) The amount of the Adjustment on a per share basis shall be
determined as follows:
(1) First, the Portfolio Assets shall be divided into two
groups (x) the Portfolio Assets that are sold, redeemed or
disposed after December 31, 1999, and prior to the Valuation Date
(the "Disposed Assets"); and (y) the remaining Portfolio Assets
(the "Retained Assets").
(2) Second, the market value of the Retained Assets shall be
determined as of December 31, 1999, and as of the Valuation Date.
The market value of the Retained Assets as of the Valuation Date
shall be subtracted from the market value of the Retained Assets
as of December 31, 1999.
(3) Third, the market value of the Disposed Assets shall be
determined as of December 31, 1999, and the aggregate amount of
proceeds received on the sale, redemption or other disposition of
the Disposed Assets shall be determined (exclusive
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of amounts attributable to accrued and unpaid interest and
referred to herein as "Sale Proceeds"). The aggregate amount of
Sale Proceeds of the Disposed Assets shall be subtracted from the
market value of the Disposed Assets at December 31, 1999.
(4) Fourth, the positive or negative difference determined
in (2) above shall be added to an amount equal to the amount by
which the difference determined in (3) above exceeds $2,000,000
either in the positive or negative. If the aforesaid sum is
negative, the sum shall be adjusted to reflect net after tax
charges using a tax rate of 34%; or if the aforesaid sum is
positive, it shall be adjusted to reflect the net after tax
(benefits) using a tax rate of 34%.
(5) Fifth, the sum determined in (4) above as adjusted to
reflect the net after tax charges (benefits) shall be divided by
8,924,909 in order to determine the "Per Share Adjustment." If
the sum in (4) above is negative, the PICM Merger Consideration
in (i)(A) or (ii) shall be increased by the Per Share Adjustment;
and if the sum in (4) above is positive, the PICM Merger
Consideration in (i)(A) or (ii) shall be decreased by the Per
Share Adjustment.
(C) For purposes of this section, the market value of the
Portfolio Assets at December 31, 1999, and the market value of the
Retained Assets at the Valuation Date shall be determined according
to Interactive Data Corporation Valuation Service.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9 below, if no election is
made as to the PICM Merger Consideration to be received with respect to any
shares of PICM Common Stock, the holder of the PICM Common Stock will be
deemed to have made a Stock Election pursuant to Section 3.8(a)(i) above.
(c) Each share of PICM Common Stock that is owned by PICM or any PICM
Subsidiary (other than in a fiduciary capacity) shall automatically be
cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no PICM Merger
Consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.
3.9 Minimum Stock Requirement. In no event shall the value of the shares
of the Holding Company Common Stock issued in exchange for the outstanding
shares of PICM Common Stock be less than 10% of the value of the total PICM
Merger Consideration (the "Minimum Stock Requirement"). If the Exchange Agent
(as defined in Section 4.1 hereof) has not received properly made Forms of
Election (as defined in Section 4.3(a)(ii) herein) pursuant to which the holders
of PICM Common Stock have not made Stock Elections that will entitle the holders
of PICM Common Stock to receive the Minimum Stock Requirement, then the Exchange
Agent shall select such additional number of Cash Elections in the order last
received by the Exchange Agent, which if converted to Stock Elections, would
entitle the holders of PICM Common Stock to receive shares of the Holding
Company Common Stock that would satisfy the Minimum Stock Requirement when added
to shares of the Holding Company Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock
Elections then held by the Exchange Agent. Such Cash Elections made by the
holders of PICM Common Stock shall be converted into Stock Elections.
3.10 Fractional Shares. No certificates or scrip representing a fractional
share of the Holding Company Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender of
PICM Common Stock certificates for exchange; no dividend or distribution with
respect to the Holding Company Common Stock shall be payable on or with respect
to any fractional share; and such fractional share interests shall not entitle
the owner thereof to vote or to any other rights of a stockholder of the Holding
Company. In lieu of any such fractional share, the Holding Company shall pay to
each former holder of PICM Common Stock who otherwise would be entitled to
receive a fractional share of Holding Company Common Stock an amount in cash
determined by multiplying (a) Market Value by (b) the fractional share of
Holding Company Common Stock to which such holder would otherwise be entitled.
3.11 PICM Effective Date; PICM Effective Time. As used in this Agreement,
"PICM Effective Time" shall mean the date upon which Articles of Merger are
filed with the Michigan Secretary of State. The Articles of Merger shall be
filed as soon as practicable after the Closing and prior to the Effective
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Date as provided in Section 9.4 hereof. It is intended that the MAI Effective
Time and the PICM Effective Time will be simultaneous or as close in time as
practicable under the circumstances.
3.12 Stock Options.
(a) Section 5.4 to the PICM Disclosure Schedule contains a list of
each stock option issued by PICM outstanding on the date of this Agreement
(collectively, the "PICM Stock Options") to purchase PICM Common Stock
heretofore granted pursuant to the PICM Long Term Incentive Plan (the "PICM
LTIP") and the PICM 1996 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan (the
"PICM Director Option Plan," and together with the PICM LTIP, the "PICM
Option Plans"). The PICM Disclosure Schedule also sets forth with respect
to each PICM Stock Option the option exercise price, the number of shares
subject to the option, the date granted, vesting, exercisability and
expiration of the option and indicates whether the option is either an
incentive or a nonqualified stock option.
(b) All PICM Stock Options to acquire shares of PICM Common Stock
issued and outstanding at the PICM Effective Time shall be assumed by the
Holding Company, and except as provided below shall be continued in
accordance with their terms and conditions as in effect immediately prior
to the PICM Effective Time. The holder of each PICM Stock Option shall have
the right to acquire, on the same terms and conditions as such option, at
and after the PICM Effective Time, and pursuant to any applicable option
plan or agreement, a number of shares of Holding Company Common Stock at an
exercise price as determined below:
(i) Each share of PICM Common Stock subject to an outstanding PICM
Stock Option at the PICM Effective Time shall be converted into shares
of the Holding Company Common Stock using a conversion ratio determined
by dividing $26.00 plus or minus the Per Share Adjustment (as defined in
Section 3.8(a)(iv) hereof) by the Market Value. The number of shares
subject to a PICM Stock Option granted to an individual on a particular
date shall be multiplied by said conversion ratio to determine the
number of shares of Holding Company Common Stock subject to said PICM
Stock Option; provided that all fractional shares resulting from such
determination shall be eliminated.
(ii) The exercise price for the shares of Holding Company Common
Stock subject to a PICM Stock Option granted to an individual on a
particular date shall be determined by dividing the conversion ratio as
determined in subparagraph (i) above into the exercise price of the
shares of PICM Common Stock subject to said PICM Stock Option
immediately prior to the PICM Effective Time.
(iii) The PICM Stock Option Plans shall at the PICM Effective Time
be amended to reserve for issuance pursuant to the PICM Stock Options
assumed by the Holding Company, the number of shares of Holding Company
Common Stock subject to the PICM Stock Options after the PICM Effective
Time.
4. EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
4.1 Exchange Agent. Prior to the mailing of the Joint Proxy Statement (as
defined in Section 7.1(a) hereof), the Holding Company shall appoint a bank or
trust company to act as an exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") for the payment
of the PICM Merger Consideration and the MAI Merger Consideration. MAI shall
cause the Holding Company to pay the charges and expenses of the Exchange Agent.
4.2 MAI Exchange Procedure. Promptly after the MAI Effective Time, the
Exchange Agent shall mail to each person who was a record holder of the MAI
Common Stock at the MAI Effective Time, instructions for use in effecting the
surrender and exchange of the certificate(s) representing shares of MAI Common
Stock to the Exchange Agent. Upon the surrender of a certificate for shares of
MAI Common Stock to the Exchange Agent in accordance with such instructions, the
Exchange Agent shall issue and deliver a certificate for the same number of
shares of the Holding Company Common Stock as
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were evidenced by the certificate(s) for shares of MAI Common Stock surrendered,
to the holder of said certificate (or any transferee of said certificate in
accordance with instruction provided by the Exchange Agent). Until surrendered
and exchanged as herein provided, each outstanding certificate which immediately
before the MAI Effective Time represented shares of MAI Common Stock shall be
deemed to evidence ownership of the number of shares of the Holding Company
Common Stock into which the shares of MAI Common Stock represented by such
certificate have been exchanged in accordance with the MAI Merger.
4.3 PICM Exchange Procedures.
(a) PICM Common Stock Elections
(i) Each record holder of shares of PICM Common Stock at the PICM
Effective Time will be entitled to make a Stock Election or Cash
Election (the "Election") with respect to all or any portion of his
shares of PICM Common Stock on the basis hereinafter set forth.
(ii) Promptly after the PICM Effective Time, the Exchange Agent
shall prepare and mail a form of election, which form shall be subject
to the reasonable approval of PICM (the "Form of Election"), to the
record holders of PICM Common Stock as of the PICM Effective Time, which
Form of Election shall be used by each record holder of shares of PICM
Common Stock to make his or her Election(s) with respect to any or all
of the shares of PICM Common Stock held by such holder, subject to the
provisions of Section 3.9 hereof. Any such holder's Election shall have
been properly made only if the Exchange Agent shall have received a
properly completed and executed Form of Election at its designated
office, by 5:00 p.m. on a date specified in the Form of Election not
less than ten (10) days nor more than forty-five (45) days after the
PICM Effective Time (the "Election Date"). The Form of Election must be
accompanied by certificates for the shares of PICM Common Stock to which
such Form of Election relates, duly endorsed in blank or otherwise in
form acceptable for transfer on the books of PICM (or by an appropriate
guarantee of delivery of such certificates as set forth in such Form of
Election from a firm which is a member of a registered national
securities exchange or of the New York Stock Exchange or a commercial
bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United
States, provided such certificates are in fact delivered to the Exchange
Agent within five New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of
execution of such guarantee of delivery). Any Form of Election may be
revoked by the record holder submitting a new Form of Election to the
Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., Detroit, Michigan time, on the
Election Date.
(iii) The determination of the Exchange Agent shall be binding as
to whether or not Elections have been properly made or revoked pursuant
to this Section 4.3 with respect to shares of PICM Common Stock and as
to when elections and revocations were received by it. If the Exchange
Agent determines that any Election was not properly made with respect to
shares of PICM Common Stock, such shares shall be treated by the
Exchange Agent as if a Stock Election were made with respect to such
shares, and such shares shall be exchanged in the PICM Merger for stock
and cash pursuant to Section 3.8(a)(i). The Exchange Agent shall also
make all computations as to the allocation contemplated by Section 3.9,
and any such computation shall be conclusive and binding on the holders
of shares of PICM Common Stock. The Exchange Agent may, with the mutual
agreement of MAI and PICM, make such rules as are consistent with this
Section 4.3(a) for the implementation of the Elections provided for
herein as shall be necessary or desirable fully to effect such
Elections.
(b) To the extent required by Section 3.10 of this Agreement, each
holder of shares of PICM Common Stock issued and outstanding at the PICM
Effective Time also shall receive, upon surrender of the certificate or
certificates representing such shares, cash in lieu of any fractional share
of the Holding Company Common Stock to which such holder may be otherwise
entitled (without interest). Neither the Holding Company nor the surviving
corporation of the PICM Merger shall be obligated to deliver the PICM
Merger Consideration to which any former holder of PICM Common Stock is
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entitled as a result of the PICM Merger until such holder surrenders his
certificate or certificates representing the shares of PICM Common Stock
for exchange as provided in this Section 4.3. Any other provision of this
Agreement notwithstanding, neither the Holding Company, the surviving
corporation of the PICM Merger, nor the Exchange Agent shall be liable to a
holder of PICM Common Stock for any amounts paid or property delivered in
good faith to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned
property law.
(c) At the PICM Effective Time, the stock transfer books of PICM shall
be closed as to holders of PICM Common Stock immediately prior to the PICM
Effective Time, and no transfer of PICM Common Stock by any such holder
shall thereafter be made or recognized. Until surrendered for exchange in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.3, each certificate
theretofore representing shares of PICM Common Stock shall from and after
the PICM Effective Time represent for all purposes only the right to
receive the PICM Merger Consideration provided in this Agreement in
exchange therefor. To the extent permitted by law, former stockholders of
record of PICM Common Stock shall be entitled to vote after the PICM
Effective Time at any meeting of the Holding Company stockholders the
number of shares of the Holding Company Common Stock into which their
respective shares of PICM Common Stock are converted, regardless of whether
such holders have exchanged their certificates for PICM Common Stock for
certificates representing the Holding Company Common Stock.
4.4 Dividends and Other Distributions.
(a) Whenever a dividend or other distribution is declared on the
Holding Company Common Stock, the record date for which is at or after the
PICM Effective Time, the declaration shall include dividends or other
distributions on all shares of the Holding Company Common Stock issuable
pursuant to Stock Elections made by holders of PICM Common Stock under this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any person holding any
certificate for PICM Common Stock after the PICM Effective Time shall not
be entitled to receive any dividend or other distribution payable after the
PICM Effective Time to holders of the Holding Company Common Stock, which
dividend or other distribution is attributable to such person's PICM Common
Stock until such person surrenders said certificate for PICM Common Stock
for exchange as provided in Section 4.3 of this Agreement. However, upon
surrender of such certificate, both the Holding Company Common Stock
certificate (together with all such undelivered dividends or other
distributions, without interest) and the cash payments shall be delivered
and paid (without interest) with respect to each share represented by such
certificate for PICM Common Stock.
(b) Whenever a dividend or other distribution is declared on the
Holding Company Common Stock, the record date for which is at or after the
MAI Effective Time, the declaration shall include dividends or other
distributions on all shares of the Holding Company Common Stock issuable to
holders of MAI Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, any person holding any certificate for MAI Common Stock
at or after the MAI Effective Time shall not be entitled to receive any
dividend or other distribution payable after the MAI Effective Time to
holders of the Holding Company Common Stock, which dividend or other
distribution is attributable to such person's MAI Common Stock until such
person surrenders said certificate for MAI Common Stock for exchange as
provided in Section 4.2 of this Agreement. However, upon surrender of such
certificate, both the Holding Company Common Stock certificates (together
with all such undelivered dividends or other distributions, without
interest) and any undelivered cash payments to be paid for fractional share
interests (without interest) shall be delivered and paid with respect to
each share represented by such certificate for MAI Common Stock.
4.5 Lost or Stolen Certificates. If any holder of PICM Common Stock or MAI
Common Stock convertible into the right to receive shares of the Holding Company
Common Stock and/or cash is unable to deliver the certificate which represents
such shares, the Exchange Agent, in the absence of actual notice that any such
shares have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, shall deliver to such holder
the PICM Merger Consideration or MAI Merger Consideration, as applicable, to
which the holder is entitled for
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such shares upon presentation of the following: (a) evidence to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Holding Company that any such certificate has been lost,
wrongfully taken or destroyed; (b) such security or indemnity as may be
reasonably requested by the Holding Company to indemnify and hold the Holding
Company and the Exchange Agent harmless; and (c) evidence satisfactory to the
Holding Company that such person is the owner of the shares theretofore
represented by each certificate claimed by the holder to be lost, wrongfully
taken or destroyed and that the holder is the person who would be entitled to
present such certificate for exchange pursuant to this Agreement.
4.6 PICM Exchange Fund.
(a) Prior to the PICM Effective Time, MAI shall cause the Holding
Company to deposit with the Exchange Agent (or otherwise make available to
the reasonable satisfaction of PICM and the Exchange Agent), for the
benefit of the holders of shares of PICM Common Stock, for exchange through
the Exchange Agent, the cash and certificates representing shares of the
Holding Company Common Stock representing the PICM Merger Consideration
(such cash and shares of the Holding Company Common Stock together with any
dividends or distributions with respect to such shares with a record date
after the PICM Effective Time and any cash payable in lieu of any
fractional shares pursuant to this Agreement being hereinafter referred to
as the "PICM Exchange Fund") payable and issuable pursuant to this
Agreement in exchange for outstanding shares of PICM Common Stock. No
interest will be paid or will accrue on any cash payable to holders of PICM
Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
(b) Any portion of the PICM Exchange Fund that remains undistributed
to the holders of PICM Common Stock for six months after the PICM Effective
Time shall be delivered to the Holding Company, upon demand, and any
holders of PICM Common Stock who have not theretofore complied with this
Agreement shall thereafter look only to the Holding Company for payment of
their claim for any cash, any shares of the Holding Company Common Stock,
any cash in lieu of fractional shares and any dividends or distributions
with respect to the Holding Company Common Stock.
(c) The Exchange Agent shall invest any cash included in the Exchange
Fund, as directed by the Holding Company, on a daily basis. Any interest
and other income resulting from such investments shall be paid to the
Holding Company.
(d) The Holding Company or the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to
deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to
this Agreement to any holder of shares of PICM Common Stock such amounts as
the Holding Company or the Exchange Agent is required to deduct and
withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or any provision of state,
local or foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and
paid over to the appropriate taxing authority by the Holding Company or the
Exchange Agent, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of
this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the shares of PICM
Common Stock in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by
the Holding Company or the Exchange Agent.
4.7 MAI Exchange Fund.
(a) Prior to the MAI Effective Time, MAI shall cause the Holding
Company to deposit with the Exchange Agent (or otherwise make available to
the reasonable satisfaction of MAI and the Exchange Agent), for the benefit
of the holders of shares of MAI Common Stock, for exchange through the
Exchange Agent, the certificates representing shares of the Holding Company
Common Stock representing the MAI Merger Consideration (such shares of the
Holding Company Common Stock together with any dividends or distributions
with respect to such shares with a record date after the MAI Effective Time
and any cash payable in lieu of any fractional shares pursuant to this
Agreement being hereinafter referred to as the "MAI Exchange Fund") payable
and issuable pursuant to this Agreement in exchange for outstanding shares
of MAI Common Stock. No interest will be paid or will accrue on any cash
payable to holders of MAI Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement.
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(b) Any portion of the MAI Exchange Fund that remains undistributed to
the holders of MAI Common Stock for six months after the MAI Effective Time
shall be delivered to the Holding Company, upon demand, and any holders of
MAI Common Stock who have not theretofore complied with this Agreement
shall thereafter look only to the Holding Company for payment of their
claim for any shares of the Holding Company Common Stock, any cash in lieu
of fractional shares and any dividends or distributions with respect to the
Holding Company Common Stock.
(c) The Exchange Agent shall invest any cash included in the MAI
Exchange Fund, as directed by the Holding Company, on a daily basis. Any
interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be paid to
the Holding Company.
(d) The Holding Company or the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to
deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to
this Agreement to any holder of shares of MAI Common Stock such amounts as
the Holding Company or the Exchange Agent is required to deduct and
withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or any
provision of state, local or foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts
are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate taxing authority by the
Holding Company or the Exchange Agent, such withheld amounts shall be
treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the
holder of the shares of MAI Common Stock in respect of which such deduction
and withholding was made by the Holding Company or the Exchange Agent.
5. Representations and Warranties of PICM. PICM represents and warrants to
MAI that the statements contained in this Section 5 are correct and complete as
of the date of this Agreement and will be correct and complete as of the Closing
Date (as though made then and as though the Closing Date was substituted for the
date of this Agreement throughout this Section 5), except (i) as set forth in
the disclosure schedule delivered by PICM to MAI on the date hereof and
initialed by the parties (the "PICM Disclosure Schedule"), or (ii) for any
changes to the PICM Disclosure Schedule that are disclosed by PICM to MAI in
accordance with Section 8.6(a), or (iii) to the extent such representations and
warranties speak as of an earlier date. MAI understands that any representation
and warranty of PICM in this Section 5 that relates to either (x) Physicians
Protective Trust Fund with respect to periods ending, and/or events, matters or
things occurring, prior to July 1, 1998, or (y) MEEMIC Holdings, Inc. ("MEEMIC")
and its consolidated subsidiaries or Michigan Educational Employees Mutual
Insurance Company and its consolidated subsidiary with respect to periods
ending, and/or events, matters or things occurring, prior to July 1, 1999, shall
be deemed to be only to the knowledge of PICM, provided that PICM shall be
responsible for the truth and accuracy of all representations and warranties in
accordance with the respective terms for all purposes of this Agreement,
including without limitation, Section 8.6 and Section 9.3(a) hereof. Nothing in
the PICM Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed adequate to disclose an exception
to a representation or warranty made herein unless the PICM Disclosure Schedule
identifies the exception with reasonable particularity and describes the
relevant facts in reasonable detail. The PICM Disclosure Schedule will be
arranged in paragraphs corresponding to the lettered and numbered paragraphs
contained in this Section 5 provided (i) that each exception set forth in the
PICM Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed disclosed for purposes of all
representations and warranties if such exception is contained in a section of
the PICM Disclosure Schedule corresponding to a Section in this Section 5, (ii)
that no such exception is required to be set forth in the PICM Disclosure
Schedule if its absence would not result in the related representation or
warranty being deemed untrue, incorrect or incomplete under the standard
established by Section 8.10(c), and (iii) the mere inclusion of an exception in
the PICM Disclosure Schedule shall not be deemed an admission by PICM that such
exception represents a material fact, event or circumstance or would result in a
material adverse effect or material adverse change.
5.1 Organization, Qualification and Corporate Power. PICM is a Michigan
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the state of Michigan. PICM has the corporate power to own its property and
to carry on its business as presently conducted.
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5.2 Subsidiaries.
(a) Section 5.2(a) of the PICM Disclosure Schedule sets forth the name
and state of incorporation or organization of each subsidiary of PICM (the
"PICM Subsidiaries"). Each of the PICM Subsidiaries is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation and has the corporate power to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted. For purposes of this Agreement, the
term "Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries" shall mean any and all corporations or
other entities in which a party has direct or indirect beneficial ownership
(as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC")) of a majority of the voting stock or other equity interest of such
entity.
(b) Section 5.2(b) of the PICM Disclosure Schedule identifies the PICM
Subsidiaries that offer insurance and the states in which they are
authorized to conduct business, and the type of insurance products that
they are authorized to offer in each such state (the "PICM Insurance
Subsidiaries").
(c) Except as set forth in Section 5.2(c) of the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, (i) PICM is, directly or indirectly, the record and beneficial
owner of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the PICM
Subsidiaries, (ii) there are no irrevocable proxies granted by PICM or any
PICM Subsidiary with respect to such shares, (iii) there are no equity
securities of any of the PICM Subsidiaries that are or may become required
to be issued by reason of any option, warrants, scrip, rights, to subscribe
to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or
securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of any
capital stock of any of the PICM Subsidiaries except shares of the PICM
Subsidiaries issued to other wholly owned PICM Subsidiaries, and (iv) there
are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which any
of the PICM Subsidiaries is bound to issue additional shares of its capital
stock or options, warrants or rights to purchase or acquire any additional
shares of its capital stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable
for such shares. All of the shares of the PICM Subsidiaries described in
clause (i) above are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are
owned by PICM or a PICM Subsidiary free and clear of any mortgage, pledge,
security interest, claim, lien, encumbrance or charge and free and clear of
any claim, right or option to acquire any such shares. PICM does not
directly or indirectly own any interest in any other corporation,
partnership, joint venture or other business association or entity which is
material to PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(d) Except as set forth in Schedule 5.2(d) of the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, none of the PICM Subsidiaries is the record or beneficial owner
of any shares of PICM Common Stock.
5.3 Corporate Affairs.
(a) PICM has made available to MAI correct and complete copies of the
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of PICM and each of the PICM
Subsidiaries (as amended to date). PICM has made available all of the
minute books containing the records of the meetings of the stockholders,
the board of directors and any committee of the board of directors of PICM
and each of the PICM Subsidiaries. The minute books of PICM and the PICM
Subsidiaries reflect all of the material actions taken by each of their
respective Boards of Directors and shareholders. All material actions taken
by the committees of the Board of Directors of PICM and any of the PICM
Subsidiaries are reflected in the minutes of the Board of Directors and
such committees or in written statements of actions taken by the Board of
Directors or such committees without a meeting.
(b) PICM's and each of the PICM Subsidiaries' books and records are
and have been properly prepared and maintained in form and substance
adequate for preparing audited consolidated financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and fairly and
accurately reflect all of PICM's and each of the PICM Subsidiaries' assets
and liabilities and all contracts and other transactions to which PICM or
any of the PICM Subsidiaries is or was a party or by which PICM or any of
the PICM Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses or assets is or
was affected.
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5.4 Capitalization.
