<PAGE>
 
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 30, 1996
 
                                                        REGISTRATION NO. 33-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                ---------------
 
                                   FORM S-4
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                                ---------------
 
                         AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
         TEXAS                        6719                    74-0483432
    (STATE OR OTHER            (PRIMARY STANDARD           (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
    JURISDICTION OF                INDUSTRIAL            IDENTIFICATION NO.)
    INCORPORATION OR          CLASSIFICATION CODE
     ORGANIZATION)                  NUMBER)
                              2929 ALLEN PARKWAY
                             HOUSTON, TEXAS 77019
                                (713) 522-1111
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                                ---------------
 
                              JON P. NEWTON, ESQ.
                       VICE CHAIRMAN AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                         AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION
                              2929 ALLEN PARKWAY
                               HOUSTON, TX 77019
                                (713) 522-1111
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                                ---------------
 
                       COPIES OF ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO:
         SCOTT N. WULFE, ESQ.                 THEODORE J. KOZLOFF, ESQ.
        VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P.          SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM
         2300 FIRST CITY TOWER                    919 THIRD AVENUE
         HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002                 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
            (713) 758-2222                         (212) 735-3500
 
                                ---------------
 
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective and all other
conditions to the merger described in the enclosed Proxy Statement/Prospectus
have been satisfied or waived.
 
  If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance
with General Instruction G, check the following box. [_]
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF              PROPOSED MAXIMUM                 AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED(1)     AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE(2)      REGISTRATION FEE(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>                            <C>
Common Stock, $0.50 par
 value (including the
 attached Preferred
 Share Purchase Rights)                  $353,898,973                     $53,599
------------------------
7% Convertible Preferred
 Stock, $1.50 par value
</TABLE>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) This Registration Statement relates to (i) the shares of common stock, par
    value $0.50 per share ("American General Common Stock"), and 7%
    Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.50 per share ("American General
    7% Convertible Preferred Stock"), of the Registrant issuable to holders of
    voting common stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Independent Voting Common
    Stock"), and non-voting common stock, par value $1.00 per share
    ("Independent Non-Voting Common Stock" and, together with the Independent
    Voting Common Stock, the "Independent Common Stock"), of Independent
    Insurance Group, Inc. ("Independent") pursuant to the merger described in
    the enclosed Proxy Statement/Prospectus (the "Merger"); (ii) the shares of
    American General Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the American
    General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock (for which the Registrant will
    receive no additional consideration); and (iii) the American General
    Preferred Share Purchase Rights that will be attached to and represented
    by the certificates for the American General Common Stock referred to in
    clauses (i) and (ii) above (which Preferred Share Purchase Rights have no
    market value independent of the American General Common Stock to which
    they are attached). The number of securities of each class to be issued in
    connection with the Merger is not determinable at this time.
    In accordance with the elections to be made by Independent shareholders in
    connection with the Merger, each share of Independent Common Stock
    outstanding prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than dissenting
    shares) will be converted into, exchanged for and represent the right to
    receive any of the following: (i) $27.50 in cash, (ii) a fraction of a share
    of American General Common Stock equal to $27.50 divided by the Average
    Closing Price, or (iii) a fraction of a share of American General 7%
    Convertible Preferred Stock equal to $27.50 divided by the Average Closing
    Price, or a combination thereof. The "Average Closing Price" is equal to the
    ten-day average closing sales prices of the American General Common Stock on
    the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") Composite Tape ending on (and
    including) the fifth NYSE trading day prior to the effective time of the
    Merger.
(2) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(f) based on the number of shares of
    Independent Voting Common Stock and Independent Non-Voting Common Stock
    outstanding as of January 26, 1996, using a value of $27.06 per share for
    the Independent Non-Voting Common Stock (the average of the high and low
    sales prices reported on the Nasdaq National Market on January 26, 1996)
    and using a value of $26.65 per share for the Independent Voting Common
    Stock (the book value of such shares as of December 31, 1995).
(3) Pursuant to Rule 457(b), the registration fee has been reduced by the
    $68,436 paid on November 15, 1995 upon the filing under the Securities
    Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of Independent's preliminary proxy
    materials with respect to the proposed Merger.
 
  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                       CROSS REFERENCE SHEET PURSUANT TO
        ITEM 501(B) OF REGULATION S-K, SHOWING THE LOCATION IN THE PROXY
    STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS OF THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY PART I OF FORM S-4.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    S-4 ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION         LOCATION IN PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
    ---------------------------         --------------------------------------
A.INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION.
 
<S>                                   <C>
 1.Forepart of Registration
     Statement and Outside Front      Outside Front Cover Page of Proxy
     Cover Page of Prospectus.......   Statement/Prospectus
 2.Inside Front and Outside Back
     Cover Pages of Prospectus......  Available Information; Incorporation of
                                       Certain Documents by Reference; Table of
                                       Contents
 3.Risk Factors, Ratio of Earnings
     to Fixed Charges and Other       Summary; Summary Historical Financial Data
     Information....................   of American General; Summary Historical
                                       Financial Data of Independent; Summary Pro
                                       Forma Per Share and Other Data; Risk
                                       Factors
 4.Terms of the Transaction.........  Summary; The Proposed Merger; Description
                                       of American General Capital Stock;
                                       Comparison of Shareholder Rights
 5.Pro Forma Financial Information..  *
 6.Material Contacts with the
     Company Being Acquired.........  Summary; The Proposed Merger
 7.Additional Information Required
     for Reoffering by Persons and
     Parties Deemed to be
     Underwriters...................  *
 8.Interests of Named Experts and
     Counsel........................  Legal Matters; Experts
 9.Disclosure of Commission Position
     on Indemnification for
     Securities Act Liabilities.....  *
 
B.INFORMATION ABOUT THE REGISTRANT.
 
10.Information With Respect to S-3    Incorporation of Certain Documents by
     Registrants....................   Reference; Certain Information Regarding
                                       American General; Selected Historical
                                       Financial Data of American General
11.Incorporation of Certain           Incorporation of Certain Documents by
     Information by Reference.......   Reference
12.Information With Respect to S-2
     or S-3 Registrants.............  *
13.Incorporation of Certain
     Information by Reference.......  *
14.Information With Respect to
     Registrants Other Than S-3 or
     S-2 Registrants................  *
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    S-4 ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION         LOCATION IN PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
    ---------------------------         --------------------------------------
C.INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY BEING ACQUIRED.
 
<S>                                   <C>
15.Information With Respect to S-3    Incorporation of Certain Documents by
     Companies......................   Reference; Certain Information Regarding
                                       Independent; Selected Historical Financial
                                       Data of Independent
16.Information With Respect to S-2
     or S-3 Companies...............  *
17.Information With Respect to
     Companies Other Than S-2 or S-3
     Companies......................  *
 
D.VOTING AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION.
 
18.Information if Proxies, Consents   Cover Page of Proxy Statement/Prospectus;
     or Authorizations Are to be       Incorporation of Certain Documents by
     Solicited......................   Reference; Summary; The Special Meeting;
                                       The Proposed Merger; Other Matters
19.Information if Proxies, Consents
     or Authorizations Are Not to be
     Solicited, or in an Exchange
     Offer..........................  *
</TABLE>
--------
* Omitted because not required, inapplicable or answer is negative.
<PAGE>
 
 
                       INDEPENDENT INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
                             ONE INDEPENDENT DRIVE
                          JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32276
 
                                                               January 30, 1996
 
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
 
  You are cordially invited to attend a Special Meeting of Shareholders of
Independent Insurance Group, Inc. ("Independent"), to be held at the principal
executive offices of Independent, One Independent Drive, Jacksonville, Florida
32276, at 10:00 a.m., local time, on February 29, 1996, and any adjournment or
postponement thereof (the "Special Meeting"). A Notice of the Special Meeting,
a proxy card, and a Proxy Statement/Prospectus containing information about
the matters to be acted upon are enclosed. All holders of outstanding shares
of Independent's voting common stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Independent
Voting Common Stock"), and Independent's non-voting common stock, par value
$1.00 per share ("Independent Non-Voting Common Stock") ("Independent Voting
Common Stock" and "Independent Non-Voting Common Stock" are collectively
referred to as the "Independent Common Stock"), as of the close of business on
January 8, 1996 (the "Record Date") are entitled to notice of and to vote at
the Special Meeting.
 
  At the Special Meeting, Independent's shareholders will be asked to consider
and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt an Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of October 19, 1995 and as amended as of January 25, 1996 (the
"Merger Agreement"), by and among Independent, American General Corporation, a
Texas corporation ("American General"), and AGC Life Insurance Company, a
Missouri corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of American General ("AGC
Life"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Independent would be merged (the
"Merger") with and into AGC Life, which would continue in existence as a
wholly-owned subsidiary of American General.
 
  In the Merger, and as more fully described in the accompanying Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and in the Merger Agreement included as an annex thereto,
each share of Independent Common Stock outstanding prior to the effective time
of the Merger (other than dissenting shares) will be converted into, exchanged
for and represent the right to receive any of the following: (i) a fraction
(the "Exchange Ratio") of a share of common stock (together with the attached
American General Preferred Share Purchase Rights), par value $.50 per share
("American General Common Stock"), of American General (the "Common Stock
Consideration"), calculated by dividing (x) $27.50 by (y) the average of the
closing sales prices of American General Common Stock as reported on the New
York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") Composite Tape during the ten consecutive
NYSE trading days ending on (and including) the fifth NYSE trading day prior
to the effective time of the Merger; (ii) a fraction of a share of 7%
convertible preferred stock, par value $1.50 per share ("American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock"), of American General (the "Convertible Preferred
Stock Consideration"), equal to the Exchange Ratio; or (iii) cash in the
amount of $27.50 (the "Cash Price"), without any interest thereon (the "Cash
Consideration"). (Common Stock Consideration and Convertible Preferred Stock
Consideration are collectively referred to as the "Stock Consideration.")
Independent shareholders will be entitled to elect to receive Common Stock
Consideration, Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration and/or Cash
Consideration with respect to shares held by them, but such elections will be
subject to certain allocation procedures described more fully in the
accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus and in the Merger Agreement included
as an annex thereto, which provide generally that (i) no more than 50% of the
Independent Common Stock may be converted into Cash Consideration and (ii) no
more than 50% of the Independent Common Stock may be converted into
Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration. The Merger is intended to qualify
as a tax-free transaction to American General, AGC Life, Independent and,
except to the extent they receive cash in the Merger, the Independent
shareholders.
 
  The accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus provides a detailed description
of the proposed Merger. We urge you to read and consider it carefully. A Form
of Election/Letter of Transmittal with which you can elect to
<PAGE>
 
receive Common Stock Consideration, Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration
and/or Cash Consideration in exchange for your Independent Common Stock is
being mailed to holders of record of Independent Common Stock with the
accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
 
  American General, with assets of $60 billion and shareholders' equity of
$5.5 billion as of September 30, 1995, is one of the nation's largest
diversified financial services organizations. Headquartered in Houston, it is
a leading provider of retirement annuities, consumer loans, and life
insurance.
 
  INDEPENDENT'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MERGER AND
RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT. The Board
reached this decision after careful consideration of a number of factors,
including the opinion of Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated, Independent's
financial advisor, to the effect that the consideration to be issued in the
Merger is fair to Independent shareholders from a financial point of view. The
full opinion of Alex. Brown, dated as of the date of the accompanying Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, is included as Annex B to the accompanying Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, and shareholders are urged to read the opinion in its
entirety.
 
  The affirmative votes of (i) the holders of a majority of the shares of
Independent Non-Voting Common Stock entitled to vote and (ii) the holders of a
majority of the shares of Independent Voting Common Stock entitled to vote are
required to approve the Merger Agreement. Each share of Independent Non-Voting
Common Stock is entitled to one vote with respect to the approval and adoption
of the Merger Agreement at the Special Meeting. Each share of Independent
Voting Common Stock is entitled to one vote on all matters presented at the
Special Meeting.
 
  In view of the importance of the action to be taken at the Special Meeting,
we urge you to read the enclosed material carefully and to complete, sign and
date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed prepaid
envelope whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting. If you attend
the Special Meeting, you may vote your shares personally whether or not you
have previously submitted a proxy. Your prompt cooperation will be greatly
appreciated.
 
                                          Sincerely yours,
 
                                          /s/ Wilford C. Lyon, Jr.

                                          Wilford C. Lyon, Jr.
                                          Chairman of the Board and Chief
                                           Executive Officer
 
  If you have questions or need assistance in voting your shares, you should
contact Georgeson & Company Inc. at the phone numbers listed below.
 
                                     LOGO
                [Logo of Georgeson & Company Inc. appears here]
 
                               Wall Street Plaza
                           New York, New York 10005
                        Call Toll Free: (800) 223-2064
                In New York State, Call Collect: (212) 509-6240
<PAGE>
 
                       INDEPENDENT INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
                             ONE INDEPENDENT DRIVE
                          JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32276
 
                               ----------------
 
                   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                        TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 29, 1996
 
                               ----------------
 
To The Shareholders of
Independent Insurance Group, Inc.:
 
  NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of Shareholders of Independent
Insurance Group, Inc., a Florida corporation ("Independent"), will be held on
February 29, 1996, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at the principal executive
offices of Independent, One Independent Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32276,
and any adjournments or postponements thereof (the "Special Meeting"), for the
following purposes:
 
    1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt an Agreement
  and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 19, 1995 and as amended as of
  January 25, 1996 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among Independent,
  American General Corporation, a Texas corporation ("American General"), and
  AGC Life Insurance Company, a Missouri corporation and a wholly-owned
  subsidiary of American General ("AGC Life"). Pursuant to the Merger
  Agreement, Independent would be merged (the "Merger") with and into AGC
  Life, which would continue in existence as a wholly-owned subsidiary of
  American General. In the Merger, and as more fully described in the
  accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus and in the Merger Agreement
  included as an annex thereto, each share of Independent voting common
  stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Independent Voting Common Stock"), and
  each share of Independent non-voting common stock, par value $1.00 per
  share ("Independent Non-Voting Common Stock"), outstanding prior to the
  effective time of the Merger (other than dissenting shares) will be
  converted into, exchanged for and represent the right to receive any of the
  following: (i) a fraction (the "Exchange Ratio") of a share of common stock
  (together with the attached American General Preferred Share Purchase
  Rights), par value $.50 per share ("American General Common Stock"), of
  American General (the "Common Stock Consideration"), calculated by dividing
  (x) $27.50 by (y) the average of the closing sales prices of American
  General Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange (the
  "NYSE") Composite Tape during the ten consecutive NYSE trading days ending
  on (and including) the fifth NYSE trading day prior to the effective time
  of the Merger; (ii) a fraction of a share of 7% convertible preferred
  stock, par value $1.50 per share ("American General 7% Convertible
  Preferred Stock") of American General (the "Convertible Preferred Stock
  Consideration"), equal to the Exchange Ratio; or (iii) cash in the amount
  of $27.50 (the "Cash Price"), without any interest thereon (the "Cash
  Consideration"). (Common Stock Consideration and Convertible Preferred
  Stock Consideration are collectively referred to as the "Stock
  Consideration.") Independent shareholders will be entitled to elect to
  receive Common Stock Consideration, Convertible Preferred Stock
  Consideration and/or Cash Consideration with respect to shares held by
  them, but such elections will be subject to certain allocation procedures
  described more fully in the accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus and in
  the Merger Agreement included as an annex thereto, which provide generally
  that (i) no more than 50% of the Independent Common Stock may be converted
  into Cash Consideration and (ii) no more than 50% of the Independent Common
  Stock may be converted into Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration.
 
    2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
  Special Meeting.
 
  Only holders of record of shares of Independent Voting Common Stock and
Independent Non-Voting Common Stock as of the close of business on January 8,
1996 (the "Record Date") are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special
Meeting. The list of Independent shareholders entitled to vote at the Special
Meeting will be available for examination for ten days prior to the Special
Meeting at the principal executive offices of Independent, One Independent
Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32276.
<PAGE>
 
  Holders of Independent Voting Common Stock who object to the Merger will be
entitled to dissenters' rights in accordance with the Florida Business
Corporation Act ("FBCA"). A copy of the relevant provisions of the FBCA is
included as Annex C to the enclosed Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
 
  YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE COMPLETE THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY AND RETURN IT
PROMPTLY IN THE ADDRESSED ENVELOPE ENCLOSED.
 
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors
 
                                          /s/ Kendall G. Bryan
                                          Kendall G. Bryan
                                          Secretary
 
                                          January 30, 1996
 
                            YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
                PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY.
    FAILURE TO VOTE WILL HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS A VOTE AGAINST THE MERGER.
<PAGE>
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN    +
+OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY   +
+SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR    +
+SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE       +
+SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.                                            +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 
 
                       INDEPENDENT INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
                                PROXY STATEMENT
 
                               ----------------
 
                         AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION
                                  PROSPECTUS
 
                               ----------------
 
  This Proxy Statement and Prospectus ("Proxy Statement/Prospectus") relates
to the proposed merger (the "Merger") of Independent Insurance Group, Inc., a
Florida corporation ("Independent"), with and into AGC Life Insurance Company
("AGC Life"), a Missouri corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of American
General Corporation, a Texas corporation ("American General"), pursuant to an
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 19, 1995 and as amended as
of January 25, 1996 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among Independent,
American General and AGC Life.
 
  In the Merger, Independent would be merged with and into AGC Life, which
would continue in existence as a wholly-owned subsidiary of American General,
and each share of Independent's voting common stock, par value $1.00 per share
("Independent Voting Common Stock"), and each share of Independent's non-
voting common stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Independent Non-Voting Common
Stock" and, together with the "Independent Voting Common Stock," the
"Independent Common Stock"), outstanding prior to the Merger (other than
dissenting shares), will be converted into, exchanged for and represent the
right to receive any of the following: (i) a fraction (the "Exchange Ratio")
of a share of common stock (together with the attached American General
Preferred Share Purchase Rights), par value $.50 per share ("American General
Common Stock"), of American General (the "Common Stock Consideration"),
calculated by dividing (x) $27.50 by (y) the average of the closing sales
prices of American General Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange (the "NYSE") Composite Tape during the ten consecutive NYSE trading
days (each, a "Trading Day") ending on (and including) the fifth Trading Day
prior to the effective time of the Merger (the "Average Closing Price"); (ii)
a fraction of a share of 7% convertible preferred stock, par value $1.50 per
share ("American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock" and, together with
the American General Common Stock, the "American General Stock"), of American
General (the "Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration"), equal to the
Exchange Ratio; or (iii) cash in the amount of $27.50 (the "Cash Price"),
without any interest thereon (the "Cash Consideration"). (Common Stock
Consideration and Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration are collectively
referred to as "Stock Consideration" and Stock Consideration and Cash
Consideration are collectively referred to as "Merger Consideration.")
Independent shareholders will be entitled to elect to receive Common Stock
Consideration, Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration and/or Cash
Consideration with respect to shares held by them, but such elections will be
subject to certain allocation procedures described more fully in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and in the Merger Agreement included as an annex hereto,
which provide generally that (i) no more than 50% of the Independent Common
Stock may be converted into Cash Consideration, and (ii) no more than 50% of
the Independent Common Stock may be converted into Convertible Preferred Stock
Consideration.
 
  On January 26, 1996, the most recent practicable date prior to the printing
of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the closing price of the American General
Common Stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape was $35.88 per share and
the closing price of the Independent Non-Voting Common Stock as reported by
the Nasdaq National Market was $27.06 per share. There is no established
trading market for the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock or the
Independent Voting Common Stock.
 
  This Proxy Statement/Prospectus constitutes both the proxy statement of
Independent relating to the solicitation of proxies by its Board of Directors
for use at a special meeting of Independent shareholders to be held on
February 29, 1996 to approve the Merger (the "Special Meeting") and the
prospectus of American General included as part of a Registration Statement
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") with
respect to (i) the shares of American General Common Stock (including the
attached American General Preferred Share Purchase Rights) and American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock issuable in the Merger to holders of
Independent Common Stock; and (ii) the shares of American General Common Stock
(including the attached American General Preferred Share Purchase Rights)
issuable upon conversion of the American General 7% Convertible Preferred
Stock.
 
  A Form of Election/Letter of Transmittal with which Independent shareholders
can elect to receive Common Stock Consideration, Convertible Preferred Stock
Consideration and/or Cash Consideration for their Independent shares is
enclosed with this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
 
  This Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the accompanying form of proxy are first
being sent to Independent shareholders on or about January 30, 1996.
 
  IN REVIEWING THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, INDEPENDENT SHAREHOLDERS
SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE MATTERS DESCRIBED UNDER THE HEADING "RISK
FACTORS."
 
                               ----------------
 
 THE SECURITIES  TO WHICH  THIS PROXY  STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS RELATES  HAVE NOT
  BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND  EXCHANGE COMMISSION,
   ANY STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION OR ANY STATE  INSURANCE DEPARTMENT, NOR
    HAS  THE  SECURITIES AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION, ANY  STATE  SECURITIES
     COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  INSURANCE  DEPARTMENT  PASSED  UPON  THE
       ACCURACY OR  ADEQUACY  OF THIS  PROXY  STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.  ANY
        REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                               ----------------
 
       THE DATE OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS JANUARY 30, 1996.
<PAGE>
 
  NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN
THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY
AMERICAN GENERAL OR INDEPENDENT. THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, THE
SECURITIES OFFERED BY THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, OR THE SOLICITATION OF
A PROXY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO OR FROM ANY PERSON TO WHOM OR FROM WHOM IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER OR PROXY SOLICITATION IN
SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS NOR
ANY DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN THE AFFAIRS OF AMERICAN
GENERAL OR INDEPENDENT SINCE THE DATE OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.
HOWEVER, IF ANY MATERIAL CHANGE OCCURS DURING THE PERIOD THAT THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED, THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WILL BE AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED ACCORDINGLY. ALL
INFORMATION REGARDING AMERICAN GENERAL AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY AMERICAN GENERAL, AND ALL
INFORMATION REGARDING INDEPENDENT AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY INDEPENDENT.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  American General and Independent are subject to the informational
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), and in accordance therewith each files reports, proxy statements and
other information with the Commission. Copies of such reports, proxy
statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary
Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the following
Regional Offices of the Commission: Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New
York, New York 10048 and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can be obtained at prescribed
rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. In addition, materials filed by American General
may be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New
York 10005 and The Pacific Stock Exchange, Incorporated, 301 Pine Street, San
Francisco, California 94104, and materials filed by Independent may be
inspected at the offices of the Nasdaq National Market, Reports Section, 1735
K Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
 
  American General has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on
Form S-4 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), with respect to the shares of American General Stock to be
issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus does
not contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement,
certain portions of which have been omitted pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the Commission. Such additional information may be obtained
from the Commission's principal office in Washington, D.C. Statements
contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus as to the contents of any
contract or other document referred to herein are not necessarily complete,
and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other
document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such
statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
 
                               ----------------
 
   FOR NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS: THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR
      DISAPPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE FOR THE STATE OF NORTH
        CAROLINA, NOR HAS THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE RULED UPON THE
                    ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS DOCUMENT.
 
