Markel International, the specialty property and casualty insurer, today welcomed A.M. Best's confirmation of the A rating of both its insurance trading platforms. A.M. Best affirmed the financial strength rating of Markel's Lloyd's Syndicate 3000 as A (Excellent), outlook stable. It also confirmed the A - (Excellent), outlook stable rating of its London based insurance company, Markel International Insurance Company Limited (MIICL).

Andy Davies, Finance Director, Markel International, commented: "The affirmation of the A.M. Best rating recognises the strength and success of Markel's international operations.  Our diverse book of business, disciplined approach to underwriting and being a key component of Markel Corporation puts the company in a strong position for 2007 and beyond."

 A.M. Best commented on the affirmation of the Lloyd's Syndicate 3000 rating: "Syndicate 3000 has a good specialist business profile within Lloyd's and A.M. Best forecasts a solid operating profit in 2006, driven by stronger underwriting earnings and assuming the absence of further exceptional catastrophe events.  A.M. Best believes Markel remains committed to Syndicate 3000 as its main underwriting centre for those markets where the Lloyd's brand has a strong recognition, particularly for marine risks. In 2007, A.M. Best believes the syndicate's capacity is likely to increase in order to take advantage of rate increases on catastrophe exposed business."

A.M. Best commented on the confirmation of Markel International Insurance Company Ltd: "In 2006 and 2007, A.M. Best anticipates that MIICL will maintain excellent risk-adjusted capitalisation, as a result of positive after-tax earnings and further commutation of existing liabilities. MIICL has a good business position as a specialist underwriter of professional liability and property insurance in the UK and London market. A.M. Best recognises that the company has made significant progress addressing its prior year reserves, having completed a number of commutations (30% of asbestos exposures commuted during 2005). In response to higher competition in the UK, MIICL has also increased its writing of international professional liability business, and in 2005 opened a branch office in Spain (Markel International España S.A.)."

 Ends
 
For further information:

Derah McCall
Markel International
020 7953 6732 

Notes to Editor:

Markel International Limited is a specialty property and casualty insurer. Based in London and comprising the international operations of Markel Corporation, it wrote gross premiums in 2005 of $641 million. It has five operating divisions writing business either through Markel Syndicate 3000 or through Markel International Insurance Company Limited. Markel Corporation is a US listed business, capitalised at around $3.5 billion, which in 2005 wrote gross premiums of $2.4 billion.  www.markelintl.com