(a) The entire authorized capital stock of PICM consists of 5,000,000
shares of preferred stock, no par value, of which no shares are issued and
outstanding; 25,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value, of which
8,924,909 shares are issued and outstanding and no shares are held in
treasury. PICM has no additional authorized or issued classes of stock. All
of the issued and outstanding shares of PICM Common Stock have been duly
authorized, validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable. Except as
set forth in Section 5.4 of the PICM Disclosure Schedule, (i) there are no
outstanding or authorized options, warrants, rights, contracts, calls,
puts, rights to subscribe, conversion rights, or other agreements or
commitments to which PICM is a party or which are binding upon PICM
providing for the issuance, disposition or acquisition of any of its
capital stock, (ii) there are no outstanding or authorized stock,
appreciation, phantom stock, or similar rights with respect to PICM, and
(iii) to the knowledge of PICM, there are no voting trusts, proxies or any
other agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of the
capital stock of PICM.
(b) The entire authorized capital stock of MEEMIC consists of
10,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value, ("MEEMIC Common Stock"),
of which 6,599,500 shares are issued and outstanding and no shares are held
in treasury. To the knowledge of PICM, all of the issued and outstanding
shares of MEEMIC Common Stock have been duly authorized, validly issued,
are fully paid and non-assessable.
5.5 Authority Relative to Agreements.
(a) PICM has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into
this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by PICM and the consummation by PICM of the PICM
Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized
by the Board of Directors of PICM and, except for the approval of its
stockholders as set forth in Section 7.6(a) hereof, no other corporate
proceedings on the part of PICM are necessary to authorize this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by PICM and (assuming due authorization, execution
and delivery by MAI and the receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals)
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of PICM, enforceable against
PICM in accordance with its terms except to the extent that its
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights
generally or by general equitable principles.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 5.5 of the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by PICM nor
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby nor compliance by
PICM with any of the provisions hereof will (i) violate, conflict with, or
result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default under, or
result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or
result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or
encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of PICM or any of the PICM
Subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (x) their
respective charters or bylaws or (y) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation
to which PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries is a party or to which they
or any of their respective properties or assets may be subject, or (ii)
subject to compliance with the statutes and regulations referred to in the
next paragraph, violate any judgment, ruling, order, writ, injunction,
decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to PICM and the PICM
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, except, in
the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, for such violations,
conflicts, breaches, defaults, terminations, accelerations or creations of
liens, security interests, charges or encumbrances, which, in the
aggregate, would not have any material adverse effect on the business,
results of operations, or financial condition of PICM and the PICM
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(c) Other than in connection with or in compliance with the provisions
of the Michigan, Illinois and Indiana Insurance Codes and the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, and the federal and applicable state securities laws
(including those described in Section 7 of this Agreement), no notice to,
filing with, or
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authorization, consent or approval of, any domestic public body or
government authority is necessary for the consummation by PICM of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except where failure to give
such notices, make such filings, or obtain authorizations, consents or
approvals would, in the aggregate, not have a material adverse effect on
the business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects of
PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
5.6 Financial Statements and Other Reports.
(a) PICM has made available to MAI the Annual Statements of each of
the PICM Insurance Subsidiaries, as filed with the Department of Insurance
of its state of domicile, for each of the years ended December 31, 1995,
1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999, together with reports thereon by its independent
auditor and its independent actuary (collectively referred to as the "PICM
Insurance Subsidiaries Statutory Financial Statements"). The PICM Insurance
Subsidiaries Statutory Financial Statements of each PICM Insurance
Subsidiary were prepared in accordance with the regulatory accounting
methods required by the state of domicile of such PICM Insurance Subsidiary
on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby. All such PICM
Insurance Subsidiaries Statutory Financial Statements fairly reflect the
financial condition and the results of operations of the PICM Insurance
Subsidiaries for the dates and periods indicated, and are consistent with
the books and records of the PICM Insurance Subsidiaries (which books and
records are correct and complete in all material respects).
(b) PICM has made available to MAI:
(i) (A) The audited consolidated financial statements of PICM and
the PICM Subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996, 1997,
1998 and 1999 together with the report(s) of PICM's independent
auditors, which consolidated financial statements include consolidated
balance sheets, consolidated statements of income, changes in
shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended and notes
thereto prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and (B) the unaudited consolidated financial statements of
PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries for the three month period ended March
31, 2000, which unaudited financial statements include a condensed
consolidated balance sheet of said date and condensed consolidated
statements of income, and cash flows for the period then ended
(collectively referred to as the "PICM Consolidated Financial
Statements"). The PICM Consolidated Financial Statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on
a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby. All such PICM
Consolidated Financial Statements fairly reflect the consolidated
financial condition and results of operation of PICM and its
consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods indicated
(except for normal recurring year-end adjustments in the case of the
unaudited financial statements). The PICM Consolidated Financial
Statements are consistent with the books and records of PICM and its
consolidated subsidiaries (which books and records are correct and
complete in all material respects).
(ii) The audited consolidated financial statements of Michigan
Educational Employees Mutual Insurance Company and its consolidated
subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998,
together with the certified reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
Michigan Educational Employees Mutual Insurance Company's independent
auditors, which consolidated financial statements include consolidated
balance sheets, consolidated statements of income, changes in
shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended and notes
thereto prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and the audited consolidated financial statements of MEEMIC
and the consolidated subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 1999,
together with the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, MEEMIC's
independent auditors, which consolidated financial statements include a
consolidated balance sheet, consolidated statements of income, changes
in shareholders' equity and cash flow for the year then-ended and notes
thereto prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles (all of the financial statements described in this sentence
are the
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"MEEMIC Consolidated Financial Statements"). The MEEMIC Consolidated
Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles on a consistent basis throughout the
periods covered thereby. All MEEMIC Consolidated Financial Statements
fairly reflect the financial condition and results of operations of
Michigan Educational Employees Mutual Insurance Company and its
consolidated subsidiaries or MEEMIC and its consolidated subsidiaries,
as applicable, as of the dates and for the periods included. MEEMIC and
its subsidiaries (including Michigan Educational Employees Mutual
Insurance Company) have been included as consolidated subsidiaries in
the PICM Consolidated Financial Statements for all fiscal periods ending
after June 30, 1999 (including, without limitation, the year ended
December 31, 1999). The MEEMIC Consolidated Financial Statements are
consistent with the books and records of MEEMIC and its consolidated
subsidiaries (which books and records are complete in all material
respects).
(c) Section 5.6(c) of the PICM Disclosure Schedule lists all financial
examinations that any state Department of Insurance has conducted with
respect to PICM or any of the PICM Insurance Subsidiaries since December
31, 1996. PICM has made available to MAI correct and complete reports
issued by the applicable Department of Insurance with respect to the
examinations listed on the PICM Disclosure Schedule. Except with respect to
the transactions contemplated hereby, or as otherwise disclosed on Section
5.6(c) of the PICM Disclosure Schedule, there are no regulatory
examinations of PICM or any of the PICM Insurance Subsidiaries currently in
process.
(d) Section 5.6(d) to the PICM Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list
of each registration statement, report, proxy statement or other filing
filed by PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries with the Michigan, Indiana or
Illinois Departments of Insurance or the SEC for periods ending and events
occurring, after December 31, 1999 and prior to the date of this Agreement.
PICM has filed and the applicable PICM Subsidiaries have filed all
registration statements, proxy statements, reports and other filings and
all amendments thereto which they were required to file with the Michigan,
Indiana and Illinois Departments of Insurance and/or the SEC since December
31, 1996. As of its date, each of such filings contained all information
required by the Michigan, Indiana and Illinois Insurance Codes or the SEC
and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made
therein in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, except to the extent any such statement or omission has been
modified or superseded in a document subsequently filed with the
appropriate authority. PICM has made available to MAI accurate and complete
copies of all such filings.
(e) Except as disclosed in (i) Section 5.6(e) of the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, or (ii) the proxy statements and reports, and the registration
statements on Form B, described in Section 5.6(d) hereof, there are no
contracts, real estate leases, loans, guarantees or other arrangements or
transactions of any nature between PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries and
any of their respective officers, directors, or affiliates (as such term is
defined in Rule 405 of the SEC) (excluding employment matters).
(f) Neither PICM nor, to the knowledge of PICM, MEEMIC has received
from any person any Notice on Form A or such other form as may be
prescribed under the Michigan, Indiana or Illinois Insurance Holding
Company Systems Acts indicating that such person intends to make or has
made a tender offer for or a request or invitation for tenders of, or
intends to or has entered into any agreement to exchange securities for, or
intends to acquire or has acquired in the open market or otherwise, any
voting security of PICM or MEEMIC, if after the consummation thereof such
person would directly or indirectly be in control of PICM or MEEMIC, as the
case may be.
5.7 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Neither PICM nor any of the PICM
Subsidiaries has any material liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether
accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise (including, without limitation, tax
liabilities of a permanent nature due or to become due, and whether incurred in
respect of or measured by income of PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries for any
period prior to the close of business on March 31, 2000, or arising out of any
transactions entered into or any set of facts
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existing prior thereto), except for (i) liabilities reflected or reserved
against in the PICM Consolidated Financial Statements (including notes thereto)
or reflected or disclosed in the PICM Disclosure Schedule, and (ii) liabilities
which have arisen after March 31, 2000, in the ordinary course of business (none
of which relates to any breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort,
infringement or violation of law, or arose out of any charge, complaint, action,
suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, claim, or demand).
5.8 Absence of Certain Changes. Since March 31, 2000, except as set forth
in Section 5.8 of the PICM Disclosure Schedule, there has not been with respect
to either PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries or MEEMIC and its subsidiaries, in each
case taken as a whole:
(a) any change in the financial condition, assets, liabilities or
business which change individually or in the aggregate has been materially
adverse;
(b) any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by
insurance, materially and adversely affecting their properties or business;
(c) any payment of dividends or any distribution of any assets of any
kind whatsoever to any of the shareholders in redemption of or as the
purchase price of any of its capital stock, or any discharge or
cancellation, whether in part or in whole, of any indebtedness owing to any
such shareholders, except reimbursement to employees of ordinary business
expenses or other debts arising in the ordinary course of business and
except for any stock repurchase by PICM or a PICM Subsidiary as permitted
by Section 8.1(b) and Section 8.12 hereof;
(d) any mortgage, pledge, or subjection to lien, charge or encumbrance
of any material kind of any assets, tangible or intangible;
(e) any sale or transfer of any of their assets or any cancellation of
any debts or claims by any of them, except in the ordinary course of
business;
(f) any sale, assignment or transfer of any trademarks, trade names,
or other intangible assets;
(g) any material amendment to or termination of any material contract,
agreement, instrument or license to which any of them is a party; or
(h) any other event or condition of any character materially and
adversely affecting the business or properties of PICM and the PICM
Subsidiaries.
5.9 Tax Matters.
(a) As used in this agreement, "Taxes" means all federal, state, local
or foreign income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise,
stamp, occupation, premium, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding,
social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property,
personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added,
alternative or add on minimum, estimated, or other tax of any kind
whatsoever, including any interest, penalty or addition thereto. PICM and
each PICM Subsidiary has duly paid or made provisions for the payment of
all Taxes which have been incurred or are due or claimed to be due from it
by federal, state, county, foreign or local taxing authorities on or prior
to the date of this Agreement other than (i) Taxes or other charges which
are not yet delinquent or are being contested in good faith and have not
been finally determined for which adequate reserves have been made on the
financial statements described in Section 5.6(b)(i) of this Agreement, or
(ii) Taxes the failure to pay or make provision for, either individually or
in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on PICM and the
PICM Subsidiaries. PICM and each of the PICM Subsidiaries have timely and
properly filed all of the following that it was required to file: any
return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or
statement (including, without limitation, Form 1099 and Form W-2 and W-3)
relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and
including any amendment thereof ("Tax Returns"). All such Tax Returns were
correct and complete in all material respects. Except as disclosed on
Section 5.9(a) of the PICM Disclosure Schedule and except for extensions
that are automatically granted by the taxing authorities upon filing an
application therefor, neither PICM nor any of the PICM Subsidiaries is the
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beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return.
Except as set forth in Section 5.9(a) of the PICM Disclosure Schedule, no
claim has ever been made by an authority in a jurisdiction where PICM or
any of the PICM Subsidiaries does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be
subject to taxation by that jurisdiction. There are no security interests
on any of the assets of PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries that arose in
connection with the failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Taxes.
(b) Each of PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries has withheld and paid all
Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts
paid or owing to any employee, creditor, independent contractor or other
third party.
(c) To the knowledge of PICM, there is no dispute or claim concerning
any tax liability of PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries except as
disclosed in Section 5.9(c) of the PICM Disclosure Schedule. Section 5.9(c)
of the PICM Disclosure Schedule identifies the last Tax Returns that have
been audited by the taxing authority with whom they were filed, and
indicates those Tax Returns that currently are the subject of an audit
procedure or that PICM has received notice will be subject to an audit
procedure. PICM has made available to MAI correct and complete copies of
all federal income tax returns (including amendments thereto), examination
reports, and statements of deficiencies assessed against or agreed to by
PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries since December 31, 1996.
(d) Except as disclosed on Section 5.9(d) of the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, neither PICM nor any of the PICM Subsidiaries has waived any
statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of
time with respect to a Tax Return or tax assessment or deficiency other
than extensions that are automatically granted by the taxing authorities
upon filing on application therefor.
(e) The unpaid Taxes of PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries do not exceed
the reserve for tax liability set forth on the consolidated balance sheet
at December 31, 1999 (rather than any notes thereto) as adjusted for the
passage of time through the Closing Date in accordance with past custom and
practice of PICM in filing its returns.
(f) Except as disclosed on Section 5.9(f) of the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, any amount that is reasonably likely to be received (whether in
cash or property or the vesting of property) as a result of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement by any employee, officer or
director of PICM or any of its affiliates who is a "Disqualified
Individual" (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section
1.280G-1) under any employment, severance or termination agreement, other
compensation arrangement or PICM Employee Benefit Plan (as defined in
Section 5.17 below) currently in effect will not be characterized as an
"excess parachute payment" (as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(1)
of the Code.
5.10 PICM Loss Reserves and Premium Rates for Professional Liability
Insurance.
(a) The reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses reflected on
the consolidated balance sheet of PICM at December 31, 1999, included in
the PICM Consolidated Financial Statements, are adequate to provide for the
estimated ultimate net costs of all reported and unreported losses incurred
through the date of said balance sheet, and no director or officer of PICM
or any PICM Insurance Subsidiary (or any employee responsible for the
administration of claims) has any knowledge of any facts that would cause
any of them to believe that the reserves for losses and loss adjustment
expenses reflected on such balance sheet, will not represent the estimated
ultimate net costs of all reported and unreported losses incurred through
December 31, 1999.
(b) Section 5.10(b) of the PICM Disclosure Schedule lists each
independent consulting actuary that has been engaged by PICM or a PICM
Subsidiary to review the reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses
of the PICM Insurance Subsidiaries and premium rates for liability
insurance in each of the years commencing after December 31, 1996
(collectively the "PICM Actuaries" and separately a "PICM Actuary"). The
PICM Actuaries have made written recommendations as to the amount that the
PICM Insurance Subsidiaries should maintain in such reserves in each of
said years.
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Section 5.10(b) of the PICM Disclosure Schedule lists each and every item
of correspondence delivered by the PICM Actuaries to PICM or a PICM
Insurance Subsidiary (i) since December 31, 1998, in which the PICM Actuary
has expressed an opinion as to the adequacy of loss reserves or made
recommendations as to the amount of the reserve for losses and loss
adjustment expenses that should be maintained by PICM for the PICM
Insurance Subsidiaries, and (ii) since December 31, 1996, in which the PICM
Actuary has expressed an opinion as to the adequacy of premiums or made a
recommendation as to the premiums that should be charged by the PICM
Insurance Subsidiaries for liability insurance. PICM has made available to
MAI a true and correct copy of each item of correspondence from the PICM
Actuaries listed on the PICM Disclosure Schedule.
(c) Each of the PICM Insurance Subsidiaries is required to submit for
approval by the Department of Insurance in each state in which it is
authorized as an insurer, policies, endorsements, underwriting manuals, and
premium rates for the professional liability insurance offered in such
state unless otherwise disclosed in Section 5.10(c) of the PICM Disclosure
Schedule. Section 5.10(c) of the PICM Disclosure Schedule sets forth all
increases in premium rates for medical professional liability insurance
submitted by the PICM Insurance Subsidiaries which have been disapproved by
any Department of Insurance since December 31, 1996. Section 5.10(c) of the
PICM Disclosure Schedule lists all correspondence or communications from a
Department of Insurance received by any of the PICM Insurance Subsidiaries
after December 31, 1996, that requests or suggests that its premium rates,
if applicable, for professional liability insurance should be reduced below
the current approved premium levels.
5.11 Reinsurance. PICM has made available to MAI accurate and complete
copies of all reinsurance agreements or treaties that are currently in effect
with respect to claims incurred under liability insurance policies of any of the
PICM Insurance Subsidiaries prior to December 31, 1999. Except as set forth on
Schedule 5.11 of the PICM Disclosure Schedule, there has been no change or
addition to the reinsurance agreements or treaties of any of the PICM Insurance
Subsidiaries since December 31, 1999. The consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein will not result in the termination of any such reinsurance
agreements or treaties. The reserve for unpaid losses, loss adjustment expenses
and unearned premiums at December 31, 1999, and March 31, 2000, as reflected in
the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 1999, and March 31, 2000,
respectively, included in the PICM Consolidated Financial Statements are stated
gross of reinsurance ceded amounts. All reinsurance recoverable amounts
reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the PICM Consolidated Financial
Statements are collectible.
5.12 Investments. Except as disclosed in Section 5.12 of the PICM
Disclosure Schedule, there has been no material change in investment policy of
PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries or in the composition of the investments of PICM
and the PICM Subsidiaries since March 31, 2000.
5.13 Real Property.
(a) PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries own or lease all of the real
property necessary or incidental to the conduct of their respective
businesses. Except as set forth in Section 5.13(a) of the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to
all real property owned by them free and clear of any liens, claims and
encumbrances, except taxes not yet due and payable and easements,
restrictions and encumbrances that do not interfere with current use of
such real property by PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries. PICM's and each of
the PICM Subsidiaries' ownership, or possession, operation and use of all
real property owned by PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries comply with all
applicable laws, except where the failure to do so would not have any
material adverse effect on PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries and would not
subject PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries to any material penalty. With
respect to each lease agreement for real property to which PICM or any of
the PICM Subsidiaries is a party:
(i) PICM has made available to MAI complete and correct copies of
the lease agreements, together with all supplements and amendments
thereto;
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(ii) Each of the lease agreements, as so modified, amended and
supplemented, is in full force and effect and is legally valid, binding
and enforceable in accordance with its respective terms except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy laws and creditors' rights
generally;
(iii) There are no monetary defaults and no material nonmonetary
defaults by PICM or a PICM Subsidiary under any of the lease agreements;
(iv) Neither PICM nor any of the PICM Subsidiaries has received
notice of any default, offset, counterclaim or defense under the lease
agreements;
(v) Except as disclosed in Section 5.13(a) in the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, no condition or event has occurred which with the passage of
time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default or
breach by PICM or the PICM Subsidiaries of the terms of the lease
agreements, and all of the rent, security deposits, reserve funds, and
other sums and charges due and payable under the lease agreements have
been paid in full through the date hereof; and
(vi) To the knowledge of PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries there are
no purchase contracts, options or other agreements of any kind whereby
any person or entity as of the date hereof, has acquired or will have
any basis to assert any right, title or interest in, or right to the
possession, use, enjoyment or proceeds of, any part or all of the
interests in the real property subject to the lease agreements.
(b) Except as set forth on Section 5.13(b) of the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, neither PICM nor any of the PICM Subsidiaries has generated,
operated, processed, distributed, transported, used, treated, stored,
handled, emitted, discharged, released or disposed of (or caused any person
or entity to do any of the foregoing or assisted any person or entity in
doing any of the foregoing) any oil, gasoline, petroleum-related products,
hazardous substances, hazardous waste, or pollutants or contaminants (as
defined by CERCLA), including, without limitation, asbestos or asbestos
containing materials, PCB's or urea formaldehyde, except in accordance with
applicable laws or any product which may give rise to Hazardous Materials
Liabilities. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
(i) The term "Hazardous Materials" shall mean (a) hazardous
materials, contaminants, constituents, medical wastes, hazardous or
infectious wastes and hazardous substances as those terms are defined in
any Environmental Laws, including without limitation the following
statutes and their implementing regulations: the Hazardous Materials
Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. sec. 1801 et seq. (the "HMTA"), the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as
amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, 42 U.S.C.
sec. 9601 et seq. (as so amended, "CERCLA"), the Clean Water Act, 33
U.S.C. sec. 1251 et seq. (the "CWA"), and the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.A
sec. 7401 et seq. (the "CAA"); (b) petroleum, including crude oil and
any fractions thereof; (c) natural gas, synthetic gas and any mixtures
thereof; (d) asbestos and/or asbestos-containing materials; and (e)
polychlorinated biphenyl ("PCBs") or materials or fluids containing PCBs
in excess of 50 parts per million (ppm);
(ii) The term "Hazardous Materials Liabilities" shall mean any and
all damages, losses, liabilities, disabilities, fines, penalties, costs
or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred or to be
incurred, whether absolute, fixed or contingent, civil or criminal, and
whether arising under federal law or state law, incurred or to be
incurred in connection with the handling, storage, transportation, or
disposal of any Hazardous Materials; and
(iii) The term "Environmental Laws" shall mean any statute, law,
ordinance, code, rule, regulation, policy, guideline, permit, consent,
approval, license, judgment, order, writ, decree or authorization,
including the requirement to register storage tanks, established or
enacted for, or relating to, the protection of the environment or the
health and safety of any Person (including, without limitation, those
relating to (a) the HMTA, CERCLA, the CWA, the CAA or the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. sec. 6903 et seq.; (b)
emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of Hazardous
Materials into the environment, including, without
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limitation, into ambient air, soil, sediments, land surface or
subsurface, buildings or facilities, surface water, groundwater,
publicly-owned treatment works, septic systems or land; or (c) the
generation, treatment, storage, disposal, use, handling, manufacturing,
transportation or shipment of Hazardous Materials.
5.14 Personal Property.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 5.14(a) of the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, none of the personal property owned by PICM and the PICM
Subsidiaries is subject to, or will be subject to as of the Closing Date,
any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, right of first refusal,
option, restriction, liability, restrictive covenant, charge or encumbrance
of any kind or character whatsoever.
(b) Section 5.14(b) to the PICM Disclosure Schedule sets forth an
accurate and complete list of all personal property leases which are not
cancelable upon ninety (90) days notice without penalty and that have
monthly rent that exceeds $10,000 and a term that will not expire prior to
June 30, 2001. PICM has made available to MAI complete and correct copies
of all such personal property leases. Except as set forth in Section
5.14(b) to the PICM Disclosure Schedule:
(i) The personal property leases listed therein have not been
modified, amended or assigned, are legally valid, binding and
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms and are in full
force and effect, except to the extent enforceability is limited by
equitable remedies or laws affecting creditors' rights generally;
(ii) There are no monetary defaults and no material nonmonetary
defaults by PICM or any PICM Subsidiary, or, to the actual knowledge of
PICM, any other party to the personal property leases listed therein;
(iii) Neither PICM nor any PICM Subsidiary has received notice of
any default, offset, counterclaim or defense under any personal property
lease listed therein; and
(iv) PICM has no actual knowledge that any condition or event has
occurred which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both
would constitute a default or breach by PICM or any PICM Subsidiary of
the terms of any personal property leases listed therein.
5.15 Intellectual Property.
(a) PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries own or have the right to use,
pursuant to license, sublicense, agreement or permission, all Intellectual
Property whose use alone or in conjunction with other items of Intellectual
Property is material to the conduct of the business of PICM and the PICM
Subsidiaries taken as a whole. The term "Intellectual Property" means all
trademarks, service marks, logos, trade names and corporate names and
registrations and applications for registration thereof, copyrights and
registrations and applications for registration thereof, computer software,
data and documentation, trade secrets and confidential business information
(including financial, marketing and business data, pricing and cost
information, business and marketing plans, and customer and supplier lists
and information), other proprietary rights, and copies and tangible
embodiments thereof (in whatever form or medium).
(b) Neither PICM nor any of the PICM Subsidiaries has interfered with,
infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise come into conflict with any
Intellectual Property rights of third parties and neither PICM nor any of
the PICM Subsidiaries has received any charge, complaint, claim or notice
alleging any such interference, infringement, misappropriation or
violation. To the knowledge of PICM, no third party has interfered with,
infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise come into conflict with any
Intellectual Property rights of PICM or the PICM Subsidiaries.