                               ----------------
 
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  The following documents filed with the Commission by American General (File
No. 1-7981) pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated by reference in this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus:
 
    (1) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
  1994.
 
    (2) Proxy Statement relating to American General's 1995 annual meeting of
  shareholders.
 
    (3) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March
  31, 1995, June 30, 1995 and September 30, 1995.
 
    (4) Current Reports on Form 8-K dated February 14, 1995, March 22, 1995,
  April 14, 1995, May 9, 1995, June 21, 1995, July 14, 1995, August 23, 1995,
  August 24, 1995, October 20, 1995, October 26, 1995 and November 13, 1995.
 
    (5) The description of American General Common Stock contained in the
  Registration Statement on Form 8-B dated June 25, 1980, as amended by
  Amendment No. 1 on Form 8 dated December 22, 1983.
 
    (6) The description of American General Preferred Share Purchase Rights
  contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated July 31, 1989, as
  amended by Amendment No. 1 on Form 8 dated August 7, 1989.
 
    (7) All documents subsequently filed by American General pursuant to
  Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the later of
  the last possible date on which elections may be made as described herein
  or the date of the final adjournment of the Special Meeting.
 
  The following documents filed with the Commission by Independent (File No.
0-9649) pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated by reference in this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus:
 
    (1) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
  1994.
 
    (2) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March
  31, 1995, June 30, 1995 and September 30, 1995.
 
    (3) Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 2, 1995.
 
    (4) All documents subsequently filed by Independent pursuant to Section
  13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the later of the
  last possible date on which elections may be made as described herein or
  the date of the final adjournment of the Special Meeting.
 
  Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document, which also is or
is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except
as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.
 
  THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE DOCUMENTS RELATING
TO AMERICAN GENERAL AND INDEPENDENT WHICH ARE NOT PRESENTED HEREIN OR
DELIVERED HEREWITH. THESE DOCUMENTS (NOT INCLUDING EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS
OTHER THAN EXHIBITS SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO SUCH
DOCUMENTS) ARE AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE TO ANY PERSON, INCLUDING ANY
BENEFICIAL OWNER, TO WHOM THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED, UPON
WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF SUCH PERSON. REQUESTS FOR SUCH DOCUMENTS RELATING
TO AMERICAN GENERAL SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION, 2929
ALLEN PARKWAY, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77019-2155, ATTENTION: INVESTOR RELATIONS,
TELEPHONE NUMBER (713) 831-1949; AND DOCUMENTS RELATING TO INDEPENDENT SHOULD
BE DIRECTED TO INDEPENDENT INSURANCE GROUP, INC., ONE INDEPENDENT DRIVE,
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32276-3902, ATTENTION: INVESTOR RELATIONS, TELEPHONE
NUMBER (904) 358-5470. TO ASSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF SUCH DOCUMENTS, REQUESTS
FOR SUCH DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE MADE NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 22, 1996.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             PAGE
                                                                             ----
<S>                                                                          <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION......................................................    2
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE............................    3
SUMMARY OF PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS                                          6
 The Companies.............................................................    6
 The Special Meeting.......................................................    7
 The Proposed Merger.......................................................    9
SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF AMERICAN GENERAL......................   20
SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF INDEPENDENT...........................   21
SUMMARY PRO FORMA PER SHARE AND OTHER DATA.................................   22
CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING AMERICAN GENERAL.............................   24
 General...................................................................   24
 Recent Developments.......................................................   24
 Retirement Annuities......................................................   25
 Consumer Finance..........................................................   26
 Life Insurance............................................................   26
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF AMERICAN GENERAL.....................   28
CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING INDEPENDENT..................................   30
 General...................................................................   30
 Recent Developments.......................................................   30
 Subsidiaries..............................................................   30
 Products and Services.....................................................   30
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF INDEPENDENT..........................   31
SELECTED PRO FORMA PER SHARE AND OTHER DATA................................   33
MARKET PRICE DATA AND DIVIDENDS............................................   35
RISK FACTORS...............................................................   37
 Absence of Prior Public Trading Market for American General 7% Convertible
  Preferred Stock..........................................................   37
 Uncertainty as to Trading Market and Liquidity for American General 7%
  Convertible Preferred Stock after the Merger.............................   37
 Less Equity Appreciation for American General 7% Convertible Preferred
  Stock....................................................................   37
 Determination of Exchange Ratio...........................................   38
 Tax Consequences Involved in Making Elections.............................   38
THE SPECIAL MEETING........................................................   39
 General...................................................................   39
 Record Date...............................................................   39
 Quorum....................................................................   39
 Votes Required; Voting Rights.............................................   39
 Dissenters' Rights........................................................   40
 Solicitation of Proxies...................................................   40
THE PROPOSED MERGER........................................................   42
 General...................................................................   42
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
 Closing; Effective Time..................................................  42
 Conversion of Shares.....................................................  42
 Fractional Shares........................................................  42
 Shareholder Elections....................................................  42
 Certain Election Considerations..........................................  43
 Procedures for Shareholder Elections.....................................  43
 Allocation Rules.........................................................  44
   Allocation of Cash Available for Election..............................  44
   Allocation of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock Available
    for Election..........................................................  45
   Order of Allocation....................................................  46
   Illustration of Potential Unfavorable Effects of Allocation
    Procedures............................................................  46
   Submission of Multiple Election Forms..................................  46
 Exchange of Certificates.................................................  47
 Background of the Merger.................................................  47
 Recommendation of the Independent Board and Independent's Reasons for
  the Merger..............................................................  50
 Opinion of Independent's Financial Advisor...............................  51
   Independent Non-Voting Common Stock Performance........................  52
   Analysis of Selected Mergers and Acquisitions..........................  52
   Analysis of Purchase Price Premiums to Market Price....................  53
   Analysis of Selected Publicly Traded Companies.........................  53
   Analysis of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock............  54
   American General Common Stock Price Analysis...........................  54
   Other..................................................................  55
 American General's Reasons for the Merger................................  56
 Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger...............................  56
   General................................................................  56
   Indemnification of Independent's Directors and Officers................  56
   Severance Plan.........................................................  56
   Transition Incentive Compensation Agreements...........................  56
   Accelerated Vesting of Pensions........................................  57
 Plans for Independent after the Merger...................................  57
 The Merger Agreement.....................................................  57
   The Merger.............................................................  57
   Directors and Officers.................................................  57
   Charter and Bylaws.....................................................  57
   Representations and Warranties.........................................  58
   Conduct of Business Pending the Merger.................................  58
   Filings and Other Actions..............................................  60
   Other Acquisition Proposals............................................  60
   Expenses...............................................................  61
   Indemnification and Insurance..........................................  61
   Conditions to the Merger...............................................  61
   Termination............................................................  62
</TABLE>
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
 Accounting Treatment.....................................................  64
 Regulatory Filings and Approvals.........................................  64
   Approval by Insurance Regulators.......................................  65
   Antitrust..............................................................  65
 State Anti-Takeover Statutes.............................................  65
 Operations After the Merger..............................................  66
 Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger....................  66
   Receipt of Only American General Stock.................................  66
   Receipt of Cash and American General Stock.............................  67
   Receipt of Only Cash...................................................  67
   Additional Considerations..............................................  67
 Restrictions on Sales of Shares by Affiliates............................  69
 Stock Exchange Listing...................................................  69
 Dissenters' Rights.......................................................  69
DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN GENERAL CAPITAL STOCK.............................  72
 American General Common Stock............................................  72
 American General Preferred Stock.........................................  72
 American General Preferred Share Purchase Rights.........................  73
 American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock..........................  74
   General................................................................  74
   Dividends..............................................................  75
   Mandatory Conversion...................................................  76
   Redemption at the Option of American General...........................  76
   Conversion at the Option of the Holder.................................  78
   Conversion Adjustments.................................................  78
   Adjustment for Certain Mergers and Other Transactions..................  79
   Fractional Shares......................................................  80
   Liquidation Rights.....................................................  80
   Voting Rights..........................................................  80
   Miscellaneous..........................................................  82
 American General Series A Preferred Securities and Preferred Stock.......  82
 Certain Federal Income Tax Aspects Relating to the Ownership and
  Disposition of American General Common Stock and American General 7%
  Convertible Preferred Stock.............................................  84
   Dividends..............................................................  84
   Conversion.............................................................  85
   Adjustment of Conversion Price.........................................  85
   Back-Up Withholding....................................................  85
DESCRIPTION OF INDEPENDENT CAPITAL STOCK..................................  86
 General..................................................................  86
 Independent Voting Common Stock and Independent Non-Voting Common
 Stock....................................................................  86
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
 Independent Preferred Stock.............................................   87
 Shareholders' Agreement.................................................   87
 Exchange Agreements.....................................................   88
 Florida Anti-Takeover Law and Certain Charter Provisions................   88
   Dual Classes of Independent Common Stock..............................   88
   Restrictions on Transfers of Independent Voting Common Stock..........   88
   Independent Preferred Stock...........................................   88
   Florida Affiliated Transactions Statute...............................   88
   Florida Control-Share Acquisitions Statute............................   89
 Transfer Agent and Registrar............................................   90
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS.........................................   90
 Authorized Capital Stock................................................   90
 Voting Rights...........................................................   91
 American General Preferred Share Purchase Rights........................   91
 Amendments to Charter and Bylaws........................................   91
 Preemptive Rights; Cumulative Voting....................................   91
 Boards of Directors.....................................................   91
 Removal of Directors....................................................   92
 Newly-Created Directorships and Vacancies...............................   92
 Nomination of Directors.................................................   92
 Shareholder Proposals...................................................   93
 Special Meetings of the Shareholders....................................   93
 Shareholder Action by Written Consent...................................   93
 Vote Required for Mergers...............................................   94
 Vote Required for Sales of Assets.......................................   94
 Anti-Takeover Statutes..................................................   95
 Dissenters' Rights......................................................   95
 Limitation on Director's Liability......................................   95
 Indemnification.........................................................   96
SECURITY OWNERSHIP.......................................................   97
 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners of American General.....   97
 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and
  Management of Independent..............................................   98
LEGAL MATTERS............................................................   99
EXPERTS..................................................................   99
ANNEX A Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 19, 1995 and as
 amended as of January 25, 1996, by and among Independent Insurance
 Group, Inc., American General Corporation and AGC Life Insurance Company
ANNEX B Opinion of Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated
ANNEX C Excerpts from the Florida Business Corporation Act Relating to
 Dissenters' Rights
</TABLE>
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
 
                     SUMMARY OF PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
 
  The following is a summary of certain information contained elsewhere in this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus. It is not, and is not intended to be, complete in
itself. Reference is made to, and this summary is qualified in its entirety by,
the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, including the Annexes hereto which are a part of this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Shareholders are encouraged to read carefully all
of the information contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
 
  INDEPENDENT SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION SET FORTH
HEREIN UNDER THE HEADING "RISK FACTORS" IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER INFORMATION
PRESENTED HEREIN.
 
THE COMPANIES
 
American General Corporation......  American General is one of the largest di-
                                     versified financial services organizations
                                     in the United States, with assets of $60
                                     billion and shareholders' equity of $5.5
                                     billion as of September 30, 1995. Head-
                                     quartered in Houston, Texas, it is a lead-
                                     ing provider of retirement annuities, con-
                                     sumer loans and life insurance to over
                                     eight million households. American General
                                     was incorporated as a general business
                                     corporation under the laws of the State of
                                     Texas in 1980 and is the successor to
                                     American General Insurance Company, an in-
                                     surance company incorporated under the
                                     laws of the State of Texas in 1926. The
                                     principal executive offices of American
                                     General are located at 2929 Allen Parkway,
                                     Houston, Texas 77019-2155, and its tele-
                                     phone number is (713) 522-1111. See "CER-
                                     TAIN INFORMATION REGARDING AMERICAN GENER-
                                     AL."
 
AGC Life Insurance Company........  AGC Life is a direct, wholly-owned subsidi-
                                     ary of American General. AGC Life was or-
                                     ganized under the laws of the State of
                                     Missouri in 1982 by American General to
                                     serve as an insurance holding company and
                                     is engaged in owning insurance subsidiar-
                                     ies and issuing and reinsuring insurance
                                     policies. The statutory home office of AGC
                                     Life is located at 222 Monroe Street, Jef-
                                     ferson City, Missouri 65101, and the mail-
                                     ing address of AGC Life is American Gen-
                                     eral Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37250-
                                     0001. Its telephone number is (615) 749-
                                     1000. See "CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING
                                     AMERICAN GENERAL."
 
Independent Insurance Group,        Independent, with assets of $1.4 billion
Inc...............................   and shareholders' equity of $336 million
                                     as of September 30, 1995, is the parent
                                     company for a group of operating subsidi-
                                     aries engaged in the sale and servicing of
                                     life, accident and health, and property
                                     and casualty insurance products. Independ-
                                     ent's operations are concentrated in the
                                     southeastern United States. Independent's
                                     operating subsidiaries are among the lead-
                                     ing providers in the United States of in-
                                     surance products utilizing the home serv-
                                     ice distribution method. According to the
                                     Life Insurers Conference,
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                     Independent ranks among the top ten compa-
                                     nies using the home service distribution
                                     method in terms of number of agencies,
                                     premiums and total assets. Independent was
                                     incorporated as a general business corpo-
                                     ration under the laws of the State of
                                     Florida in 1980 to serve as the parent of
                                     The Independent Life and Accident Insur-
                                     ance Company ("Independent Life"), an in-
                                     surance company incorporated under the
                                     laws of the State of Florida in 1920. The
                                     principal executive offices of Independent
                                     are located at One Independent Drive,
                                     Jacksonville, Florida 32276, and its tele-
                                     phone number is (904) 358-5151. See "CER-
                                     TAIN INFORMATION REGARDING INDEPENDENT."
 
Trading Markets and Market Price    Shares of Independent Non-Voting Common
Data..............................   Stock are listed and traded on the Nasdaq
                                     National Market under the symbol "INDHK."
                                     There is no established trading market for
                                     the Independent Voting Common Stock.
                                     Shares of American General Common Stock
                                     are listed and traded on the NYSE, the Pa-
                                     cific Stock Exchange, the London Stock Ex-
                                     change, the Basel Stock Exchange, the Ge-
                                     neva Stock Exchange and the Zurich Stock
                                     Exchange under the symbol "AGC." There are
                                     currently no issued or outstanding shares
                                     of American General 7% Convertible Pre-
                                     ferred Stock. The closing price of Inde-
                                     pendent Non-Voting Common Stock on July
                                     12, 1995, the last full trading day prior
                                     to the announcement by Independent that it
                                     was undertaking efforts to maximize share-
                                     holder value, as reported by the Nasdaq
                                     National Market, was $14 per share. The
                                     closing price of Independent Non-Voting
                                     Common Stock on October 18, 1995, the last
                                     full trading day prior to the public an-
                                     nouncement of the Merger, as reported by
                                     the Nasdaq National Market, was $23 per
                                     share. The closing price of American Gen-
                                     eral Common Stock on October 18, 1995, the
                                     last full trading day prior to the public
                                     announcement of the Merger, as reported by
                                     the NYSE Composite Tape, was $38.13 per
                                     share. On January 26, 1996, the most re-
                                     cent practicable date prior to the print-
                                     ing of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus,
                                     the closing price of Independent Non-Vot-
                                     ing Common Stock, as reported by the
                                     Nasdaq National Market, was $27.06 per
                                     share, and the closing price of American
                                     General Common Stock, as reported by the
                                     NYSE Composite Tape, was $35.88 per share.
                                     See "MARKET PRICE DATA AND DIVIDENDS."
 
THE SPECIAL MEETING
 
Time, Date and Place..............  The Special Meeting will be held on Febru-
                                     ary 29, 1996 at 10:00 a.m., at the princi-
                                     pal executive offices of Independent, One
                                     Independent Drive, Jacksonville, Florida
                                     32276.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
 
Purpose of the Special Meeting....  Holders of Independent Voting Common Stock
                                     and holders of Independent Non-Voting Com-
                                     mon Stock will consider and vote upon a
                                     proposal to approve and adopt the Merger
                                     Agreement among Independent, American Gen-
                                     eral and AGC Life. Holders of Independent
                                     Voting Common Stock will also consider and
                                     vote upon all other matters as may prop-
                                     erly be brought before the Special Meet-
                                     ing. See "THE SPECIAL MEETING"; "THE PRO-
                                     POSED MERGER."
 
Record Date.......................  Only shareholders of record of Independent
                                     Common Stock at the close of business on
                                     January 8, 1996 (the "Record Date") are
                                     entitled to notice of and to vote at the
                                     Special Meeting. On such date, there were
                                     outstanding 5,688,775 shares of Indepen-
                                     dent Voting Common Stock and 7,475,725
                                     shares of Independent Non-Voting Common
                                     Stock, held by 138 and 994 holders of rec-
                                     ord, respectively. See "THE SPECIAL MEET-
                                     ING--Record Date."
 
Voting Rights.....................  Each share of Independent Non-Voting Common
                                     Stock is entitled to one vote with respect
                                     to the approval and adoption of the Merger
                                     Agreement at the Special Meeting. For a
                                     discussion of to what extent holders of
                                     Independent Non-Voting Common Stock may
                                     vote on other matters at the Special Meet-
                                     ing, see "DESCRIPTION OF INDEPENDENT CAPI-
                                     TAL STOCK--Independent Voting Common Stock
                                     and Independent Non-Voting Common Stock."
                                     Each share of Independent Voting Common
                                     Stock is entitled to one vote with respect
                                     to all matters presented at the Special
                                     Meeting. See "THE SPECIAL MEETING--Votes
                                     Required; Voting Rights."
 
Quorum; Votes Required............  The presence, in person or by proxy, at the
                                     Special Meeting of the holders of (i) a
                                     majority of the shares of Independent Non-
                                     Voting Common Stock outstanding and enti-
                                     tled to vote at the Special Meeting and
                                     (ii) a majority of the shares of Indepen-
                                     dent Voting Common Stock outstanding and
                                     entitled to vote at the Special Meeting
                                     will be necessary to constitute a quorum.
                                     The affirmative vote of (i) the holders of
                                     a majority of the shares of Independent
                                     Voting Common Stock entitled to vote and
                                     voting as a separate class and (ii) the
                                     holders of a majority of the shares of In-
                                     dependent Non-Voting Common Stock entitled
                                     to vote and voting as a separate class is
                                     required to approve the Merger Agreement.
 
Security Ownership of
 Independent's Management.........  As of the Record Date, the directors and
                                     executive officers of Independent (13 per-
                                     sons) owned beneficially an aggregate of
                                     3,673,579 shares of the Independent Voting
                                     Common Stock (constituting approximately
                                     64.6%
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                                     of the outstanding shares) and 2,377,147
                                     shares of Independent Non-Voting Stock
                                     (constituting approximately 31.8% of the
                                     outstanding shares). See "SECURITY OWNER-
                                     SHIP--Security Ownership of Certain Bene-
                                     ficial Owners, Directors and Management of
                                     Independent." Other than 6,000 shares held
                                     by an officer of American General, to the
                                     knowledge of American General, no execu-
                                     tive officer or director of American Gen-
                                     eral owns any shares of Independent Common
                                     Stock.
 
Revocability of Proxy.............  Any Independent shareholder who executes
                                     and returns a proxy may revoke such proxy
                                     at any time before it is voted by (i) no-
                                     tifying in writing the Corporate Secretary
                                     of Independent at One Independent Drive,
                                     Jacksonville, Florida 32276, (ii) granting
                                     a subsequent proxy, or (iii) appearing in
                                     person and voting at the Special Meeting.
                                     Attendance at the Special Meeting will not
                                     in and of itself constitute revocation of
                                     a proxy.
 
THE PROPOSED MERGER
 
General...........................  At the Effective Time (as defined below),
                                     pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Indepen-
                                     dent will be merged with and into AGC
                                     Life, which would continue in existence as
                                     a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Gen-
                                     eral.
 
Closing; Effective Time...........  The Merger will become effective upon the
                                     execution and filing of Articles of Merger
                                     with the Secretary of State of Florida in
                                     accordance with the Florida Business Cor-
                                     poration Act (the "FBCA") and with the
                                     Secretary of State of Missouri in accor-
                                     dance with The General and Business Corpo-
                                     ration Law of Missouri, or at such later
                                     time as may be designated in such filings
                                     as the effective time of the Merger (the
                                     "Effective Time"). Such filings will be
                                     made as soon as practicable after the date
                                     of the closing of the Merger (the "Clos-
                                     ing" or the "Closing Date"). The Closing
                                     will take place as soon as practicable
                                     following the approval of the Merger
                                     Agreement by Independent shareholders and
                                     the satisfaction or waiver of the other
                                     conditions to each party's obligation to
                                     consummate the Merger. See "THE PROPOSED
                                     MERGER--Closing; Effective Time."
 
Conversion of Shares..............  In the Merger, each share of Independent
                                     Common Stock outstanding prior to the Ef-
                                     fective Time (other than dissenting
                                     shares) will be converted into, exchanged
                                     for and represent the right to receive any
                                     of the following: (i) a fraction of a
                                     share of American General Common Stock
                                     equal to the Exchange Ratio; (ii) a frac-
                                     tion of a share of American General 7%
                                     Convertible Preferred Stock equal to the
                                     Exchange Ratio; or (iii) $27.50 in cash.
                                     In the event that the Average Closing
                                     Price of American General Common Stock
                                     falls below $24.99 per share, which would
                                     result in an Exchange Ratio greater than
                                     1.10, the
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                                     Independent Board will consider
                                     resoliciting proxies. See "THE SPECIAL
                                     MEETING--Solicitation of Proxies."
 
Election Procedures; Form of        Subject to certain allocation procedures
Election..........................   described below, record holders of Inde-
                                     pendent Common Stock as of the Record Date
                                     will be entitled to elect to receive Com-
                                     mon Stock Consideration, Convertible Pre-
                                     ferred Stock Consideration and/or Cash
                                     Consideration in exchange for their shares
                                     of Independent Common Stock. All such
                                     elections are to be made pursuant to a
                                     Form of Election/Letter of Transmittal
                                     ("Election Form"), which is being mailed
                                     to holders of Independent Common Stock as
                                     of the Record Date along with this Proxy
                                     Statement/Prospectus. Shareholders who ac-
                                     quire shares of Independent Common Stock
                                     after the Record Date may obtain copies of
                                     the Election Form from Georgeson & Company
                                     Inc., the Information Agent, by calling
                                     (800) 223-2064, or in New York State,
                                     (212) 509-6240 (call collect).
 
