First Professionals Insurance Company, Inc. (First Professionals) recently submitted a proposed medical professional liability rate and rule filing for physicians and surgeons in Illinois. First Professionals is pleased to announce that because of excellent claims experience and a strong commitment to risk management, current insureds will not see a base rate increase for their First Professionals policies in 2011.

First Professionals has proposed changes for certain specialties along with changes to territory factors that may result in significant decreases for some insureds. The overall impact of the changes is a 3.8% premium income decrease. Some insureds will see no change, while others may see decreases of as much as 18% or more, depending upon their specialty and where they practice. These changes are effective for new and renewal business written on January 1, 2011 and thereafter.

The 3.8% premium decrease is attributed to First Professionals' strict philosophy to only provide medical professional liability insurance to Illinois physicians and surgeons with favorable loss histories. This unique approach was established in 2008 when First Professionals joined forces with an exclusive risk purchasing group, Bentley RPG, LLC (Bentley).

?The results of Bentley's program, including the continued positive loss experience and consistent increase in the number of new and existing policyholders are major contributing factors in our decision to file for the rate change in Illinois,? said First Professionals' President Robert E. White, Jr. ?We expect the program to continue to provide positive results as Bentley maintains its commitment to the elite physicians and surgeons in Illinois.?

?We credit the success of the Bentley program to the strong partnership we have built with First Professionals, superior risk management services provided by ELM Exchange, the professionalism of the agents and brokers who represent the program and unparalleled customer focus,? said Jack Ahern, President of Bentley. Ahern also commented, ?We value the experts at First Professionals and are confident that they will continue a long-term commitment to the program.?

The Bentley program is available to licensed Illinois physicians in private office practices or hospital-based practices who meet all qualifications for membership and coverage in the program.

About First Professionals Insurance Company, Inc.

First Professionals Insurance Company, Inc. (First Professionals) has served the medical and healthcare community with reliable professional liability insurance since 1975. First Professionals offers a wide range of products and services to meet the unique needs of physicians, dentists, and other healthcare professionals. First Professionals, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, offers products and services in the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Ohio, Arkansas, and Illinois. First Professionals is a subsidiary company of FPIC Insurance Group, Inc. www.firstprofessionals.com

Bentley Insurance Group

The Bentley Insurance Group was formed for the benefit of preferred physicians and surgeons in Illinois. Membership in the Bentley RPG, LLC (Bentley) requires physicians to adhere to strict eligibility guidelines and participate in risk management programs designed to improve practice and reduce losses. As a result, physicians meeting Bentley's membership requirements may enjoy substantial savings in their medical professional liability insurance premiums. Physicians interested in Bentley's program should contact their insurance broker or Jack Ahern at (312) 529-5513 for more information.

First Professionals Insurance Company, Inc.
Angie Nykamp, Vice President, Marketing, 904-360-3071
angie.nykamp@fpic.com
or
Bentley Insurance Group
Jack Ahern, President, 312-529-5513
550 West Van Buren, Suite 1200
Chicago. Illinois 60607
jahern@bentleyinsurancegroup.com