(c) PICM has made available to MAI correct and complete copies of all
licenses, sublicenses, agreements and permissions (as amended to date) for
the use of Intellectual Property by PICM or the PICM Subsidiaries. With
respect to such Intellectual Property: (i) the license, sublicense,
agreement or permission covering the item is legal, valid, binding,
enforceable and in full force and
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effect; (ii) except as provided in Schedule 5.15(c) of the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, the license, sublicense, agreement or permission will continue to
be legal, valid, binding and enforceable and in full force and effect on
identical terms following the Closing Date; (iii) no party to the license,
sublicense, agreement or permission is in breach or default, and no event
of default has occurred which with notice or lapse of time would constitute
a breach or default or permit termination, modification or acceleration
thereunder; (iv) no party to the license, sublicense, agreement or
permission has repudiated any provision thereof; (v) with respect to each
sublicense, the representations and warranties set forth in (i) through
(iv) above are true and correct with respect to the underlying license; and
(vi) neither PICM nor any of the PICM Subsidiaries has granted any
sublicense or similar right with respect to the license, sublicense,
agreement or permission except as provided in Schedule 5.15(c) of the PICM
Disclosure Schedule.
5.16 Contracts and Commitments.
(a) PICM has made available to MAI correct and complete copies
(including all amendments) of all written (unless otherwise specified)
contracts, agreements, or arrangements to which PICM or any of the PICM
Subsidiaries is a party that have been filed as exhibits (including
documents incorporated by reference) to any of the following: (i) PICM's
Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 1999; (ii)
MEEMIC's Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 1999;
and (iii) any Registration Statement on Form B filed by PICM or any of the
PICM Subsidiaries with any of the States of Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana
for the year ended December 31, 1999.
(b) PICM has made available to MAI correct and complete copies of all
material written arrangements (or group of related written arrangements)
from or to third parties, for the furnishing of services to, or receipt of
services by, PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries, including without
limitation, agency agreements, managing general agent agreements,
reinsurance intermediary agreements and other distribution agreements;
(c) Section 5.16(c) of the PICM Disclosure Schedule lists the
following contracts, agreements, commitments or arrangements to which PICM
or any of the PICM Subsidiaries is a party that are not included in the
contracts, agreements, commitments and arrangements described in Section
5.16(a) and 5.16(b) herein:
(i) Any written arrangement concerning a partnership or joint
venture;
(ii) Any written arrangement in which PICM or any of the PICM
Subsidiaries has agreed not to compete with respect to any product or
territory;
(iii) Any written arrangement with any of the officers, directors,
and employees of PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries in the nature of a
collective bargaining agreement, employment agreement, consulting
agreement or severance agreement that is not cancelable by PICM or any
of the PICM Subsidiaries without penalty or compensation on thirty (30)
days notice or less;
(iv) Any written commitment or arrangement to pay employees of PICM
and the PICM Subsidiaries incentive or bonus compensation based on their
respective productivity or performance, the performance of PICM and the
PICM Subsidiaries or otherwise;
(v) Any written or oral agreement or understanding with any state
insurance department relating to restrictions on distributions or other
payments to the shareholders of PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries,
the continued operation of PICM or any PICM Subsidiary, or any other
matter relating to PICM or a PICM Subsidiary and its affairs; and
(vi) Any written or oral agreement or understanding with respect to
the retention of any law firms or other persons relating to the defense
of claims made against insureds of any of the PICM Subsidiaries.
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(d) With respect to each written arrangement described in Sections
5.16(a), 5.16(b) and 5.16(c) hereof: (i) the written arrangement is legal,
valid, binding, enforceable, and in full force and effect; (ii) the written
arrangement will continue to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in
full force and effect on identical terms following the Closing Date; (iii)
neither PICM, nor to the knowledge of PICM, any other party thereto is in
breach or default, and no event has occurred with respect to PICM or a PICM
Subsidiary, which with notice or lapse of time would constitute a breach or
default or permit termination, modification, or acceleration, under the
written arrangement; and (iv) no party has repudiated any provision of the
written arrangement. Neither PICM nor any of the PICM Subsidiaries is a
party to any verbal contract, agreement or other arrangement which if
reduced to written form would be required to be listed in Section 5.16(c)
of the PICM Disclosure Schedule under the terms of Section 5.16(c) hereof.
PICM has made available to MAI correct and complete copies of all of the
contracts, agreements, commitments and arrangements listed on Section
5.16(c) to the PICM Disclosure Schedule.
5.17 Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) Except with respect to the PICM Employee Benefit Plans (herein
defined) listed on Section 5.17 in the PICM Disclosure Schedule, neither
PICM nor any of the PICM Subsidiaries sponsors, maintains or contributes
to, or has any ongoing obligation or liability whatsoever with respect to:
(i) Any employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),
or
(ii) Any other program, plan, trust agreement or arrangement for
any bonus, severance, hospitalization, vacation, sick pay, deferred
compensation, pension, profit sharing, retirement, payroll savings,
stock option, stock purchase, group insurance, self insurance, death
benefit, fringe benefit, welfare or any other employee benefit plan or
fringe benefit arrangement of any nature whatsoever including those for
the benefit of former employees.
(all of such plans, programs, and arrangements being hereafter referred to
as "PICM Employee Benefit Plans").
(b) PICM has made available to MAI true, correct and complete copies
of all PICM Employee Benefit Plans described on Section 5.17 in the PICM
Disclosure Schedule, all insurance policies relating thereto and any
written materials used by PICM to describe employee benefits to employees
of PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries.
(c) Except as described on Section 5.17 in the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, neither PICM nor any of the PICM Subsidiaries has any agreement,
arrangement, commitment, or understanding, whether legally binding or not,
to create any additional PICM Employee Benefit Plan or to continue, modify,
change, or terminate, in any material respect, any PICM Employee Benefit
Plan.
(d) If permitted and/or required by applicable law, PICM and the PICM
Subsidiaries have properly submitted all PICM Employee Benefit Plans
described on Section 5.17 in the PICM Disclosure Schedule, in good faith to
meet the applicable requirements of ERISA and/or the Code, to the Internal
Revenue Service ("IRS") for its approval within the time prescribed
therefor.
(e) PICM has made available to MAI accurate and complete copies of all
favorable determination letters from the IRS, the most recent annual return
on Form 5500 for each PICM Employee Benefit Plan, and the most current
actuarial or valuation reports (as applicable) for each PICM Employee
Benefit Plan.
(f) Each actuarial or valuation report which is described in
subparagraph (e) above correctly shows the value of the assets of each such
PICM Employee Benefit Plan as of the date thereof, the total accrued and
vested liabilities, all contributions by PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries,
and the assumptions on which the calculations are based.
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(g) With respect to each PICM Employee Benefit Plan described in
Section 5.17 in the PICM Disclosure Schedule:
(i) PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries have made all payments required
to be made by them to date, have accrued (in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied) as of the date
hereof all payments due but not yet payable, and will have made on or
prior to the Closing Date all payments due as of the Closing Date;
(ii) to the knowledge of PICM, PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries have
operated and currently operate such plans in compliance in all material
respects with the plan documents and all applicable laws, including
without limitation ERISA and the Code (including without limitation
Section 4980B thereof) and the regulations thereunder;
(iii) to the knowledge of PICM, there has not been any Reportable
Event (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA);
(iv) to the knowledge of PICM, there has not been any event
described in Section 4068 of ERISA;
(v) to the knowledge of PICM, there has not been any material
violation of the reporting and disclosure provisions of the Code and
ERISA;
(vi) to the knowledge of PICM, there has not been any Prohibited
Transaction (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Code);
(vii) to the knowledge of PICM, there has not been any violation of
Sections 404, 406 or 407 of ERISA; and
(viii) there has not been any termination or partial termination
(including any termination or partial termination attributable to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement) of such plans.
(h) PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries have no direct or indirect material
liability or obligation under any PICM Employee Benefit Plan other than as
described in the terms of such PICM Employee Benefit Plans or on Section
5.17 of the PICM Disclosure Schedule.
(i) Except as described on Section 5.17 in the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, there are no circumstances arising out of PICM's or any of the
PICM Subsidiaries' sponsorship of any PICM Employee Benefit Plan which will
result in any direct or indirect material liability, other than liability
for contributions, benefit payments, administrative costs and liabilities
incurred in the ordinary course of business.
(j) With respect to each PICM Employee Benefit Plan that is subject to
Title IV of ERISA, the present value of accrued benefits under such PICM
Employee Benefit Plan, based upon the actuarial assumptions used for
funding purposes in the most recent actuarial report prepared by the
actuary for such PICM Employee Benefit Plan with respect to such PICM
Employee Benefit Plan, did not, as of its latest valuation date, exceed the
then current value of the assets of such PICM Employee Benefit Plan
allocable to such accrued benefits. There are no pending, or to the best
knowledge of PICM, threatened or anticipated claims (other than routine
claims for benefits and administrative expenses payable in the ordinary
course) by, on behalf of or against any of the PICM Employee Benefit Plans
or any trusts related thereto which are, in the reasonable judgment of
PICM, likely to have a material adverse effect on PICM and the PICM
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(k) PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries have not incurred, and will not
incur as a result of or in connection with the Mergers, any liability to
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (or any successor thereto),
including any liability under Sections 4063 or 4064 of ERISA.
(l) PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries have not incurred, and will not
incur as a result of or in connection with either of the Mergers, any
withdrawal liability, nor have PICM and the PICM
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Subsidiaries had, nor will they have as a result of or in connection with
either of the Mergers, any contingent withdrawal liability, to any
Multi-employer Plan under ERISA, as amended by the Multi-employer Pension
Plan Amendments Act of 1980.
(m) Except as described on Section 5.17 in the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, there has never been in existence, and there currently does not
exist, any PICM Employee Pension Benefit Plan (as defined in Section 3(2)
of ERISA) involving PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries which is subject
to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA, or any such plan which is subject
to the funding requirements of Section 412 of the Code or Sections 301 et
seq. of ERISA.
(n) No event has occurred and no circumstances currently exist which
do or will result in any civil penalty being assessed pursuant to Section
502 of ERISA, any tax being imposed under Section 4975 of the Code, or any
liability for a breach of fiduciary or other responsibility under ERISA in
connection with any Employee Pension Benefit Plan which has been
established, maintained or contributed to by PICM or any of the PICM
Subsidiaries or any other entity or entities which, together with PICM and
the PICM Subsidiaries, constitute elements of either a controlled group of
corporations (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code), a group of
trades or businesses under common control (within the meaning of Section
414(m) of the Code), or another arrangement covered by Section 414(o) of
the Code.
(o) There are no pending claims or lawsuits which have been asserted
or instituted (other than in respect of benefits due in the ordinary course
which, in the aggregate, are not material against the assets of any of the
PICM Employee Benefit Plans or against PICM, any PICM Subsidiary, or any
fiduciary of the PICM Employee Benefit Plans) with respect to the PICM
Employee Benefit Plans or against PICM or any PICM Subsidiary whether
federal or state.
5.18 Employees.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 5.18(a) of the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, PICM has made available to MAI a true and correct list of the
names of the employees of PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries, their birth
dates, hire dates, compensation rates, name of employer and capacity in
which employed, and accrued vacation and sick leave, if any, as of May 31,
2000. Except as limited by any employment agreements and severance
agreements listed on Section 5.18(a) of the PICM Disclosure Schedule or as
set forth on Section 5.18(a) to the PICM Disclosure Schedule, and except
for any limitations of general application which may be imposed under
applicable employment laws, PICM and each of the PICM Subsidiaries have the
right to terminate the employment of any of their respective employees at
will and without payment to such employees.
(b) PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries are in compliance with all
applicable ordinances or other laws, orders, and regulations regarding
labor and employment and the compensation therefor, whether state or
federal, including without limitation the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970, as amended, the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, as amended;
the Americans With Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. sec. 12101 et seq., as
amended; the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. sec. 201 et seq., as
amended; the Equal Pay Act, 29 U.S.C. sec. 206d, as amended, the
Portal-to-Portal Pay Act of 1947, 29 U.S.C. sec. 255 et seq., as amended;
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. sec. 2000e, as amended
and 42 U.S.C. sec. 1981, as amended; Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
amended; the Vietnam-Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as
amended; Immigration Reform and Control Act, 8 U.S.C. sec. 1324A et seq.,
as amended; the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988, as amended; the
Veterans Re-employment Act -- Handicap Bias, 38 U.S.C. sec. 2027 et seq.,
as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991, as amended; the Family and
Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended; the Religious Freedom Restoration
Act of 1993, as amended; and the Age Discrimination and Employment Act of
1967, as amended, except where the failure to so comply would not have a
material adverse effect on the business or properties of PICM and the PICM
Subsidiaries. Except as provided on Section 5.18(b) to the PICM Disclosure
Schedule, no action or investigation has been instituted or, to the
knowledge of PICM, is threatened to be conducted by any state or federal
agency regarding any potential violation by PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries
of any laws, orders, ordinances
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and regulations regarding labor and employment or the compensation therefor
during the past five (5) years including without limitation, any of the
aforementioned statutes and congressional acts, except for actions and
investigations, which would not have a material adverse affect on PICM and
the PICM Subsidiaries and would not subject PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries
to any material penalty.
(c) Neither PICM nor any of the PICM Subsidiaries has ever been a
party to or bound by any union or collective bargaining contract, nor is
any such contract currently in effect or being negotiated by PICM or any of
the PICM Subsidiaries. Neither PICM nor any of the PICM Subsidiaries have
ever experienced any material labor problem. Except as indicated on Section
5.18(c) to the PICM Disclosure Schedule, since May 31, 2000, no affiliate
of PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries listed in Section 5.24 of the PICM
Disclosure Schedule has indicated to any officer or director of PICM an
intention to terminate his or her employment.
5.19 Accounts Receivable. All accounts receivable of PICM and the PICM
Subsidiaries are reflected properly on their respective books and records, are
valid receivables subject to no set offs or counterclaims, are presently current
and collectible, and will be collected in accordance with their terms at the
recorded amounts, subject only to a reasonable reserve for bad debts.
5.20 Proceedings and Judgments. Except as described on Section 5.20 to the
PICM Disclosure Schedule, (a) there is no material litigation, investigation,
claim, suit, arbitration or other proceeding pending or, to the best knowledge
of PICM, threatened against or relating to PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries,
any of their respective businesses or assets, any assets of any other person
which are used in any of their businesses or the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, and there is no basis known to PICM or any of the PICM
Subsidiaries for any such litigation, investigation, claim, suit, arbitration,
or other proceeding (excluding claims covered by insurance policies written by
the PICM Insurance Subsidiaries), (b) there are no outstanding judgments or
orders against PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries or any of their respective
businesses or assets, or any assets of any other person which are used in any of
their businesses, or against any of their respective officers, directors or
employees which has had or would be expected to have an adverse effect on PICM
and the PICM Subsidiaries, and (c) no material breach of contract, bad faith,
breach of warranty, tort, negligence, infringement, fraud, discrimination,
wrongful discharge or other claim of any nature has been asserted or, to the
best knowledge of PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries, threatened against PICM or any
of the PICM Subsidiaries, nor is there any basis for any such claim. As to each
item described on Section 5.20 to the PICM Disclosure Schedule (if any),
accurate and complete copies of all relevant pleadings, judgments, orders and
correspondence requested by MAI have been made available to MAI.
5.21 Insurance. PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries maintain policies of
general liability, fire and casualty, automobile and other forms of insurance in
such amounts, with such deductibles and against such risks and losses as are, in
PICM's judgment, reasonable for the business and assets of PICM and the PICM
Subsidiaries. All such policies are in full force and effect, all premiums due
and payable thereon have been paid (other than retroactive or retrospective
premium adjustments that are not yet, but may be, required to be paid with
respect to any period ending prior to the Closing Date under comprehensive
general liability and workmen's compensation insurance policies), and no notice
of cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such policy
which has not been replaced on substantially similar terms prior to the date of
such cancellation. To the knowledge of PICM, the activities and operations of
PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries have been conducted in a manner so as to conform
in all material respects to all applicable provisions of such insurance
policies. The coverages and policy limits of all general liability and
automobile insurance policies maintained by PICM and each of the PICM
Subsidiaries during the last five (5) years are consistent with the coverages
and policy limits of the general liability and automobile policies currently in
effect.
5.22 Questionable Payments. Neither PICM nor any of the PICM Subsidiaries,
nor any of their respective current directors or officers, and to the best of
PICM's knowledge, former officers or directors or current or former employees,
agents or representatives have (a) used any corporate funds for any illegal
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contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to
political activity, (b) used any corporate funds for any direct or indirect
unlawful payments to any foreign or domestic government officials or employees,
(c) violated any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, (d)
established or maintained any unlawful or unrecorded fund of corporate monies or
other assets, (e) made any false or fictitious entries on the books and records
of PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries, (f) made any bribe, rebate, payoff,
influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment of any nature, or (g) made
any material favor or gift which is not deductible for federal income tax
purposes.
5.23 Brokerage Fees. Except as disclosed on Section 5.23 of the PICM
Disclosure Schedule, no person or company acting on behalf of PICM is entitled
to any brokerage or finder's fee or investment banking fee in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.24 Affiliates. Section 5.24 of the PICM Disclosure Schedule sets forth a
list of all persons who are affiliates of PICM as contemplated under Rule 145 of
the SEC.
5.25 Full Disclosure. All of the representations and warranties made by
PICM in this Agreement, taken together and with the PICM Disclosure Schedule, do
not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements set forth herein and therein, in
light of the circumstances in which such statements were made, not misleading.
The copies of documents attached to the PICM Disclosure Schedule or otherwise
made available to MAI in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby
are accurate and complete in all material respects unless otherwise set forth in
Section 5.25 of the PICM Disclosure Schedule.
5.26 Compliance with Applicable Law. PICM and each of the PICM
Subsidiaries hold all material licenses, franchises, permits and authorizations
necessary for the lawful conduct of their respective businesses under and
pursuant to, and have complied in all material respects with, and are not in
default in any material respect under any, and have maintained and conducted
their respective businesses in all material respects in compliance with, all
applicable laws, statutes, orders, rules, regulations, policies and/or
guidelines of each governmental authority relating to PICM or any of the PICM
Subsidiaries, except where the failure to hold such license, franchise, permit
or authorization or such noncompliance or default would not, either individually
or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on PICM and the PICM
Subsidiaries. Neither PICM nor any of the PICM Subsidiaries, directly or
indirectly, engages in any activity prohibited by applicable law.
5.27 State Takeover Laws. The Board of Directors of PICM has approved the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and taken such action such that the
provisions of Chapter 7A of the MBCA and any other provisions of any state or
local "takeover" law applicable to PICM will not apply to this Agreement or the
Stock Option Agreements (as defined herein) or any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreements.
5.28 No Investment Company. Neither PICM nor any Subsidiary of PICM is an
"investment company," or a company "controlled" by an "investment company,"
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
6. Representations and Warranties of MAI. MAI represents and warrants to
PICM that the statements contained in this Section 6 are correct and complete as
of the date of this Agreement and will be correct and complete as of the Closing
Date (as though made then and as though the Closing Date was substituted for the
date of this Agreement throughout this Section 6), except (i) as set forth in
the disclosure schedule delivered by MAI to PICM on the date hereof and
initialed by the parties (the "MAI Disclosure Schedule"), or (ii) for any
changes to the MAI Disclosure Schedule that are disclosed by MAI to PICM in
accordance with Section 8.6(a), or (iii) to the extent such representations and
warranties speak as of an earlier date. Nothing in the MAI Disclosure Schedule
shall be deemed adequate to disclose an exception to a representation or
warranty made herein unless the MAI Disclosure Schedule identifies the exception
with reasonable particularity and describes the relevant facts in reasonable
detail. The MAI Disclosure Schedule will be arranged in paragraphs corresponding
to the lettered and numbered paragraphs contained in this Section 6; provided
(i) that each exception set forth in the MAI Disclosure
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Schedule shall be deemed disclosed for purposes of all representations and
warranties if such exception is contained in a section of the MAI Disclosure
Schedule corresponding to a Section in this Section 6, (ii) that no such
exception is required to be set forth in the MAI Disclosure Schedule if its
absence would not result in the related representation or warranty being deemed
untrue or incorrect under the standard established by Section 8.10(c), and (iii)
the mere inclusion of an exception in MAI Disclosure Schedule shall not be
deemed an admission by MAI that such exception represents a material fact, event
or circumstance or would result in a material adverse effect or material adverse
change.
6.1 Organization, Qualification and Corporate Power. MAI is a Delaware
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the state of Delaware. MAI has the corporate power to own its property and to
carry on its business as presently conducted.
6.2 Subsidiaries.
(a) Section 6.2(a) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule sets forth the name
and state of incorporation or organization of each subsidiary of MAI (the
"MAI Subsidiaries"). Each of the MAI Subsidiaries is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation and has the corporate power to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted.
(b) Section 6.2(b) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule identifies the MAI
Subsidiaries that offer insurance and the states in which they are
authorized to conduct business, and the type of insurance products that
they are authorized to offer in each such state (the "MAI Insurance
Subsidiaries").
(c) Except as set forth in Section 6.2(c) of the MAI Disclosure
Schedule, (i) MAI is, directly or indirectly, the record and beneficial
owner of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the MAI
Subsidiaries, (ii) there are no irrevocable proxies granted by MAI or any
MAI Subsidiary with respect to such shares, (iii) there are no equity
securities of any of the MAI Subsidiaries that are or may become required
to be issued by reason of any option, warrants, scrip, rights, to subscribe
to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or
securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of any
capital stock of any of the MAI Subsidiaries except shares of the MAI
Subsidiaries issued to other wholly owned MAI Subsidiaries, and (iv) there
are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which any
of the MAI Subsidiaries is bound to issue additional shares of its capital
stock or options, warrants or rights to purchase or acquire any additional
shares of its capital stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable
for such shares. All of the shares of the MAI Subsidiaries described in
clause (i) above are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are
owned by MAI or a MAI Subsidiary free and clear of any mortgage, pledge,
security interest, claim, lien, encumbrance or charge and free and clear of
any claim, right or option to acquire any such shares. MAI does not
directly or indirectly own any interest in any other corporation,
partnership, joint venture or other business association or entity which is
material to MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(d) Except as set forth in Schedule 6.2(d) of the MAI Disclosure
Schedule, none of the MAI Subsidiaries is the record or beneficial owner of
any shares of MAI Common Stock.
6.3 Capitalization. The entire authorized capital stock of MAI consists of
150,000,000 shares divided into 100,000,000 shares of MAI Common Stock, of which
approximately 23,404,865 shares are issued and outstanding (net of 1,698,503
shares held in treasury or owned by MAI Subsidiaries) and 50,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, none of which is issued and
outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of MAI Common Stock have
been duly authorized, validly issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable.
Except as set forth in Section 6.3 of the MAI Disclosure Schedule, (i) there are
no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, rights, contracts, calls, puts,
rights to subscribe, conversion rights, or other agreements or commitments to
which MAI is a party or which are binding upon MAI providing for the issuance,
disposition or acquisition of any of the shares of capital stock of MAI, (ii)
there are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, or
similar
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rights with respect to MAI, and (iii) to the knowledge of MAI, there are no
voting trusts, proxies or any other agreements or understandings with respect to
the voting of the capital stock of MAI.
6.4 Corporate Affairs.
(a) MAI has made available to PICM correct and complete copies of the
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of MAI and each of the MAI
Subsidiaries (as amended to date). MAI has made available all of the minute
books containing the records of the meetings of the stockholders, the board
of directors and any committee of the board of directors of MAI and each of
the MAI Subsidiaries. The minute books of MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries
reflect all of the material actions taken by each of their respective
Boards of Directors and shareholders. All material actions taken by the
committees of the Board of Directors of MAI and any of the MAI Subsidiaries
are reflected in the minutes of the Board of Directors and such committees
or in written statements of actions taken by the Board of Directors or such
committees without a meeting.
(b) MAI's and each of the MAI Subsidiaries' books and records are and
have been properly prepared and maintained in form and substance adequate
for preparing audited consolidated financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles and fairly and accurately reflect
all of MAI's and each of the MAI Subsidiaries' assets and liabilities and
all contracts and other transactions to which MAI or any of the MAI
Subsidiaries is or was a party or by which MAI or any of the MAI
Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses or assets is or was
affected.