Allocation of Merger                Shareholder elections as to the form of
Consideration.....................   Merger Consideration to be received will
                                     be subject to certain limitations de-
                                     scribed below under "THE PROPOSED MERGER--
                                     Procedures for Shareholder Elections" and
                                     "--Allocation Rules." Generally, the allo-
                                     cation provisions provide that (i) the to-
                                     tal Cash Consideration to be paid (includ-
                                     ing cash paid with respect to dissenting
                                     shares or in lieu of fractional shares)
                                     will not exceed the Cash Price multiplied
                                     by 50% of the aggregate number of shares
                                     of Independent Common Stock issued and
                                     outstanding immediately prior to the Ef-
                                     fective Time and (ii) no more than 50% of
                                     the aggregate number of shares of Indepen-
                                     dent Common Stock issued and outstanding
                                     prior to the Merger will be converted into
                                     Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration.
 
Election Deadline.................  To be effective, a Form of Election must be
                                     returned, properly completed and accompa-
                                     nied by the stock certificates as to which
                                     the election is being made (or a properly
                                     completed and executed Notice of Guaran-
                                     teed Delivery) in accordance with the in-
                                     structions therein, to First Chicago Trust
                                     Company of New York, as Exchange Agent, no
                                     later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
                                     on the business day that is two Trading
                                     Days prior to the Closing Date of the
                                     Merger (the "Election Deadline") (which
                                     date will be publicly announced by Ameri-
                                     can General as soon as practicable but in
                                     no event less than five Trading Days prior
                                     to the Closing Date). Elections will be
                                     revocable at any time prior to the Elec-
                                     tion Deadline. SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT RE-
                                     TURN A VALIDLY COMPLETED FORM OF
                                     ELECTION/LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL PRIOR TO
                                     THE ELECTION DEADLINE WILL BE DEEMED TO
                                     HAVE ELECTED TO RECEIVE COMMON STOCK CON-
                                     SIDERATION IN
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                                     EXCHANGE FOR THEIR SHARES OF INDEPENDENT
                                     COMMON STOCK.
 
Certain Election Considerations...  In making an election for Common Stock Con-
                                     sideration, Convertible Preferred Stock
                                     Consideration and/or Cash Consideration,
                                     Independent shareholders are urged to con-
                                     sider the following factors: (i) because
                                     the Exchange Ratio will be determined
                                     based on an average market price of the
                                     American General Common Stock during the
                                     ten Trading Days ending on and including
                                     the fifth Trading Day prior to the Effec-
                                     tive Time, no assurance can be given that
                                     the product of the Exchange Ratio and the
                                     market value of a share of American Gen-
                                     eral Common Stock will not be higher or
                                     lower than $27.50 at the Effective Time of
                                     the Merger; (ii) although American General
                                     has agreed to use all reasonable efforts
                                     to have the American General 7% Convert-
                                     ible Preferred Stock listed on the NYSE or
                                     the Nasdaq National Market, no assurance
                                     can be given that such shares will in fact
                                     be so listed, or, if listed, that an ac-
                                     tive trading market with respect to such
                                     shares will develop or be sustained (see
                                     "RISK FACTORS--Uncertainty as to Trading
                                     Market and Liquidity for American General
                                     7% Convertible Preferred Stock after the
                                     Merger"); (iii) the terms of the American
                                     General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
                                     were determined in negotiations between
                                     American General and Independent and be-
                                     cause there will have been no public mar-
                                     ket for the American General 7% Convert-
                                     ible Preferred Stock prior to the Effec-
                                     tive Time, no prediction or assurance is
                                     given as to whether at the Effective Time
                                     the market value of a share of American
                                     General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
                                     will be higher, lower or the same as the
                                     market value of a share of American Gen-
                                     eral Common Stock; and (iv) there may be
                                     materially different tax consequences in-
                                     volved in electing to receive Common Stock
                                     Consideration, Convertible Preferred Stock
                                     Consideration and/or Cash Consideration,
                                     as described below under "THE PROPOSED
                                     MERGER--Certain Federal Income Tax Conse-
                                     quences of the Merger." See "OPINION OF
                                     INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISOR--Analysis of
                                     American General 7% Convertible Preferred
                                     Stock" for a discussion of the valuation
                                     of the American General 7% Convertible
                                     Preferred Stock.
 
                                    NONE OF AMERICAN GENERAL, INDEPENDENT, THE
                                     AMERICAN GENERAL BOARD OR THE INDEPENDENT
                                     BOARD MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION AS TO
                                     WHETHER SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD ELECT TO RE-
                                     CEIVE COMMON STOCK CONSIDERATION, CONVERT-
                                     IBLE PREFERRED STOCK CONSIDERATION AND/OR
                                     CASH CONSIDERATION IN THE MERGER. EACH
                                     SHAREHOLDER MUST MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECI-
                                     SION WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
                                     ELECTION. AS A RESULT OF THE ALLOCATION
                                     PROCEDURES DESCRIBED HEREIN, A SHAREHOLDER
                                     WHO ELECTS TO CONVERT (I) IN EXCESS OF AP-
                                     PROXIMATELY 50% OF HIS OR HER INDE- PEN-
                                     DENT COMMON STOCK INTO AMERICAN GENERAL 7%
                                     CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND/OR (II) IN
                                     EXCESS OF APPROXIMATELY 50% OF HIS OR HER
                                     INDEPENDENT COMMON STOCK INTO CASH MAY NOT
                                     RECEIVE THE CONSIDERATION HE OR SHE HAS
                                     ELECTED WITH RESPECT TO SUCH EXCESS. IF A
                                     SHAREHOLDER MAKES NO ELECTION, HE OR SHE
                                     WILL RECEIVE COMMON STOCK CONSIDERATION IN
                                     THE MERGER.
 
Fractional Shares.................  Fractional shares of American General Stock
                                     will not be issued in the Merger. Holders
                                     of Independent Common Stock will be paid
                                     cash in lieu of such fractional shares.
                                     See "THE PROPOSED MERGER--Fractional
                                     Shares."
 
American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock
 
 Dividends........................  The American General 7% Convertible Pre-
                                     ferred Stock will be entitled to receive
                                     annual cumulative dividends at a rate per
                                     annum of 7% of the stated liquidation
                                     preference (which will be equal to the Av-
                                     erage Closing Price) from the date of ini-
                                     tial issuance, payable quarterly in ar-
                                     rears on each March 1, June 1, September
                                     1, and December 1, or if any such date is
                                     not a business day, on the next succeeding
                                     business day (each a "Preferred Dividend
                                     Payment Date").
 
 Mandatory Conversion.............  On the Preferred Dividend Payment Date
                                     closest to the fifth anniversary of the
                                     Effective Time (the "Mandatory Conversion
                                     Date"), unless previously redeemed or con-
                                     verted, each share of American General 7%
                                     Convertible Preferred Stock will
                                     mandatorily convert into (i) one share of
                                     American General Common Stock, subject to
                                     adjustment in certain events and (ii) the
                                     right to receive cash in an amount equal
                                     to all accrued and unpaid dividends
                                     thereon (other than previously declared
                                     dividends payable to a holder of record as
                                     of a prior date).
 
 Redemption at the Option of
   American General...............  Shares of American General 7% Convertible
                                     Preferred Stock are not redeemable prior
                                     to the date that is one year prior to the
                                     Mandatory Conversion Date (the "Initial
                                     Redemption Date"). At any time and from
                                     time to time on and after the Initial Re-
                                     demption Date, American General may redeem
                                     any or all of the outstanding shares of
                                     American General 7% Convertible Preferred
                                     Stock. Upon any such redemption, each
                                     holder will receive, in exchange for each
                                     share of American General 7% Convertible
                                     Preferred Stock, the number of shares of
                                     American General Common Stock equal to the
                                     quotient obtained by dividing (i) 101.75%
                                     of the Average Closing Price, declining as
                                     set forth herein to 100% of the Aver-
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
                                     age Closing Price until the Mandatory Con-
                                     version Date, plus all accrued and unpaid
                                     dividends thereon (the "Call Price") by
                                     (ii) the Current Market Price (as herein-
                                     after defined) of American General Common
                                     Stock on the applicable date of determina-
                                     tion, but in no event less than .8264 of a
                                     share of American General Common Stock.
 
 Conversion at the Option of the    At any time prior to the Mandatory Conver-
Holder............................   sion Date, unless previously redeemed,
                                     each share of American General 7% Convert-
                                     ible Preferred Stock is convertible at the
                                     option of the holder into .8264 of a share
                                     of American General Common Stock (the "Op-
                                     tional Conversion Rate"), which is equiva-
                                     lent to a conversion price of 121% of the
                                     Average Closing Price, subject to adjust-
                                     ment as described herein.
 
 Voting Rights....................  The holders of shares of American General
                                     7% Convertible Preferred Stock will have
                                     the right together with the holders of the
                                     American General Common Stock to vote in
                                     the election of Directors of American Gen-
                                     eral and upon each other matter coming be-
                                     fore any meeting of the holders of Ameri-
                                     can General Common Stock on the basis of
                                     4/5 of one vote for each share of American
                                     General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock. On
                                     such matters, the holders of shares of
                                     American General 7% Convertible Preferred
                                     Stock and the holders of American General
                                     Common Stock will vote together as one
                                     class except as otherwise provided by law
                                     or the American General Restated Articles
                                     of Incorporation (the "American General
                                     Articles"). In addition, holders of shares
                                     of American General 7% Convertible Pre-
                                     ferred Stock will have additional voting
                                     rights with respect to certain other mat-
                                     ters.
 
 Liquidation Preference and         The shares of American General 7% Convert-
Ranking...........................   ible Preferred Stock will rank prior to
                                     the American General Common Stock as to
                                     the payment of dividends and distribution
                                     of assets upon liquidation. The liquida-
                                     tion preference of each share of American
                                     General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock is
                                     an amount equal to the sum of (i) the
                                     stated liquidation preference, which will
                                     be equal to the Average Closing Price, and
                                     (ii) all accrued and unpaid dividends
                                     thereon.
 
 Trading Market and Illiquidity...  American General has agreed to use all rea-
                                     sonable efforts to have the American Gen-
                                     eral 7% Convertible Preferred Stock listed
                                     on the NYSE or the Nasdaq National Market.
                                     However, no assurance can be given that
                                     such shares will in fact be so listed, or,
                                     if listed, that an active trading market
                                     with respect to such shares will develop
                                     or be sustained. The market for the Ameri-
                                     can General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
                                     may be relatively illiquid, especially if
                                     relatively few holders of Independent Com-
                                     mon Stock elect to receive shares of Amer-
                                     ican General 7% Convertible Preferred
                                     Stock, which may adversely
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
 
                                     affect the market price of such shares
                                     prevailing from time to time and subject
                                     the market price of such shares to signif-
                                     icant fluctuations based on relatively
                                     small trading volume.
 
 Enhanced Dividend Yield; Less
   Equity Appreciation than
   American General Common Stock
   ...............................
                                    Dividends will accrue on the shares of
                                     American General 7% Convertible Preferred
                                     Stock at a higher rate than the rate at
                                     which dividends are currently paid on
                                     American General Common Stock. However,
                                     the opportunity for equity appreciation
                                     afforded by shares of American General 7%
                                     Convertible Preferred Stock will be less
                                     than that afforded by American General
                                     Common Stock because the Optional Conver-
                                     sion Rate will be equivalent to 121% of
                                     the Average Closing Price and American
                                     General may, at its option, redeem shares
                                     of American General 7% Convertible Pre-
                                     ferred Stock at any time on or after the
                                     Initial Redemption Date and may be ex-
                                     pected to do so if, among other circum-
                                     stances, the then Current Market Price of
                                     American General Common Stock exceeds the
                                     Call Price. In such event, a holder of a
                                     share of American General 7% Convertible
                                     Preferred Stock will receive less than one
                                     share of American General Common Stock,
                                     but no less than .8264 of a share of Amer-
                                     ican General Common Stock per share of
                                     American General 7% Convertible Preferred
                                     Stock. A holder who surrenders for conver-
                                     sion any shares of American General 7%
                                     Convertible Preferred Stock prior to their
                                     redemption will receive .8264 of a share
                                     of American General Common Stock per share
                                     of American General 7% Convertible Pre-
                                     ferred Stock. See "DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN
                                     GENERAL CAPITAL STOCK--American General 7%
                                     Convertible Preferred Stock."
 
Recommendation of the Independent
Board of Directors and
Independent's Reasons for the
Merger............................  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF INDEPENDENT (THE
                                     "INDEPENDENT BOARD") BELIEVES THAT THE
                                     MERGER IS FAIR TO AND IN THE BEST INTER-
                                     ESTS OF INDEPENDENT AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS
                                     AND RECOMMENDS THAT INDEPENDENT SHAREHOLD-
                                     ERS VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF
                                     THE MERGER AGREEMENT. At a meeting held on
                                     October 19, 1995, the Independent Board
                                     unanimously approved the Merger and re-
                                     solved to recommend that Independent
                                     shareholders vote for approval and adop-
                                     tion of the Merger Agreement. The Indepen-
                                     dent Board considered many factors in
                                     reaching its conclusion to approve the
                                     Merger Agreement and to recommend that In-
                                     dependent shareholders vote for approval
                                     and adoption of the Merger Agreement. See
                                     "THE PROPOSED MERGER--Recommen-
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                                     dation of the Independent Board and In-
                                     dependent's Reasons for the Merger."
 
Approval by the American General
Board and American General's        The Board of Directors of American General
Reasons for the Merger............   (the "American General Board") has unani-
                                     mously approved the Merger Agreement and
                                     the issuance of the Stock Consideration in
                                     connection with the Merger. The Merger
                                     does not require the approval of the Amer-
                                     ican General shareholders. See "THE PRO-
                                     POSED MERGER--American General's Reasons
                                     for the Merger."
 
Opinion of Independent's            Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated ("Alex.
Financial Advisor.................   Brown") has delivered a written opinion to
                                     the Independent Board, dated as of October
                                     19, 1995 and the date of this Proxy
                                     Statement/Prospectus, to the effect that
                                     the consideration to be received by the
                                     holders of Independent Common Stock pursu-
                                     ant to the Merger Agreement is fair, from
                                     a financial point of view, to such hold-
                                     ers. In rendering its opinion, Alex. Brown
                                     considered all the consideration options
                                     and determined that, as of the date of its
                                     fairness opinion, any mixture of the three
                                     consideration election options (subject to
                                     the potential liquidity issues concerning
                                     the American General 7% Convertible Pre-
                                     ferred Stock as discussed hereinafter--see
                                     "Opinion of Independent's Financial Advi-
                                     sor--Analysis of American General 7% Con-
                                     vertible Preferred Stock"), was fair from
                                     a financial point of view, although the
                                     three consideration election options were
                                     not necessarily equal. In selecting a con-
                                     sideration option, a shareholder should
                                     consider, among other factors, his or her
                                     (i) tax position, (ii) desire for cash,
                                     (iii) view as to the illiquidity of the
                                     American General 7% Convertible Preferred
                                     Stock, (iv) view as to the attractiveness
                                     of the American General Common Stock, (v)
                                     view as to general market conditions and
                                     (vi) specific circumstances. Alex. Brown's
                                     opinion is based on market, economic and
                                     other considerations as they existed and
                                     could be evaluated as of the date the
                                     opinion was delivered. The full opinion of
                                     Alex. Brown, dated as of the date of this
                                     Proxy Statement/Prospectus, is included as
                                     Annex B to this Proxy Statement/Prospec-
                                     tus, and shareholders are urged to read
                                     the opinion in its entirety. See "THE PRO-
                                     POSED MERGER--Opinion of Independent's Fi-
                                     nancial Advisor."
 
Interests of Certain Persons in     In considering the recommendation of the
the Merger........................   Independent Board with respect to the
                                     Merger Agreement, shareholders should be
                                     aware that certain members of Independ-
                                     ent's management and the Independent Board
                                     have certain interests in the Merger that
                                     are in addition to the interests of share-
                                     holders of Independent generally. See "SE-
                                     CURITY OWNERSHIP--Security Ownership of
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
 
                                     Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and
                                     Management of Independent." The Indepen-
                                     dent Board was aware of these interests
                                     and considered them, among other matters,
                                     in approving the Merger Agreement. See
                                     "THE PROPOSED MERGER--Interests of Certain
                                     Persons in the Merger."
 
Conditions to the Merger..........  The respective obligations of Independent,
                                     AGC Life and American General to consum-
                                     mate the Merger are subject to a number of
                                     conditions, including, among others
                                     (i) the approval of the Merger by Indepen-
                                     dent shareholders; (ii) the filing or ob-
                                     taining of all authorizations, consents,
                                     approvals or declarations required by any
                                     governmental entity, including as required
                                     by the insurance laws and regulations of
                                     the States of Florida and Missouri; (iii)
                                     the absence of any preliminary or perma-
                                     nent injunction prohibiting the consumma-
                                     tion of the Merger; (iv) the Registration
                                     Statement having become effective and not
                                     being the subject of any stop order pro-
                                     ceedings; (v) the expiration or early ter-
                                     mination of the waiting period (and any
                                     extension thereof) under the Hart-Scott-
                                     Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
                                     as amended (the "HSR Act") and no action
                                     having been instituted by the Department
                                     of Justice (the "DOJ") or the Federal
                                     Trade Commission (the "FTC"); (vi) the ap-
                                     proval for listing on the NYSE of the
                                     American General Common Stock issuable in
                                     the Merger; (vii) the use of all reason-
                                     able efforts by American General to have
                                     the American General 7% Convertible Pre-
                                     ferred Stock issuable in the Merger ap-
                                     proved for listing on the NYSE or the
                                     Nasdaq National Market; (viii) the receipt
                                     by each of Independent and American Gen-
                                     eral of opinions from their respective
                                     counsel to the effect that the Merger will
                                     be treated for federal income tax purposes
                                     as a reorganization within the meaning of
                                     Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue
                                     Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); and
                                     (ix) the receipt by Independent of an
                                     opinion from Alex. Brown, dated as of the
                                     closing date of the Merger, to the effect
                                     that the consideration to be received by
                                     Independent shareholders in the Merger is
                                     fair to such shareholders from a financial
                                     point of view. None of the foregoing con-
                                     ditions are irrevocable. Independent and
                                     American General may determine to modify
                                     or waive any condition to the consummation
                                     of the Merger, provided that no modifica-
                                     tion or waiver by Independent which re-
                                     quires shareholder approval under applica-
                                     ble law, the Independent Articles or the
                                     Independent Bylaws will occur unless such
                                     approval is obtained. In the event a modi-
                                     fication or waiver by Independent is con-
                                     templated which requires shareholder ap-
                                     proval under applicable law, a
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
 
                                     supplement to this Proxy
                                     Statement/Prospectus will be distributed
                                     to shareholders and proxies will be resol-
                                     icited. See "THE SPECIAL MEETING--Solici-
                                     tation of Proxies." Neither American Gen-
                                     eral nor Independent presently contem-
                                     plates waiving or modifying any of the
                                     foregoing conditions. See "THE PROPOSED
                                     MERGER--The Merger Agreement--Conditions
                                     to the Merger."
 
Other Acquisition Proposals.......  The Merger Agreement provides that, subject
                                     to certain exceptions, prior to the con-
                                     summation or termination of the Merger
                                     Agreement, Independent and its subsidiar-
                                     ies and representatives and agents will
                                     not initiate, solicit or encourage (in-
                                     cluding by way of furnishing information
                                     or assistance), or take certain other ac-
                                     tions to facilitate, any inquiries or the
                                     making of any proposals to purchase or ac-
                                     quire any equity securities or (except in
                                     the ordinary course of business) assets
                                     of, or merge or combine with, Independent
                                     or any of its subsidiaries (an "Acquisi-
                                     tion Proposal"), or to enter into discus-
                                     sions or negotiate with any person or en-
                                     tity with respect to an Acquisition Pro-
                                     posal or to endorse or obtain an Acquisi-
                                     tion Proposal, in each case subject to
                                     certain exceptions necessary to comply
                                     with the Independent Board's fiduciary ob-
                                     ligations to the Independent shareholders.
                                     See "THE PROPOSED MERGER--The Merger
                                     Agreement--Other Acquisition Proposals."
 
Termination.......................  The Merger Agreement may be terminated and
                                     the Merger abandoned at any time prior to
                                     the Effective Time, (i) by mutual consent
                                     of Independent and American General; (ii)
                                     by the Board of Directors of either Ameri-
                                     can General or Independent, if the Merger
                                     shall not have been consummated on or be-
                                     fore March 30, 1996, provided that under
                                     certain circumstances such date may be ex-
                                     tended to June 30, 1996; (iii) by Indepen-
                                     dent or American General if there has been
                                     a breach by the other of any repre-
                                     sentation or warranty that has a material
                                     adverse effect or there has been a mate-
                                     rial breach of a covenant by the other
                                     that is not curable or, if curable, is not
                                     cured within thirty days after written no-
                                     tice of such breach; (iv) by the Board of
                                     Directors of either American General or
                                     Independent if a court of competent juris-
                                     diction or agency or commission shall have
                                     issued an order, decree or ruling or taken
                                     any other action permanently restraining,
                                     enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the
                                     transactions contemplated by the Merger
                                     Agreement and such order, decree, ruling
                                     or other action shall have become final
                                     and non-appealable, provided that certain
                                     conditions are satisfied; (v) by the Inde-
                                     pendent Board if, (a) prior to the Special
                                     Meeting, there is a third-party Acquisi-
                                     tion Proposal and to act otherwise would,
                                     based upon the written advice of
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
 
                                     Independent's counsel, cause the Indepen-
                                     dent Board to breach its fiduciary duties,
                                     (b) if the Average Closing Price of Ameri-
                                     can General Common Stock falls below
                                     $24.99 or (c) if American General issues
                                     stock in a transaction for which approval
                                     by its shareholders is required; and (vi)
                                     by the American General Board if the Inde-
                                     pendent Board takes action in relation to
                                     a third-party Acquisition Proposal, or if
                                     the Average Closing Price of American Gen-
                                     eral Common Stock falls below $26.71. See
                                     "THE PROPOSED MERGER--The Merger Agree-
                                     ment--Termination."
 
Termination Fees..................  If the Merger Agreement is terminated by
                                     either American General or Independent for
                                     certain reasons and a competing Acquisi-
                                     tion Proposal under which the Independent
                                     shareholders would receive in excess of
                                     $27.50 per share is outstanding, then un-
                                     der certain circumstances Independent has
                                     agreed to pay to American General a termi-
                                     nation fee of up to $14 million.
 