6.5 Authority Relative to Agreements.
(a) MAI has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into
this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by MAI and the consummation by MAI of the MAI
Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby, will have been duly
authorized by the Board of Directors and, except for the approval of the
shareholders as set forth in Section 7.6(b) hereof, no other corporate
proceedings on the part of MAI are necessary to authorize this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by MAI and (assuming due authorization, execution
and delivery by PICM and the receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals)
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of MAI, enforceable against it
in accordance with its terms except to the extent that its enforceability
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by
general equitable principles.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 6.5(b) of the MAI Disclosure
Schedule, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by MAI nor
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby nor compliance by
MAI with any of the provisions hereof will (i) violate, conflict with, or
result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default under, or
result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or
result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or
encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of MAI or any of the MAI
Subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (x) their
respective charters or bylaws or (y) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation
to which MAI or any of the MAI Subsidiaries is a party or to which they or
any of their respective properties or assets may be subject, or (ii)
subject to compliance with the statutes and regulations referred to in the
next paragraph, violate any judgment, ruling, order, writ, injunction,
decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to MAI and the MAI
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, except, in
the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, for such violations,
conflicts, breaches, defaults, terminations, accelerations or creations of
liens, security interests, charges or encumbrances, which, in the
aggregate, would not have any material adverse effect on the business,
results of operations, or financial condition of MAI and the MAI
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(c) Other than in connection with or in compliance with the provisions
of the Alabama, Missouri, West Virginia and Indiana Insurance Codes, the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and the federal and applicable state securities laws
(including those described in Section 7 of this Agreement), no notice
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to, filing with, or authorization, consent or approval of, any domestic
public body or government authority is necessary for the consummation by
MAI of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except where
failure to give such notices, make such filings, or obtain authorizations,
consents or approvals would, in the aggregate, not have a material adverse
effect on the business, results of operations, financial condition or
prospects of MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
6.6 Financial Statements and Other Reports.
(a) MAI has made available to PICM the Annual Statements of each of
the MAI Insurance Subsidiaries as filed with the Department of Insurance in
its state of domicile for each of the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996,
1997, 1998 and 1999, together with the reports thereon by its independent
auditor and its independent actuary (collectively referred to as the "MAI
Insurance Subsidiaries Statutory Statements"). The MAI Insurance
Subsidiaries Statutory Financial Statements of each MAI Insurance
Subsidiary were prepared in accordance with the regulatory accounting
methods required by the state of domicile of such MAI Insurance Subsidiary
on a basis consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby. The MAI
Insurance Subsidiaries Statutory Financial Statements fairly reflect the
financial condition and results of operations of the MAI Insurance
Subsidiaries for the dates and the periods indicated, and are consistent
with the books and records of the MAI Insurance Subsidiaries (which books
are correct and complete in all material respects).
(b) MAI has made available to PICM (A) the audited consolidated
financial statements of MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries, for the years ended
December 31, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995, together with the report(s)
of MAI's independent auditors, which consolidated financial statements
include consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of income,
changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended and
notes thereto prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and (B) the unaudited consolidated financial statements of MAI
and the MAI Subsidiaries for the three month period ended March 31, 2000,
which unaudited financial statements include a condensed consolidated
balance sheet as of said date and condensed consolidated statements of
income and cash flows for the period then ended (collectively referred to
as the "MAI Consolidated Financial Statements"). The MAI Consolidated
Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles on a consistent basis throughout the periods
covered thereby. All such MAI Consolidated Financial Statements fairly
reflect the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of
MAI and its consolidated subsidiaries for the dates and periods indicated
(except for normal recurring year-end adjustments in the case of the
unaudited financial statements). The MAI Consolidated Financial Statements
are consistent with the books and records of MAI and its consolidated
subsidiaries (which books and records are correct and complete in all
material respects).
(c) Section 6.6(c) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule lists all financial
examinations that any state Department of Insurance has conducted with
respect to MAI or any of the MAI Insurance Subsidiaries since December 31,
1996. MAI has made available to PICM correct and complete reports issued by
the applicable Department of Insurance with respect to the examinations
listed on the Disclosure Schedule. Except with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby or as otherwise disclosed on Section 6.6(c) of the MAI
Disclosure Schedule, there are no regulatory examinations of MAI or any MAI
Subsidiary currently in process.
(d) Section 6.6(d) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of
each registration statement, report, proxy statement or other filing filed
by MAI or any of the MAI Subsidiaries with the Alabama, West Virginia,
Indiana and Missouri Departments of Insurance or the SEC for the periods
ending and events occurring after December 31, 1999 and prior to the date
of this Agreement. MAI has filed and the applicable MAI Subsidiaries have
filed all registration statements, proxy statements, reports and other
filings and all amendments thereto which they were required to file with
the applicable the Alabama, West Virginia, Indiana, and Missouri
Departments of Insurance and/or the SEC since December 31, 1996. As of its
date, each of such filings contained all information
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required by the Alabama, West Virginia, Indiana, and Missouri Insurance
Codes or the SEC and did not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements made therein in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, except to the extent any such statement or omission
has been modified or superseded in a document subsequently filed with the
appropriate authority. MAI has made available to PICM accurate and complete
copies of all of such filings.
(e) Except as disclosed in (i) Section 6.6(e) of the MAI Disclosure
Schedule or (ii) the proxy statements and reports, and the registration
statements on Form B, described in Section 6.6(d) hereof, there have not
been since December 31, 1996, and there are currently no contracts, real
estate leases, loans, guarantees or other arrangements or transactions of
any nature between MAI and any of the MAI Subsidiaries, or between MAI and
MAI Subsidiaries and any of their respective officers, directors, or
affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the SEC) (excluding
employment matters).
(f) MAI has not received from any person any Notice on Form A or such
other form as may be prescribed under the Alabama, West Virginia, Indiana
or Missouri Insurance Holding Company Systems Acts indicating that such
person intends to make or has made a tender offer for or a request or
invitation for tenders of, or intends to or has entered into any agreement
to exchange securities for, or intends to acquire or has acquired in the
open market or otherwise, any voting security of MAI, if after the
consummation thereof such person would directly or indirectly be in control
of MAI.
6.7 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Neither MAI nor any of the MAI
Subsidiaries has any material liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether
accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, (including, without limitation, tax
liabilities of a permanent nature due or to become due, and whether incurred in
respect of or measured by income of MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries for any period
prior to the close of business on March 31, 2000, or arising out of any
transactions entered into or any set of facts existing prior thereto) except for
(i) liabilities reflected or reserved against in the MAI Consolidated Financial
Statements (including notes thereto) or reflected or disclosed in the MAI
Disclosure Schedule, and (ii) liabilities which have arisen after March 31,
2000, in the ordinary course of business (none of which relates to any breach of
contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement or violation of law, or arose
out of any charge, complaint, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation,
claim, or demand).
6.8 Absence of Certain Changes. Since March 31, 2000, except as set forth
in Section 6.8 of the MAI Disclosure Schedule, there has not been:
(a) any change in the financial condition, assets, liabilities or
business of MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries which change individually or in
the aggregate has been materially adverse;
(b) any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by
insurance, materially and adversely affecting the properties or business of
MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries;
(c) any payment by MAI of dividends or any distribution by MAI of any
assets of any kind whatsoever to any of the shareholders in redemption of
or as the purchase price of any of its capital stock, or any discharge or
cancellation, whether in part or in whole, of any indebtedness owing to any
such shareholders, except reimbursement to employees of MAI and the MAI
Subsidiaries of ordinary business expenses or other debts arising in the
ordinary course of business and except for any stock repurchases by MAI or
a MAI Subsidiary as permitted by Section 8.1(b) hereof;
(d) any mortgage, pledge, or subjection to lien, charge or encumbrance
of any material kind of any assets, tangible or intangible, of MAI or the
MAI Subsidiaries;
(e) any sale or transfer of any assets of MAI or the MAI Subsidiaries
or any cancellation of any debts or claims by MAI or the MAI Subsidiaries,
except in the ordinary course of business;
(f) any sale, assignment or transfer by MAI or the MAI Subsidiaries of
any trademarks, trade names, or other intangible assets;
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(g) any material amendment to or termination of any material contract,
agreement, instrument or license to which MAI or any of the MAI
Subsidiaries is a party; or
(h) any other event or condition of any character materially and
adversely affecting the business or properties of MAI and the MAI
Subsidiaries.
6.9 Tax Matters.
(a) MAI and each MAI Subsidiaries has duly paid or made provisions for
the payment of all Taxes which have been incurred or are due or claimed to
be due from it by federal, state, county, foreign, or local tax authorities
on or prior to the date of this Agreement other than (i) Taxes or other
charges which are not yet delinquent or are being contested in good faith
and have not been finally determined for which adequate reserves have been
made on the financial statements described in Section 6.6(b) of this
Agreement, or (ii) Taxes the failure to pay or make provision for, either
individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect
on MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries. MAI and each of the MAI Subsidiaries have
timely and properly filed all Tax Returns. All such Tax Returns were
correct and complete in all material respects. Except as disclosed on
Section 6.9(a) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule, and except for extensions
that are automatically granted by the taxing authorities upon filing an
application therefor, neither MAI nor any of the MAI Subsidiaries is the
beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return.
Except as set forth in Section 5.9(a) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule, no
claim has ever been made by an authority in a jurisdiction where MAI or any
of the MAI Subsidiaries does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be
subject to taxation by that jurisdiction. There are no security interests
on any of the assets of MAI or any of the MAI Subsidiaries that arose in
connection with the failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Taxes.
(b) Each of MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries has withheld and paid all
Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts
paid or owing to any employee, creditor, independent contractor or other
third party.
(c) To the knowledge of MAI, there is no dispute or claim concerning
any tax liability of MAI or any of the MAI Subsidiaries except as disclosed
in Section 6.9(c) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule. Section 6.9(c) of the MAI
Disclosure Schedule identifies the last Tax Returns that have been audited
by the taxing authority with whom they were filed, and indicates those Tax
Returns that currently are the subject of an audit procedure or that MAI
has received notice will be subject to an audit procedure. MAI has made
available to PICM correct and complete copies of all federal income tax
returns (including amendments thereto), examination reports, and statements
of deficiencies assessed against or agreed to by MAI or any of the MAI
Subsidiaries since December 31, 1996.
(d) Except as disclosed in Section 6.9(d) of the MAI Disclosure
Schedule, neither MAI nor any of the MAI Subsidiaries has waived any
statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of
time with respect to a Tax Return or a tax assessment or deficiency other
than extensions that are automatically granted by the taxing authorities
upon filing an application therefor.
(e) The unpaid Taxes of MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries do not exceed the
reserve for tax liability set forth on the consolidated balance sheet at
December 31, 1999 (rather than any notes thereto) as adjusted for the
passage of time through the Closing Date in accordance with past custom and
practice of MAI in filing its returns.
(f) Any amount that is reasonably likely to be received (whether in
cash or property or the vesting of property) as a result of the transaction
contemplated by this Agreement by any employee, officer or director of MAI
or any of its affiliates who is a "Disqualified Individual" (as such term
is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) under any employment,
severance or termination agreement, other compensation arrangement or MAI
Employee Benefit Plan (as defined in Section 6.17 below) currently in
effect will not be characterized as an "excess parachute payment" (as such
term is defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code).
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6.10 MAI Loss Reserves and Premium Rates for Professional Liability
Insurance.
(a) The reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses reflected on
the consolidated balance sheet of MAI at December 31, 1999, included in the
MAI Consolidated Financial Statements, are adequate to provide for the
estimated ultimate net costs of all reported and unreported losses incurred
through the date of said balance sheet, and no director or officer of MAI
or any MAI Insurance Subsidiary (or any employee responsible for the
administration of claims) has any knowledge of any facts that would cause
any of them to believe that the reserves for losses and loss adjustment
expenses reflected on such balance sheet, will not represent the estimated
ultimate net costs of all reported and unreported losses incurred through
December 31, 1999.
(b) Section 6.10(b) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule lists each
independent consulting actuary that has been engaged by MAI or an MAI
Insurance Subsidiary to review the reserve for losses and loss adjustment
expenses of the MAI Insurance Subsidiaries and premium rates for liability
insurance in each of the years commencing after December 31, 1996
(collectively the "MAI Actuaries" and separately as "MAI Actuary"). MAI
Actuaries have made written recommendations as to the amount that the MAI
Insurance Subsidiaries should maintain in such reserves in each of said
years. Section 6.10(b) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule lists each and every
item of correspondence delivered by the MAI Actuaries to MAI or a MAI
Insurance Subsidiary (i) since December 31, 1998, in which the MAI Actuary
has expressed an opinion as to the adequacy of loss reserves or made
recommendations as to the amount of the reserve for losses and loss
adjustment expenses that should be maintained by MAI or the MAI Insurance
Subsidiaries and (ii) since December 31, 1996, in which the MAI Actuary has
expressed an opinion as to the adequacy of premiums or made a
recommendation as to the premiums that should be charged by MAI Insurance
Subsidiaries for liability insurance. MAI has made available to PICM a true
and correct copy of each item of correspondence from the MAI Actuaries
listed on the Disclosure Schedule.
(c) Each of the MAI Insurance Subsidiaries is required to submit for
approval by the Department of Insurance in each state in which it is
authorized as an insurer, policies, endorsements, underwriting manuals, and
premium rates for the professional liability insurance offered in that
state unless otherwise disclosed in Section 6.10(c) of the MAI Disclosure
Schedule. Section 6.10(c) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule sets forth all
increases in premium rates for medical professional liability insurance
submitted by the MAI Insurance Subsidiaries which have been disapproved by
any Department of Insurance since December 31, 1996. Section 6.10(c) of the
MAI Disclosure Schedule lists all correspondence or communications from a
Department of Insurance received by any of the MAI Insurance Subsidiaries
after December 31, 1996, that requests or suggests that its premium rates,
if applicable, for professional liability insurance should be reduced below
the current approved premium levels.
6.11 Reinsurance. MAI has made available to PICM accurate and complete
copies of all reinsurance agreements or treaties that are currently in effect
with respect to claims incurred under liability insurance policies of any of the
MAI Insurance Subsidiaries prior to December 31, 1999. Except as set forth in
Schedule 6.11 of the MAI Disclosure Schedule, there has been no change or
addition to the reinsurance agreements or treaties or any of the MAI Insurance
Subsidiaries since December 31, 1999. The consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein will not result in the termination of any such reinsurance
agreements or treaties. The reserve for unpaid losses, loss adjustment expenses
and unearned premiums at December 31, 1999 and March 31, 2000, as reflected in
the consolidated balance sheets in the MAI Consolidated Financial Statements are
stated gross of reinsurance ceded amounts. All reinsurance recoverable amounts
reflected in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 1999 and March 31,
2000, respectively, included in the MAI Consolidated Financial Statements are
collectible.
6.12 Investments. Except as set forth in Section 6.12 of the MAI
Disclosure Schedule, there has been no material change in investment policy of
MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries or in the composition of the investments of MAI and
the MAI Subsidiaries since March 31, 2000.
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6.13 Real Property.
(a) MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries own or lease all of the real property
necessary or incidental to the conduct of their respective businesses.
Except as set forth in Section 6.13(a) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule, MAI
and the MAI Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real
property owned by them free and clear of any liens, claims and
encumbrances, except taxes not yet due and payable and easements,
restrictions and encumbrances that do not unreasonably interfere with
current use of such real property by MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries. MAI's
and each of the MAI Subsidiaries' ownership, or possession, operation and
use of all real property owned by MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries comply with
all applicable laws, except where the failure to do so would not have any
material adverse effect on MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries and would not
subject MAI or any of the MAI Subsidiaries to any material penalty. With
respect to each lease agreement for real property to which MAI or any of
the MAI Subsidiaries is a party:
(i) MAI has made available to PICM complete and correct copies of
the lease agreements, together with all supplements and amendments
thereto;
(ii) Each of the lease agreements as so modified, amended and
supplemented, is in full force and effect and is legally valid, binding
and enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy laws and laws affecting
creditors' rights generally, is in full force and effect;
(iii) There are no monetary defaults and no material nonmonetary
defaults by MAI or a MAI Subsidiary under any of the lease agreements;
(iv) Neither MAI nor any of the MAI Subsidiaries has received
notice of any default, offset, counterclaim or defense under the lease
agreements;
(v) Except as disclosed in Section 6.13(a) in the MAI Disclosure
Schedule, no condition or event has occurred which with the passage of
time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default or
breach by MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries of the terms of the lease
agreements, and all of the rent, security deposits, reserve funds, and
other sums and charges due and payable under the lease agreements have
been paid in full through the date hereof; and
(vi) To the knowledge of MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries there are no
purchase contracts, options or other agreements of any kind whereby any
person or entity as of the date hereof, has acquired or will have any
basis to assert any right, title or interest in, or right to the
possession, use, enjoyment or proceeds of, any part or all of the
interests in the real property subject to the lease agreements.
(b) Except as set forth on Section 6.13(b) of the MAI Disclosure
Schedule, neither MAI nor any of the MAI Subsidiaries has generated,
operated, processed, distributed, transported, used, treated, stored,
handled, emitted, discharged, released or disposed of (or caused any person
or entity to do any of the foregoing or assisted any person or entity in
doing any of the foregoing) any oil, gasoline, petroleum-related products,
hazardous substances, hazardous waste, or pollutants or contaminants (as
defined by CERCLA), including, without limitation, asbestos or asbestos
containing materials, PCB's or urea formaldehyde, except in accordance with
applicable laws or any product which may give rise to Hazardous Materials
Liabilities.
6.14 Personal Property.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 6.14(a) to the MAI Disclosure
Schedule, none of the personal property owned by MAI and the MAI
Subsidiaries is subject to, or will be subject to as of the Closing Date,
any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, right of first refusal,
option, restriction, liability, restrictive covenant, charge or encumbrance
of any kind or character whatsoever.
(b) Section 6.14(b) to the MAI Disclosure Schedule sets forth an
accurate and complete list of all personal property leases which are not
cancelable upon ninety (90) days notice without penalty
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and that have monthly rent in an amount that exceeds $10,000 and a term
that will not expire prior to June 30, 2001. MAI has made available to PICM
complete and correct copies of all such personal property leases. Except as
set forth in Section 6.14(b) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule:
(i) The personal property leases listed therein have not been
modified, amended or assigned, are legally valid, binding and
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms and are in full
force and effect, except to the extent enforceability is limited by
equitable remedies or laws affecting creditors' rights generally;
(ii) There are no monetary defaults and no material nonmonetary
defaults by MAI or any MAI Subsidiary, or, to the actual knowledge of
MAI, any other party to the personal property leases listed therein;
(iii) Neither MAI nor any MAI Subsidiary has received notice of any
default, offset, counterclaim or defense under any personal property
lease listed therein; and
(iv) MAI has no actual knowledge that any condition or event has
occurred which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both
would constitute a default or breach by MAI or any MAI Subsidiary of the
terms of any personal property leases listed therein.
6.15 Intellectual Property.
(a) MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries own or have the right to use by
license, sublicense, agreement or permission all Intellectual Property
whose use either alone or in conjunction with other items of Intellectual
Property are material to the conduct of the business of MAI and the MAI
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(b) Neither MAI nor any of the MAI Subsidiaries has interfered with,
infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise come into conflict with any
Intellectual Property rights of third parties and neither MAI nor any of
the MAI Subsidiaries has received any charge, complaint, claim or notice
alleging any such interference, infringement, misappropriation or
violation. To the knowledge of MAI, no third party has interfered with,
infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise come into conflict with any
Intellectual Property rights of MAI or the MAI Subsidiaries.
(c) MAI has made available to PICM correct and complete copies of all
licenses, sublicenses, agreements and permissions (as amended to date) for
the use of Intellectual Property by PICM or the PICM Subsidiaries. With
respect to each such item of such Intellectual Property: (i) the license,
sublicense, agreement or permission covering the item is legal, valid,
binding, enforceable and in full force and effect; (ii) the license,
sublicense, agreement or permission will continue to be legal, valid,
binding and enforceable and in full force and effect on identical terms
following the Closing Date except as disclosed on Schedule 6.15(c) of the
MAI Disclosure Schedule; (iii) no party to the license, sublicense,
agreement or permission is in breach or default, and no event of default
has occurred which with notice or lapse of time would constitute a breach
or default or permit termination, modification or acceleration thereunder;
(iv) no party to the license, sublicense, agreement or permission has
repudiated any provision thereof; (v) with respect to each sublicense, the
representations and warranties set forth in (i) through (iv) above are true
and correct with respect to the underlying license; and (vi) neither MAI
nor any of the MAI Subsidiaries has granted any sublicense or similar right
with respect to the license, sublicense, agreement or permission, except as
disclosed on Schedule 6.15(c) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule.
6.16 Contracts and Commitments.
(a) MAI has made available to PICM correct and complete copies of all
written (unless otherwise specified) contracts, agreements, or arrangements
to which MAI or any of the MAI Subsidiaries is a party that have been filed
as exhibits (including documents incorporated by reference) to any of the
following: (i) MAI's Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended December
31, 1999; and (ii) any Registration Statement on Form B filed by MAI or any
of the MAI
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Insurance Subsidiaries with any of the States of Alabama, West Virginia,
Missouri, and Indiana for the year ended December 31, 1999.
(b) MAI has made available to PICM correct and complete copies of all
material written arrangements (or group of related written arrangements)
from or to third parties, for the furnishing to or receipt of services by
MAI or any MAI Subsidiaries, including without limitation, agency
agreements, managing general agent agreements, reinsurance intermediary
agreements and other distribution agreements.
(c) Section 6.16(c) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule lists the following
contracts, agreements, documents and arrangements to which MAI or any of
the MAI Subsidiaries is a party and are not included in the contracts,
agreements, commitments and arrangements described in Section 6.16(a) or
(b) herein:
(i) Any written arrangement concerning a partnership or joint
venture;
(ii) Any written arrangement in which MAI or any MAI Subsidiaries
has agreed not to compete with respect to any product or territory;
(iii) Any written arrangement with any of the officers, directors,
and employees of MAI or any of the MAI Subsidiaries in the nature of a
collective bargaining agreement, employment agreement, consulting
agreement or severance agreement that is not cancelable by MAI or any of
the MAI Subsidiaries without penalty or compensation on thirty (30) days
notice;
(iv) Any written commitment or arrangement to pay employees of MAI
and the MAI Subsidiaries incentive or bonus compensation based on their
respective productivity or performance, the performance of MAI and the
MAI Subsidiaries or otherwise;
(v) Any written or oral agreement or understanding with any state
insurance department relating to restrictions on distributions or other
payments to the shareholders of MAI or any of the MAI Subsidiaries, the
continued operation of MAI or any MAI Subsidiary, or any other matter
relating to MAI or a MAI Subsidiary and its affairs; and
(vi) Any written or oral agreement or understanding with respect to
the retention of any law firms or other persons relating to the defense
of claims made against insureds of any of the MAI Subsidiaries.
(d) With respect to each written arrangement described in Section
6.16(a), Section 6.16(b) and Section 6.16(c) hereof: (i) the written
arrangement is legal, valid, binding, enforceable, and in full force and
effect; (ii) the written arrangement will continue to be legal, valid,
binding, enforceable and in full force and effect on identical terms
following the Closing Date; (iii) neither MAI, nor to the knowledge of MAI,
any other party thereto, is in breach or default, and no event has occurred
with respect to MAI or any MAI Subsidiary, which with notice or lapse of
time would constitute a breach or default or permit termination,
modification, or acceleration, under the written arrangement; and (iv) no
party has repudiated any provision of the written arrangement. Neither MAI
nor any of the MAI Subsidiaries is a party to any verbal contract,
agreement or other arrangement which if reduced to written form would be
required to be listed in Section 6.16(c) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule
under the terms of Section 6.16(c) hereof. MAI has made available to PICM
accurate and complete copies of all contracts, agreements, commitments and
arrangements described in Section 6.16(c) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule.
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6.17 Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) Except with respect to the MAI Employee Benefit Plans (herein
defined) listed on Section 6.17 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither MAI nor
any of the MAI Subsidiaries sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has
any ongoing obligation or liability whatsoever with respect to:
(i) Any employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA;
or
(ii) Any other program, plan, trust agreement or arrangement for
any bonus, severance, hospitalization, vacation, sick pay, deferred
compensation, pension, profit sharing, retirement, payroll savings,
stock option, stock purchase, group insurance, self insurance, death
benefit, fringe benefit, welfare or any other employee benefit plan or
fringe benefit arrangement of any nature whatsoever including those for
the benefit of former employees.
(all of such plans, programs, and arrangements being hereafter referred to
as "MAI Employee Benefit Plans").
(b) MAI has made available to PICM true, correct and complete copies
of all MAI Employee Benefit Plans described on Section 6.17 of the MAI
Disclosure Schedule, all insurance policies relating thereto and any
written materials used by MAI to describe its employee benefits to its
employees.
(c) Except as described in Section 6.17 of the MAI Disclosure
Schedule, neither MAI nor any of the MAI Subsidiaries has any agreement,
arrangement, commitment, or understanding, whether legally binding or not,
to create any additional MAI Employee Benefit Plan or to continue, modify,
change, or terminate, in any material respect, any MAI Employee Benefit
Plan.
(d) If permitted and/or required by applicable law, MAI and the MAI
Subsidiaries have properly submitted all MAI Employee Benefit Plans
described on Section 6.17 of the MAI Disclosure Schedule, in good faith to
meet the applicable requirements of ERISA and/or the Code to the IRS for
its approval within the time prescribed therefor.
(e) MAI has made available to PICM accurate and complete copies of all
favorable determination letters from the IRS, the most recent annual return
on Form 5500 for each MAI Employee Benefit Plan, and the most current
actuarial or valuation reports (as applicable) for each MAI Employee
Benefit Plan.
(f) Each actuarial or valuation report which is described in
subparagraph (e) above correctly shows the value of the assets of each such
MAI Employee Benefit Plan as of the date thereof, the total accrued and
vested liabilities, all contributions by MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries, and
the assumptions on which the calculations are based.
(g) With respect to each MAI Employee Benefit Plan described on
Section 6.17 of the MAI Disclosure Schedule:
(i) MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries have made all payments required to
be made by them to date, have accrued (in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied) as of the date
hereof all payments due but not yet payable, and will have made on or
prior to the Closing Date all payments due as of the Closing Date;
(ii) to the knowledge of MAI, MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries have
operated and currently operate such plans in compliance in all material
respects with the plan documents and all applicable laws, including
without limitation ERISA and the Code (including without limitation
Section 4980B thereof) and the regulations thereunder;
(iii) to the knowledge of MAI, there has not been any Reportable
Event (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA);
(iv) to the knowledge of MAI, there has not been any event
described in Section 4068 of ERISA;
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(v) to the knowledge of MAI, there has not been any material
violation of the reporting and disclosure provisions of the Code and
ERISA;
(vi) to the knowledge of MAI, there has not been any Prohibited
Transaction (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Code);
(vii) to the knowledge of MAI, there has not been any violation of
Sections 404, 406 or 407 of ERISA; and
(viii) there has not been any termination or partial termination
(including any termination or partial termination attributable to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement) of such plans.
(h) MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries have no direct or indirect material
liability or obligation under any MAI Employee Benefit Plan other than as
described in the terms of such MAI Employee Benefits Plans or on Section
6.17 of the MAI Disclosure Schedule.
(i) Except as described on Section 6.17 of the MAI Disclosure
Schedule, there are no circumstances arising out of MAI's or any of the MAI
Subsidiaries' sponsorship of any MAI Employee Benefit Plan which will
result in any direct or indirect material liability, other than liability
for contributions, benefit payments, administrative costs and liabilities
incurred in the ordinary course of business.
(j) There are no MAI Employee Benefit Plans that are subject to Title
IV of ERISA.
(k) MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries have not incurred, and will not incur
as a result of or in connection with either of the Mergers, any liability
to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (or any successor thereto),
including any liability under Sections 4063 or 4064 of ERISA.
(l) MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries have not incurred, and will not incur
as a result of or in connection with either of the Mergers, any withdrawal
liability, nor have MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries had, nor will they have as
a result of or in connection with either of the Mergers or any contingent
withdrawal liability, to any Multi-employer Plan under ERISA, as amended by
the Multi-employer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980.
(m) Except as described on Section 6.17 of the MAI Disclosure
Schedule, there has never been in existence, and there currently does not
exist, any Employee Pension Benefit Plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of
ERISA) involving MAI or any of the MAI Subsidiaries which is subject to the
provisions of Title IV of ERISA, or any such plan which is subject to the
funding requirements of Section 412 of the Code or Sections 301 et seq. of
ERISA.
(n) No event has occurred and no circumstances currently exist which
do or will result in any civil penalty being assessed pursuant to Section
502 of ERISA, any tax being imposed under Section 4975 of the Code, or any
liability for a breach of fiduciary or other responsibility under ERISA in
connection with any Employee Pension Benefit Plan which has been
established, maintained or contributed to by MAI or any of the MAI
Subsidiaries or any other entity or entities which, together with MAI and
its Subsidiaries, constitute elements of either a controlled group of
corporations (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code), a group of
trades or businesses under common control (within the meaning of Section
414(m) of the Code), or another arrangement covered by Section 414(o) of
the Code.
(o) There are no pending claims or lawsuits which have been asserted
or instituted (other than in respect of benefits due in the ordinary course
which, in the aggregate, are not material against the assets of any of the
MAI Employee Benefit Plans or against MAI or any fiduciary of the MAI
Employee Benefit Plans) with respect to the MAI Employee Benefit Plans or
against MAI whether federal or state.
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6.18 Employees.
(a) MAI has made available to PICM a true and correct list of the
names of the employees of MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries, their birth dates,
hire dates, compensation rates, name of employer and capacity in which
employed, and accrued vacation and sick leave, if any, as of May 31, 2000.
Except as limited by any employment agreements and severance agreements
listed on Section 6.18(a) of the MAI Disclosure Schedule or as set forth on
Section 6.18(a) to the MAI Disclosure Schedule, and except for any
limitations of general application which may be imposed under applicable
employment laws, MAI and each of the MAI Subsidiaries have the right to
terminate the employment of any of their respective employees at will and
without payment to such employees.
(b) MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries are in full and complete compliance
with all applicable ordinances or other laws, orders, and regulations
regarding labor and employment and the compensation therefor, whether state
or federal, including without limitation the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970, as amended, the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, as amended;
the Americans With Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. sec. 12101 et seq., as
amended; the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. sec. 201 et seq., as
amended; the Equal Pay Act, 29 U.S.C. sec. 206d, as amended, the
Portal-to-Portal Pay Act of 1947, 29 U.S.C. sec. 255 et seq., as amended;
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. sec. 2000e, as amended
and 42 U.S.C. sec. 1981, as amended; Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
amended; the Vietnam-Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as
amended; Immigration Reform and Control Act, 8 U.S.C. sec. 1324A et seq.,
as amended; the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988, as amended; the
Veterans Re-employment Act -- Handicap Bias, 38 U.S.C. sec. 2027 et seq.,
as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991, as amended; the Family and
Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended; the Religious Freedom Restoration
Act of 1993, as amended; and the Age Discrimination and Employment Act of
1967, as amended, except where the failure to so comply would not have a
material adverse effect on business or properties MAI and the MAI
Subsidiaries. Except as provided on Section 6.18(b) to the MAI Disclosure
Schedule, MAI is not aware of any action or investigation which has been
instituted or, to the knowledge of MAI, is threatened to be conducted by
any state or federal agency regarding any potential violation by MAI and
the MAI Subsidiaries of any laws, orders, ordinances and regulations
regarding labor and employment or the compensation therefor during the past
five (5) years including without limitation, any of the aforementioned
statutes and congressional acts, except for actions or investigations which
would not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect
on MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries and would not subject MAI and the MAI
Subsidiaries to any material penalty.
(c) Neither MAI nor any of the MAI Subsidiaries has ever been a party
to or bound by any union or collective bargaining contract, nor is any such
contract currently in effect or being negotiated by MAI or any of the MAI
Subsidiaries. Neither MAI nor any of the MAI Subsidiaries have ever
experienced any material labor problem. Except as indicated on Section
6.18(c) to the MAI Disclosure Schedule, since May 31, 2000, no affiliate of
MAI or any of the MAI Subsidiaries listed in Section 6.24 of the MAI
Disclosure Schedule has indicated to any officer or director of MAI an
intention to terminate his or her employment.
6.19 Accounts Receivable. All accounts receivable of MAI and the MAI
Subsidiaries are reflected properly on their respective books and records, are
valid receivables subject to no set offs or counterclaims, are presently current
and collectible, and will be collected in accordance with their terms at the
recorded amounts, subject only to a reasonable reserve for bad debts.
6.20 Proceedings and Judgments. Except as described in Section 6.20 of the
MAI Disclosure Schedule, (a) there is no material litigation, investigation,
claim, suit, arbitration or other proceeding pending or, to the best knowledge
of MAI, threatened against or relating to MAI or any of the MAI Subsidiaries,
any of their respective businesses or assets, any assets of any other person
which are used in any of their businesses or the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, and there is no basis known to MAI for any such litigation,
investigation, claim, suit, arbitration, or other proceeding (excluding claims
covered by insurance policies written by MAI Insurance Subsidiaries), (b) there
are no outstanding
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judgments or orders against MAI or any of the MAI Subsidiaries or any of their
respective businesses or assets, or any assets of any other person which are
used in any of their businesses, or against any of their respective officers,
directors or employees which has had or would be expected to have an adverse
effect on MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries, and (c) no material breach of contract,
bad faith, breach of warranty, tort, negligence, infringement, fraud,
discrimination, wrongful discharge or other claim of any nature has been
asserted or, to the best knowledge of MAI, threatened against MAI or any of the
MAI Subsidiaries, nor is there any basis for any such claim. As to each item
described in such reports or in Schedule 6.20 of the MAI Disclosure Schedule (if
any), accurate and complete copies of all relevant pleadings, judgments, orders
and correspondence have been made available to PICM.
6.21 Insurance. MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries maintain policies of general
liability, fire and casualty, automobile and other forms of insurance in such
amounts, with such deductibles and against such risks and losses as are, in
MAI's judgment, reasonable for the business and assets of MAI and the MAI
Subsidiaries. All such policies are in full force and effect, all premiums due
and payable thereon have been paid (other than retroactive or retrospective
premium adjustments that are not yet, but may be, required to be paid with
respect to any period ending prior to the Closing Date under comprehensive
general liability and workmen's compensation insurance policies), and no notice
of cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such policy
which has not been replaced on substantially similar terms prior to the date of
such cancellation. To the knowledge of MAI, the activities and operations of MAI
and the MAI Subsidiaries have been conducted in a manner so as to conform in all
material respects to all applicable provisions of such insurance policies. The
coverages and policy limits of all general liability and automobile insurance
policies maintained by MAI and each of the MAI Subsidiaries during the last five
(5) years are consistent with the coverages and policy limits of the general
liability and automobile policies currently in effect.
6.22 Brokerage Fees. Except as disclosed in Section 6.22 of the MAI
Disclosure Schedule, no person or company acting on behalf of MAI is entitled to
any brokerage or finder's fee or investment banking fee in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
6.23 Questionable Payments. Neither MAI nor any of the MAI Subsidiaries,
nor any of their respective current directors or officers, and to the best of
MAI's knowledge, former officers or directors or current or former employees,
agents or representatives have (a) used any corporate funds for any illegal
contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to
political activity, (b) used any corporate funds for any direct or indirect
unlawful payments to any foreign or domestic government officials or employees,
(c) violated any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, (d)
established or maintained any unlawful or unrecorded fund of corporate monies or
other assets, (e) made any false or fictitious entries on the books and records
of MAI or any of the MAI Subsidiaries, (f) made any bribe, rebate, payoff,
influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment of any nature, or (g) made
any material favor or gift which is not deductible for federal income tax
purposes.
6.24 Affiliates. Section 6.24 of the MAI Disclosure Schedule sets forth a
list of all persons who are affiliates of MAI as contemplated in Rule 145 of the
SEC.
6.25 Compliance with Applicable Law. MAI and each of the MAI Subsidiaries
hold all material licenses, franchises, permits and authorizations necessary for
the lawful conduct of their respective businesses under and pursuant to, and
have complied in all material respects with, and are not in default in any
material respect under any, and have maintained and conducted their respective
businesses in all material respects in compliance with, all applicable laws,
statutes, orders, rules, regulations, policies and/or guidelines of each
governmental authority relating to MAI or any of the MAI Subsidiaries, except
where the failure to hold such license, franchise, permit or authorization or
such noncompliance or default would not, either individually or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries.
Neither MAI nor any of the MAI Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, engages in
any activity prohibited by applicable law.
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6.26 No Investment Company. Neither MAI nor any MAI Subsidiary is an
"investment company," or a company "controlled" by an "investment company,"
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
6.27 Takeover Laws. The Board of Directors of MAI has approved the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreements and
taken such action such that the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law and any other provisions of any state or local
"takeover" law applicable to MAI will not apply to this Agreement or the Stock
Option Agreements or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
6.28 Full Disclosure. All of the representations and warranties made by
MAI in this Agreement, taken together and with the MAI Disclosure Schedule, do
not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements set forth herein and therein, in
light of the circumstances in which such statements were made, not misleading.
The copies of documents attached to the MAI Disclosure Schedule or otherwise
made available to PICM in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby
are accurate and complete in all material respects unless otherwise set forth in
Section 6.25 of the MAI Disclosure Schedule.
7. SHAREHOLDER AND REGULATORY APPROVAL OF THE MERGER
7.1 The Holding Company Filings.
(a) PICM and MAI understand and agree that the Holding Company will be
required to file certain documents and obtain certain approvals in order to
complete the transactions contemplated hereby (the "Holding Company
Filings"), which filings and approvals include without limitation the
following:
(i) Notice on Form A and Form E, if applicable, to be filed with
the Department of Insurance in each of Alabama, West Virginia, Indiana
and Missouri in support of the Holding Company's request for approval of
a change of control of MAI and the MAI Insurance Subsidiaries ("MAI Form
A Notices");
(ii) Notice on Form A and Form E, if applicable, to be filed with
the Department of Insurance in each of Michigan, Illinois and Indiana in
support of the Holding Company's request for approval of the change of
control of PICM and the PICM Insurance Subsidiaries ("PICM Form A
Notices");
(iii) Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the SEC
for the registration of the Holding Company Common Stock to be issued in
the Mergers. The Registration Statement will be in the form of a Joint
Proxy Statement to be mailed to the stockholders of PICM and MAI in
connection with the stockholders' meetings held by PICM for the approval
of the PICM Merger and the stockholders meeting held by MAI for the
approval of the MAI Merger (the "Registration Statement" or "Joint Proxy
Statement"); and
(iv) Applications, statements, correspondence or forms required to
be filed with appropriate state securities law regulatory authorities to
register or qualify the shares of the Holding Company Common Stock to be
issued upon consummation of the Mergers ("Blue Sky Filings").
(b) Each party will furnish all information, including certificates,
consents and opinions of experts deemed reasonably necessary by the other
party for the preparation of the Holding Company Filings. Each party
covenants and agrees that all information furnished by it for inclusion in
the Holding Company Filings will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made.
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7.2 PICM Form A Notices.
(a) To the extent applicable, PICM shall prepare on behalf of the
Holding Company and (i) file a Notice on Form A and related documents
pursuant to the Michigan, Illinois and Indiana Holding Company Systems Act
and (ii) file the preacquisition notification and report forms and related
material on Form E that it may be required to file with the Michigan,
Illinois and Indiana Departments of Insurance in connection with the PICM
Merger.
(b) MAI will cooperate with PICM in providing information necessary to
complete such filings and in obtaining the approval of the Commissioners of
the Departments of Insurance of Michigan, Illinois and Indiana to the PICM
Merger as herein contemplated. PICM and MAI shall cooperate and coordinate
with each other in taking such actions as may be required to obtain such
approvals, including, without limitation, giving notice of the public
hearing regarding this transaction to any persons required by such
commissioners in the manner prescribed by such commissioners, having its
representatives attend the public hearings of such commissioners and
testify at such hearings if required, and submitting such information as
may be reasonably available pursuant to requests by such commissioners of
each of Michigan, Illinois and Indiana in connection with such hearings.
7.3 MAI Form A Notices.
(a) To the extent applicable, MAI shall prepare and file on behalf of
the Holding Company (i) a Form A and related documents pursuant to the
Alabama, West Virginia, Indiana, and Missouri Holding Company Systems Acts
and (ii) the preacquisition notification and report forms and related
material on Form E that it may be required to file with the Alabama, West
Virginia, Indiana, and Missouri Departments of Insurance in connection with
the MAI Merger.
(b) PICM will cooperate with MAI providing information necessary to
complete such filings and in obtaining the approval of the Commissioners of
the Departments of Insurance of Alabama, West Virginia, Indiana, and
Missouri to the MAI Merger as herein contemplated. PICM and MAI shall
cooperate and coordinate with each other in taking such actions as may be
required to obtain such approvals, including without limitation, giving
notice of the public hearing regarding this transaction to any persons
required by such commissioners and in the manner prescribed by such
commissioners, having its representatives attend the public hearing of the
commissioners of such states and testify at such hearing if required, and
submitting such information as may be reasonably available pursuant to
requests by such commissioners in connection with the applicable hearing.
7.4 Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. Each of MAI, the Holding Company and PICM will
file any notification and report forms and related material they may be required
to file with the Federal Trade Commission and the Anti-Trust Division of the
United States Department of Justice (the "Pre-Merger Notification Agencies")
under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act ("HSR Act"), will use their reasonable best
efforts to obtain an early termination of the applicable waiting period, and
will make any further filings pursuant thereto that may be necessary, proper or
advisable ("HSR Act Report").
7.5 Registration Statement and Proxy Statements.
(a) As promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement,
MAI shall cause the Holding Company to prepare and file and use its
reasonable best efforts to have declared effective as promptly as
practicable after such filing, the Registration Statement necessary to
register under the 1933 Act, the shares of the Holding Company Common Stock
to be issued pursuant to the Mergers. The Registration Statement shall
include such information as may be required under the 1933 Act with respect
to the approval of the PICM Merger and the MAI Merger by the stockholders
of PICM and MAI, respectively, and shall also include such information as
may be required under Schedule 14A under the 1934 Act. PICM and MAI shall
provide promptly to the Holding Company such information concerning the
business, financial condition and affairs of PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries
and MAI and MAI Subsidiaries as may be necessary or reasonably requested by
MAI in connection with the preparation or filing of the Registration
Statement and shall otherwise cooperate
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and cause its representatives to cooperate with the Holding Company's
representatives in the preparation and filing of such Registration
Statement.
(b) MAI and PICM shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause the
Registration Statement to become effective or otherwise approved for
distribution by the SEC as soon as practicable and thereafter to promptly
distribute copies of the Joint Proxy Statement to their respective
stockholders. After the execution of this Agreement, and thereafter until
the Closing Date, PICM and MAI shall promptly advise each other of any
facts which should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Joint
Proxy Statement, and each party shall take all such action as shall be
necessary to keep the Registration Statement current and effective until
the Closing Date. Except to the extent permitted by applicable law,
including Rule 145(b) of the SEC or Rule 14a-2 or Rule 14e-2 of the SEC, or
required by the fiduciary obligations of its Board of Directors, PICM and
MAI shall use their best efforts not to publish any communication, other
than the Registration Statement, relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. If the Holding Company Common
Stock is registered under the 1933 Act, the Holding Company shall not be
required to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement for
the purpose of resale by the affiliates of PICM and MAI, as such term is
used in Rule 145 of the SEC.
(c) PICM shall deliver to MAI consents of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP
and KPMG LLP as required by the SEC to include their respective reports on
the PICM Consolidated Financial Statements and MEEMIC Consolidated
Financial Statements in the Registration Statement and to refer to each of
them as experts in the Registration Statement with respect to the matters
included in such reports.
(d) MAI shall deliver to PICM a consent of Ernst & Young LLP as
required by the SEC to include its report on the MAI Consolidated Financial
Statements in the Registration Statement and to refer to said accountants
as experts in the Registration Statement with respect to the matters
included in said report.
(e) Each of PICM and MAI (each, a "party") warrants, represents and
covenants to the other that when the Registration Statement shall become
effective or otherwise approved for distribution, and at all times
subsequent thereto, up to and including the date of stockholders' meetings
of PICM and MAI referred to in Section 7.6, such Registration Statement and
all amendments or supplements thereto will, with respect to the information
furnished by such party or its representatives to the other party or its
representatives, (i) comply in all material respects with the provisions of
the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and
(ii) not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each
party warrants, represents and covenants to the other that all information
furnished to the other for use in the filings described in or contemplated
by this Agreement shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. Each party hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold harmless
each person who controls such other party (within the meaning of Section 15
of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act), and each of such other
party's directors, officers and representatives, from and against any and
all losses, claims, liabilities, damages and expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees) that arise out of or are based upon a breach of this
warranty, representation and covenant.
7.6 Stockholder Approval.
(a) PICM shall call a meeting of its stockholders to be held as soon
as reasonably practicable for the purpose of obtaining the requisite PICM
stockholder approval required in connection with this Agreement and the
PICM Merger, and shall use its best efforts to cause such meeting to occur
on the same date as the meeting of the stockholders of MAI called for the
purpose of obtaining the requisite MAI stockholder approval required in
connection with this Agreement and the MAI Merger.
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PICM will, through its Board of Directors, subject to its fiduciary
obligations, as determined by its Board of Directors, recommend to its
stockholders approval of this Agreement and the PICM Merger.
(b) MAI shall call a meeting of its stockholders to be held as soon as
reasonably practicable for the purpose of obtaining the requisite MAI
stockholder approval required in connection with this Agreement and the MAI
Merger, and shall use its best efforts to cause such meeting to occur on
the same date as the meeting of the stockholders of PICM called for the
purpose of obtaining the requisite PICM stockholder approval required in
connection with this Agreement and the PICM Merger. MAI will, through its
Board of Directors, subject to its fiduciary obligations as determined by
its Board of Directors, recommend to its stockholders approval of this
Agreement and the MAI Merger.
7.7 Blue Sky Filings. MAI shall cause the Holding Company to make all Blue
Sky Filings under applicable state securities laws which are required in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. PICM and MAI
shall cooperate with the Holding Company, and furnish all information reasonably
required by the Holding Company, in connection with such filings.
7.8 Tax Opinion. MAI and PICM agree to cause the Holding Company to engage
Ernst & Young, LLP, or such other nationally recognized firm, to render an
opinion, acceptable to MAI and PICM in form and substance, as to the material
tax consequences to the Holding Company, PICM, MAI and the stockholders of PICM
and MAI in connection with the Mergers and the receipt of the PICM Merger
Consideration and MAI Merger Consideration, respectively. The opinion shall be
addressed to the Board of Directors of the Holding Company, MAI and PICM
rendered on or before the filing of the Registration Statement, and the person
rendering the opinion shall consent to the reference to the opinion in the Joint
Proxy Statement and to the inclusion of the opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of the 1933 Act and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
7.9 Other Regulatory Filings.
(a) Each of PICM and MAI shall duly make all other regulatory filings
required to be made by each in respect of this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each party shall use all
reasonable efforts to obtain all material permits, approvals and consents
required to be obtained prior to the consummation of each of the PICM
Merger and the MAI Merger or necessary to carry out the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement under applicable federal, state, local and
foreign laws, rules and regulations, including any approvals required under
applicable state insurance laws. A representative of each party shall
participate in all substantive discussions with the SEC, the Pre-merger
Notification Agencies and any other governmental authority, unless such
right to participate is waived by such party.
(b) Each of PICM and MAI shall provide to the other, (i) promptly
after filing thereof, copies of all statements, applications,
correspondence or forms filed by such party prior to the Closing Date with
state securities and insurance regulatory authorities, the SEC, the
Pre-Merger Notification Agencies and any other governmental authority in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (ii)
promptly after delivery to, or receipt from, such governmental authorities,
all written communications, letters, reports or other documents relating to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) PICM and MAI shall have the right to review in advance, and, to
the extent practicable, each will consult the other on, in each case
subject to applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, all the
information relating to PICM or MAI, as the case may be, and any of their
respective Subsidiaries, which appear in any filing made with, or written
materials submitted to, any third party or any governmental authority in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In
exercising the foregoing right, each of PICM and MAI shall act reasonably
and as promptly as practicable. The parties hereto agree that they will
consult with each other with respect to the obtaining of all permits,
consents, approvals and authorizations of all third parties and
governmental authority necessary or advisable to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this
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Agreement and each party will keep the other apprised of the status of
matters relating to completion of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
8. CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS PENDING CLOSING
8.1 Conduct of Businesses Prior to the Closing Date.
(a) During the period from the date of this Agreement to Closing Date,
except as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement (including
the PICM Disclosure Schedule and the MAI Disclosure Schedule), each of PICM
and MAI shall, and shall cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to,
(a) conduct its business in the usual, regular and ordinary course
consistent with past practice, (b) use reasonable best efforts to maintain
and preserve intact its business organization, employees and advantageous
business relationships and retain the services of its key officers and key
employees and (c) take no action which would adversely affect or delay the
ability of any party to this Agreement to obtain any requisite regulatory
approval for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to perform
its covenants and agreements under this Agreement.