Regulatory Filings and              The consummation of the Merger is subject
Approvals.........................   to certain regulatory approvals, including
                                     approval by the Florida Department of In-
                                     surance and the Missouri Department of In-
                                     surance (for which notification of ap-
                                     proval was received on November 29, 1995
                                     for Missouri and January 26, 1996 for
                                     Florida) and the expiration or early ter-
                                     mination of the relevant waiting period
                                     under the HSR Act (for which notice of
                                     early termination was received on November
                                     15, 1995). See "THE PROPOSED MERGER--Regu-
                                     latory Filings and Approvals."
 
Accounting Treatment..............  The Merger will be treated as a purchase by
                                     American General for accounting and finan-
                                     cial reporting purposes. See "THE PROPOSED
                                     MERGER--Accounting Treatment."
 
Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences of the Merger........  The Merger is intended to qualify as a re-
                                     organization within the meaning of Section
                                     368(a) of the Code such that, for federal
                                     income tax purposes, the Merger will not
                                     result in the recognition of gain or loss
                                     by American General, AGC Life, Independent
                                     or, except to the extent they receive any
                                     cash in the Merger, the shareholders of
                                     Independent. Each party's obligation to
                                     effect the Merger is conditioned on the
                                     delivery of an opinion, in the case of In-
                                     dependent, from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Mea-
                                     gher & Flom, special counsel to Indepen-
                                     dent, and in the case of American General,
                                     from Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., special coun-
                                     sel to American General, substantially to
                                     the effect that, on the basis of facts,
                                     representations and assumptions set forth
                                     in such opinions, for federal income tax
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
 
                                     purposes the Merger constitutes a reorga-
                                     nization within the meaning of Section
                                     368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of
                                     1986, as amended (the "Code"). Independent
                                     will not waive the condition requiring the
                                     receipt of such an opinion from its coun-
                                     sel. Shareholders are urged to consult
                                     their tax advisors as to the tax conse-
                                     quences of the Merger to them under feder-
                                     al, state, local or any other applicable
                                     law. See "THE PROPOSED MERGER--Certain
                                     Federal Income Tax Consequences of the
                                     Merger."
 
Dissenters' Rights................  Holders of Independent Non-Voting Common
                                     Stock do not have dissenters' rights in
                                     connection with the Merger because Inde-
                                     pendent Non-Voting Common Stock was traded
                                     on the Nasdaq National Market as of the
                                     Record Date. However, holders of Indepen-
                                     dent Voting Common Stock who comply with
                                     the requirements of Section 607.1320 of
                                     the FBCA may dissent from the Merger and
                                     obtain payment for the fair value of their
                                     Independent Voting Common Stock. Excerpts
                                     from the FBCA relating to dissenters'
                                     rights are attached to this Proxy
                                     Statement/Prospectus as Annex C. See "THE
                                     PROPOSED MERGER--Dissenters' Rights."
 
Comparison of Shareholder           The rights of Independent shareholders are
Rights............................   currently governed by the FBCA, the Inde-
                                     pendent Amended and Restated Articles of
                                     Incorporation (the "Independent Articles")
                                     and Independent's bylaws (the "Independent
                                     Bylaws"). Upon consummation of the Merger,
                                     Independent shareholders who receive Amer-
                                     ican General Stock in the Merger will be-
                                     come shareholders of American General, and
                                     their rights will be governed by the Texas
                                     Business Corporation Act ("TBCA"), the
                                     American General Articles and American
                                     General's bylaws (the "American General
                                     Bylaws"). For a summary of the material
                                     differences between the rights of Indepen-
                                     dent shareholders and the rights of Ameri-
                                     can General shareholders, see "COMPARISON
                                     OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS."
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
 
             SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF AMERICAN GENERAL
 
  The following table presents summary historical financial data of American
General Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods
indicated. The historical financial data as of and for the five years ended
December 31, 1994 was derived from American General's audited consolidated
financial statements. The financial data as of and for the nine months ended
September 30, 1995 and September 30, 1994 was derived from American General's
unaudited quarterly financial statements, which, in the opinion of American
General's management, reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of such data. The data for the nine
months ended September 30, 1995 and September 30, 1994 are not necessarily
indicative of results of operations for the entire year. The data should be
read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, related notes
and other financial information of American General included or incorporated by
reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   (IN MILLIONS,  EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA AND RATIO DATA)
                            NINE MONTHS
                               ENDED
                           SEPTEMBER 30,               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                          ------------------    ---------------------------------------------
                          1995(a)     1994       1994       1993       1992    1991    1990
                          -------    -------    -------    -------    ------- ------- -------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>     <C>
Operating Results
Total revenues..........  $ 4,818    $ 3,711    $ 4,841    $ 4,829    $ 4,602 $ 4,395 $ 4,434
Income before income tax
 expense................      823        745        802(b)     602(c)     775     678     836(d)
Net income..............      536        478        513        204(e)     533     480     562
Per Share Data
Net income..............  $  2.59    $  2.27    $  2.45    $   .94(e) $  2.45 $  2.13 $  2.35
Dividends...............      .93        .87       1.16       1.10       1.04    1.00     .79(f)
Book value..............    26.94(g)   19.32(g)   17.05(g)   23.96(g)   21.33   19.86   18.57
High market price.......    38.88      30.50      30.50      36.50      29.38   22.50   25.32
Low market price........    27.50      24.88      24.88      26.25      20.13   14.00   11.75
Closing market price....    37.38      27.13      28.25      28.63      28.50   22.25   15.38
Average shares
 outstanding............    208.2      210.7      209.4      216.6      217.7   225.4   238.6
Coverage Ratios
Earnings to fixed
 charges................     2.52       2.80       2.40       2.13       2.37    2.06    2.20
Earnings to combined
 fixed charges and
 preferred stock
 dividends..............     2.45       2.80       2.40       2.13       2.37    2.06    2.20
<CAPTION>
                           SEPTEMBER 30,                     DECEMBER 31,
                          ------------------    ---------------------------------------------
                           1995       1994       1994       1993       1992    1991    1990
                          -------    -------    -------    -------    ------- ------- -------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>     <C>
Financial Position
Assets..................  $59,897(g) $45,384(g) $46,295(g) $43,982(g) $39,742 $36,105 $33,808
Corporate debt..........    1,914      1,660      1,836      1,686      1,987   1,981   2,053
Redeemable equity.......      743         44         47         -          -       -      296
Shareholders' equity....    5,512(g)   3,954(g)   3,457(g)   5,137(g)   4,616   4,329   4,138
</TABLE>
--------
(a) Includes eight months of operations for American Franklin Company, which
    was acquired January 31, 1995.
(b) Includes $172 million of realized investment losses primarily from the
    capital gains offset program.
(c) Includes $300 million write-down of goodwill.
(d) Includes $216 million of realized investment gains from sale of
    substantially all of the common stock portfolio.
(e) Includes effect of $300 million write-down of goodwill and $46 million
    charge for cumulative effect of accounting changes.
(f) Excludes special dividends of $.61 per share.
(g) Includes the effect of SFAS 115. To facilitate analysis of period-to-period
    balances, the effect of SFAS 115, which was adopted at December 31, 1993,
    on reported balances is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  SEPTEMBER 30,  DECEMBER 31,
                                                  -------------  --------------
                                                   1995   1994    1994    1993
                                                  ------ ------  ------  ------
   <S>                                            <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>
   Increase (decrease) in assets................. $1,018 $ (621) $ (986) $1,040
   Increase (decrease) in shareholders' equity...    697   (531)   (950)    676
   Increase (decrease) in book value per share...   3.36  (2.58)  (4.65)   3.14
</TABLE>
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
 
                SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF INDEPENDENT
 
  The following table presents summary historical financial data of Independent
Insurance Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods
indicated. The historical financial data as of and for the five years ended
December 31, 1994 was derived from Independent's audited consolidated financial
statements. The financial data as of and for the nine months ended September
30, 1995 and September 30, 1994 was derived from Independent's unaudited
quarterly financial statements, which, in the opinion of Independent's
management, reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals)
necessary for a fair presentation of such data. The data for the nine months
ended September 30, 1995 and September 30, 1994 are not necessarily indicative
of results of operations for the entire year. The data should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, related notes and other
financial information of Independent included or incorporated by reference in
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                            NINE MONTHS
                               ENDED
                           SEPTEMBER 30,             YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                         ----------------- -------------------------------------------------------
                           1995     1994     1994     1993            1992         1991     1990
                         -------- -------- -------- --------        --------     -------- --------
<S>                      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>             <C>          <C>      <C>
Operating Results
Total revenues.......... $  251.9 $  268.8 $  354.7 $  471.6         $ 533.5       $548.7 $  540.2
Income (loss) from
 continuing operations
 before income tax
 expense................     17.6      9.1     15.7     (3.4)(a)(b)    (29.7)(b)     37.9     42.0
Net income (loss).......     12.0      7.0     11.1    (36.3)(a)(b)    (15.1)(b)     28.6     31.0
Per Share Data
Net income (loss)....... $    .92 $    .53 $    .84 $  (2.75)(a)(b)  $ (1.15)(b)   $ 2.18 $   2.34
Dividends...............      .18      .18      .24      .24             .88          .87      .83
Book value..............    25.49    21.17    20.30    24.00           25.96        27.95    25.95
High market price.......    27.00    16.75    16.75    18.25           22.75        21.25    22.63
Low market price........    11.00    13.50     9.75    13.75           13.50        16.25    13.25
Closing market price....    25.00    13.50    11.75    15.75           15.75        20.25    15.50
Average shares
 outstanding............     13.2     13.2     13.2     13.2            13.2         13.2     13.3
<CAPTION>
                           SEPTEMBER 30,                   DECEMBER 31,
                         ----------------- -------------------------------------------------------
                           1995     1994     1994     1993            1992         1991     1990
                         -------- -------- -------- --------        --------     -------- --------
<S>                      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>             <C>          <C>      <C>
Financial Position
Assets.................. $1,417.8 $1,388.6 $1,363.8 $1,478.0        $1,517.9     $1,450.5 $1,399.4
Notes payable...........      5.4      6.2      7.5      6.8             8.0          2.3     10.2
Shareholders' equity....    335.5    278.7    267.3    315.9           341.7        368.0    341.6
</TABLE>
--------
(a) Includes restructuring charge of $23.0 million (pretax), increasing net
    loss by $14.9 million or $1.14 per share.
(b) Includes catastrophe losses from Hurricane Andrew of $9.7 million and $59.7
    million (pretax) in 1993 and 1992, respectively, increasing net loss by
    $6.3 million or $.48 per share in 1993 and $38.8 million or $2.95 per share
    in 1992.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
 
                   SUMMARY PRO FORMA PER SHARE AND OTHER DATA
 
  The following table presents the consolidated net income and book value per
share of American General and Independent, on a pro forma basis for American
General and an equivalent pro forma basis for Independent. The table also
presents American General's ratios of earnings to fixed charges and earnings to
combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends on a pro forma basis. The
American General Pro Forma A data was derived by combining American General's
historical financial statements with those of American Franklin Company,
acquired by American General on January 31, 1995, and a 40% interest in Western
National Corporation, acquired on December 23, 1994, giving effect to these
acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting for business combinations.
The American General Pro Forma B data was derived by combining the American
General Pro Forma A data with Independent's historical financial information,
giving effect to the Merger under the purchase method of accounting. Equivalent
pro forma information for Independent, with respect to holders of Independent
Common Stock who receive American General Common Stock, is presented on an
equivalent share basis, which reflects American General's Pro Forma B amounts
multiplied by an assumed exchange ratio of .7692 per share which is based on an
assumed Average Closing Price of $35.75, the closing price of American General
Common Stock on January 25, 1996.
 
  The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with the
Selected Pro Forma Per Share and Other Data, the respective audited and
unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes of American
General and Independent incorporated herein by reference, and the unaudited pro
forma financial information and notes thereto included in American General's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 13, 1995, incorporated herein by
reference.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  AMERICAN GENERAL               INDEPENDENT
                         ---------------------------------- ---------------------
                                    PRO FORMA A PRO FORMA B            EQUIVALENT
                         HISTORICAL  (a), (c)    (b), (c)   HISTORICAL PRO FORMA
                         ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------
<S>                      <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
Year Ended December 31,
 1994:
Per Share Data
  Net income............   $ 2.45     $ 2.77      $ 2.73      $  .84     $ 2.10
  Book value (at end of
   period)..............    17.05      17.05       17.48       20.30      13.45
  Dividends.............     1.16       1.16        1.16         .24        .89
Coverage Ratios
  Earnings to fixed
   charges..............     2.40       2.55        2.54
  Earnings to combined
   fixed charges and
   preferred stock
   dividends............     2.40       2.39        2.36
Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 1995:
Per Share Data
  Net income............   $ 2.59     $ 2.58      $ 2.57      $  .92     $ 1.98
  Book value (at end of
   period)..............    26.94      26.94       27.12       25.49      20.86
  Dividends.............      .93        .93         .93         .18        .72
Coverage Ratios
  Earnings to fixed
   charges..............     2.52       2.57        2.58
  Earnings to combined
   fixed charges and
   preferred stock
   dividends............     2.45       2.41        2.40
</TABLE>
--------
(a) The unaudited consolidated pro forma results for the year ended December
    31, 1994, and for the nine months ended September 30, 1995, are based on
    American General's historical results, adjusted to reflect the impact of
    the acquisitions of American Franklin Company on January 31, 1995, and a
    40% interest in Western National Corporation on December 23, 1994, as if
    both had occurred on January 1, 1994. See American General's Current Report
    on Form 8-K dated November 13, 1995, incorporated herein by reference. Pro
    forma book value per share is calculated as if both acquisitions had
    occurred on the respective balance sheet dates.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
 
            SUMMARY PRO FORMA PER SHARE AND OTHER DATA--(CONTINUED)
 
 
(b) The unaudited consolidated pro forma results for the year ended December
    31, 1994, and for the nine months ended September 30, 1995, are based on
    American General's Pro Forma A results (see Note (a) above), adjusted to
    reflect the impact of the Merger of Independent as if it had occurred on
    January 1, 1994. See American General's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
    November 13, 1995, incorporated herein by reference. Pro forma book value
    per share is calculated as if the Merger had occurred on the respective
    balance sheet dates.
 
  For purposes of calculating American General's Pro Forma B data, the
  acquisition price for Independent of $362 million is assumed to be financed
  by issuances of American General's common stock (25%), American General's
  7% convertible preferred stock (25%), and cash (50%).
 
  American General plans to consolidate Independent's operations into those
  of its life insurance subsidiary, American General Life and Accident
  Insurance Company (AGLA). The consolidation is expected to take 18 to 24
  months and, when completed, should result in a reduction in annual
  operating expenses of approximately $75 million. These operating expense
  savings are expected to result from the consolidation of Independent's home
  office into AGLA's Nashville home office, the consolidation of a
  substantial number of district offices, and the sale of the Independent
  home office building. The American General Pro Forma B data has not been
  adjusted to reflect the expected expense reductions, since the extent and
  timing of such expense reductions may vary from management's current
  expectations.
 
(c) The unaudited pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of
    American General's consolidated financial data had the acquisitions been
    consummated at the assumed dates (see Notes (a) and (b) above), nor is it
    necessarily indicative of American General's consolidated financial data
    for any future period.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
 
                CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING AMERICAN GENERAL
 
GENERAL
 
  American General, with assets of $60 billion and shareholders' equity of
$5.5 billion as of September 30, 1995, is the parent company of one of the
nation's largest diversified financial services organizations. American
General provides financial services directly to consumers, emphasizing
personal service and frequent customer contact. American General's operating
subsidiaries are leading providers of retirement annuities, consumer loans and
life insurance. The principal executive offices of American General are
located at 2929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas 77019-2155, and its telephone
number is (713) 522-1111.
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
  On January 29, 1996, American General reported preliminary unaudited 1995
net income of $545 million, or $2.64 per share of American General Common
Stock. Net income for 1994 was $513 million, or $2.45 per share. Net income
for fourth quarter 1995 was $9 million, or $.05 per share, compared to $35
million, or $.18 per share for fourth quarter 1994. Results for 1995 were
reduced by the following special fourth quarter aftertax charges: (1) $140
million, or $.67 per share, for an increase in the allowance for losses on
consumer finance receivables; (2) $16 million, $.08 per share, for estimated
liabilities to state life and health insurance guaranty funds resulting from
past industry insolvencies; and (3) $6 million, or $.03 per share, for adverse
policy lapse experience in a Canadian life insurance subsidiary. Fourth
quarter 1994 net income was reduced by aftertax net realized investment losses
and an increase in real estate reserves totaling $115 million, or $.56 per
share.
 
  The following unaudited performance measures, adjusted to exclude the effect
of SFAS 115 to facilitate analysis of period-to-period balances, compare
American General's 1995 results with the comparable 1994 period: (1) revenues
and deposits increased $2.3 billion to $10.5 billion, up 28%; (2) assets
increased $12.2 billion to $59 billion, up 26%; (3) shareholders' equity
increased $325 million to $4.7 billion, up 7%; and (4) book value per share
increased 7% to $23.24 per share. Unaudited year-to-date and fourth quarter
results for each segment (which are discussed in more detail in the segment
sections below) are as follows:
 
  Retirement Annuities segment earnings for 1995 were $204 million, compared
to $187 million for 1994. Retirement Annuities represented 32% of American
General's segment earnings for the year ended December 31, 1995. Segment
earnings for fourth quarter 1995 were $42 million, compared to $37 million for
fourth quarter 1994. The 1995 earnings reflect strong sales, asset growth, and
stable investment spreads during the year. Results for 1995 were adversely
affected by a fourth quarter aftertax charge of $12 million for estimated
state guaranty fund assessments.
 
  Consumer Finance segment earnings for 1995 were $85 million, compared to
$245 million for 1994. Consumer Finance represented 13% of American General's
segment earnings for the year ended December 31, 1995. This segment reported a
loss of $92 million in fourth quarter 1995, compared to earnings of $67
million in fourth quarter 1994. American General conducts its consumer finance
operations through American General Finance, Inc. and its subsidiaries
("AGF"). On January 10, 1996, American General announced that AGF would report
an increase in the allowance for losses on finance receivables of $216 million
in the fourth quarter of 1995. This action resulted in an aftertax charge of
$140 million to American General's earnings in fourth quarter 1995, or $.67
per share.
 
  As a result of an unexpected rise in consumer finance receivable
delinquencies beginning in third quarter 1995, American General commenced a
comprehensive analysis of its consumer finance operations in the fourth
quarter. Sixty-day delinquencies as a percentage of outstanding finance
receivables as of December 31, 1994, March 31, 1995, June 30, 1995, September
30, 1995, and December 31, 1995 were 2.9%, 2.9%, 3.0%, 3.8%,
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
and 4.1%, respectively. Charge offs for fourth quarter 1995 were approximately
6.0% of finance receivables compared to 3.2% in third quarter 1995 and 2.9% in
fourth quarter 1994.
 
  American General's recently completed analysis indicated a need for an
increase in the allowance for loan losses. The amount of the increase was
determined by extensive internal analysis, together with credit loss
development projections supplied by a nationally recognized credit consulting
firm, and with the concurrence of American General's independent auditors. At
December 31, 1995, the allowance for loan losses was approximately $492
million or 5.9% of finance receivables, compared to 2.9%, 3.0%, 3.1%, and 3.6%
at December 31, 1994, March 31, 1995, June 30, 1995, and September 30, 1995,
respectively. The increased allowance represents American General's current
estimate of the consumer finance segment's net credit losses on outstanding
receivables.
 
  During the last few years, AGF has pursued a number of non-branch
initiatives to expand beyond AGF's traditional branch office network. These
initiatives generated high finance receivables growth but were followed by an
unacceptable rise in delinquencies. Each of these initiatives has been
analyzed recently, and underperforming programs have been restructured or
discontinued. In addition, certain other actions have been taken, all with the
objective of addressing AGF's overall credit quality issue.
 
  Life Insurance segment earnings for 1995 were $348 million, compared to $257
million for 1994. Life Insurance represented 55% of American General's segment
earnings for the year ended December 31, 1995. Segment earnings for fourth
quarter 1995 were $83 million, compared to $63 million for fourth quarter
1994. Segment results for 1995 were increased $98 million by the acquisition
of The Franklin Life Insurance Company ("Franklin Life") on January 31, 1995.
Earnings for 1995 were affected by aftertax charges in the fourth quarter of
$3 million for estimated state guaranty fund assessments and $6 million for
adverse policy lapse experience in a Canadian life insurance subsidiary.
During 1995, the effect of declining investment yields and certain non-
recurring consolidation and reserve charges were partially offset by reduced
operating expenses.
 
  During fourth quarter 1995, American General reactivated its share buyback
program and purchased 1.2 million shares of American General Common Stock at a
cost of $40 million. Purchases under the program since 1987 total 98 million
shares, or 33% of the shares then outstanding, for an aggregate cost of over
$1.9 billion.
 
RETIREMENT ANNUITIES
 
  Retirement Annuities represented 27% of American General's segment earnings
for the year ended December 31, 1994 and for the nine months ended September
30, 1995. The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company ("VALIC"), American
General's retirement annuity subsidiary with assets of $26 billion as of
September 30, 1995, is a leading provider of tax-deferred retirement plans and
annuities to employees of educational, health care and governmental
organizations. Based on assets of $22 billion as of December 31, 1994, VALIC
ranks as the 18th largest life insurance company in the United States.
 
  VALIC markets products in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to over
one million customer accounts through a national network of approximately 850
sales representatives. These sales representatives are highly trained
retirement specialists, providing personalized service to VALIC's customers.
 
  VALIC currently holds among the strongest claims-paying ability ratings in
the life insurance industry. Management believes that these ratings provide
VALIC with a significant competitive advantage.
 
  VALIC is committed to using advanced technologies to improve customer
service. VALIC recently introduced a new product, Portfolio Director SM, which
offers customers an array of 18 different investment
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
options, as well as access to professional investment managers, in order to
have more flexibility in creating a diversified retirement portfolio. VALIC has
also introduced Portfolio Optimizer SM, an innovative software program
developed exclusively for VALIC which helps customers allocate retirement funds
among investment options.
 
  VALIC's strategy for future growth is centered on increasing the size and
effectiveness of its sales force in order to enter new geographic territories
and further penetrate existing markets.
 
CONSUMER FINANCE
 
  Consumer Finance represented 36% of American General's segment earnings for
the year ended December 31, 1994 and 29% for the nine months ended September
30, 1995. AGF, with finance receivables of $8.4 billion as of September 30,
1995, is a leading provider of consumer and home equity loans, credit cards and
credit-related insurance to individuals. With approximately 3.8 million
customers and 1,400 branch offices, AGF ranks among the nation's largest
consumer finance organizations. AGF offers personalized service through over
9,000 employees in 41 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. AGF has
traditionally focused on marketing to middle-income families with annual
household incomes of $25,000 to $50,000 and with a head of household typically
between the ages of 25 and 45.
 
  Management believes that AGF's competitive advantages are its branch office
network, improved technology and strong credit ratings. AGF's branch office
network gives it a local presence in approximately 900 communities, and AGF
provides retail financing programs through approximately 20,000 merchants
nationwide.
 