(b) During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Closing
Date, except as set forth in the PICM Disclosure Schedule or the MAI
Disclosure Schedule, as the case may be, and, except as expressly
contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, neither PICM nor MAI shall,
and neither PICM nor MAI shall permit any of their respective Subsidiaries
to, without the prior written consent of the other:
(i) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice or in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, incur any indebtedness for borrowed money, assume,
guarantee, endorse or otherwise as an accommodation become responsible
for the obligations of any other individual, corporation or other
entity, or make any loan or advance (it being understood and agreed that
incurrence of indebtedness in the ordinary course of business shall
include entering into repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase
agreements);
(ii) adjust, split, combine or reclassify any capital stock;
(iii) make, declare or pay any dividend or make any other
distribution on, or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise
acquire, any shares of its capital stock or any securities or
obligations convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its
capital stock, except (w) dividends paid by any of the PICM Subsidiaries
to PICM or by any of the MAI Subsidiaries to MAI, and (x) repurchases of
shares of MAI Common Stock by MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the SEC and at times other than the
Market Value Calculation Period; (y) repurchases of shares of PICM
Common Stock by PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries in accordance with the
rules and regulations of the SEC; and (z) purchases or acquisitions of
shares of MEEMIC common stock by PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC.
(iv) grant any stock appreciation rights or grant any individual,
corporation or other entity any right to acquire any shares of its
capital stock (and no such rights or options shall be granted), (A)
except as provided in Section 8.10 hereof; and (B) except that PICM
shall have the right to grant options to MAI, and MAI shall have the
right to grant options to PICM , as contemplated in Section 8.8 hereof;
(v) issue any additional shares of capital stock except pursuant to
(A) the exercise of stock options or warrants outstanding as of the date
of this Agreement, or (B) as permitted under clause (iv) of this
sentence;
(vi) sell, transfer, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of any
of its properties or assets to any individual, corporation or other
entity other than a Subsidiary, or cancel, release or assign any
indebtedness to any such person or any claims held by any such person,
except in the
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ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or pursuant to
contracts or agreements in force at the date of this Agreement or in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(vii) except for transactions in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, or pursuant to contracts or agreements in
force at the date of this Agreement, make any material investment either
by purchase of stock or securities, contributions to capital, property
transfers, or purchase of any property or assets of any other
individual, corporation or other entity other than a Subsidiary thereof;
(viii) except for transactions in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, enter into or terminate any material
contract or agreement, or make any change in any of its material leases
or contracts, other than renewals of contracts and leases without
material adverse changes of terms;
(ix) increase in any manner the compensation or fringe benefits of
any of its employees or pay any pension or retirement allowance not
required by any existing plan or agreement to any such employees or
become a party to, amend or commit itself to any pension, retirement,
profit-sharing or welfare benefit plan or agreement or employment
agreement with or for the benefit of any employee other than in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or accelerate
the vesting of any stock options or other stock-based compensation;
(x) settle any claim, action or proceeding involving money damages,
except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(xi) amend its Articles of Incorporation or Certificate of
Incorporation, or its Bylaws, except as contemplated by this Agreement;
(xii) other than in accordance with its investment guidelines and
prior consultation with the other party to this Agreement, restructure
or materially change its investment securities portfolio through
purchases, sales or otherwise, or the manner in which the portfolio is
classified or reported;
(xiii) take any action that is intended or may reasonably be
expected to result in any of its representations and warranties set
forth in this Agreement being or becoming untrue in any material respect
at any time prior to the Closing, or in any of the conditions to the
Mergers set forth in Section 9 of this Agreement not being satisfied or
in a violation of any provision of this Agreement, except, in every
case, as may be required by applicable law; or
(xiv) agree to, or make any commitment to, take any of the actions
prohibited by this Section 8.1(b).
8.2 Access to Information.
(a) Upon reasonable notice and subject to applicable laws relating to
the exchange of information and to the Confidentiality Agreement dated
February 28, 2000, (the "Confidentiality Agreement"), among MEEMIC and the
parties to this Agreement, each of PICM and MAI shall, and shall cause each
of their respective Subsidiaries to, afford to the officers, employees,
accountants, counsel and other representatives of the other party, access,
during normal business hours during the period prior to the Closing Date,
to all its properties, books, contracts, commitments and records and,
during such period, each of PICM and MAI shall, and shall cause their
respective Subsidiaries to, make available to the other party (i) a copy of
each report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed or
received by it during such period pursuant to the requirements of federal
securities laws or state insurance laws (other than reports or documents
which PICM or MAI, as the case may be, is not permitted to disclose under
applicable law or by agreement) and (ii) all other information concerning
its business, properties and personnel as such party may reasonably
request. Neither PICM nor MAI nor any of their respective Subsidiaries
shall be required to provide access to or to disclose information where
such access or disclosure would violate or prejudice the rights of PICM's
or
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MAI's, as the case may be, customers, jeopardize the attorney-client and
work product privileges of the entity in possession or control of such
information or contravene any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment,
decree, fiduciary duty or binding agreement entered into prior to the date
of this Agreement. The parties hereto will make appropriate substitute
disclosure arrangements under circumstances in which the restrictions of
the preceding sentence apply.
(b) Each of PICM and MAI agrees to keep confidential, and not divulge
to any other party or person (other than employees of, and attorneys,
accountants, financial advisors and other representatives for, any said
party who agree to be bound by the Confidentiality Agreement), all non-
public documents, information, records and financial statements received
from the other and, in addition, any and all reports, information and
financial information obtained through audits or other reviews conducted
pursuant to this Agreement (unless readily ascertainable from public or
published information, or trade sources, or already known or subsequently
developed by a party independently of any investigation or received from a
third party not under an obligation to the other party to keep such
information confidential), and to use the same only in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and if the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated for any reason, each
party agrees to promptly return to the other party all written materials
furnished by the other party, and all copies thereof, in connection with
such investigation, and to destroy all documents and records in its
possession containing extracts or summaries of any such non-public
information.
(c) No investigation by either of the parties or their respective
representatives shall affect the representations, warranties, covenants or
conditions of the other set forth in this Agreement.
8.3 Legal Conditions to Mergers. Each of PICM and MAI shall, and shall
cause its Subsidiaries to, use their best efforts (a) to take, or cause to be
taken, all actions necessary, proper or advisable to comply promptly with all
legal requirements which may be imposed on such party or its Subsidiaries with
respect to the Mergers and, subject to the conditions set forth in Section 9 of
this Agreement, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and (b) to obtain (and to cooperate with the other party to obtain) any consent,
authorization, order or approval of, or any exemption by, any governmental
entity and any other third party which is required to be obtained by PICM or MAI
or any of their respective Subsidiaries in connection with the Mergers and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
8.4 NYSE Listing. MAI shall cause the shares of the Holding Company Common
Stock to be issued in the Mergers to be approved for trading and reporting on
New York Stock Exchange subject to official notice of issuance, prior to the
Closing Date.
8.5 Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) PICM and MAI shall cooperate in reviewing, evaluating and
analyzing the PICM Employee Benefit Plans and the MAI Employee Benefit
Plans with a view towards either integrating the PICM Employee Benefit
Plans and the MAI Employee Benefit Plans or developing appropriate new
benefit plans for the employees covered thereby subsequent to the Mergers
in replacement and substitution for the PICM Employee Benefit Plans and the
MAI Employee Benefit Plans. It is the intention of MAI and PICM that, as
soon as practicable after the Closing Date (but in no event later than the
period prescribed by law) and to the extent permitted by applicable law,
the PICM Employee Benefit Plans and the MAI Employee Benefit Plans will be
either integrated into, or cancelled, terminated or frozen, and replaced
by, employee benefit plans adopted by the Holding Company following the
Closing Date (the "Holding Company Employee Benefit Plans").
(b) The PICM Employee Benefit Plans and the MAI Employee Benefit Plans
shall not be terminated by reason of the Mergers but shall continue
thereafter until such time as the PICM Employee Benefit Plans and the MAI
Employee Benefit Plans are either integrated into, or are replaced by, the
Holding Company Employee Benefit Plans. The Holding Company Employee
Benefit Plans (i) shall treat similarly situated employees on a
substantially equivalent basis, taking into account all relevant factors,
including duties, geographic location, tenure, qualifications and
abilities;
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(ii) shall provide full credit for prior service with PICM or MAI or any of
the PICM Subsidiaries or MAI Subsidiaries for purposes of vesting and
eligibility for participation (including vacation and sick leave, but not
other benefit accruals), and co-payments and deductibles; and (iii) with
respect to persons employed by PICM or MAI or any of the PICM Subsidiaries
or MAI Subsidiaries both before and after the Closing Date, shall provide
for the waiver of all waiting periods and pre-existing condition exclusions
or penalties.
(c) Following the Closing Date and except to the extent modified in
connection with the assumption of certain employee benefits by the Holding
Company as provided herein, the Holding Company, PICM and MAI shall honor
in accordance with their respective terms all PICM Employee Benefit Plans
and all MAI Employee Benefit Plans and all provisions for vested benefits
or other vested amounts earned or accrued in the period prior to the
Closing Date under the PICM Employee Benefit Plans and the MAI Employee
Benefit Plans.
(d) Nothing in this Section 8.5 shall be interpreted as preventing MAI
or PICM from amending, modifying or terminating any MAI Employee Benefit
Plans, any PICM Employee Benefit Plans, or any other contracts,
arrangements, commitments or understandings, in accordance with their terms
and applicable law.
8.6 Advice of Changes.
(a) PICM and MAI shall give prompt notice to the other party as soon
as practicable after it has actual knowledge of (i) the occurrence, or
failure to occur, of any event which would or would be likely to cause any
party's representations or warranties contained in this Agreement to be
untrue or incorrect in any material respect at any time from the date of
this Agreement to the Closing Date, or (ii) any failure on its part or on
the part of any of its or its Subsidiaries' officers, directors, employees,
representatives or agents (other than persons or entities who are such
employees, representatives or agents only because they are appointed
insurance agents of such parties) to comply with or satisfy in any material
respect any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or
satisfied by such party under this Agreement. Each party shall have the
right to deliver to the other party a written disclosure schedule as to any
matter of which it becomes aware following execution of this Agreement
which would constitute a breach of any representation, warranty or covenant
of this Agreement by such party, identifying on such disclosure schedule
the representation, warranty or covenant which would be so breached,
provided that each such disclosure schedule shall be delivered as soon as
practicable after such party becomes aware of the matter disclosed therein.
The nondisclosing party shall have five (5) business days from receipt of
such disclosure schedule to notify the disclosing party that (x) it will
close notwithstanding the new disclosure, or (y) it will not close based on
such new disclosure, or (z) further investigation or negotiation is
required for it to reach a determination whether or not to close based on
such new disclosure. If the parties thereafter are unable to reach
agreement on a mutually satisfactory means of resolving the matter so
disclosed, the nondisclosing party shall have the right in its discretion,
to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(b) of this Agreement.
(b) PICM shall update the PICM Disclosure Schedule (the "Closing Date
PICM Disclosure Schedule") to a date that is no earlier than ten (10)
business days prior to the Closing Date and no later than seven (7)
business days prior to the Closing Date and shall deliver the Closing Date
PICM Disclosure Schedule to MAI no earlier than three (3) business days
prior to the Closing Date. MAI shall update the MAI Disclosure Schedule
(the "Closing Date MAI Disclosure Schedule") to a date that is no earlier
than ten (10) business days prior to the Closing Date and no later than
seven (7) business days prior to the Closing Date and shall deliver the
Closing Date MAI Disclosure Schedule to PICM no earlier than three (3)
business days prior to the Closing Date. The obligation of PICM to deliver
to MAI the Closing Date PICM Disclosure Schedule as provided above shall be
a material obligation for purposes of Section 9.3(b) hereof, and the
obligation of MAI to deliver to PICM the Closing Date MAI Disclosure
Schedule shall be a material obligation for purposes of Section 9.2(b)
hereof.
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8.7 Negotiations with Other Parties.
(a) So long as this Agreement remains in effect and no notice of
termination has been given under this Agreement, neither PICM, on the one
hand, nor MAI, on the other hand, shall authorize or knowingly permit any
of its representatives, directly or indirectly, to initiate, entertain,
solicit, encourage, engage in, or participate in, negotiations with any
person or entity or any group of persons or entities other than the other
party to this Agreement or any of its affiliates (a "Potential Acquiror")
concerning any Acquisition Proposal (as defined in this Section 8.7) other
than as expressly provided in this Agreement. MAI will promptly inform
PICM, and PICM will promptly inform MAI, of any serious, bona fide inquiry
it may receive with respect to any Acquisition Proposal and each shall
furnish to the other a copy thereof.
(b) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit PICM or its
Board of Directors from making such disclosures to its stockholders as are
required under applicable law or the rules of the NASD or the Nasdaq
National Market or from taking and disclosing to its stockholders a
position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the 1934 Act.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit the Board of Directors
of PICM from either furnishing information to, or entering into discussions
or negotiations with, any person, entity or group regarding any Acquisition
Proposal, or approving and recommending the stockholders of PICM an
Acquisition Proposal from any person, entity or group, if the Board of
Directors of PICM determines in good faith that such action is appropriate
in furtherance of the best interests of stockholders. In connection with
any such determination, (A) PICM shall direct its officers and other
appropriate personnel to cooperate with and be reasonably available to
consult with any such person, entity or group, (B) PICM will disclose to
MAI that it is furnishing information to, or entering into discussions or
negotiations with, such person, entity or group, which disclosure shall
describe the terms thereof (but need not identify the person, entity or
group making the offer), (C) prior to furnishing such information to such
person, entity or group, PICM shall enter into a written agreement with
such person, entity or group which provides for, among other things, (i)
the furnishing to PICM of information regarding such person, entity or
group that is relevant to its ability to finance and otherwise perform its
obligations under its Acquisition Proposal; (ii) the confidentiality of all
non-public information furnished to such person or entity by PICM; and
(iii) procedures reasonably satisfactory to PICM that are designed to
restrict or limit the provision of information regarding PICM that could be
used to the competitive disadvantage of PICM, or in a manner that would be
detrimental to the interests of its stockholders; (D) PICM will not furnish
any non-public information regarding MAI or the transactions contemplated
hereby; and (E) PICM will keep MAI informed of the status of any such
discussions or negotiations (provided that PICM shall not be required to
disclose to MAI confidential information concerning the business or
operations of such person, entity or group).
(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit MAI or its
Board of Directors from making such disclosures to its stockholders as are
required under applicable law and the New York Stock Exchange or from
taking and disclosing to its stockholders a position contemplated by Rule
14e-2(a) promulgated under the 1934 Act. Nothing contained in this
Agreement shall prohibit the Board of Directors of MAI from either
furnishing information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations
with, any person, entity or group regarding any Acquisition Proposal, or
approving and recommending to the stockholders of MAI an Acquisition
Proposal from any person, entity or group, if the Board of Directors of MAI
determines in good faith that such action is appropriate in furtherance of
the best interests of stockholders. In connection with any such
determination, (A) MAI shall direct its officers and other appropriate
personnel to cooperate with and be reasonably available to consult with any
such person, entity or group, (B) MAI will disclose to PICM that it is
furnishing information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations
with, such person, entity or group, which disclosure shall describe the
terms thereof (but need not identify the person, entity or group making the
offer), (C) prior to furnishing such information to such person, entity or
group, MAI shall enter into a written agreement with such person, entity or
group which provides for, among other things, (i) the furnishing to MAI of
information regarding such person, entity or group that is
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relevant to its ability to finance and otherwise perform its obligations
under the Acquisition Proposal; (ii) the confidentiality of all non-public
information furnished to such person or entity by MAI; and (iii) procedures
reasonably satisfactory to MAI that are designed to limit or restrict the
provision of information regarding MAI that could be used to the
competitive disadvantage of MAI, or in a manner that would be detrimental
to stockholders; (D) MAI will not furnish any non-public information
regarding PICM or the transactions contemplated hereby; and (E) MAI will
keep PICM informed of the status of any such discussions or negotiations
(provided that MAI shall not be required to disclose to PICM confidential
information concerning the business or operations of such person, entity or
group).
(d) As used in this Agreement, "Acquisition Proposal" means (i) any
proposal pursuant to which any corporation, partnership, person or other
entity or group, other than PICM, MAI or the Holding Company, would acquire
or participate in a merger or other business combination involving PICM or
any of the PICM Subsidiaries, on the one hand, or MAI or any of the MAI
Subsidiaries, on the other hand, directly or indirectly; (ii) any proposal
by which any corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group,
other than PICM, MAI or the Holding Company, would acquire the right to
vote 10% or more of the capital stock of PICM or any of the PICM
Subsidiaries, on the one hand, or MAI of any of the MAI Subsidiaries, on
the other hand, entitled to vote thereon for the election of directors;
(iii) any acquisition of 10% or more of the assets of PICM or any of the
PICM Subsidiaries, other than in the ordinary course of business; (iv) any
acquisition of 10% or more of the assets of MAI or any of the MAI
Subsidiaries, other than in the ordinary course of business; (v) any
acquisition in excess of 10% of the outstanding capital stock of PICM or
any of the PICM Subsidiaries, on the one hand, or MAI or any of the MAI
Subsidiaries, on the other hand, other than as contemplated by this
Agreement; or (vi) any transaction similar to the foregoing.
8.8 Grant of Stock Options.
(a) PICM agrees to grant to MAI the right and option to purchase up to
437,320 shares of PICM Common Stock (but not more than 4.9% of the
outstanding PICM Common Stock at the time of exercise) at a cash price of
$26.00 per share under the terms and conditions of the form of the Stock
Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit C (the "PICM Stock Option
Agreement"). PICM and MAI shall execute the PICM Stock Option Agreement
simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, and PICM shall reserve
from the authorized and unissued shares of PICM Common Stock the number of
shares to be issued upon the exercise of the PICM Stock Option Agreement so
long as such options are unexercised and have not expired or been
terminated. The option granted to MAI under the PICM Stock Option Agreement
shall not be considered as outstanding options to acquire PICM Common Stock
as of the PICM Effective Time for purposes of this Agreement.
(b) MAI agrees to grant to PICM the right and option to purchase up to
1,146,838 shares of MAI Common Stock (but not more than 4.9% of the
outstanding MAI Common Stock at the time of exercise) at a cash price of
$14.26 per share under the terms and conditions of the form of the Stock
Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit C (the "MAI Stock Option
Agreement" and together with the PICM Stock Option Agreement, the "Stock
Option Agreements"). PICM and MAI shall execute the MAI Stock Option
Agreement simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, and MAI
shall reserve from the shares of authorized and unissued MAI Common Stock
or from its treasury stock the maximum number of shares to be issued upon
the exercise of the options granted under the MAI Stock Option Agreement so
long as such options have not been exercised and have not expired or been
terminated. The option granted to PICM under the MAI Stock Option Agreement
shall not be considered as outstanding options to acquire MAI Common Stock
at the MAI Effective Time for purposes of this Agreement.
8.9 Affiliate Letters. On or before the Closing Date, each of PICM and MAI
shall have received from each of their respective affiliates listed on Section
5.24 and Section 6.24 of the Disclosure Schedule, respectively, a duly signed
letter to the effect that each such affiliate will not sell any shares of the
Holding
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Company Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Mergers except in compliance with
the 1933 Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
8.10 Miscellaneous.
(a) At any time prior to the Closing Date, (i) pursuant to the terms
of the PICM LTIP, PICM may make awards to Participants covering up to 7,000
shares of PICM Common Stock in the aggregate, and (ii) pursuant to the
terms of the PICM Director Option Plan, PICM may issue PICM Options to
non-employee directors of PICM covering up to 35,483 shares of PICM Common
Stock in the aggregate.
(b) Prior to Closing Date, MAI may, with the prior written consent of
PICM, make awards in the form of options or grants of MAI Common Stock
pursuant to the terms of the MAI Stock Option Plan, except that MAI may,
without the consent of PICM, make awards in the form of options or grants
of MAI Common Stock reserved for issuance under the MAI Stock Option Plan
in accordance with past practice pursuant to the MAI Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan, the MAI Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan, and MAI
Long Term Employment Annual Stock Awards.
(c) None of the representations or warranties of PICM or MAI shall be
deemed untrue or incorrect or incomplete, and no party shall be deemed to
have breached its representations or warranties contained herein, as a
consequence of the existence of any fact, circumstance or event if such
fact, circumstance or event, individually or taken together with all other
facts, circumstances or events, would not, or is not reasonably likely to,
have a material adverse effect or material adverse change on such party. As
used in this Agreement, the term "material adverse effect" or "material
adverse change" means an effect or change which (i) is materially adverse
to the financial condition of a party and its respective Subsidiaries taken
as a whole, (ii) significantly and adversely affects the ability of PICM or
MAI to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or to perform its
material obligations hereunder or (iii) enables any party to prevent the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however,
that any effect or change resulting from (A) actions or omissions of PICM
or MAI contemplated by this Agreement or taken with the prior consent of
the other party in contemplation of the transactions provided for herein,
(B) circumstances affecting the medical malpractice industry generally
(including changes in laws or regulations, accounting principles or general
levels of interest rates) which do not adversely affect a party and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in a manner significantly different than
the other party hereto, or (C) the payment and/or incurrence of
transactional expenses by the Holding Company, MAI or PICM in connection
with the transactions provided for in this Agreement, shall be deemed not
to be or have a material adverse effect or result in a material adverse
change.
8.11 Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance.
(a) In the event of any threatened or actual claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal or administrative,
including any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation in
which any individual who is now, or has been at any time prior to the date
of this Agreement, or who becomes prior to the later of the PICM Effective
Time and the MAI Effective Time, a director or officer or employee of the
Holding Company, MAI, PICM or any Subsidiary of the Holding Company, MAI or
PICM (jointly and severally the "Indemnified Parties"), is, or is
threatened to be, made a party based in whole or in part on, or arising in
whole or in part out of, or pertaining to (i) the fact that he or she is or
was a director or officer or employee of PICM or any PICM Subsidiary, or
any of their respective predecessors, (ii) the fact that he or she is or
was a director, officer or employee of MAI or any MAI Subsidiary, or any of
their respective predecessors, (iii) the fact that he or she is or was a
director or officer of the Holding Company or any Subsidiary of the Holding
Company, or (iv) this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreements, whether in any case asserted
or arising before or after the PICM Effective Time or the MAI Effective
Time, the parties hereto agree to cooperate and use their best efforts to
defend against and respond thereto. It is understood and agreed that after
the PICM Effective time or the MAI Effective Time, MAI, PICM and the
Holding Company, jointly
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and severally (jointly and severally, the "Indemnifiers"), shall indemnify
and hold harmless, as and to the fullest extent permitted by law (and, as
relates to acts or times prior to the PICM Effective Time or the MAI
Effective Time to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law at such
time, including the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
of PICM and the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of each of MAI and
the Holding Company), each such Indemnified Party against any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities, costs, expenses (including reasonable
attorney's fees and expenses in advance of the final disposition of any
claim, suit, proceeding or investigation to each Indemnified Party to the
fullest extent permitted by law upon receipt of an undertaking required by
applicable law), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in
connection with any such threatened or actual claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation, and in the event of any such threatened or
actual claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether asserted
or arising before or after the PICM Effective time or the MAI Effective
Time), the Indemnified Parties may retain counsel reasonably satisfactory
to them after consultation with the Indemnifiers; provided, however, that
(A) the Indemnifiers shall have the right to assume the defense thereof and
upon such assumption Indemnifiers shall not be liable to any Indemnified
Party for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses
subsequently incurred by any Indemnified Party in connection with the
defense thereof, except that if the Indemnifiers elect not to assume such
defense, the Indemnified Party may retain counsel reasonably satisfactory
to him or her after consultation with the Indemnifiers, and the
Indemnifiers shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for
the Indemnified Party, (B) the Indemnifiers shall be obligated pursuant to
this Section 8.11(a) to pay for only one firm of counsel for all
Indemnified Parties except to the extent representation by a single firm or
attorney is, in the absence of an informed consent by the Indemnified
Party, prohibited by ethical rules relating to lawyers' conflicts of
interest, (C) the Indemnifiers shall not be liable for any settlement
effected without the prior written consent of the Indemnifiers (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), (D) the Indemnifiers shall
have no obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Party when and if a court
of competent jurisdiction shall ultimately determine, and such
determination shall have become final and nonappealable, that
indemnification of such Indemnified Party in the manner contemplated by
this agreement is prohibited by applicable law and (E) the Indemnifiers
shall have no obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Party for which and
to the extent payment is actually and unqualifiedly made to such
Indemnified Party under any insurance policy, any other agreement for
indemnification or otherwise. Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim
Indemnification under this Section 8.11 except to the extent such failure
to notify materially prejudices the Indemnifiers. The Indemnifiers'
obligations under this Section 8.11 continue in full force and effect for a
period of three (3) years from the later of the PICM Effective Time and the
MAI Effective time (or the period of the applicable statute of limitations,
if longer); provided, however, that all rights to indemnification in
respect of any claim (a "Claim") asserted or made within such period shall
continue until the final disposition of such Claim.
(b) MAI shall use, and shall cause the Holding Company to use, its
best efforts to cause the individuals serving as officers and directors of
PICM and the PICM subsidiaries, immediately prior to the PICM Effective
Time to be covered for a period of three (3) years from the later of the
PICM Effective Time and the MAI Effective Time (or the period of the
applicable statute of limitations, if longer) by the directors' and
officers' liability insurance policy maintained by PICM or the PICM
Subsidiary (provided that the Holding Company or MAI may substitute
therefor policies of the same or substantially similar coverage and amounts
containing terms and conditions which are not less advantageous in any
material respect than such policy) with respect to acts or omissions
occurring prior to the PICM Effective Time which were committed by such
officers and directors in their capacity as such; provided, however, that
in no event shall the Holding Company and/or MAI be required to expend more
than 300% of the current amount expended by PICM or the PICM Subsidiary
(the "Insurance Premium Amount") to maintain or procure insurance coverage
pursuant hereto; and provided, further, that if the Holding Company or MAI
is unable to maintain or obtain the insurance called for by this Section
8.11(b), MAI shall use and shall cause the Holding Company
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to use, its best efforts to obtain as much comparable insurance as
available for the Insurance Premium Amount.
(c) In the event the Holding Company or MAI or any of their respective
successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person
and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such
consolidation or merger, or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially
of all its properties and assets to any person, then, and in each such
case, to the extent necessary, proper provision shall be made so that the
successors and assigns of the Holding Company and MAI assume the
obligations set forth in this Section 8.11.
(d) The provisions of this Section 8.11: (i) are intended to be for
the benefit of each Indemnified Party and his or her heirs and
representatives, (ii) are intended to be enforceable against the Holding
Company, MAI and PICM directly by each Indemnified Party and his or her
heirs and representatives, and (iii) shall be binding on all respective
successors and permitted assigns of the Holding Company, MAI and PICM.
8.12 MEEMIC.
(a) MAI intends to operate MEEMIC as a direct or indirect subsidiary
of the Holding Company. The acquisition of more than 80% and up to 100% of
the outstanding voting stock by PICM prior to the PICM Effective Time or by
any of the Holding Company, MAI and PICM after the PICM Effective Time will
be beneficial to the Holding Company as it will allow MEEMIC to become a
consolidated subsidiary of the Holding Company for federal income tax
reporting purposes. MAI shall cooperate with PICM in its efforts to acquire
MEEMIC common stock prior to the Closing.
(b) The Holding Company agrees that for five (5) years after Closing,
it will not sell or otherwise dispose of, and will not permit any
subsidiary of the Holding Company to sell or otherwise dispose of, the
common stock or business of MEEMIC or any common stock of MEEMIC owned
beneficially, directly or indirectly, by the Holding Company, unless such
sale or disposition has been approved by a special committee of the Holding
Company Board of Directors. The special committee shall be composed of
three directors of the Holding Company, and at least two of such directors
must be non-management PICM Directors (as defined in Section 1.4 hereof).
In the event that the Board of Directors of the Holding Company should
desire to sell the business or common stock of MEEMIC, such special
committee shall be appointed as provided in the By-Laws of the Holding
Company and shall meet promptly to consider the advisability of selling or
otherwise disposing of the business or common stock of MEEMIC. Upon
approval of such special committee of the Holding Company, the Board of
Directors shall have the authority to authorize the sale or other
disposition of the business of MEEMIC or any of the shares of common stock
of MEEMIC.
9. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
9.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Mergers. The
respective obligation of each party to effect the Mergers at the Closing shall
be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to each of the MAI Effective Time and
the PICM Effective Time of the following conditions:
(a) This Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
shall have been approved and adopted by the requisite affirmative vote of
the holders of PICM Common Stock entitled to vote thereon.
(b) This Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
shall have been approved and adopted by the requisite affirmative vote of
the holders of MAI Common Stock entitled to vote thereon.
(c) The shares of the Holding Company Common Stock which shall be
issued pursuant to the Mergers shall have been authorized for trading and
reporting on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of
issuance.
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(d) All approvals of governmental authorities required to consummate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained
and shall remain in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods
in respect thereof shall have expired, (all such approvals and the
expiration of all such waiting periods being referred to in this Agreement
as the "requisite regulatory approvals"). Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing: (i) the Registration Statement shall have become
effective under the 1933 Act, and no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and
shall remain in effect and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been
initiated or threatened by the SEC; (ii) all Blue Sky Filings shall have
been made, and the sale of the Holding Company Common Stock resulting from
the Mergers shall have been qualified or registered with the appropriate
state securities law regulatory authorities of all states in which
qualification or registration is required under applicable state securities
laws, and such qualifications or registrations shall not have been
suspended or revoked, or shall be exempt from such qualification or
registration; (iii) the HSR Act Report shall have been submitted to the
Pre-Merger Notification Agencies, and the waiting period under the HSR Act
shall have expired or notice of early termination of the waiting period
shall have been received; and (iv) the PICM Merger shall have been approved
by the Michigan Insurance Commissioner, the Illinois Insurance Department,
the Indiana Insurance Commissioner, and the insurance departments of all
states in which PICM and any PICM Insurance Subsidiaries conduct business,
to the extent such approvals are required; and (v) the MAI Merger shall
have been approved by the Alabama Insurance Commissioner, the West Virginia
Insurance Commissioner, the Indiana Insurance Commissioner and the Director
of the Missouri Department of Insurance and the insurance departments of
all states in which MAI and any of the MAI Insurance Subsidiaries conduct
business, to the extent such approvals are required.
(e) No order, injunction or decree issued by any governmental
authority of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition
preventing the consummation of the Mergers or any of the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be in effect. No statute, rule,
regulation, order, injunction or decree shall have been enacted, entered,
promulgated or enforced by any governmental authority which prohibits,
materially restricts or makes illegal consummation of the Mergers.
(f) PICM and MAI each shall have received a copy of the tax opinion
contemplated by Section 7.8 hereof, addressed to the Holding Company, MAI
and PICM, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to PICM and MAI,
updated as of the Closing Date, substantially to the effect that, among
other things, on the basis of the facts, assumptions and representations
set forth in the opinion which are consistent with the state of facts
existing at the Closing Date;
(i) The former stockholders of MAI who receive the Holding Company
Common Stock in the MAI Merger will not recognize gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes.
(ii) Based on the understanding that the former PICM stockholders
do not and will not control the Holding Company within the meaning of
Section 304 of the Code, those former PICM stockholders who make a Stock
Election and receive both cash (other than cash in lieu of a fractional
share of the Holding Company Common Stock) and Holding Company Common
Stock in the PICM Merger in exchange for their PICM Common Stock will
recognize gain, but in an amount not in excess of the amount of cash
received under Section 351(b) of the Code. No loss will be recognized.
(iii) Based on the understanding that the former PICM stockholders
do not and will not control the Holding Company within the meaning of
Section 304 of the Code, those former PICM stockholders who make Cash
Elections and receive solely cash in exchange for their PICM Common
Stock, will recognize gain or loss under section 1001 measured by the
difference between the amount of cash received and the adjusted basis of
the PICM Common Stock surrendered.
(iv) Neither MAI nor PICM, nor any of their respective
Subsidiaries, shall recognize any gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of the Mergers.
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(g) The Holding Company shall have been duly incorporated under
Delaware law and shall be authorized to transact business in the State of
Delaware. MAI Acquisition shall have been duly incorporated under Delaware
law and shall be authorized to transact business in the State of Delaware.
PICM Acquisition shall have been duly incorporated under Michigan law and
shall be authorized to transact business in the State of Michigan.
9.2 Conditions to Obligation of PICM. The obligation of PICM to effect the
PICM Merger at the Closing is also subject to the satisfaction or waiver by PICM
at or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of MAI set forth in this
Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date
of this Agreement and (except (i) to the extent such representations and
warranties speak as of an earlier date and (ii) for any changes to the MAI
Disclosure Schedule that are disclosed by MAI to PICM in accordance with
Section 8.6 hereof) as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the
Closing Date. PICM shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of
MAI by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of MAI
to the foregoing effect.
(b) MAI shall have performed in all material respects all obligations
required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the
Closing Date, and PICM shall have received a certificate signed on behalf
of MAI by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of
MAI to such effect.
(c) MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall not have
suffered a material adverse change in their businesses, assets, properties,
operations or condition (financial or otherwise); and no event or
circumstance shall have occurred which has, or is likely to have, a
materially adverse effect on MAI and the MAI Subsidiaries or upon the right
of MAI or the MAI Subsidiaries to conduct their respective businesses as
presently conducted.
(d) PICM shall have received an opinion from Cochran, Caronia & Co. or
another investment banking firm of recognized standing no later than the
date the Joint Proxy Statement is distributed to the PICM stockholders
(which opinion shall not have been withdrawn on or before the Closing Date)
to the effect that consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement upon the terms and conditions provided in
this Agreement is fair to the stockholders of PICM from a financial point
of view.
(e) MAI and the MAI Insurance Subsidiaries shall not be rated lower
than A- by the A. M. Best Rating Agency, nor shall MAI have received notice
from A. M. Best of its intention to lower the rating of the Holding
Company, the MAI Insurance Subsidiaries and the PICM Insurance Subsidiaries
below A- after giving effect to the Mergers.
9.3 Conditions to Obligation of MAI. The obligation of MAI to effect the
MAI Merger at the Closing is also subject to the satisfaction or waiver by MAI
at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of PICM set forth in this
Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date
of this Agreement and (except (i) to the extent such representations and
warranties speak as of an earlier date and (ii) for any changes to the
Disclosure Schedule that are disclosed by PICM to MAI in accordance with
Section 8.6 hereof) as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the
Closing Date. MAI shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of
PICM by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of PICM
to the foregoing effect.
(b) PICM shall have performed in all material respects all obligations
required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the
Closing Date, and MAI shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of
PICM by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of PICM
to such effect.
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(c) PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall not have
suffered a material adverse change in their financial condition,
operations, assets, or business prospects (financial or otherwise); and no
event or circumstance shall have occurred which has, or is likely to have,
a materially adverse effect on PICM and the PICM Subsidiaries or upon the
right of PICM or any of the PICM Subsidiaries to conduct their respective
businesses as presently conducted.
(d) MAI shall have received the favorable opinion from First Union
Securities, Inc. or another investment banking firm of recognized standing
no later than the date the Joint Proxy Statement is distributed to MAI
stockholders (which opinion shall not have been withdrawn on or before the
Closing Date) to the effect that consummation of the Mergers and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement upon the terms and conditions
provided in this Agreement is fair to the stockholders of MAI from a
financial point of view.
(e) PICM and the PICM Insurance Subsidiaries shall not be rated lower
than A- by the A. M. Best Rating Agency, nor shall PICM have received
notice from A. M. Best of its intention to lower the rating of the Holding
Company, the PICM Insurance Subsidiaries and the MAI Insurance Subsidiaries
below A- after giving effect to the Mergers.
9.4 Closing. The closing of the PICM Merger and the MAI Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement ("the Closing") shall be held
at a mutually agreeable time and place after the meetings of stockholders of
PICM and MAI referred to in Section 7.6, ("the Closing Date"). The parties shall
use their respective best efforts to cause the Effective Date to occur on
January 2, 2001 (the "Effective Date"). The parties shall cause appropriate
Articles of Merger to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
Michigan and a Certificate of Merger to be filed with the Secretary of State of
Delaware on or before the Effective Date or as soon thereafter as is possible.
The parties shall take such further actions as may be required by the laws of
Michigan and Delaware in connection with such filing and the consummation of the
Merger.
10. TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
10.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to
the Closing Date, whether before or after approval of the matters presented in
connection with the Mergers by the stockholders of PICM and MAI:
(a) by mutual consent of PICM and MAI in a written instrument, if the
Boards of Directors of PICM and MAI so determine to terminate this
Agreement by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of its entire
Board;
(b) by written notice from MAI to PICM, or from PICM to MAI, if it
becomes certain (for all practical purposes) that any conditions to the
obligations at Closing of the party giving such notice cannot be satisfied
for a reason other than such party's default on or before January 31, 2001,
and such party is not willing to waive such condition;
(c) by written notice from MAI to PICM, or from PICM to MAI, if the
Closing does not occur on or before January 31, 2001, for any reason other
than breach of this Agreement by the party giving such notice;
(d) by PICM upon written notice to MAI if MAI shall have authorized,
recommended, publicly proposed, or publicly announced an intention to
authorize, recommend or propose, or if MAI shall have entered into an
agreement with any person, entity or group other than PICM to effect, an
Acquisition Proposal, or if MAI shall fail to publicly oppose a tender
offer or exchange offer by another person, entity or group, based on an
Acquisition Proposal;
(e) by MAI upon written notice to PICM if PICM shall have authorized,
recommended, publicly proposed, or publicly announced an intention to
authorize, recommend or propose, or if PICM shall have entered into an
agreement with any person, entity or group other than MAI to
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effect, an Acquisition Proposal, or if PICM shall fail to publicly oppose a
tender offer or exchange offer by another person, entity or group, based on
an Acquisition Proposal.
(f) By PICM upon the occurrence of a PICM Acquisition Event (as
defined in Section 10.5(d) hereof) upon payment to MAI of the sums provided
for in Section 10.5(d) hereof; and
(g) By MAI upon the occurrence of an MAI Acquisition Event (as defined
in Section 10.5(c) hereof) upon payment to PICM of the sums provided for in
Section 10.5(c) hereof.
10.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement
by either PICM or MAI as provided in Section 10.1 of this Agreement, (i) this
Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, except that Sections
8.2(b), 8.5, 8.11, 10.2, 10.5, 11.1, 11.2, 11.4, 11.12, 11.15 and 11.16 of this
Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement, and (ii) none of
PICM, MAI, any of their respective Subsidiaries or any of the officers or
directors of any of them shall have any liability of any nature whatsoever under
this Agreement, or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.5 of this Agreement;
provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
this Agreement, neither PICM nor MAI shall be relieved or released from any
liabilities or damages arising out of its willful breach of any provision of
this Agreement.
10.3 Amendment. Subject to compliance with applicable law, this Agreement
may be amended by the parties hereto, by action taken or authorized by the
Boards of Directors of PICM and MAI, at any time before or after approval of the
matters presented in connection with the Mergers by the stockholders of PICM or
MAI; provided, however, that after any approval of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement by the stockholders of PICM or MAI, there may not be, without
further approval of such stockholders, any amendment of this Agreement which
changes the amount or the form of the consideration to be delivered to the
stockholders of PICM or MAI under this Agreement other than as contemplated by
this Agreement. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.
10.4 Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Closing Date, the parties
to this Agreement may, to the extent legally allowed, (a) extend the time for
the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties to
this Agreement, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties
contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (c)
waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained in this
Agreement; provided, however, that after any approval of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement by the stockholders of PICM or MAI, there may not
be, without further approval of such stockholders, any extension or waiver of
this Agreement or any portion thereof which reduces the amount or changes the
form of the consideration to be delivered to the stockholders of PICM or MAI
under this Agreement other than as contemplated by this Agreement. Any agreement
on the part of a party to this Agreement to any such extension or waiver shall
be valid only if set forth in a written instrument signed on behalf of such
party, but such extension or waiver or failure to insist on strict compliance
with an obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate as a
waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.
10.5 Liquidated Damages; Termination Fee.
(a) MAI shall pay to PICM cash in the amount of $2,400,000 as an
allowance for expenses of transaction within ten (10) days after written
notice from PICM requesting such payment, if the Mergers and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated due to any
of the following reasons: (i) PICM refuses or is unable to close in
accordance with Section 10.1 because the conditions under Sections 9.1(d)
or 9.1(f) are not satisfied due to MAI's fault or the conditions under
Sections 9.1(b), 9.2(a), 9.2(b), or 9.2(c) are not satisfied; or (ii) MAI
refuses or is unable to close in accordance with Section 10.1 because the
conditions in Sections 9.1(d) or 9.1(f) are not satisfied due to MAI's
fault or the condition under 9.1(b) is not satisfied; (iii) PICM elects to
terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.6(a) and Section
10.1(b) hereof; (iv) PICM
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elects to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.1(d)
hereof; or (v) MAI elects to terminate this Agreement in accordance with
Section 10.1(g) hereof.
(b) PICM shall pay to MAI cash in the amount of $2,400,000 as an
allowance for expenses of transaction within ten (10) days after written
notice from MAI requesting such payment, if the Mergers and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated due to any
of the following reasons: (i) MAI refuses or is unable to close in
accordance with Section 10.1 because of the conditions in Section 9.1(d) or
9.1(f) are not satisfied due to PICM's fault or the conditions under
Section 9.1(a), 9.3(a), 9.3(b) or 9.3(c) are not satisfied; or (ii) PICM
refuses or is unable to close in accordance with Section 10.1 because the
conditions under Sections 9.1(d) or 9.1(f) are not satisfied due to PICM's
fault or the conditions under 9.1(a) is not satisfied; (iii) MAI elects to
terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.6(a) and Section
10.1(b) hereof; (iv) MAI elects to terminate this Agreement in accordance
with Section 10.1(e) hereof; or (v) PICM elects to terminate this Agreement
in accordance with Section 10.1(f) hereof).
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, in the event that any of the following events or circumstances
shall occur, MAI shall, within ten (10) days after notice of the occurrence
thereof by PICM, pay to PICM the sum equal to $7,500,000 plus any sums that
may be due to PICM under Section 10.5(a) hereof, which the parties agree
and stipulate as reasonable and full liquidated damages and reasonable
compensation for the involvement of PICM in the transactions contemplated
in this Agreement, is not a penalty or forfeiture, and will not affect the
provisions of this Section 10.5: (i) at any time prior to or concurrently
with the termination of this Agreement a MAI Acquisition Event (as defined
in this Section 10.5(c)) shall occur; or (ii) PICM shall terminate this
Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(d); or (iii) if MAI fails to call and
hold the meeting of its stockholders as required by Section 7.6(b) of this
Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement a "MAI Acquisition Event" shall
mean that MAI shall have entered into an agreement with any person (other
than any of the parties to this Agreement) to effect an Acquisition
Proposal or shall fail to publicly oppose a tender offer or exchange offer
by another person based on an Acquisition Proposal. Upon the making and
receipt of such payment under Section 10.5(a) and Section 10.5(c) hereof,
MAI shall have no further obligation of any kind under this Agreement, and
PICM shall have no further obligation of any kind under this Agreement,
except in each case under Section 10.2 of this Agreement, and no party
shall have any liability for any breach or alleged breach by such party of
any provision of this Agreement.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, in the event that any of the following events or circumstances
shall occur, PICM shall, within ten (10) days after notice of the
occurrence thereof by MAI, pay to MAI the sum equal to $7,500,000 plus any
amount due to MAI under Section 10.5(b) hereof, which the parties agree and
stipulate as reasonable and full liquidated damages and reasonable
compensation for the involvement of MAI in the transactions contemplated in
this Agreement, is not a penalty or forfeiture, and will not affect the
provisions of this Section 10.5: (i) at any time prior to or concurrently
with the termination of this Agreement a PICM Acquisition Event (as defined
in this Section 10.5(d)) shall occur; or (ii) MAI shall terminate this
Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(e); or (iii) if PICM fails to call and
hold the meeting of its stockholders as required by Section 7.6(a) of this
Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement a "PICM Acquisition Event" shall
mean that PICM shall have entered into an agreement with any person (other
than any of the parties to this Agreement) to effect an Acquisition
Proposal or shall fail to publicly oppose a tender offer or exchange offer
by another person based on an Acquisition Proposal. Upon the making and
receipt of such payment under Section 10.5(b) and Section 10.5(d) hereof,
PICM shall have no further obligation of any kind under this Agreement, and
MAI shall not have any further obligation of any kind under this Agreement,
except in each case under Section 10.2 of this Agreement, and no party
shall have any liability for any breach or alleged breach by such party of
any provision of this Agreement.
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11. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
11.1 Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. None of
the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement or
in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Closing
Date except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2 of this Agreement and except
for those covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement and in any such
instrument which by their terms apply in whole or in part after the MAI
Acquisition Effective Time and the PICM Acquisition Effective Time, as the case
may be, including without limitation, Section 1.4, Section 1.7, Section 2.11,
Section 3.12, Section 4, Section 8.2(b), Section 8.5, Section 8.11, Section
8.12, this Section 11.1, Section 11.4, Section 11.12, Section 11.15 and Section
11.16 hereof.
11.2 Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement,
all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring
such expense; provided, however, (i) that the costs and expenses of printing and
mailing the Registration Statement, and all filing and other fees paid to the
SEC in connection with the Mergers, shall be borne equally by PICM and MAI, and
(ii) that PICM will pay one-half and MAI will pay one-half of the HSR Act filing
fee.
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11.3 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, telecopied (with
confirmation), mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested)
or delivered by an express courier (with confirmation) to the parties at the
following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified
by like notice):
(a) if to PICM, to:
Professionals Group, Inc.
Mailing Address:
Box 150
Okemos, MI 48805-0150
Street Address:
2600 Professionals Drive
Okemos, MI 48864
Attention: Victor T. Adamo, President
Facsimile Number: (517) 349-3127
with copies to:
Miller, Canfield, Paddick & Stone, P.L.C.
840 West Long Lake Road, Suite 200
Troy, MI 48098
Attention: Brad B. Arbuckle, Principal
Facsimile Number: (248) 879-2001
and
(b) if to MAI, to:
Medical Assurance, Inc.
Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 590009
Birmingham, AL 35259-0009
Street Address:
100 Brookwood Place
Birmingham, AL 35209
Attention: A. Derrill Crowe
Facsimile Number: (205) 877-4405
with copies to:
Burr & Forman LLP
420 N. 20th Street, Suite 3100
Birmingham, AL 35203
Attention: Jack P. Stephenson, Jr.
Facsimile Number: (205) 458-5100
11.4 Arbitration. The parties acknowledge that this Agreement and the
Options (the "Transaction Documents") evidences a transaction involving
interstate commerce. Any dispute, claim, or controversy between PICM and MAI
arising out of, relating to, or in connection with any of the Transaction
Documents, its subject matter, or its negotiation, as to the existence,
validity, interpretation, performance, non-performance, enforcement, operation,
breach of contract, breach of warranty, continuance or termination thereof or
any claim alleging fraud, deceit, or suppression of any material fact or breach
of any duty shall be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance with Title 9
U.S.C. 1 et seq. (The United States Arbitration Act) and the Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The hearing shall be
held at the offices of the American Arbitration Association in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Such arbitration proceedings may be initiated by either party by
notice in writing to the
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other and to the American Arbitration Association. A person selected from the
list of names attached to this Agreement as Schedule 11.4 and agreed upon by MAI
and PICM shall be the arbitrator (the "Arbitrator"); provided, however, that if
MAI and PICM have not agreed upon the person who shall be the Arbitrator by the
close of business on the second day following the initiation of arbitration
proceedings, then the Arbitrator shall be the person whose name is drawn by lot
from the list of names attached to this Agreement as Schedule 11.4. Said drawing
by lot, if necessary, shall occur at the close of business on the fourth day
following the initiation of arbitration proceedings and shall occur at the
principal executive offices of the party that did not initiate such arbitration
proceedings. MAI and PICM may have one or more representatives present at any
such drawing by lot, but the failure of either MAI or PICM to have any
representative present at such drawing by lot shall not prevent or invalidate,
and shall not bring into question the validity of, such drawing by lot. Subject
to the provisions of Section 11.16 hereof, each party to arbitration shall bear
its own arbitration costs and expenses. However, in the event any party is
required to file a petition or commence any such other proceeding to compel
arbitration, the arbitrator may award that party reasonable attorney's fees and
costs incurred in having to bring such action. The arbitrator shall have the
discretion to order a pre-hearing exchange of information by the parties,
including, without limitation, production of requested documents, exchanging of
summaries or testimony of proposed witnesses, and examination by deposition of
parties. Notwithstanding contrary state law or regulation, the arbitrator shall
have the authority to award any remedy or relief allowed under the provisions of
the United States Arbitration Act and permitted under this Agreement including,
without limitation, specific performance of any obligation created under the
Agreements, the issuance of an injunction or other equitable relief, or the
imposition of sanctions for abuse or frustration of the arbitration process. Any
arbitration award shall be in writing and shall specify the factual and legal
basis for the award. Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator shall be
final and may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The
provisions hereof shall be a complete defense to any suit, action, or proceeding
in any federal, state, or local court or before any administrative tribunal with
respect to any dispute, claim, or controversy arising under the Agreements.