  AGF's strategy for future growth is centered on growing the branch office
customer base and strengthening the retail dealer network, while providing a
wider array of financial products and services to its customers.
 
LIFE INSURANCE
 
  Life Insurance represented 37% of American General's segment earnings for the
year ended December 31, 1994 and 44% for the nine months ended September 30,
1995. American General's life insurance companies, with assets of $23 billion
as of September 30, 1995, provide traditional and interest-sensitive life
insurance and both fixed and variable annuity products to nearly five million
households throughout all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. This
large customer base is served principally by American General Life and Accident
Insurance Company ("AGLA"), American General Life Insurance Company ("AGL"),
and, since January 1995, Franklin Life. Franklin Life was acquired to
complement American General's existing life insurance distribution systems and
further strengthen American General's positions in middle-income households,
particularly in the Midwest. The $1.17 billion acquisition of Franklin Life
increased segment assets and life insurance in force by approximately 45% and
35%, respectively. American General's life insurance companies meet the
financial security needs of individual consumers, business owners and customers
of financial institutions, and offer personalized service through a
distribution system of approximately 14,000 sales representatives and general
agents.
 
  Management believes that specialization is the key to success in the highly
competitive life insurance marketplace. Each of American General's life
insurance companies specializes in serving a different market segment. AGL
serves the estate planning needs of middle- and upper-income households.
Franklin Life provides individual life insurance to middle-income households,
primarily in the Midwest. AGLA concentrates on meeting the basic life insurance
needs of families with incomes of less than $50,000.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
 
  Management believes that the life insurance companies' competitive advantages
are a strong market presence, financial strength and a commitment to
personalized customer service. The life insurance companies' strategy for
future growth centers on growing internally by increasing the size and
productivity of the distribution systems and externally by pursuing selective
acquisitions.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
 
            SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF AMERICAN GENERAL
 
  The following table presents selected historical financial data of American
General Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods
indicated. The historical financial data as of and for the five years ended
December 31, 1994 was derived from American General's audited consolidated
financial statements. The financial data as of and for the nine months ended
September 30, 1995 and September 30, 1994 was derived from American General's
unaudited quarterly financial statements, which, in the opinion of American
General's management, reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of such data. The data for the
nine months ended September 30, 1995 and September 30, 1994 are not
necessarily indicative of results of operations for the entire year. The data
should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements,
related notes and other financial information of American General included or
incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA AND RATIO DATA)
                            NINE MONTHS
                               ENDED
                           SEPTEMBER 30,               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                          ------------------    ---------------------------------------------
                          1995(a)      1994      1994       1993       1992    1991    1990
                          ---------   ------    -------    -------    ------- ------- -------
<S>                       <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>     <C>
Operating Results
Premiums and other
 considerations.........  $ 1,297     $  891    $ 1,210    $ 1,252    $ 1,213 $ 1,168 $ 1,154
Net investment income...    2,291      1,860      2,493      2,437      2,327   2,178   2,064
Finance charges.........    1,113        907      1,248      1,083        994     977     946
Realized investment
 gains (losses).........        8          5      (172)(b)       8         18       8     216(c)
Equity in earnings of
 investee...............       31         -          -          -          -       -       -
Other...................       78         48         62         49         50      64      54
                          -------     ------    -------    -------    ------- ------- -------
    Total revenues......    4,818      3,711      4,841      4,829      4,602   4,395   4,434
                          -------     ------    -------    -------    ------- ------- -------
Insurance and annuity
 benefits...............    2,239      1,647      2,224      2,311      2,198   2,065   1,868
Operating costs and
 expenses...............      986        790      1,075        970        986     950   1,005
Provision for finance
 receivable losses......      261        147        214        163        135     137     118
Write-down of goodwill..       -          -          -         300(d)      -       -       -
Interest expense
  Corporate.............      123         82        110        108        116     132     175
  Consumer Finance......      386        300        416        375        392     433     432
                          -------     ------    -------    -------    ------- ------- -------
    Total benefits and
     expenses...........    3,995      2,966      4,039      4,227      3,827   3,717   3,598
                          -------     ------    -------    -------    ------- ------- -------
Income before income tax
 expense................      823        745        802        602        775     678     836
Income tax expense......      277        267        289        352        242     198     274
                          -------     ------    -------    -------    ------- ------- -------
Income before net
 dividends on preferred
 securities of
 subsidiaries...........      546        478        513        250        533     480     562
Net dividends on
 preferred securities of
 subsidiaries...........       10         -          -          -          -       -       -
                          -------     ------    -------    -------    ------- ------- -------
Income before cumulative
 effect.................      536        478        513        250        533     480     562
Cumulative effect of
 accounting changes.....       -          -          -         (46)        -       -       -
                          -------     ------    -------    -------    ------- ------- -------
    Net income..........  $   536     $  478    $   513    $   204(e) $   533 $   480 $   562
                          =======     ======    =======    =======    ======= ======= =======
Per Share Data
Net income..............  $  2.59     $ 2.27    $  2.45    $   .94(e) $  2.45 $  2.13 $  2.35
Dividends...............      .93        .87       1.16       1.10       1.04    1.00     .79(f)
Book value..............    26.94(g)   19.32(g)   17.05(g)   23.96(g)   21.33   19.86   18.57
Average shares
 outstanding............    208.2      210.7      209.4      216.6      217.7   225.4   238.6
Coverage Ratios
Earnings to fixed
 charges................     2.52       2.80       2.40       2.13       2.37    2.06    2.20
Earnings to combined
 fixed charges and
 preferred stock
 dividends..............     2.45       2.80       2.40       2.13       2.37    2.06    2.20
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
      SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF AMERICAN GENERAL--(CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          SEPTEMBER 30,                     DECEMBER 31,
                         ------------------    ---------------------------------------------
                          1995       1994       1994       1993       1992    1991    1990
                         -------    -------    -------    -------    ------- ------- -------
<S>                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>     <C>
Financial Position
Assets.................. $59,897(g) $45,384(g) $46,295(g) $43,982(g) $39,742 $36,105 $33,808
Invested assets.........  41,747(g)  30,925(g)  30,697(g)  31,876(g)  27,814  25,025  23,057
Finance receivables.....   8,139      7,219      7,694      6,390      6,038   5,794   5,667
Debt (including short-
 term)
  Corporate.............   1,914      1,660      1,836      1,686      1,987   1,981   2,053
  Consumer Finance......   7,568      6,632      7,090      5,843      5,484   5,243   5,096
Redeemable equity.......     743         44         47         -          -       -      296
Shareholders' equity....   5,512(g)   3,954(g)   3,457(g)   5,137(g)   4,616   4,329   4,138
</TABLE>
--------
(a) Includes eight months of operations for American Franklin Company, which
    was acquired January 31, 1995.
(b) Results primarily from the capital gains offset program. See "Management's
    Discussion and Analysis" within American General's Annual Report on Form
    10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994, incorporated herein by
    reference.
(c) Results primarily from the sale of substantially all of the common stock
    portfolio.
(d) See "Management's Discussion and Analysis" and Note 1.7 of Item 8, both
    within American General's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
    December 31, 1994, incorporated herein by reference.
(e) Includes effect of $300 million write-down of goodwill (see Note (d) above)
    and $46 million charge for cumulative effect of accounting changes.
(f) Excludes special dividends of $.61 per share.
(g) Includes the effect of SFAS 115. To facilitate analysis of period-to-period
    balances, the effect of SFAS 115, which was adopted at December 31, 1993,
    on reported balances is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                -------------  ---------------
                                                 1995   1994    1994     1993
                                                ------ ------  -------  ------
   <S>                                          <C>    <C>     <C>      <C>
   Increase (decrease) in assets............... $1,018 $ (621) $  (986) $1,040
   Increase (decrease) in invested assets......  1,627   (964)  (1,387)  1,594
   Increase (decrease) in shareholders'
    equity.....................................    697   (531)    (950)    676
   Increase (decrease) in book value per
    share......................................   3.36  (2.58)   (4.65)   3.14
</TABLE>
 
  See "Management's Discussion and Analysis" and Note 1.2 of Item 8, both
  within American General's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
  December 31, 1994, incorporated herein by reference.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
 
                   CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING INDEPENDENT
 
GENERAL
 
  Independent, with assets of $1.4 billion and shareholders' equity of $336
million as of September 30, 1995, is the parent company for a group of
operating subsidiaries engaged in the sale and servicing of life,
accident/health and property/casualty insurance products. Independent's
operations are concentrated in the southeastern United States. Independent's
operating subsidiaries are among the leading providers in the United States of
insurance products utilizing the home service distribution method. According
to the Life Insurers Conference, Independent ranks among the top ten of all
companies using the home service distribution method, in terms of number of
agencies, premiums and total assets. Independent was incorporated as a general
business corporation under the laws of the State of Florida in 1980 to serve
as the parent of Independent Life, an insurance company incorporated under the
laws of the State of Florida in 1920. The principal executive offices of
Independent are located at One Independent Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32276,
and its telephone number is (904) 358-5151.
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
  Revenue for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 1995 totaled $116.1
million, and grew $30.2 million over the comparable quarter in 1994. The
growth includes an increase in realized investment gains of $31.4 million,
primarily related to the liquidation of shares of common stock held in
Independent's securities portfolio, and a decrease in life insurance premiums
of $1.0 million.
 
  Net income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 1995 totaled $20.9
million, or $1.59 per share, and was aided by realized investment gains as
mentioned above. Excluding realized investment gains, Independent reported a
net loss for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 1995 of $273 thousand, or
$.02 per share compared with net income of $3.5 million, or $.26 per share in
the comparable quarter in the prior year. Results for the fourth quarter ended
December 31, 1995 were lowered an aggregate of approximately $3.7 million, or
$.28 per share from an increase in estimated legal exposures, and as
previously reported, from the impact of Hurricane Opal and costs for
professional services related to the Merger.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                           QUARTER ENDED
                                            DECEMBER 31,        YEAR ENDED
                                            (UNAUDITED)        DECEMBER 31,
                                          ---------------- ---------------------
                                                              1995
                                           1995     1994   (UNAUDITED)   1994
                                          ------- -------- ----------- ---------
<S>                                       <C>     <C>      <C>         <C>
Total revenue............................ $116.1  $  85.9    $368.0    $  354.7
Net income............................... $ 20.9  $   4.1    $ 32.9    $   11.1
Net income per share..................... $  1.59 $    .31   $  2.50   $     .84
</TABLE>
 
SUBSIDIARIES
 
  Independent has two principal insurance subsidiaries, Independent Life and
Independent Property and Casualty Insurance Company ("Independent Casualty").
Representing approximately 91% of Independent's total assets, Independent Life
offers life, accident and health insurance products to individuals.
Independent Casualty offers property and casualty insurance including fire
insurance coverage for buildings and contents and limited homeowners and
automobile insurance products. Independent's principal non-insurance
subsidiaries are Independent Investment Advisory Services, Inc., which
provides investment advisory services to its affiliates, and Independent Real
Estate Management Corporation, which provides real estate management services
to its affiliates.
 
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
 
  The insurance coverages offered by Independent and its subsidiaries are
generally typical of those offered by others in the industry. Life, accident
and health, and property and casualty insurance products are marketed by
Independent through its career agents. For the nine months ended September 30,
1995, life insurance premiums comprised 63% of total premiums while accident
and health premiums and property and casualty premiums contributed 21% and 16%
of total premiums. The primary marketing area for Independent's insurance
operations is in the southeastern United States, with approximately 70% of
premium income being derived from the states of Florida, Georgia, South
Carolina and Alabama.
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
               SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF INDEPENDENT
 
  The following table presents selected historical financial data of
Independent Insurance Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries for the
periods indicated. The financial data for the five fiscal years ended
December 31, 1994 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial
statements of Independent for such periods. The financial data for the nine
months ended September 30, 1995 and September 30, 1994 are unaudited, but in
the opinion of Independent reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal
recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of such data. The data
for the nine months ended September 30, 1995 and September 30, 1994 are not
necessarily indicative of results of operations for the entire fiscal year.
The data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements, related notes and other financial information of Independent
incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                           SEPTEMBER 30,               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                         ------------------  --------------------------------------------------------
                           1995      1994      1994      1993            1992         1991     1990
                         --------  --------  --------  --------        --------     -------- --------
<S>                      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>             <C>          <C>      <C>
Operating Results
Revenue and Earnings
 Life premiums.......... $  123.5  $  125.6  $  167.4  $  177.1        $  174.1     $  175.8 $  171.8
 Property and casualty
  premiums..............     30.8      35.8      45.7     100.1           151.5        164.1    159.6
 Accident and health
  premiums..............     41.8      44.9      58.5      94.5           101.4        103.9    107.6
                         --------  --------  --------  --------        --------     -------- --------
 Premium income.........    196.1     206.3     271.6     371.7           427.0        443.8    439.0
 Realized investment
  gains (losses)........     (2.2)      3.3       4.4      14.8            14.4          5.4       .5
 Net investment income..     51.0      51.3      68.5      73.7            82.1         88.9     87.3
 Other income...........      7.0       7.9      10.2      11.4            10.0         10.6     13.4
                         --------  --------  --------  --------        --------     -------- --------
 Total revenues.........    251.9     268.8     354.7     471.6           533.5        548.7    540.2
 Costs and expenses.....    234.3     259.7     339.0     475.0(a)(b)     563.2(b)     510.8    498.2
                         --------  --------  --------  --------        --------     -------- --------
 Income (loss) from con-
  tinuing operations be-
  fore income tax ex-
  pense.................     17.6       9.1      15.7      (3.4)          (29.7)        37.9     42.0
 Income tax expense.....      5.6       2.1       4.6      (2.5)          (12.7)        10.9     12.3
                         --------  --------  --------  --------        --------     -------- --------
 Income (loss) from con-
  tinuing operations....     12.0       7.0      11.1       (.9)          (17.0)        27.0     29.7
 Income from
  discontinued
  operations............       -         -         -         .5             1.9          1.6      1.3
 Gain on disposition of
  discontinued
  operations............       -         -         -        6.9              -            -        -
                         --------  --------  --------  --------        --------     -------- --------
 Income (loss) before
  cumulative effect of
  change in accounting
  principles............     12.0       7.0      11.1       6.5           (15.1)        28.6     31.0
 Cumulative effect of
  change in accounting
  principles............       -         -         -      (42.8)             -            -        -
                         --------  --------  --------  --------        --------     -------- --------
 Net income (loss)...... $   12.0  $    7.0  $   11.1  $  (36.3)(a)(b) $  (15.1)(b) $   28.6 $   31.0
                         ========  ========  ========  ========        ========     ======== ========
Per Share Data
 Income (loss) from con-
  tinuing operations.... $    .92  $    .53  $    .84  $   (.07)       $  (1.29)    $   2.05 $   2.24
 Income from discontin-
  ued operations........       -         -         -        .56             .14          .13      .10
                         --------  --------  --------  --------        --------     -------- --------
 Income (loss) before
  cumulative effect of
  change in accounting
  principles............      .92       .53       .84       .49           (1.15)        2.18     2.34
 Cumulative effect of
  change in accounting
  principles............       -         -         -      (3.24)             -            -        -
                         --------  --------  --------  --------        --------     -------- --------
 Net income (loss)...... $    .92  $    .53  $    .84  $  (2.75)(a)(b) $  (1.15)(b) $   2.18 $   2.34
                         ========  ========  ========  ========        ========     ======== ========
 Book value............. $  25.49  $  21.17  $  20.30  $  24.00        $  25.96     $  27.95 $  25.95
 Dividends..............      .18       .18       .24       .24             .88          .87      .83
<CAPTION>
                           SEPTEMBER 30,                     DECEMBER 31,
                         ------------------  --------------------------------------------------------
                           1995      1994      1994      1993            1992         1991     1990
                         --------  --------  --------  --------        --------     -------- --------
<S>                      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>             <C>          <C>      <C>
Financial Position
 Assets................. $1,417.8  $1,388.6  $1,363.8  $1,478.0        $1,517.9     $1,450.5 $1,399.4
 Investments............  1,116.8   1,026.5   1,019.5   1,091.8         1,118.4      1,096.1  1,050.3
 Notes payable..........      5.4       6.2       7.5       6.8             8.0          2.4     10.2
 Shareholders' equity...    335.5     278.7     267.3     315.9           341.7        368.0    341.6
 Unrealized gains (loss-
  es) on debt securi-
  ties--gross...........     18.9     (33.8)    (46.7)     38.9            11.2         28.1      9.9
 Unrealized gains on
  equity securities--
  gross.................     32.7      13.8      11.7      12.2            17.6         17.2      3.4
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           SEPTEMBER 30,                     DECEMBER 31,
                         ------------------  ------------------------------------------------
                           1995      1994      1994      1993      1992      1991      1990
                         --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
<S>                      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Other Data
 Life insurance in
  force................. $7,109.3  $7,507.7  $7,320.6  $7,735.5  $7,723.3  $7,397.4  $7,256.9
 Average shares out-
  standing..............     13.2      13.2      13.2      13.2      13.2      13.2      13.3
 Property and casualty
  combined ratio........    102.3%    108.6%    119.6%    168.6%    147.5%    105.9%    102.9%
</TABLE>
--------
(a) Includes restructuring charge of $23.0 million (pretax), increasing net
    loss by $14.9 million or $1.14 per share.
 
(b) Includes catastrophe losses from Hurricane Andrew of $9.7 million and
    $59.7 million (pretax) in 1993 and 1992, respectively, increasing net loss
    by $6.3 million or $.48 per share in 1993 and $38.8 million or $2.95 per
    share in 1992.
 
  The effect on fourth quarter pretax income of Independent due to Hurricane
Opal, as calculated through December 31, 1995, is $1.58 million. This result
includes the expense of reinstatement premiums for catastrophe reinsurance
coverage of $700,000. It also includes $400,000 of income generated from
administering flood claims due to Opal that are related to the National Flood
Insurance Program.
 
  Recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted by Independent include
Statement of Position (SOP) 94-6, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 121 and SFAS No. 123. SOP 94-6, Disclosure of Certain Significant
Risks and Uncertainties, requires additional disclosures but does not have an
impact on financial position or results of operations. SFAS No. 121,
Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets
to be Disposed Of, is effective for 1996 and will require Independent to
examine the undiscounted cash flow and carrying value of any real estate
acquired through foreclosure. Such real estate represents less than 1% of
Independent's assets, the majority of which has been acquired during the last
three years. At acquisition, such property is recorded in accordance with
accounting standards, which has typically been at current market value. The
effect of SFAS No. 121 on Independent has not been quantified. SFAS No. 123,
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, is effective for 1996 and will not
impact Independent.
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
                  SELECTED PRO FORMA PER SHARE AND OTHER DATA
 
  The following table presents the consolidated net income, book value, and
dividends per share of American General and Independent on a historical basis,
a pro forma basis for American General, and an equivalent pro forma basis for
Independent. The table also presents American General's ratios of earnings to
fixed charges and earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock
dividends of American General on both a historical and pro forma basis. The
historical data for American General and Independent was derived from their
respective audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements. The
American General Pro Forma A data was derived by combining American General's
historical financial statements with those of American Franklin Company,
acquired by American General on January 31, 1995, and a 40% interest in
Western National Corporation, acquired on December 23, 1994, giving effect to
these acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting for business
combinations. The American General Pro Forma B data was derived by combining
the American General Pro Forma A data with Independent's historical financial
information, giving effect to the Merger under the purchase method of
accounting. Equivalent pro forma information for Independent, with respect to
holders of Independent Common Stock who receive American General Common Stock,
is presented on an equivalent share basis, which reflects American General's
Pro Forma B amounts multiplied by an assumed exchange ratio of .7692 per share
which is based on an assumed Average Closing Price of $35.75, the closing
price of American General Common Stock on January 25, 1996.
 
  The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with the
respective audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements and related
notes of American General and Independent incorporated herein by reference,
and the unaudited pro forma financial information and notes thereto included
in American General's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 13, 1995,
incorporated herein by reference. Additional pro forma financial information,
including a balance sheet and income statement, are not presented herein since
Independent does not fall within the definition of a "significant subsidiary"
as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  AMERICAN GENERAL               INDEPENDENT
                         ---------------------------------- ---------------------
                                    PRO FORMA A PRO FORMA B            EQUIVALENT
                         HISTORICAL  (a), (c)    (b), (c)   HISTORICAL PRO FORMA
                         ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------
<S>                      <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
Year Ended December 31,
 1994:
Per Share Data
  Net income............   $ 2.45     $ 2.77      $ 2.73      $  .84     $ 2.10
  Book value (at end of
   period)..............    17.05      17.05       17.48       20.30      13.45
  Dividends.............     1.16       1.16        1.16         .24        .89
Coverage Ratios
  Earnings to fixed
   charges..............     2.40       2.55        2.54
  Earnings to combined
   fixed charges and
   preferred stock
   dividends............     2.40       2.39        2.36
Nine Months Ended Sep-
 tember 30, 1995:
Per Share Data
  Net income............   $ 2.59     $ 2.58      $ 2.57      $  .92     $ 1.98
  Book value (at end of
   period)..............    26.94      26.94       27.12       25.49      20.86
  Dividends.............      .93        .93         .93         .18        .72
Coverage Ratios
  Earnings to fixed
   charges..............     2.52       2.57        2.58
  Earnings to combined
   fixed charges and
   preferred stock
   dividends............     2.45       2.41        2.40
</TABLE>
--------
(a) The unaudited consolidated pro forma results for the year ended December
    31, 1994, and for the nine months ended September 30, 1995, are based on
    American General's historical results, adjusted to reflect the impact of
    the acquisitions of American Franklin Company on January 31, 1995, and a
    40% interest in Western National Corporation on December 23, 1994, as if
    both had occurred on January 1, 1994. See American General's Current
    Report on Form 8-K dated November 13, 1995, incorporated herein by
    reference. Pro forma book value per share is calculated as if both
    acquisitions had occurred on the respective balance sheet dates. Pro forma
    dividends per share assume dividends are consistent with American
    General's historical dividend level.
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
           SELECTED PRO FORMA PER SHARE AND OTHER DATA--(CONTINUED)
 
(b) The unaudited consolidated pro forma results for the year ended December
    31, 1994, and for the nine months ended September 30, 1995, are based on
    American General's Pro Forma A results (see Note (a) above), adjusted to
    reflect the impact of the Merger of Independent as if it had occurred on
    January 1, 1994. See American General's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
    November 13, 1995, incorporated herein by reference. Pro forma book value
    per share is calculated as if the Merger had occurred on the respective
    balance sheet dates. Pro forma dividends per share assume dividends are
    consistent with American General's historical dividend level.
 
   For purposes of calculating American General's Pro Forma B data, the
   acquisition price for Independent of $362 million is assumed to be financed
   by issuances of American General's common stock (25%), American General's
   7% convertible preferred stock (25%), and cash (50%).
 
   American General plans to consolidate Independent's operations into those
   of its life insurance subsidiary, American General Life and Accident
   Insurance Company (AGLA). The consolidation is expected to take 18 to 24
   months and, when completed, should result in a reduction in annual
   operating expenses of approximately $75 million. These operating expense
   savings are expected to result from the consolidation of Independent's home
   office into AGLA's Nashville home office, the consolidation of a
   substantial number of district offices, and the sale of the Independent
   home office building. The American General Pro Forma B data has not been
   adjusted to reflect the expected expense reductions, since the extent and
   timing of such expense reductions may vary from management's current
   expectations.
 
(c) The unaudited pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of
    American General's consolidated financial data had the acquisitions been
    consummated at the assumed dates (see Notes (a) and (b) above), nor is it
    necessarily indicative of American General's consolidated financial data
    for any future period.
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
                        MARKET PRICE DATA AND DIVIDENDS
 
  American General Common Stock is listed and traded on the NYSE, the Pacific
Stock Exchange, the London Stock Exchange, the Basel Stock Exchange, the
Geneva Stock Exchange and the Zurich Stock Exchange under the symbol "AGC."
Currently, no shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock are
issued or outstanding. Independent Non-Voting Common Stock is listed and
traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "INDHK." Independent
Voting Common Stock is closely-held and there is no public market in which
such shares are traded. The table below sets forth, for the quarters
indicated, (i) the quarterly per share cash dividends paid (a) to holders of
American General Common Stock and (b) to holders of Independent Common Stock,
(ii) the high and low sales prices of American General Common Stock as
reported by the NYSE Composite Tape and (iii) the high and low sales prices of
Independent Non-Voting Common Stock, as reported by the Nasdaq National
Market.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            DIVIDENDS
                                            DECLARED    PRICE OF
                              PRICE OF         PER     INDEPENDENT   DIVIDENDS
                          AMERICAN GENERAL  AMERICAN   NON-VOTING   DECLARED PER
                            COMMON STOCK     GENERAL  COMMON STOCK  INDEPENDENT
                          -----------------  COMMON   -------------    COMMON
                            HIGH     LOW      SHARE    HIGH   LOW      SHARE
                          -------- -------- --------- ------ ------ ------------
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>    <C>    <C>
Year ended December 31,
 1990:
  First Quarter.........  $  20.13 $  14.07  $.1975   $22.00 $20.75     $.20
  Second Quarter........     25.32    17.69   .1975    22.63  20.75      .21
  Third Quarter.........     24.13    14.25   .1975    21.75  16.25      .21
  Fourth Quarter........     16.75    11.75   .1975    17.00  13.25      .21
Year ended December 31,
 1991:
  First Quarter.........  $  19.56 $  14.00  $  .25   $20.75 $16.25     $.21
  Second Quarter........     20.56    18.19     .25    21.25  19.50      .22
  Third Quarter.........     20.25    18.88     .25    21.00  16.75      .22
  Fourth Quarter........     22.81    19.50     .25    20.50  17.25      .22
Year ended December 31,
 1992:
  First Quarter.........  $  22.38 $  20.13  $  .26   $22.75 $18.25     $.22
  Second Quarter........     24.63    20.50     .26    22.25  18.00      .22
  Third Quarter.........     25.19    23.69     .26    20.75  14.50      .22
  Fourth Quarter........     29.38    23.63     .26    16.00  13.50      .22
Year ended December 31,
 1993:
  First Quarter.........  $  32.88 $  27.31  $ .275   $18.00 $15.25     $.06
  Second Quarter........     33.25    27.75    .275    18.25  13.75      .06
  Third Quarter.........     36.50    30.13    .275    17.50  13.75      .06
  Fourth Quarter........     34.75    26.25    .275    17.00  14.00      .06
Year ended December 31,
 1994:
  First Quarter.........  $  29.63 $  25.50  $  .29   $16.75 $15.00     $.06
  Second Quarter........     29.38    24.88     .29    16.25  14.00      .06
  Third Quarter.........     30.50    26.88     .29    14.75  13.50      .06
  Fourth Quarter........     28.88    25.63     .29    13.75   9.75      .06
Year ending December 31,
 1995:
  First Quarter.........  $  33.25 $  27.50  $  .31   $16.00 $11.00     $.06
  Second Quarter........     35.50    31.13     .31    15.00  11.50      .06
  Third Quarter.........     38.88    33.63     .31    27.00  13.81      .06
  Fourth Quarter........     39.13    31.00     .31    27.50  22.00      .06
Year ending December 31,
 1996:
  First Quarter (through
   January 26, 1996)....    $36.00   $33.25  $  --    $27.50 $27.00     $.06
</TABLE>
 
  The closing price of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock on July 12, 1995,
the last full trading day prior to the announcement by Independent that it was
undertaking efforts to maximize shareholder value, as
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
reported by the Nasdaq National Market, was $14 per share. The closing prices
of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock and American General Common Stock on
October 18, 1995, the last full trading day prior to the public announcement
of the Merger were $23 per share, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market,
and $38.125 per share, as reported by the NYSE Composite Tape, respectively.
The closing prices of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock and American General
Common Stock on January 26, 1996, the most recent practicable date prior to
the printing of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, were $27.06 per share, as
reported by the Nasdaq National Market, and $35.88 per share, as reported by
the NYSE Composite Tape, respectively. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO OBTAIN
CURRENT MARKET QUOTATIONS.
 
  American General has paid cash dividends on American General Common Stock in
each year since 1929. The regular dividend has been increased in each of the
last 20 years. As of the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, American
General has not declared its dividend for the first quarter of 1996 but
expects that when declared it will be payable to holders of record as of
February 16, 1996. Future payment of dividends on the American General Common
Stock will depend on earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and
other relevant factors. Because American General is a holding company, its
capacity to pay dividends is limited by the ability of its subsidiaries to pay
dividends. Since many of American General's subsidiaries are insurance
companies subject to regulatory control by various state insurance
departments, the ability of such subsidiaries to pay dividends to American
General without prior regulatory approval is limited by applicable laws and
regulations. Furthermore, certain non-insurance subsidiaries are restricted in
their ability to make dividend payments by long-term debt agreements. At
December 31, 1994, the amount available to American General for dividends from
subsidiaries not limited by restrictions was $1.1 billion.
 
  Independent has paid cash dividends on Independent Common Stock in each year
since 1937. Independent currently pays cash dividends quarterly at an annual
rate of $.24 per share. Future payment of dividends on the Independent Common
Stock, in the event that the Merger is not consummated, will depend on
earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and other relevant
factors. Because Independent is a holding company, its capacity to pay
dividends is limited by the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends.
Since many of Independent's subsidiaries are insurance companies subject to
regulatory control by various state insurance departments, the ability of such
subsidiaries to pay dividends to Independent without prior regulatory approval
is limited by applicable laws and regulations. In addition, The Independent
Life and Accident Insurance Company, Independent's principal life insurance
subsidiary ("Independent Life") has agreed with the Florida Insurance
Department not to pay dividends to Independent in excess of $6,000,000 in each
of 1995 and 1996 without the prior approval of the Florida Insurance
Department. At December 31, 1994, the amount available to Independent for
dividends from subsidiaries not limited by restrictions was $9.9 million. As
of that date, Independent held liquid assets having a book value of $1.6
million, which were available to pay dividends.
 
  On January 26, 1996, there were approximately 28,300 holders of record of
American General Common Stock. On January 26, 1996, there were approximately
988 and 137 holders of record of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock and
Independent Voting Common Stock, respectively.
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  In addition to the other information contained in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, the shareholders of Independent should consider the
following factors in deciding whether to approve the Merger and in making
their election as to which form of Merger Consideration they elect to receive
in the Merger.
 
ABSENCE OF PRIOR PUBLIC TRADING MARKET FOR AMERICAN GENERAL 7% CONVERTIBLE
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The terms of the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock were
determined in negotiations between American General and Independent. Because
there will have been no issued or outstanding shares of American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock prior to the Merger, and thus no public trading
market for the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock, no prediction
or assurance can be made as to whether the market value of a share of American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock will be higher, lower, or equal to the
market value of the American General Common Stock at the Effective Time.
 
UNCERTAINTY AS TO TRADING MARKET AND LIQUIDITY FOR AMERICAN GENERAL 7%
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AFTER THE MERGER
 
  Application has been made to list the American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock on the NYSE following the Merger. The NYSE has not yet
approved the listing application, although it has indicated that it would
likely approve the application if, following the Merger, there is a sufficient
public float and number of beneficial holders of such stock to warrant trading
on the NYSE. Although the NYSE retains discretion with respect to listing
applications, it has indicated that, to qualify for listing on the NYSE, at
minimum it will require that the American General 7% Convertible Preferred
Stock be held by at least 100 beneficial owners and that there be at least
100,000 shares outstanding with an aggregate market value of at least $2
million (excluding, in each case, shares held by holders of more than 10% of
the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock). Because the number of
shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock that Independent
shareholders elect to receive in the Merger will not be known until after the
Election Deadline, the NYSE's final determination as to whether the American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock will in fact be approved for listing on
the NYSE will not be made until after the Merger. In addition, American
General and Independent believe that if the American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock is not approved for listing on the NYSE, it is highly unlikely
that such shares could be approved for inclusion in the Nasdaq National
Market. ACCORDINGLY, INDEPENDENT SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE
AMERICAN GENERAL 7% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK MAY NOT BE APPROVED FOR
LISTING ON THE NYSE OR THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET FOLLOWING THE MERGER. The
failure to be listed on either the NYSE or the Nasdaq National Market
following the Merger would likely have an adverse effect on the liquidity of
the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock. Furthermore, the market
for the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock may be relatively
illiquid even if it is listed on the NYSE or Nasdaq National Market,
especially if relatively few holders of Independent Common Stock elect to
receive shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock in the
Merger. This illiquidity may adversely affect the market price of such shares
prevailing from time to time and subject the market price of such shares to
significant fluctuations based on relatively small trading volume.
 
LESS EQUITY APPRECIATION FOR AMERICAN GENERAL 7% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The opportunity for equity appreciation afforded by shares of American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock will be less than that afforded by
American General Common Stock because the Optional Conversion Rate will be
equivalent to 121% of the Average Closing Price and American General may, at
its option, redeem shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
at any time on or after the Initial Redemption Date and may be expected to do
so if, among other circumstances, the then Current Market Price of American
General Common Stock exceeds the Call Price. See "DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN
GENERAL CAPITAL STOCK--American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock."
 
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
DETERMINATION OF EXCHANGE RATIO
 
  The Exchange Ratio will be determined based on an average market price of
the American General Common Stock during the ten Trading Days ending on and
including the fifth Trading Day prior to the Effective Time. Therefore, no
assurance can be given that at the Effective Time the product of the Exchange
Ratio and the market value of a share of American General Common Stock will
not be higher or lower than $27.50.
 
TAX CONSEQUENCES INVOLVED IN MAKING ELECTIONS
 
  There may be materially different tax consequences involved in electing to
receive Common Stock Consideration, Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration
and/or Cash Consideration. See "THE PROPOSED MERGER--Certain Federal Income
Tax Consequences of the Merger."
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
                              THE SPECIAL MEETING
 
GENERAL
 
  This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is being furnished to holders of Independent
Common Stock in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Independent
Board for use at the Special Meeting to be held at the principal executive
offices of Independent, One Independent Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32276, at
10:00 a.m. on February 29, 1996, and any adjournment or postponement thereof .
 
  At the Special Meeting, the holders of Independent Voting Common Stock and
the holders of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock eligible to vote will be
asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Merger
Agreement. Holders of Independent Voting Common Stock will also be asked to
consider and vote upon such other business as may properly come before the
Special Meeting.
 
RECORD DATE
 
  The Independent Board has fixed the close of business on January 8, 1996 as
the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of holders of
Independent Common Stock entitled to notice of the Special Meeting. Under
Florida law, all shareholders are entitled to notice of the Special Meeting.
Only holders of Independent Common Stock as of the Record Date will be
entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. On the Record Date, there were
5,688,775 shares outstanding of Independent Voting Common Stock and 7,475,725
shares outstanding of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock.
 
QUORUM
 
  The presence, in person or by proxy, at the Special Meeting of the holders
of (i) a majority of the shares of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock
outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, and (ii) a majority
of the shares of Independent Voting Common Stock outstanding and entitled to
vote at the Special Meeting, will be necessary to constitute a quorum.
 
VOTES REQUIRED; VOTING RIGHTS
 
  The affirmative votes of (i) the holders of a majority of the shares of
Independent Voting Common Stock entitled to vote and voting as a separate
class and (ii) the holders of a majority of the shares of Independent Non-
Voting Common Stock entitled to vote and voting as a separate class are
required to approve the Merger Agreement. Each share of Independent Non-Voting
Common Stock is entitled to one vote with respect to the approval and adoption
of the Merger Agreement at the Special Meeting. For a discussion of to what
extent holders of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock may vote on other
matters presented at the Special Meeting, see "DESCRIPTION OF INDEPENDENT
CAPITAL STOCK--Independent Voting Common Stock and Independent Non-Voting
Common Stock." Each share of Independent Voting Common Stock is entitled to
one vote with respect to all matters presented at the Special Meeting.
 
  If fewer shares of Independent Common Stock are voted in favor of the Merger
than the number required for approval, it is expected that the Special Meeting
will be postponed or adjourned for the purpose of allowing additional time for
soliciting and obtaining additional proxies or votes. If a motion to adjourn
the meeting is presented for the purpose of allowing additional time to
solicit proxies, shareholders providing proxies that are not voted against the
Merger will be deemed to have conferred discretionary authority to vote for
such adjournment, and shares voted against the Merger shall be voted against a
motion to adjourn such meeting. See "--Solicitation of Proxies."
 
  Under the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, brokers
who hold shares in "street name" have the authority to vote on certain matters
when they do not receive instructions from beneficial owners. However, this
authority does not extend to voting on the Merger Agreement. Accordingly,
brokers who do not receive instructions will not be entitled to vote on the
Merger Agreement. In tabulating the vote on the Merger, abstentions and broker
non-votes will have the same effect as votes against the Merger.
 
  As of the Record Date, the directors and executive officers of Independent
(13 persons) owned beneficially an aggregate of 3,673,579 shares of the
Independent Voting Common Stock (constituting approximately 64.6% of the
outstanding shares) and 2,377,147 shares of Independent Non-Voting Stock
(constituting approximately
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
31.8% of the outstanding shares). See "SECURITY OWNERSHIP--Security Ownership
of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and Management of Independent." Other
than 6,000 shares held by an officer of American General, to the knowledge of
American General, no executive officer or director of American General owns
any shares of Independent Common Stock.
 
  Based on a Schedule 13D dated December 5, 1995, Tweedy, Browne Company L.P.,
a Delaware limited partnership ("TBC"), holds 637,055 shares of Independent
Non-Voting Common Stock (approximately 8.56% of Independent Non-Voting Common
Stock outstanding as of December 31, 1995). See "SECURITY OWNERSHIP--Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and Management of
Independent.
 
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
 
  Holders of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock do not have dissenters'
rights in connection with the Merger because Independent Non-Voting Common
Stock was traded on the Nasdaq National Market as of the Record Date. However,
holders of Independent Voting Common Stock who comply with the applicable
requirements of the FBCA may dissent from the Merger and obtain payment for
the fair value of their Independent Common Stock. See "THE PROPOSED MERGER--
Dissenters' Rights" and the excerpted sections of the FBCA attached hereto as
Annex C.
 
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
 
  If a shareholder attends the Special Meeting, he or she may vote by ballot.
However, many of Independent's shareholders may be unable to attend the
Special Meeting. Therefore, the Independent Board is soliciting proxies so
that each holder of Independent Voting Common Stock and Independent Non-Voting
Common Stock on the Record Date has the opportunity to vote on the proposals
to be considered at the Special Meeting on which each is entitled to vote.
 
  When a proxy is returned properly signed and dated, the shares represented
thereby will be voted in accordance with the instructions on the proxy. If a
shareholder does not return a signed proxy or vote in person at the Special
Meeting, his or her shares will not be voted. Shareholders are urged to mark
the boxes on the proxy to indicate how their shares are to be voted. If a
holder of Independent Voting Common Stock or Independent Non-Voting Common
Stock returns a signed proxy, but does not indicate how his or her shares are
to be voted, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted FOR approval
and adoption of the Merger Agreement.
 
  The Independent Board does not know of any matters other than those
described in the notice of the Special Meeting that are to come before the
Special Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Special
Meeting, including, among other things, a motion to adjourn or postpone the
Special Meeting to another time and/or place for the purpose of, among other
things, permitting dissemination of information regarding material
developments relating to the Merger or soliciting additional proxies in favor
of the proposal to adopt and approve the Merger Agreement, one or more of the
persons named on the proxy card will vote the shares represented by such proxy
upon such matters as determined in their best judgment and consistent with the
voting rights of such shares as provided by the Independent Bylaws and the
FBCA; provided, however, that no proxy that is voted against the proposal to
approve and adopt the Merger Agreement will be voted in favor of any
adjournment or postponement for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies.
At any subsequent reconvening of the Special Meeting, all proxies will be
voted in the same manner as such proxies would have been voted at the original
convening of the Special Meeting, except for proxies that have been
effectively revoked or withdrawn prior to such reconvened meeting. See "--
Votes Required; Voting Rights."
 
  Any Independent shareholder who executes and returns a proxy may revoke such
proxy at any time before it is voted by (i) notifying in writing the Corporate
Secretary of Independent at One Independent Drive, Jacksonville, Florida
32276, (ii) granting a subsequent proxy, or (iii) appearing in person and
voting at the Special Meeting. Additional proxy cards are available from the
Information Agent. Attendance at the Special Meeting will not in and of itself
constitute revocation of a proxy.
 
  In addition to solicitation by use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by
directors, officers and employees of Independent in person or by telephone,
telegram or other means of communications. Such directors, officers
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
and employees will not be additionally compensated but may be reimbursed for
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with such solicitation.
Independent has retained Georgeson & Company Inc., a proxy solicitation firm,
to act as Information Agent in connection with the election by Independent
shareholders of the type of consideration to be received in the Merger and to
assist with soliciting and tabulating proxies for the Special Meeting at an
estimated expense of approximately $9,000, plus reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses. Arrangements will be made with custodians, nominees and fiduciaries
for the forwarding of proxy solicitation materials to beneficial owners of
shares held of record by such custodians, nominees and fiduciaries, and
Independent will reimburse such custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for
reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith. Independent will bear
all costs and expenses of this solicitation other than expenses incurred in
connection with printing and mailing of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which
will be shared equally by Independent and American General.
 
  SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT SEND IN ANY SHARE CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR PROXY
CARDS. PROXY CARDS SHOULD BE SENT TO GEORGESON & COMPANY INC. SHARE
CERTIFICATES SHOULD BE SENT WITH THE ENCLOSED FORM OF ELECTION/LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL TO FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, AS EXCHANGE AGENT.
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
                              THE PROPOSED MERGER
 
GENERAL
 
  The following is a brief summary of certain aspects of the Merger. This
summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is included in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus as Annex A and is incorporated herein by reference. A
description of the relative rights, privileges and preferences of Independent
Common Stock on the one hand, and American General Stock, on the other,
including certain material differences between the rights of holders of such
stock, is set forth under "DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN GENERAL CAPITAL STOCK";
"DESCRIPTION OF INDEPENDENT CAPITAL STOCK" and "COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER
RIGHTS."
 
CLOSING; EFFECTIVE TIME
 
  The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the
"Closing") will take place as promptly as practicable following the Special
Meeting and after the last of the regulatory approvals and other conditions
set forth in the Merger Agreement are satisfied or waived. The Merger will
become effective upon the filing of Articles of Merger with the Secretary of
State of Florida in accordance with the FBCA and Articles of Merger with the
Secretary of State of Missouri in accordance with The General and Business
Corporation Law of Missouri, or at such later time as may be designated in
such filings as the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"). Such
filings will be made as soon as practicable after the Closing. The Closing
will take place as soon as practicable following the approval of the Merger
Agreement by Independent shareholders and the satisfaction or waiver of the
other conditions to each party's obligation to consummate the Merger.
 
CONVERSION OF SHARES
 
  Each share of Independent Common Stock outstanding prior to the Effective
Time (other than dissenting shares) will be converted into, exchanged for and
represent the right to receive any of the following: (i) a fraction of a share
of American General Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio; (ii) a fraction
of a share of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock equal to the
Exchange Ratio; or (iii) $27.50 in cash. Independent shareholders will be
entitled to elect to receive any proportion of Common Stock Consideration,
Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration or Cash Consideration in exchange
for their shares, provided that all elections will be subject to the
procedures described below with respect to the allocation of available Cash
Consideration and Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration. For a description
of the terms of the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock, see
"DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN GENERAL CAPITAL STOCK--American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock." In the event that the Average Closing Price of
American General Common Stock falls below $24.99 per share, which would result
in an Exchange Ratio greater than 1.10, the Independent Board will consider
resoliciting proxies. See "THE SPECIAL MEETING--Solicitation of Proxies."
 
FRACTIONAL SHARES
 
  No fractional shares of American General Stock will be issued in the Merger,
and such fractional shares will not entitle the owners thereof to any rights
of a holder of American General Stock. Instead, each record holder of
Independent Common Stock who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a
fraction of a share of American General Stock upon surrender of certificates
representing Independent Common Stock for exchange will, upon surrender of
Independent Common Stock certificates, be entitled to receive a cash payment
(without interest) equal to the product of such fraction multiplied by the
Average Closing Price. Beneficial holders of Independent Common Stock who do
not own their shares of record should consult with the record holder of such
shares with regard to the receipt of the consideration to be received upon the
exchange of their Independent Common Stock certificates in the Merger.
 
SHAREHOLDER ELECTIONS
 
  Each record holder of shares of Independent Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Election Deadline (as hereinafter
defined) will be entitled to submit a request specifying the percentage of
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
his or her shares of Independent Common Stock which such record holder desires
to have converted into (i) Common Stock Consideration (a "Common Stock
Election"), (ii) Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration (a "Convertible
Preferred Stock Election") and/or (iii) Cash Consideration (a "Cash
Election"), or to indicate that such record holder has no preference as to the
receipt of Common Stock Consideration, Convertible Preferred Stock
Consideration and/or Cash Consideration for such shares (a "Non-Election"). A
Common Stock Election and a Convertible Preferred Stock Election are
collectively referred to as a "Stock Election."
  Each record holder making a Cash Election will be entitled to submit a
request specifying the percentage of such holder's shares, if any, with
respect to which a Cash Election was made ("Cash Election Shares") but which
are not converted into Cash Consideration, he or she desires to have converted
into Common Stock Consideration and/or Convertible Preferred Stock
Consideration. Each record holder making a Convertible Preferred Stock
Election will be entitled to submit a request specifying the percentage of
such holder's shares, if any, with respect to which a Convertible Preferred
Stock Election was made, but which are not converted into Convertible
Preferred Stock Consideration, he or she desires to have converted into Common
Stock Consideration and/or Cash Consideration. Shares of Independent Common
Stock in respect of which a Non-Election is made ("Non-Election Shares") shall
be deemed to be shares in respect of which a Common Stock Election has been
made.
 