11.5 Further Assurances. At the request of any party to this Agreement,
the other parties shall execute, acknowledge and deliver such other documents
and/or instruments as may be reasonably required by the requesting party to
carry out the purposes of this Agreement. In the event any party to this
Agreement shall be involved in litigation, threatened litigation or government
inquiries with respect to a matter covered by this Agreement, every other party
to this Agreement shall also make available to such party, at reasonable times
and subject to the reasonable requirements of its own businesses, such of its
personnel as may have information relevant to such matters, provided that such
party shall reimburse the providing party for its reasonable costs for employee
time incurred in connection therewith if more than one business day is required.
Following the Closing Date, the parties will cooperate with each other in
connection with tax audits and in the defense of any legal proceedings.
11.6 Remedies Cumulative. Unless expressly made the exclusive remedy by
the terms of this Agreement, all remedies provided for in this Agreement are
cumulative and shall be in addition to any and all other rights and remedies
provided by law and by any other agreements between the parties.
11.7 Presumptions. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that all
parties have been represented by counsel and have participated in the
negotiation and drafting of this Agreement, and that there shall be no
presumption against any party on the ground that such party was responsible for
preparing this Agreement or any part of it.
11.8 Exhibits and Schedules. Each of the exhibits and schedules referred
to in, and/or attached to, this Agreement is an integral part of this Agreement
and is incorporated in this Agreement by this reference.
11.9 Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to
Sections, Exhibits or Schedules, such reference shall be to a Section of or
Exhibit or Schedule to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The headings
contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect
in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words
"include," "includes" or
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"including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by
the words "without limitation". No provision of this Agreement shall be
construed to require PICM, MAI or any of their respective Subsidiaries or
affiliates to take any action which would violate any applicable law, rule or
regulation.
11.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of
which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective
when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the
other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same
counterpart.
11.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the documents and the
instruments referred to in this Agreement) constitutes the entire agreement and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among
the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.
11.12 Governing Law. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Delaware, except that the rights and obligations of the directors and
officers of any party shall be governed by its state of incorporation.
11.13 Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this
Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted
to be only so broad as is enforceable.
11.14 Publicity. Except as otherwise required by applicable law or the
rules of the New York Stock Exchange or NASD and the Nasdaq National Market,
neither PICM nor MAI shall, or shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, issue or
cause the publication of any press release or other public announcement with
respect to, or otherwise make any public statement concerning, the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement without the consent of the other party, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. PICM and MAI agree that the initial
press release to be issued with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be in the form heretofore agreed to by them.
11.15 Assignment; Third Party Beneficiaries. Neither this Agreement nor
any of the rights, interests or obligations shall be assigned by any of the
parties to this Agreement (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the
prior written consent of the other parties to this Agreement. Subject to the
preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of
and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in Section 1.4 and Section 8.11 (which
is intended to be for the benefit of the persons covered thereby and may be
enforced by such persons), this Agreement (including the documents and
instruments referred to in this Agreement) is not intended to confer upon any
person other than the parties to this Agreement any rights or remedies under
this Agreement.
11.16 Attorney Fees. In the event of any arbitration or litigation between
PICM and MAI arising out of, relating to, or in connection with, the Transaction
Documents, the prevailing party shall be entitled to receive from the
non-prevailing party, and the non-prevailing party shall upon final judgment and
expiration of all appeals immediately pay upon demand all reasonable attorneys'
fees and expenses of the prevailing party.
11.17 Definitions. Set forth below is an index to the definitions set
forth in this Agreement.
TERM SECTION
---- ------------
Adjustment.................................................. 3.8(a)(iv)
Agreement................................................... Recitals
Acquisition Proposal........................................ 8.7(d)
Arbitrator.................................................. 11.4
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TERM SECTION
---- ------------
Blue Sky Filings............................................ 7.1(a)(iv)
Board Vacancy............................................... 1.4(b)
CAA......................................................... 5.13(b)(i)
Cash Election............................................... 3.8(a)(ii)
CERCLA...................................................... 5.13(b)(i)
Claim....................................................... 8.11(a)
Closing..................................................... 9.4
Closing Date................................................ 9.4
Closing Date PICM Disclosure Schedule....................... 8.6(b)
Closing Date MAI Disclosure Schedule........................ 8.6(b)
Code........................................................ 4.6(d)
Confidentiality Agreement................................... 8.2(a)
CWA......................................................... 5.13(b)(i)
Delaware Dissenters' Statute................................ 2.8(b)
Disposed Assets............................................. 3.8(a)(iv)
Effective Date.............................................. 9.4
Election.................................................... 4.3(a)(i)
Election Date............................................... 4.3(a)(ii)
Environmental Laws.......................................... 5.13(b)(iii)
ERISA....................................................... 5.17(a)(i)
Exchange Agent.............................................. 4.1
First Term.................................................. 1.4(b)
Form of Election............................................ 4.3(a)(ii)
Hazardous Materials......................................... 5.13(b)(i)
Hazardous Materials Liabilities............................. 5.13(b)(ii)
HMTA........................................................ 5.13(b)(i)
Holding Company............................................. 1.1
Holding Company Common Stock................................ 2.8(a)
Holding Company Employee Benefit Plans...................... 8.5(a)
Holding Company Filings..................................... 7.1(a)
HSR Act..................................................... 7.4
HSR Act Report.............................................. 7.4
Indemnified Parties......................................... 8.11(a)
Indemnifiers................................................ 8.11(a)
Insurance Premium Amount.................................... 8.11(b)
Intellectual Property....................................... 5.15(a)
IRS......................................................... 5.17(d)
Joint Proxy Statement....................................... 7.1(a)(iii)
MAI......................................................... Recitals
MAI Acquisition............................................. 1.1
MAI Acquisition Event....................................... 10.5(c)
MAI Actuaries............................................... 6.10(b)
MAI Consolidated Financial Statements....................... 6.6(b)
MAI Common Stock............................................ 2.8(a)
MAI Disclosure Schedule..................................... 6
MAI Effective Time.......................................... 2.10
MAI Employee Benefit Plans.................................. 6.17(a)
MAI Exchange Fund........................................... 4.7(a)
MAI Form A Notices.......................................... 7.1(a)(i)
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TERM SECTION
---- ------------
MAI Insurance Subsidiaries.................................. 6.2(b)
MAI Insurance Subsidiaries Statutory Statements............. 6.6(a)
MAI Merger.................................................. 2.1
MAI Merger Consideration.................................... 2.8(a)
MAI Stock Option Plan....................................... 2.11(a)
MAI Stock Options........................................... 2.11(a)
MAI Stock Option Agreement.................................. 8.8(b)
MAI Subsidiaries............................................ 6.2(a)
Market Value................................................ 3.8(a)(iii)
Market Value Calculation Period............................. 3.8(a)(iii)
Material adverse change..................................... 8.10(c)
Material adverse effect..................................... 8.10(c)
MEEMIC...................................................... 5
MEEMIC Common Stock......................................... 5.4(b)
MEEMIC Consolidated Financial Statements.................... 5.6(b)(ii)
Mergers..................................................... 3.1
Minimum Stock Requirement................................... 3.9
PCBs........................................................ 5.13(b)(i)
Per Share Adjustment........................................ 3.8(a)(iv)
PICM........................................................ Recitals
PICM Acquisition............................................ 1.1
PICM Acquisition Event...................................... 10.5(d)
PICM Actuary................................................ 5.10(b)
PICM Advisory Committees.................................... 1.7
PICM Common Stock........................................... 3.8(a)
PICM Consolidated Financial Statements...................... 5.6(b)(i)
PICM Director Nominees...................................... 1.4(a)
PICM Directors.............................................. 1.4(b)
PICM Director Option Plan................................... 3.12(a)
PICM Disclosure Schedule.................................... 5
PICM Employee Benefit Plans................................. 5.17(a)
PICM Effective Time......................................... 3.11
PICM Exchange Fund.......................................... 4.6(a)
PICM Form A Notices......................................... 7.1(a)(ii)
PICM Insurance Subsidiaries................................. 5.2(b)
PICM Insurance Subsidiaries Statutory Statements............ 5.6(a)
PICM LTIP................................................... 3.12(a)
PICM Merger Consideration................................... 3.8(a)
PICM Merger................................................. 3.1
PICM Option Plans........................................... 3.12(a)
PICM Stock Option Agreement................................. 8.8(a)
PICM Stock Options.......................................... 3.12(a)
PICM Subsidiaries........................................... 5.2(a)
Portfolio Assets............................................ 3.8(a)(iv)
Potential Acquirer.......................................... 8.7(a)
Pre-Merger Notification Agencies............................ 7.4
Registration Statement...................................... 7.1(a)(iii)
Replacement PICM Directors.................................. 1.4(b)
Requisite regulatory approvals.............................. 9.1(d)
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TERM SECTION
---- ------------
Retained Assets............................................. 3.8(a)(iv)
SEC......................................................... 5.2(a)
Selected Person............................................. 1.4(b)
Stock Election.............................................. 3.8(a)(i)
Stock Option Agreements..................................... 8.8(b)
Subsidiary or Subsidiaries.................................. 5.2(a)
Taxes....................................................... 5.9(a)
Tax Returns................................................. 5.9(a)
Transaction Documents....................................... 11.4
Valuation Date.............................................. 3.8(a)(iv)
1933 Act.................................................... 1.4(a)
1934 Act.................................................... 1.4(b)
[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PICM and MAI have caused this Agreement to be executed
by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first
above written.
PICM:
PROFESSIONALS GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ VICTOR T. ADAMO
------------------------------------
Victor T. Adamo
President and Chief Executive
Officer
MAI:
MEDICAL ASSURANCE, INC.
By: /s/ A. DERRILL CROWE
------------------------------------
A. Derrill Crowe
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer
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FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT TO CONSOLIDATE
THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT TO CONSOLIDATE (the "Amendment"), dated
as of November 1, 2000, by and between Medical Assurance, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("MAI"), and Professionals Group, Inc., a Michigan corporation
("PICM").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, MAI and PICM have agreed to consolidate pursuant to an Agreement
to Consolidate dated June 22, 2000 (the "Consolidation Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, MAI and PICM have agreed to certain modifications and amendments
to the Consolidation Agreement and desire to amend the Consolidation Agreement
so as to reflect such modifications and amendments.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, representations,
warranties and agreements contained in this Amendment, and intending to be
legally bound by this Amendment and the Consolidation Agreement, the parties to
this Amendment and the Consolidation Agreement agree as follows:
1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary express or implied in this
Amendment or the Consolidation Agreement: (i) all capitalized terms in this
Amendment that are not otherwise defined in this Amendment shall be defined
in this Amendment as in the Consolidation Agreement; and (ii) in the event
of any conflict between the provisions of this Amendment and the provisions
of the Consolidation Agreement, the provisions of this Amendment shall
control.
2. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary express or implied in the
Consolidation Agreement, the name of the Holding Company shall be
"ProAssurance Corporation" or such other name as shall be agreed upon by
the Chief Executive Officer of MAI and the Chief Executive Officer of PICM.
3. Section 4.3(a) of the Consolidation Agreement shall be, and it
hereby is, amended and restated in its entirety so as to read and provide
as follows:
(a) PICM Common Stock Elections:
(i) Subject to the allocation and election procedures set forth
in this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 3.9 of this
Agreement), each holder of shares of PICM Common Stock shall have the
right to make a Stock Election or Cash Election (the "Election") with
respect to all or any portion of his shares of PICM Common Stock on
the basis hereinafter set forth.
(ii) PICM shall prepare an election form/letter of transmittal
(the "Form of Election") pursuant to which each record holder of
shares of PICM Common Stock at the close of business on the Election
Date (as hereinafter defined) may make an Election and which shall be
mailed to PICM stockholders, in accordance with Section 4.3(a)(iii)
so as to permit PICM Stockholders to exercise their right to make an
Election prior to the Election Date.
(iii) A Form of Election shall be included with or mailed
contemporaneously with each copy of the Joint Proxy Statement that is
mailed to stockholders of PICM in connection with the meeting of PICM
stockholders. PICM and MAI shall each use its reasonable best efforts
to mail or otherwise make available the Form of Election to all
persons who become holders of shares of PICM common stock during the
period between the record date for such meeting of PICM stockholders
and the Election Deadline.
(iv) Any PICM stockholder's election shall have been made
properly only if the Exchange Agent shall have received, by 5:00 p.m.
local time in the city in which the principal office of such Exchange
Agent is located, on the Election Date, a Form of Election properly
completed and signed and accompanied by certificates for the shares
of PICM
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common stock to which such Form of Election relates (or by an
appropriate book entry transfer, as set forth in such Form of
Election, or by an appropriate guarantee of delivery of such
certificates, as set forth in such Form of Election, from a member of
any registered national securities exchange or of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust
company in the United States provided such certificates are in fact
delivered to the Exchange Agent by the time required in such
guarantee of delivery). Failure to deliver the shares of PICM common
stock covered by such a guarantee of delivery within the time set
forth on such guarantee shall be deemed to invalidate any otherwise
properly made Election. As used herein, "Election Date" means the
PICM Effective Time.
(v) Any PICM stockholder may at any time prior to the Election
Date change his Election by written notice received by the Exchange
Agent prior to the Election Date accompanied by a revised Form of
Election properly completed and signed.
(vi) Any PICM stockholder may, at any time prior to the Election
Date, revoke his Election by written notice received by the Exchange
Agent prior to the Election Date or by withdrawal prior to the
Election Date of his certificates for shares of PICM common stock or
of the guarantee of delivery of such certificates, previously
deposited with the Exchange Agent. All Elections shall be revoked
automatically if the Exchange Agent is notified in writing by MAI or
PICM that this Agreement has terminated. Any PICM stockholder who
shall have deposited certificates for PICM Shares with the Exchange
Agent shall have the right to withdraw such certificates by written
notice received by the Exchange Agent and thereby revoke his Election
as of the Election Date if the PICM Merger shall not have been
consummated prior thereto.
(vii) The determination of the Exchange Agent shall be binding
as to whether or not Elections have been properly made, changed or
revoked pursuant to this Section 4.3 with respect to shares of PICM
Common Stock and as to when elections, changes and revocations were
received by it. If the Exchange Agent determines that any Election
was not properly made with respect to shares of PICM Common Stock,
such shares shall be treated by the Exchange Agent as if a Stock
Election were made with respect to such shares, and such shares shall
be exchanged in the PICM Merger for stock and cash pursuant to
Section 3.8(a)(i). The Exchange Agent shall also make all
computations as to the allocation contemplated by Section 3.9, and
any such computation shall be conclusive and binding on the holders
of shares of PICM Common Stock. The Exchange Agent may, with the
mutual agreement of MAI and PICM, make such rules as are not
inconsistent with this Agreement for the implementation of the
Elections provided for herein as shall be necessary or desirable
fully to effect such Elections.
4. The Consolidation Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, is
intended to constitute the "plan of merger" contemplated by Section 701 of
the Michigan Business Corporation Act, as amended, and the "agreement of
merger" contemplated by Section 251 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, as amended.
5. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that all parties have been
represented by counsel and have participated in the negotiation and
drafting of this Amendment and the Consolidation Agreement, and that there
shall be no presumption against any party on the ground that such party was
responsible for preparing this Amendment and the Consolidation Agreement or
any part of it.
6. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, all of which shall
be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when
counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the
other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same
counterpart.
7. This Amendment amends the Consolidation Agreement. It is the intent
and purpose of the parties to this Amendment, by executing this Amendment,
to ratify, confirm and reaffirm the
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Consolidation Agreement and all of its terms and provisions as amended by
this Amendment. This Amendment and the Consolidation Agreement (including
the documents and the instruments referred to in this Amendment and the
Consolidation Agreement) constitute the entire agreement and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the
parties with respect to the subject matter of this Amendment and the
Consolidation Agreement.
8. This Amendment and the Consolidation Agreement shall be governed
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without
regard to any applicable conflicts of law principles, except that the
rights and obligations of the directors and officers of any party shall be
governed by its state of incorporation.
9. Any term or provision of this Amendment which is invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of
this Amendment or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the
terms or provisions of this Amendment in any other jurisdiction. If any
provision of this Amendment is so broad as to be unenforceable, the
provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.
[THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MAI and PICM have caused this Amendment to be executed
by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first
above written.
PROFESSIONALS GROUP, INC., a Michigan
corporation
By: /s/ VICTOR T. ADAMO
------------------------------------
Victor T. Adamo,
President and Chief Executive
Officer
MEDICAL ASSURANCE, INC., a Delaware
corporation
By: /s/ A. DERRILL CROWE
------------------------------------
A. Derrill Crowe,
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer
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APPENDIX B
[FIRST UNION SECURITIES, INC. LETTERHEAD]
June 19, 2000
The Board of Directors
Medical Assurance, Inc.
100 Brookwood Place, Suite 500
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
Gentlemen:
We understand that Medical Assurance, Inc. ("MAI") and Professionals Group
Inc. ("PICM") have entered into an Agreement to Consolidate dated as of June 19,
2000 (the "Consolidation Agreement"), which provides for, among other things,
the merger of MAI with and into Medical and Professional Assurance, Inc.
("Holding Company"), and immediately thereafter, the merger of PICM with and
into Holding Company (collectively, such mergers are referred to herein as the
"Merger"). Pursuant to the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of common
stock of MAI ("MAI Common Stock"), other than shares held in treasury, will be
converted into the right to receive one share of common stock of Holding Company
("Holding Company Common Stock"), and each issued and outstanding share of PICM
("PICM Common Stock"), other than shares held in treasury, will be converted
into the right to receive:
(a) $12.00 per share in cash; plus
(b) $14.00 per share in Holding Company Common Stock (based on the
average closing prices of MAI Common Stock for the 20 trading days ending
on the date of the meeting of MAI stockholders to approve the Merger) (such
cash and share amount herein referred to as the "Exchange Ratio"); provided
however, stockholders of PICM may elect to receive $14.00 per share in cash
in lieu of Holding Company Common Stock (up to a maximum aggregate cash
consideration to PICM stockholders of 90%). The terms and conditions of the
Merger are more fully set forth in the Consolidation Agreement.
You have asked for our opinion as to whether the Exchange Ratio pursuant to
the Consolidation Agreement is fair from a financial point of view to MAI.
In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed certain publicly available
business and financial information relating to MAI and PICM, as well as a draft
of the Consolidation Agreement. We have also reviewed certain other information,
and have met with MAI's and PICM's managements to discuss the business and
prospects of MAI and PICM.
We have also considered certain financial and stock market data of MAI and
PICM, and we have compared those data with similar data for other publicly held
companies in businesses similar to MAI and PICM. We have also considered the
financial terms of certain other business combinations and other transactions
which have recently been affected. We also considered such other information,
financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and
market criteria which we deemed relevant.
In connection with our review, we have not assumed any responsibility for
independent verification of any of the foregoing information and have relied on
it being complete and accurate in all material respects. We have also assumed,
with your consent, that the Merger will be consummated in the manner and on the
terms set forth in the Consolidation Agreement and that in the course of
obtaining the necessary legal, regulatory and third party consents and approvals
no restriction will be imposed that will have a material adverse effect on the
contemplated benefits of the Merger. In addition, we have not been requested to
make, and have not made, an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or
liabilities (contingent or otherwise) or MAI and PICM, nor have we been
furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals. Our opinion is necessarily
based upon financial, economic, stock market prices, and other conditions as
they exist and can be evaluated on the date hereof. We are not expressing any
opinion as to the actual value of the Holding Company Common Stock when issued
to MAI stockholders pursuant to the Consolidation
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184
Medical Assurance, Inc.
June 19, 2000
Page 2
Agreement or the prices at which such Holding Company Common Stock will trade
subsequent to the Merger.
We have acted as financial advisor to MAI in connection with the Merger and
will receive a fee for our services, a significant portion of which is
contingent upon the consummation of the Merger. In the ordinary course of our
business, we and our affiliates may trade the equity securities of both MAI and
PICM for our and such affiliates' own accounts and for the accounts of customers
and accordingly may at any time hold a long or short position in such
securities.
It is understood that this letter is for the information of the Board of
Directors of MAI in connection with its consideration of the Merger and does not
constitute a recommendation to any stockholders to how such stockholder should
vote on the proposed Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the
date hereof, the Exchange Ratio pursuant to the Consolidation Agreement is fair
from a financial point of view to MAI.
Sincerely,
/s/ First Union Securities, Inc.
FIRST UNION SECURITIES, INC.
B-2
185
APPENDIX C
[COCHRAN, CARONIA & CO. LETTERHEAD]
June 19, 2000
Board of Directors
Professionals Group, Inc.
2600 Professionals Drive
Okemos, MI 48864
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion as to the fairness from a financial point of
view to the holders of the outstanding shares of common stock, no par value
(collectively, the "Shareholders"), of Professionals Group, Inc. (the "Company")
of the consideration to be received by the Shareholders pursuant to the
Agreement to Consolidate dated as of June 19, 2000 (the "Consolidation
Agreement") by and between Medical Assurance, Inc. ("MAI") and the Company (the
"Consolidation"). Pursuant to the terms of and subject to the conditions set
forth in the Consolidation Agreement, each of the Company and MAI will be a
wholly owned subsidiary of a newly formed holding company, Medical and
Professionals Assurance, Inc. (the "Holding Company").
Pursuant to the Consolidation Agreement, each shareholder of the Company
shall have the right to elect to have each of such shareholder's shares
converted into either of the following (the "Consolidation Consideration"): (i)
$12.00 in cash and such number of shares of the Holding Company common stock
and/or fractional shares thereof as will have a market value of $14.00, subject
to an adjustment based on the Portfolio Assets (as defined in the Consolidation
Agreement) at the end of the second-to-last calendar month preceding the closing
of the transaction; or (ii) the right to receive $26.00 in cash subject to the
same Portfolio Assets adjustment.
In connection with our review of the proposed Consolidation and the
preparation of our opinion herein, we have examined: (a) the Consolidation
Agreement and related documents; (b) certain publicly available financial
statements of the Company and MAI; (c) certain internal business, operating and
financial information and forecasts of the Company and MAI (the "Forecasts"),
prepared by the senior management of the Company and MAI; (d) information
regarding publicly available financial terms of certain comparable transactions
in the medical malpractice industry; (e) financial, stock market and other
publicly available information relating to the businesses of other companies
whose operations are similar to those of the Company; (f) current and historical
market prices and trading volumes of the common stock of the Company and MAI;
and (g) certain other publicly available information regarding the Company and
MAI. We have also held discussions with members of the senior management of the
Company and MAI to discuss the foregoing, have considered other matters which we
have deemed relevant to our inquiry and have taken into account such accepted
financial and investment banking procedures and considerations as we have deemed
relevant.
In rendering our opinion, we have assumed and relied, without independent
verification, upon the accuracy and completeness of all the information examined
by or otherwise reviewed or discussed with us for purposes of this opinion. We
have not made or obtained an independent valuation or appraisal of the assets,
liabilities or solvency of the Company or MAI. We have been advised by the
management of the Company and MAI that the Forecasts examined by us have been
reasonably prepared on bases reflecting
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the best currently available estimates and judgments of the management of the
Company and MAI. In that regard, we have assumed, with your consent, the
accuracy of the Forecasts as to the amounts and the times contemplated thereby.
We express no opinion with respect to the Forecasts or the estimates and
judgments on which they are based.
Our opinion herein is based upon economic, market, financial and other
conditions existing on, and other information disclosed to us as of, the date of
this letter. It should be understood that, although subsequent developments may
affect this opinion, we do not have any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm
this opinion except as provided in the Consolidation Agreement. We have relied
as to all legal matters on advice of counsel to the Company, and have assumed
that the Consolidation will be consummated on the terms described in the
Consolidation Agreement, without any waiver of any material terms or conditions
by the Company.
Cochran, Caronia & Co. is regularly engaged in the valuation of insurance
company securities in connection with business combinations, investments and
other transactions. As specialists in the securities of insurance companies,
Cochran, Caronia & Co. has experience in, and knowledge of, the valuation of
such enterprises.
We have acted as the investment banker to the Company in connection with
the Consolidation and will receive a fee from the Company for our services, a
significant portion of which is contingent upon consummation of the
Consolidation. In addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify us against
certain liabilities arising out of our engagement.
Our investment banking services and our opinion were provided for the use
and benefit of the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with its
consideration of the transaction contemplated by the Consolidation Agreement.
Our opinion is limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the
Consolidation Consideration to the Shareholders, and we do not address the
merits of the underlying decision by the Company to engage in the Consolidation
and this opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder as to
how such shareholder should vote on the proposed Consolidation. It is understood
that this letter may not be disclosed or otherwise referred to without our prior
written consent, except that the opinion may be included in its entirety in
submissions to state insurance regulatory authorities or in a proxy statement
mailed to the shareholders by the Company with respect to the Consolidation.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the
date hereof, the Consolidation Consideration is fair from a financial point of
view to the Shareholders.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Cochran, Caronia & Co.
COCHRAN, CARONIA & CO.
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