CERTAIN ELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
 
 
  In making an election for Common Stock Consideration, Convertible Preferred
Stock Consideration and/or Cash Consideration, Independent shareholders are
urged to consider the following factors: (i) because the Exchange Ratio will
be determined based on an average market price of the American General Common
Stock during the ten Trading Days ending on and including the fifth Trading
Day prior to the Effective Time, no assurance can be given that the product of
the Exchange Ratio and the market value of a share of American General Common
Stock will not be higher or lower than $27.50 at the Effective Time of the
Merger; (ii) although American General has agreed to use all reasonable
efforts to have the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock listed on
the NYSE or the Nasdaq National Market, no assurance can be given that such
shares will in fact be so listed, or, if listed, that an active trading market
with respect to such shares will develop or be sustained (See "RISK FACTORS--
Uncertainty as to Trading Market and Liquidity for American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock after the Merger"); (iii) the terms of the
American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock were determined in
negotiations between American General and Independent and because there will
have been no public market for the American General 7% Convertible Preferred
Stock prior to the Effective Time, no prediction or assurance is given as to
whether at the Effective Time the market value of a share of American General
7% Convertible Preferred Stock will be higher, lower or the same as the market
value of a share of American General Common Stock; and (iv) there may be
materially different tax consequences involved in electing to receive Common
Stock Consideration, Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration and/or Cash
Consideration, as described below under "THE PROPOSED MERGER--Certain Federal
Income Tax Consequences of the Merger." See "Opinion of Independent Financial
Advisor--Analysis of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock" for a
discussion of the valuation of the American General 7% Convertible Preferred
Stock.
  NONE OF AMERICAN GENERAL, INDEPENDENT, THE AMERICAN GENERAL BOARD OR THE
INDEPENDENT BOARD MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD
ELECT TO RECEIVE COMMON STOCK CONSIDERATION, CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
CONSIDERATION AND/OR CASH CONSIDERATION IN THE MERGER. EACH SHAREHOLDER MUST
MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECISION WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH ELECTION. AS A RESULT OF
THE ALLOCATION PROCEDURES DESCRIBED HEREIN, A SHAREHOLDER WHO ELECTS TO
CONVERT (I) IN EXCESS OF APPROXIMATELY 50% OF HIS OR HER INDEPENDENT COMMON
STOCK INTO AMERICAN GENERAL 7% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND/OR (II) IN
EXCESS OF APPROXIMATELY 50% OF HIS OR HER INDEPENDENT COMMON STOCK INTO CASH
MAY NOT RECEIVE THE CONSIDERATION HE OR SHE HAS ELECTED WITH RESPECT TO SUCH
EXCESS. IF A SHAREHOLDER MAKES NO ELECTION, HE OR SHE WILL RECEIVE COMMON
STOCK CONSIDERATION IN THE MERGER.
 
PROCEDURES FOR SHAREHOLDER ELECTIONS
 
 
  Independent shareholders will be required to make their elections by
completing and mailing the Form of Election/Letter of Transmittal enclosed
with this Proxy Statement/Prospectus ("Election Form") to the Exchange Agent.
To be effective, an Election Form must be (i) properly completed, signed and
submitted to the
 
                                      43
<PAGE>
 
Exchange Agent at its designated office, by 5:00 p.m., on the business day
that is two Trading Days prior to the closing date of the Merger, which date
shall be publicly announced by American General as soon as practicable but in
no event less than five Trading Days prior to the Closing Date, (the "Election
Deadline") and (ii) accompanied by the certificates representing the shares of
Independent Common Stock as to which the election is being made (or by an
appropriate guarantee of delivery of such certificates by a commercial bank or
trust company in the United States or a member of a registered national
security exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
provided such certificates are in fact delivered to the Exchange Agent within
eight Trading Days after the date of execution of such guarantee of delivery).
Independent will use all reasonable efforts to make an Election Form available
to all persons who become holders of record of Independent Common Stock
between the date of mailing of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the
Election Deadline. Additional Election Forms may be obtained from the
Information Agent.
 
  Independent shall determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, which
authority it may delegate in whole or in part to the Exchange Agent, whether
Election Forms have been properly completed, signed and submitted or revoked.
The decision of Independent (or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be) in
such matters will be conclusive and binding. Neither Independent nor the
Exchange Agent will be under any obligation to notify any person of any defect
in an Election Form submitted to the Exchange Agent.
 
  A holder of shares of Independent Common Stock who does not submit an
effective Election Form prior to the Election Deadline will be deemed to have
made a Non-Election. Shares of Independent Common Stock with respect to which
a Non-Election has been made will be converted into the right to receive
Common Stock Consideration without regard to the preference of the holder of
such shares. If Independent or the Exchange Agent determines that any
purported Stock Election or Cash Election was not effectively made, such
purported Stock Election or Cash Election will be deemed to be of no force and
effect and the shareholder making such purported Stock Election or Cash
Election will, for purposes hereof, be deemed to have made a Non-Election and
will be converted into Common Stock Consideration.
 
  An election may be revoked but only by written notice received by the
Exchange Agent prior to the Election Deadline. Any certificate(s) representing
shares of Independent Common Stock which have been submitted to the Exchange
Agent in connection with an election will be returned without charge to the
holder thereof in the event such election is so revoked and such holder
requests in writing the return of such certificate(s). Upon any such
revocation, unless a duly completed Election Form is thereafter submitted in
accordance with the above, such shares will be deemed to be Non-Election
Shares.
 
  In the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to the
provisions thereof and any shares of Independent Common Stock have been
transmitted to the Exchange Agent pursuant to the provisions thereof, such
shares shall be returned as promptly as practicable without charge to the
person submitting the same. See "--The Merger Agreement--Termination."
 
ALLOCATION RULES
 
  The following is a summary of the allocation rules with respect to the cash
and American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock available for election as
Merger Consideration, as set forth in the Merger Agreement. The following
summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 ALLOCATION OF CASH AVAILABLE FOR ELECTION
 
  The Merger Agreement provides that the maximum cash consideration that can
be paid in the Merger is the Cash Price multiplied by 50% of the aggregate
number of shares of Independent Common Stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time, less the amount of cash needed to be
paid in lieu of fractional shares and with respect to dissenting shares (the
"Cash Available for Election"). Assuming an insignificant number of dissenting
shares and the maximum payment with respect to shareholders in lieu of
fractional shares, the Cash Available for Election is presently estimated to
be approximately $181 million.
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
However, if certain representations are not obtained from each person deemed
to own, immediately prior to the Closing, 5% or more of the Independent Common
Stock, then the Cash Available for Election may be reduced by up to the value
of the Independent Common Stock owned by such persons who do not provide such
representations. Such representations have been obtained from all persons
deemed to own, as of the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, 5% or more
of the Independent Common Stock. In the event that the product of the
aggregate number of Cash Election Shares and the Cash Price exceeds the Cash
Available for Election, the Cash Election Shares will be converted into the
right to receive Cash Consideration or Stock Consideration in the following
manner:
 
      (i) the Exchange Agent will determine the quotient obtained by
    dividing the Cash Available for Election by the product of (A) the Cash
    Price and (B) the aggregate number of shares of Independent Common
    Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of
    the Merger (the "Guaranteed Cash Percentage");
 
      (ii) the Exchange Agent will distribute to each shareholder who has
    elected to have such number of his or her shares converted into Cash
    Consideration which as a percentage of the total number of shares of
    Independent Common Stock held by such holder (the "Elected Cash
    Percentage") is equal to or less than the Guaranteed Cash Percentage,
    Cash Consideration for each of the Cash Election Shares of such
    shareholder;
 
      (iii) the Exchange Agent will distribute to each shareholder whose
    Elected Cash Percentage is greater than the Guaranteed Cash Percentage,
    Cash Consideration (A) for that number of Cash Election Shares equal to
    the product of the number of shares of Independent Common Stock owned
    by such record holder and the Guaranteed Cash Percentage, and (B) for
    that number of Cash Election Shares equal to the product of the number
    of Cash Election Shares which were not converted into Cash
    Consideration pursuant to clause (A) above and the quotient determined
    by dividing (x) the Cash Available for Election less the aggregate
    amount of Cash Consideration paid to all shareholders pursuant to
    clauses (ii) and (iii)(A) above by (y) the product of the Cash Price
    and the aggregate number of Cash Election Shares which were not
    entitled to be converted into Cash Consideration pursuant to clause
    (iii)(A) above; and
 
      (iv) all other Cash Election Shares which were not able to be
    converted into Cash Consideration pursuant to the above will be
    converted into such Stock Consideration as each record holder of such
    shares directs, and in the absence of such direction, such shares shall
    be treated as Non-Election Shares.
 
 ALLOCATION OF AMERICAN GENERAL 7% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AVAILABLE FOR
ELECTION
 
  The Merger Agreement provides that no more than 50% of the aggregate number
of shares of Independent Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior
to the Merger may be converted into Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration.
In the event that the aggregate number of shares of Independent Common Stock
in respect of which Convertible Preferred Stock Elections are made (the
"Convertible Preferred Stock Election Amount") exceeds 50% of the aggregate
number of shares of Independent Common Stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, the Convertible
Preferred Stock Election Shares shall be converted into the right to receive
Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration and/or other Merger Consideration in
the following manner:
 
      (i) the Exchange Agent will distribute to each Independent
    Shareholder who elects to convert 50% or less of his Independent Common
    Stock into Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration, the full
    Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration elected by such party;
 
      (ii) the Exchange Agent will distribute to each Independent
    Shareholder who elects to convert more than 50% of his Independent
    Common Stock into Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration,
    Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration
 
        (A) for that number of Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares
      equal to 50% of the number of shares of Independent Common Stock
      owned by such record holder, and
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
        (B) for that number of Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares
      equal to the product of (1) the number of Convertible Preferred
      Stock Election Shares owned by such shareholder which were not
      converted into Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration pursuant to
      the above and (2) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) 50% of the
      aggregate number of shares of Independent Common Stock issued and
      outstanding immediately prior to the Merger less the aggregate
      amount of Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares converted to
      Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration pursuant to clauses (i)
      and (ii)(A) above by (y) the aggregate number of Convertible
      Preferred Stock Election Shares which were not entitled to be so
      converted pursuant to clause (ii)(A) above; and
 
      (iii) all other Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares will be
    converted into such other Merger Consideration as each record holder of
    such shares directs, subject to the above, and in the absence of such
    direction, such shares will be treated as Non-Election Shares.
 
 ORDER OF ALLOCATION
 
  In the event that it is necessary to allocate both the Cash Election Shares
and the Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares, the Convertible Preferred
Stock Election Shares will be allocated first. Such order of allocation was
selected to facilitate the process of computing the Cash Available for
Election.
 
 ILLUSTRATION OF POTENTIAL UNFAVORABLE EFFECTS OF ALLOCATION PROCEDURES
 
  The table below illustrates the most unfavorable allocation that a holder of
100 shares of Independent Common Stock might experience, assuming the
elections specified in the table and assuming that (i) the shareholder
requests that shares that cannot be converted into American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock or cash because of the application of the
allocation procedures described above be converted into cash or American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock, respectively, (ii) no cash is paid to
dissenters and (iii) payments on account of fractional shares are negligible.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         NUMBER OF SHARES ELECTED TO BE      NUMBER OF SHARES ACTUALLY CONVERTED
                 CONVERTED INTO                              INTO
     -------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
     AMERICAN GENERAL                       AMERICAN GENERAL
      7% CONVERTIBLE       AMERICAN GENERAL  7% CONVERTIBLE       AMERICAN GENERAL
     PREFERRED STOCK  CASH   COMMON STOCK   PREFERRED STOCK  CASH   COMMON STOCK
     ---------------- ---- ---------------- ---------------- ---- ----------------
<S>  <C>              <C>  <C>              <C>              <C>  <C>
            70         30          0               50         50          0
            30         70          0               50         50          0
            70         20         10               50         40         10
            20         70         10               40         50         10
            40         40         20               40         40         20
</TABLE>
 
  The table above is not representative of the results applicable to a
shareholder who requests that his or her shares of Independent Common Stock
that are subject to application of the allocation procedures described above
be converted into shares of American General Common Stock.
 
 SUBMISSION OF MULTIPLE ELECTION FORMS
 
  For the purpose of applying the allocation provisions described above, the
Exchange Agent will be entitled to assume that the shares of Independent
Common Stock submitted by an Independent shareholder pursuant to a given
Election Form represent all the shares of Independent Common Stock owned of
record by such shareholder, and the Exchange Agent will not aggregate such
shares with other shares of Independent Common Stock owned by such record
holder that are transmitted pursuant to another Election Form. Accordingly,
Independent shareholders should be aware that transmitting shares pursuant to
different Election Forms could, under some circumstances, result in some of
the shares of Independent Common Stock owned by such shareholder being subject
to allocation treatment that is less favorable than the allocation treatment
that would have been applied had such shares been submitted with a single
Election Form.
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
 
  Upon surrender of each certificate representing shares of Independent Common
Stock, the Exchange Agent will pay to the holder of such certificate, as soon
as practicable after the Effective Time, the applicable Merger Consideration
(and cash in lieu of fractional shares) and such certificate will thereafter
be cancelled. Until so surrendered and exchanged, each such certificate that
prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Independent Common Stock
(other than certificates representing dissenting shares) will represent solely
the right to receive the Merger Consideration (and cash in lieu of fractional
shares). No interest will be paid or accrue on the Merger Consideration.
 
  After the Effective Time, there will be no transfers on the stock transfer
books of AGC Life of any shares of Independent Common Stock. If, after the
Effective Time, certificates formerly representing shares of Independent
Common Stock are presented to AGC Life or the Exchange Agent, they will be
cancelled and (subject to applicable abandoned property, escheat and similar
laws and, in the case of dissenting shares, subject to applicable law)
exchanged for Merger Consideration (and cash in lieu of fractional shares), as
provided above.
 
  No dividends or other distributions declared or made after the Effective
Time with respect to shares of American General Stock will be paid to the
holder of any unsurrendered certificate with respect to the shares of American
General Stock such holder is entitled to receive, and no cash payment in lieu
of fractional shares will be paid, until the holder of such certificate
surrenders such certificate in accordance with the provisions of the Merger
Agreement.
 
  At the Effective Time, all shares of Independent Common Stock that are owned
by Independent as treasury stock and any shares of Independent Common Stock
owned by American General, AGC Life or any other direct or indirect subsidiary
of American General (other than 3,000 shares of Independent Common Stock held
in a separate account of a subsidiary of American General) will be cancelled
and retired and will cease to exist, and no payment or other consideration
will be made in respect thereof.
 
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
 
  During the early 1990's, sellers of life insurance through the home service
distribution system were confronted with demographic and economic changes
which resulted in virtually stagnant growth in revenues. In addition, in 1992,
claims arising out of Hurricane Andrew resulted in a substantial decrease in
the statutory capital and surplus of Independent, which substantially
inhibited the pursuit of a strategy of growth of Independent through
acquisition. Moreover, in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, Independent also
was forced to decrease its regular quarterly dividend from $.22 per share to
$.06 per share. In these circumstances, Independent's management began to
question the feasibility of enhancing shareholder value over the long term
through internal processes. As a result, in early 1995, management of
Independent asked Alex. Brown to consider the prospects for combining with
another company. After considering such prospects, in March 1995, Alex. Brown
reported that, based on Independent's low stock price relative to its book
value, the general level of merger and acquisition activity in the life
insurance industry and the potential synergies of a business combination, the
prospects were good for producing a significant enhancement in shareholder
value through a combinatory transaction. In the course of these discussions,
Alex. Brown and management concluded that the potential cost savings inherent
in combinations with other insurance companies were likely to produce values
in excess of those which might be achieved through combinations with acquirors
whose interests were primarily financial. In reaching this conclusion,
Independent's management and Alex. Brown considered the potential for
elimination of redundant functions, potential for consolidation of operations
with companies offering similar products and the potential to realize cost
efficiencies in its agency force through consolidation.
 
  Shortly thereafter, Alex. Brown and the management of Independent identified
six companies in the insurance industry, including American General, for whom
they believed Independent would represent an attractive acquisition candidate
based on the potential synergies of a strategic combination. Each of the
companies sells life insurance through the home service distribution system.
As a result, Alex. Brown and Independent's management believe that these
companies might be able to realize synergies and cost efficiencies
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
through the elimination of redundant back-office functions and the
consolidation of insurance operations. Alex. Brown, at the direction and with
the cooperation of management, contacted each of the six parties to assess its
interest in a potential transaction involving Independent. Prospective
acquirors were advised that the Independent Board had made no determination as
to whether to proceed with such a transaction. Each of the six parties
expressed an interest in a possible transaction involving Independent. In
connection with Independent's agreement to provide confidential information
concerning Independent, each of the six companies executed a confidentiality
agreement pursuant to which each agreed to (a) keep confidential information
concerning Independent and (b) customary "standstill" provisions limiting, for
a period of at least two years following the execution of the confidentiality
agreement, the freedom of action of each of the parties with respect to
proposals to acquire Independent and certain other actions that would affect
control of Independent. Following execution of the confidentiality agreements
in April and May 1995, each of the six parties conducted a preliminary due
diligence investigation of Independent, including a review of an actuarial
appraisal (the "Actuarial Report") of Independent Life, Independent's major
operating subsidiary. At the invitation of Alex. Brown on behalf of
Independent, each of the six parties, including American General, submitted
written, non-binding indications of interest to acquire Independent. The
indications of interest from the parties that went on to the next stage of the
process to submit binding bids indicated price levels ranging from a low of
approximately $17.09 per share of Independent Common Stock to a high of
approximately $26.63 per share of Independent Common Stock. One other party
provided an indicated price range of $300 million ($22.79 per share) to $400
million ($30.38 per share) for Independent; however, that party declined to
participate in the next stage of the bidding process, stating that, after
further consideration of its strategic plans, it did not believe that
Independent would be a good fit.
 
  After reviewing the preliminary indications of interest, on July 12, 1995,
the Independent Board authorized Alex. Brown and management to conduct
additional investigation into alternatives for maximizing shareholder value,
including investigating the terms on which Independent might be combined with
another company. The Independent Board placed no restrictions on Alex. Brown
or management concerning prospective acquirors or types of transactions that
might be reviewed. In light of Alex. Brown's and management's determination
that the best price would be achieved by a combination with another company in
the insurance industry, Alex. Brown continued to focus on acquirors within the
insurance industry and did not seek out or respond positively to other
potential acquirors. After the close of trading on July 12, 1995, Independent
issued a press release (the "Press Release") stating that the Independent
Board had authorized management to look into various methods for maximizing
shareholder value, including investigating the terms on which Independent
might be combined with another company, and that Independent had retained
Alex. Brown as its financial advisor. The Press Release emphasized that the
process was in a preliminary stage and that there could be no assurance that
any transaction involving Independent would take place. The closing price of
Independent Non-Voting Common Stock on July 12, 1995 was $14.00 per share, as
reported by the Nasdaq National Market.
 
  Subsequent to the issuance of the press release, a number of additional
parties, including one non-insurance company, expressed interest in acquiring
Independent. One additional party (an insurance company) entered into a
confidentiality agreement, reviewed information regarding Independent and
submitted a written, non-binding indication of interest to acquire Independent
within the range of the indications previously received by Independent. All
seven entities that submitted written, non-binding indications of interest
were offered the opportunity to complete further, on-site due diligence with
Independent and to hold meetings with management of Independent. Five parties
completed on-site due diligence and held meetings with Independent's
management. Two parties declined the opportunity to continue in the process,
complete on-site due diligence or negotiate with Independent's management.
 
  On September 8, 1995, with the approval of the Independent Board and on its
behalf, Alex. Brown sent a letter (the "Procedures Letter") to each of the
five parties that had expressed an interest in pursuing an acquisition
transaction involving Independent and that had completed on-site due
diligence, inviting each of the parties to submit a firm offer to acquire all
of the outstanding Independent Common Stock. The Procedures Letter set forth
certain procedures and guidelines to be followed in connection with the
submission of offers. Among other things, the Procedures Letter stated that
while Independent would consider and evaluate all forms of consideration, it
was Independent's strong preference for its shareholders to be able to elect
to receive at least
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
50% of the consideration for their Independent Common Stock in the form of
voting equity securities that would be accorded tax-free treatment, with the
remaining consideration to be in the form of cash or additional equity
securities, at the election of the Independent shareholder. The Procedures
Letter set a deadline of September 28, 1995 for the submission of firm offers.
 
  During the week of September 25, 1995, Alex. Brown received bids from four
of the five parties that had been invited to make a firm offer, including
American General. The bids ranged from a low of approximately $21.58 per share
of Independent Common Stock to a high of approximately $26.97 per share of
Independent Common Stock and included a bid by American General of $26.50 per
share of Independent Common Stock. Two parties offered all cash bids and two
parties offered a combination of cash and common stock. Each bid differed as
to the form of consideration offered, proposed purchase price adjustments,
structure, conditions and other material terms so that the bids could not be
comparable analyzed based on price alone. No non-insurance companies submitted
binding bids. Following the receipt of bids by Independent, one bidder began
to articulate increasing concern with the exposure of Independent to lawsuits
and proceedings in Alabama that permit punitive damages disproportionate to
the actual damages alleged and ultimately advised Independent that it was
withdrawing its bid. After submission of bids, Alex. Brown undertook
discussions with each of the remaining bidders to clarify their bids and to
seek improvements in their terms, including the form of consideration,
structure and closing contingencies. These discussions resulted in certain
parties, including American General, making improvements in their proposals.
In addition to increasing its cash offer price and the equivalent amount of
American General Common Stock, in response to a request from Independent,
American General offered to make available for election by Independent
shareholders a new series of convertible preferred stock of American General
which had not been offered in its original bid. Alex. Brown and Independent's
management analyzed the various offers based on a variety of factors,
including the proposed purchase price, form of consideration, structure,
closing contingencies and other factors.
 
  On October 11, 1995, the Independent Board met with representatives of Alex.
Brown and Independent's legal advisors. During the course of this meeting,
Alex. Brown representatives reviewed developments since the Independent Board
had authorized the investigation, including the bidding history, the identity
and financial attributes of each of the bidders and responded to questions
from various members of the Independent Board. The Independent Board then
authorized management of Independent and Alex. Brown to undertake further
negotiations with the three remaining bidders. These negotiations, conducted
by Alex. Brown, ultimately resulted in American General further increasing its
proposed offer price to $27.50 per share of Independent Common Stock and
increasing the dividend yield on the convertible preferred stock from 6.75% to
7%. Following a review of the final proposals with Independent's financial and
legal advisors, on October 12, 1995, the management of Independent determined
that the bid of $27.50 per share of Independent Common Stock offered by
American General, which was the highest bid received in dollar terms,
represented the most attractive offer.
 
  Shortly after management's determination that the bid from American General
was the most attractive offer, Alex. Brown and a senior management team from
Independent, led by the Chairman of the Board of Independent and including the
President, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and others, met with
senior executives of American General and conducted an on-site due diligence
review of the business and financial affairs of American General.
 
  From October 12 through October 19, 1995, representatives of American
General and Independent had numerous meetings by telephone and in person in
which various terms of the Merger Agreement were negotiated, including the
terms of the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock, the rights of
each party to terminate the Merger Agreement in certain circumstances, the
termination fees and various other provisions.
 
  On the morning of October 19, 1995 representatives of Alex. Brown met with
the Independent Board and its legal advisors and reviewed the proposed
transaction with American General, including the terms of the Merger Agreement
which management had negotiated with American General. During this meeting,
Alex. Brown representatives once again reviewed the bidding history and
current status of the bids and responded to questions from members of the
Independent Board. Alex. Brown delivered a written opinion to the effect that,
in its opinion, the Merger Consideration to be received by the Independent
shareholders in the Merger was fair to the shareholders of Independent, from a
financial point of view.
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
  Following this discussion, the Independent Board approved the Merger
Agreement providing for a transaction on the terms previously negotiated with
American General, and the Merger Agreement was executed by each of American
General and Independent on October 19, 1995. Immediately following the
execution of the Merger Agreement, Independent and American General issued
press releases announcing execution of the Merger Agreement.
 
RECOMMENDATION OF THE INDEPENDENT BOARD AND INDEPENDENT'S REASONS FOR THE
MERGER
 
  The Independent Board has determined that the Merger is fair to and in the
best interests of Independent and its shareholders. At a meeting held on
October 19, 1995, the Independent Board unanimously approved the Merger
Agreement and resolved to recommend that the shareholders of Independent vote
for approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement.
 
  In reaching its conclusion to approve the Merger Agreement and to recommend
that shareholders vote for approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement, the
Independent Board considered many factors including, but not limited to the
following:
 
    (i) the substantial decrease in the statutory capital and surplus of
  Independent resulting from claims arising out of Hurricane Andrew, which
  decrease substantially inhibited the pursuit of a strategy of growth
  through acquisition;
 
    (ii) the recognition by Independent's management of the difficulties and
  risks inherent in attempting to enhance shareholder value over the long-
  term through internal processes due to a reduction in capital and surplus
  as a result of Hurricane Andrew, a shift in premium mix to products with
  lower profit margins, a lack of overall premium growth, and high costs
  relative to other companies using the home service distribution method;
 
    (iii) American General's business, assets, management, competitive
  position and prospects, which the Independent Board believes, on a combined
  basis with those of Independent, would represent a good strategic fit
  between the two companies as both companies offer similar product lines in
  overlapping markets;
 
    (iv) the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of
  each of Independent and American General, on an historical basis, before
  giving effect to the Merger;
 
    (v) historical market prices and trading information with respect to each
  of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock and American General Common Stock;
 
    (vi) the treatment of the Merger as a "tax-free reorganization" for
  federal income tax purposes (see "--Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences
  of the Merger");
 
    (vii) the potential efficiencies and synergies to be realized by the
  combined operations of Independent and American General, which are expected
  to result from the consolidation of district offices, the consolidation of
  Independent's home office into AGLA's Nashville office, the consolidation
  of field sales forces, elimination of manager, clerical and agent positions
  and other economies that are expected to produce a favorable impact on the
  long-term value of American General as well as enhance the competitive
  position of the combined entity;
 
    (viii) the regulatory approvals required to consummate the Merger (see
  "--Regulatory Filings and Approvals") and the prospects for receiving all
  such approvals;
 
    (ix) the opinion and analysis of Alex. Brown described under "--Opinion
  of Independent's Financial Advisor"; and
 
    (x) the compatibility of the business and operating strategies of both
  companies.
 
  These factors were considered collectively by the Independent Board, without
giving specific weight to any particular factor, in connection with its
assessment of the strategic and operational benefits and risks of the Merger
as well as the range of value of each of Independent and American General on a
stand-alone basis and the value of the combined entity on a pro forma basis.
Based on this analysis, the Independent Board concluded
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
that (i) the Merger Consideration was within the range of fair value to
Independent and holders of Independent Common Stock and (ii) the Merger would
result in an increase in long-term value for Independent's shareholders due to
the strategic and operational benefits and synergies described above.
 
  THE INDEPENDENT BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT INDEPENDENT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR"
THE APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
 
OPINION OF INDEPENDENT'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR
 
  Independent retained Alex. Brown to provide certain investment banking
advice and services in connection with the Merger, including rendering its
opinion as to whether the consideration to be received by the holders of the
Independent Common Stock is fair, from a financial point of view, to such
holders. Independent retained Alex. Brown to act as Independent's financial
advisor in connection with the Merger and related matters based upon Alex.
Brown's expertise in mergers and acquisitions, knowledge of the life insurance
industry and familiarity with Independent.
 
  At the October 19, 1995 meeting of the Independent Board, representatives of
Alex. Brown reviewed the proposed transaction with American General and
rendered its written opinion to the Independent Board that, as of such date,
based upon the facts and circumstances as they existed at the time, and
subject to certain assumptions, factors and limitations set forth in such
opinion, the consideration to be received by the holders of the Independent
Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair, from a financial point
of view, to such holders. Alex. Brown also delivered a written opinion that,
as of the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, based upon the facts and
circumstances as they existed at the time, and subject to assumptions, factors
and limitations set forth in such opinion, the consideration to be received by
the holders of the Independent Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement
was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. No limitations were
imposed by the Independent Board upon Alex. Brown with respect to the
investigations made or procedures followed by it in rendering its opinions.
The procedures followed and the analyses performed by Alex. Brown in
connection with its opinion dated as of the date of this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus were substantially similar to those procedures followed
and analyses performed by Alex. Brown in connection with its opinion dated
October 19, 1995, which are summarized below.
 
  The full text of Alex. Brown's written opinion, dated as of the date of this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus (the "Alex. Brown Opinion"), which sets forth,
among other things, assumptions made, matters considered and limitations on
the review undertaken, is attached as Annex B to this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. Independent
shareholders are urged to read the Alex. Brown Opinion in its entirety. In
rendering its opinion, Alex. Brown considered all the consideration options
and determined that, as of the date of its fairness opinion, any mixture of
the three consideration election options (subject to the potential liquidity
issues concerning the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock as
discussed hereinafter--see "Opinion of Independent's Financial Advisor--
Analysis of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock"), was fair from a
financial point of view, although the three consideration election options
were not necessarily equal. In selecting a consideration option, a shareholder
should consider, among other factors, his or her (i) tax position, (ii) desire
for cash, (iii) view as to the illiquidity of the American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock, (iv) view as to the attractiveness of the
American General Common Stock, (v) view as to general market conditions and
(vi) specific circumstances. Alex. Brown's opinion is based on market,
economic and other considerations as they existed and could be evaluated as of
the date the opinion was delivered. The Alex. Brown Opinion addresses only the
fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be received
by Independent shareholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement and does not
constitute a recommendation to any Independent shareholder as to how such
shareholder should vote at the Special Meeting or which form of consideration
such shareholder should elect to receive in the Merger. The Alex. Brown
Opinion was rendered to the Independent Board for its consideration in
determining whether to approve the Merger Agreement. The discussion of the
Alex. Brown Opinion in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full text of the Alex. Brown Opinion. A condition
to Independent's obligation to close the Merger is that the opinion of Alex.
Brown will be updated as of the date of closing of the Merger.
 
                                      51
<PAGE>
 
  In its consideration of the Merger, Alex. Brown: (i) reviewed certain
publicly available financial information concerning Independent and American
General, (ii) held discussions with members of the senior management of
Independent and American General regarding the business and prospects of
Independent and American General, respectively, (iii) reviewed the reported
price and trading activity for the Independent Non-Voting Common Stock and the
American General Common Stock, (iv) compared certain financial and stock
market information for Independent and for American General with similar
information for certain other life insurance and consumer finance companies
whose securities are publicly traded, (v) reviewed the financial terms of
certain recent business combinations which Alex. Brown deemed comparable in
whole or in part, (vi) reviewed the Actuarial Report and (vii) performed such
other studies and analyses and considered such other factors, including the
terms of the Merger Agreement and the process by which Independent reviewed
its strategic alternatives, as it deemed appropriate.
 
  As described in its opinion, Alex. Brown did not independently verify the
information described above and assumed the accuracy and completeness thereof.
Alex. Brown assumed that such information reflected the best currently
available estimates and judgments of management of Independent and of American
General as to the likely future financial performance of Independent and of
American General, respectively. In addition, Alex. Brown neither made an
independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets of Independent or American
General, nor was it furnished with any evaluation or appraisal, other than the
Actuarial Report described above. Alex. Brown's opinion was based on market,
economic and other conditions as they existed and could be evaluated as of the
date of the opinion and as updated as of the date of this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.
 
  The following is a brief summary of the analyses performed by Alex. Brown in
connection with its written opinion to the Independent Board, with respect to
the fairness of the Merger Consideration, from a financial point of view.
 
 INDEPENDENT NON-VOTING COMMON STOCK PERFORMANCE
 
  Alex. Brown's analysis of the price performance of Independent Non-Voting
Common Stock consisted of an historical analysis of closing prices and trading
volumes from January 1, 1992 to October 17, 1995 and Independent's indexed
price performance relative to the Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 500
stocks (the "S&P 500") and relative to selected insurers, which included
American General Corporation, American National Insurance Company, Home
Beneficial Corporation, Jefferson-Pilot Corporation, The Liberty Corporation,
Providian Corporation, Torchmark Corporation and Unitrin, Inc. (the "Selected
Insurers"). For the period January 1, 1992 through July 12, 1995, this
analysis indicated an average closing price per share of the Independent Non-
Voting Common Stock of $15.63, a high closing price per share of $22.25, a low
closing price per share of $9.75, and average daily trading volume of 11,376
shares. This analysis reflects the period prior to the issuance, following the
close of the market on July 12, 1995, of a press release by Independent
stating that the Independent Board had authorized Independent's management to
look into methods of maximizing shareholder value, including investigating the
terms on which Independent might be combined with another company (the "Press
Release"). For the period subsequent to the Press Release (July 13, 1995 to
October 17, 1995), this analysis indicated an average closing price per share
of the Independent Non-Voting Common Stock of $23.39 a high closing price per
share of $26.25, a low closing price per share of $19.25, and average daily
trading volume of 37,422 shares. Additionally, this analysis indicated that
for the period January 1, 1992 to July 12, 1995, prior to the issuance of the
Press Release, the closing value of the S&P 500 increased 34.5% and the
closing index value of the Selected Insurers increased 28.8% compared to a
decrease in the closing price of the Independent Non-Voting Common Stock of
Independent of 30.9%. Alex. Brown noted that the Independent Voting Common
Stock is not traded.
 
 ANALYSIS OF SELECTED MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
 
  Alex. Brown performed an analysis of selected recent merger and acquisition
transactions involving companies in the life insurance industry that, in Alex.
Brown's judgment, were generally comparable, in whole or in part, to the
Merger. Alex. Brown reviewed a total of 10 mergers and acquisitions which were
consummated between April 1991 and August 1995. The transactions included
(acquiree/acquiror): Alexander Hamilton Life
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
Insurance Company of America/Jefferson-Pilot Corporation, Laurentian Capital
Corporation/American Annuity Group, Inc., Victory Life Insurance
Company/Americo Life, Inc., Lamar Financial Group, Inc./Life Partners Group,
Inc., The Franklin Life Insurance Company/American General Corporation,
American Income Holding, Inc./Torchmark Corporation, USLICO Corporation/NWNL
Companies, Inc., Academy Insurance Group, Inc./Capital Holding Corporation,
Old American Insurance Company/Kansas City Life Insurance Company, and Durham
Corporation/Capital Holding Corporation. Alex. Brown noted that the range of
purchase price to latest available operating earnings multiples (i) when
operating earnings are measured in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP") ranged from 6.9x to 22.1x with a median of
14.7x, versus a transaction multiple in the Merger of 28.9x and (ii) when
operating earnings are measured in accordance with statutory accounting
principles ranged from 8.6x to 23.5x with a median of 15.2x, versus a
transaction multiple in the Merger of 39.3x. Alex. Brown also noted the range
of purchase price to book value multiples (i) when book value is measured in
accordance with GAAP ranged from 0.6x to 2.8x with a median of 1.1x, versus a
transaction multiple in the Merger of 1.1x and (ii) when book value is
measured in accordance with statutory accounting principles ranged from 1.5x
to 3.2x with a median of 2.1x, versus a transaction multiple in the Merger of
2.8x. Alex. Brown noted that the median multiples for the transactions
reviewed are in a broad range and are therefore subject to different
interpretations.
 
 ANALYSIS OF PURCHASE PRICE PREMIUMS TO MARKET PRICE
 
  Alex. Brown noted that the per share value of the consideration to be
received in the Merger represents a premium of 96.4% over the closing market
price of the Independent Non-Voting Common Stock on the date of issuance of
the Press Release and a premium of 124.5% over the closing market price of the
Independent Non-Voting Common Stock thirty days prior to the date of the Press
Release. Alex. Brown also reviewed the purchase price premiums over closing
market price in selected recent merger and acquisition transactions involving
other companies in the life insurance industry. Alex. Brown reviewed a total
of nine mergers and acquisitions which were consummated between April 1991 and
September 1995. The transactions included (acquiree/acquiror): Financial
Benefit Group, Inc./AmVestors Financial Corporation, Laurentian Capital
Corporation/American Annuity Group, Inc., Kemper Corporation/Zurich Insurance
Group, American Income Holding, Inc./Torchmark Corporation, USLICO
Corporation/NWNL Companies, Inc., The Statesman Group, Inc./Conseco Capital
Partners II L.P., United Investors Management Company/Torchmark Corporation,
Colonial Companies, Inc./UNUM Corporation, and Durham Corporation/Capital
Holding Corporation.
 
  Alex. Brown noted that the purchase price per share in each of the other
transactions represented a premium over the closing per share market price of
the acquired securities one day prior to the first public announcement of the
transaction, or announcement of the possibility of a transaction, which ranged
from 1.3% to 31.9% with a median of 19.7%. Alex. Brown also noted that the
purchase price per share in each of the other transactions represented a
premium over the closing market price of the acquired securities thirty days
prior to the first public announcement of the transaction, or announcement of
the possibility of a transaction, which ranged from 10.3% to 44.0% with a
median of 27.0%.
 
 ANALYSIS OF SELECTED PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANIES
 
  Alex. Brown compared certain trading and financial statement data for
Independent with certain corresponding information for the Selected Insurers.
Alex. Brown noted that the Selected Insurers traded at price to trailing
twelve month operating earnings (defined as income from continuing operations
minus realized investment gains, tax-effected at 35%) multiples ranging from
9.9x to 18.8x with a median 11.8x, versus a transaction multiple in the Merger
of 28.9x. In addition, Alex. Brown noted that the Selected Insurers trade at
prices to estimated calendar 1995 earnings (based upon the compilation of
publicly available research estimates through the Institutional Brokerage
Estimates System ("I/B/E/S")) multiples ranging 9.9x to 15.5x with a median of
11.2x, versus a transaction multiple in the Merger of 27.5x. Alex. Brown also
noted that the Selected Insurers trade at prices to estimated calendar 1996
earnings (based on I/B/E/S) multiples ranging from 9.1x to 13.3x with a median
of 10.2x, versus a transaction multiple in the Merger of 22.9x. In addition,
Alex. Brown noted that the Selected Insurers traded at a price to GAAP book
value multiple ranging from 0.70x to 2.04x, with a median of 1.37x, versus a
transaction multiple in the Merger of 1.12x. Finally, Alex. Brown noted that
the median multiples for the Selected Insurers are based on a broad range of
multiples and, therefore, are subject to different interpretations.
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
  Alex. Brown further observed that historical five year earnings per share
growth for the Selected Insurers ranged from (3.1%) to 13.1% with a median of
10.8% compared to (22.7%) for Independent. The latest twelve months operating
return on equity (defined as operating income/average equity) for the Selected
Insurers ranged from 7.4% to 19.5% with a median of 9.4% compared to 4.2% for
Independent. Alex. Brown noted that the latest twelve months operating margin
(defined as operating income/(revenue-pretax realized gains)) for the Selected
Insurers ranged from 6.4% to 18.1% with a median of 11.6% compared to 3.7% for
Independent. Finally, Alex. Brown observed that the dividend yield for
Independent, based on the $14.00 per share closing stock price for the
Independent Non-Voting Common Stock on July 12, 1995, the date of the Press
Release, was 1.7% compared to a range of 2.1% to 4.3% and a median of 3.0% for
the Selected Insurers.
 
 ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN GENERAL 7% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
  Alex. Brown reviewed the terms of the American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock offered as an optional portion of consideration in the Merger.
Additionally, Alex. Brown reviewed the terms of currently outstanding
convertible preferred securities issued by American General and considered the
credit quality of American General in regards to its issuance of preferred
stock. Additionally, Alex. Brown reviewed the terms, yields and trading values
for selected preferred stocks that were similar to the American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock. The selected preferred stocks included Advanta
Corp.'s 6 3/4% Convertible Class B Preferred Stock (Series 1995); Alco
Standard Corporation's Convertible Preferred Stock, Series BB; Browning-Ferris
Industries, Inc.'s 7 1/4% Automatic Common Exchange Securities; and United
Companies Financial Corporation's 6 3/4% Preferred Redeemable Increased
Dividend Equity Securities. Alex. Brown noted that while these selected
preferred stocks were similar in certain respects to the American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock, none of these selected preferred stocks were
comparable in all respects. Alex. Brown was of the view that the terms of the
American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock were similar to, or better
than, the terms offered on similar securities issued by other corporations.
Alex. Brown indicated that, subject to the liquidity issues discussed below,
the $27.50 liquidation preference of the fraction of a share of American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock exchangeable for each share of
Independent Common Stock approximated market value. Alex. Brown also noted
that, although the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock to be
issued in the merger will be registered and American General has agreed to use
reasonable efforts to list the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
on the NYSE or the Nasdaq National Market, there is a possibility that the
market for the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock will be less
liquid than the market for many other similar preferred stocks and that the
value of a share of the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock may be
less, on a relative basis, than that of shares of similar convertible
preferred securities with more liquid markets.
 
 AMERICAN GENERAL COMMON STOCK PRICE ANALYSIS
 
  Alex. Brown reviewed certain financial and non-financial information, and
performed certain analyses relating to American General. These analyses
included (i) a review of American General's stock price and trading volume
activity from January 1, 1992 through October 17, 1995, (ii) a review of
American General's stock price performance from January 1, 1992 through
October 17, 1995 relative to the S&P 500 and an index of selected companies
(Transamerica Corporation, American National Insurance Company, Lincoln
National Corporation, Jefferson-Pilot Corporation, Providian Corporation,
Torchmark Corporation, and Unitrin, Inc., (collectively the "Selected
Companies")), (iii) a review of price to operating earnings multiples, price
to book value multiples and dividend yields of American General and the
Selected Companies. In its review of American General's stock trading from
January 1, 1992 through October 17, 1995, Alex. Brown observed a closing price
on October 17, 1995 of $38.125 per share, a high closing price per share of
$38.375, a low closing price per share of $20.25 and an average closing price
per share of $28.61. Alex. Brown observed that American General's stock
outperformed the S&P 500 and the index of Selected Companies over this time
period. In its review of price to earnings and price to book value multiples,
Alex. Brown observed that the price to latest twelve months operating income
for the Selected Companies ranged from 9.9x to 16.6x with a median of 11.7x
compared to 11.9x for American General. Alex. Brown also noted that the price
to 1996 estimated earnings (based on I/B/E/S estimates) for the Selected
Companies ranged from 9.1x to 13.3x with a median of 10.2x compared to 10.2x
for American General. Alex. Brown noted that the price to GAAP book value
multiples for the Selected Companies ranged from 0.70x to 2.04x with a median
of 1.22x compared to 1.44x for American General. Alex. Brown further noted
that American General had a dividend yield of 3.3% compared to a range of 2.1%
to 4.3% and a median of 2.9% for the Selected Companies.
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
 OTHER
 
  In the course of its review of the Actuarial Report, Alex. Brown analyzed
such report and made certain adjustments to the actuarial valuation contained
therein, which it believed were necessary and beyond its scope, to reflect as
of December 31, 1994 the value of Independent and its insurance and non-
insurance subsidiaries (including those not included in the Actuarial Report)
on a consolidated basis. Such adjustments included reductions to include a
range of discounts not reflected in the Actuarial Report but often applied by
buyers of insurance companies to reflect their reluctance to pay for
anticipated new business, less aggressive assumptions than those utilized in
the Actuarial Report as to the minimum amount of capital required to be held
in the form of surplus, and possible less profitable loss ratios for accident
and health business. Upward adjustments were made for the net assets of
subsidiaries not reflected in the Actuarial Report. Valuation reference ranges
were computed using discount rates ranging from 10% to 14%. This analysis by
Alex. Brown resulted in a reference range per share of $15.75 to $22.39 in a
scenario not taking into effect any possible cost savings. This analysis
resulted in a reference range per share of $22.61 to $32.30 in a revised
overhead expense scenario, in which $27.3 million in annual overhead expenses
(referenced in the Actuarial Report) would be eliminated over a five-year
period. Alex. Brown noted that its reference ranges do not reflect any
potential value of Independent's home office building in excess of its
carrying value and certain other potential liabilities of Independent,
including potential exposure to litigation in Alabama and potential exposure
to catastrophes.
 
  The summary set forth above does not purport to be a complete description of
the analyses performed and factors considered by Alex. Brown in arriving at
its opinion. Alex. Brown believes that its analyses and the summary set forth
above must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its
analyses, without considering all analyses, or selecting portions of the above
summary, without considering all factors and analyses, could create an
incomplete view of the process underlying the analyses performed, and factors
considered, by Alex. Brown in delivering its opinion. In performing its
analyses, Alex. Brown made numerous assumptions with respect to the
performance of the industries, general business, economic, market and
financial conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control
of Independent and American General. The analyses performed by Alex. Brown are
not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results, which may be
significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by such analyses.
 
  Accordingly, such analyses and estimates are inherently subject to
substantial uncertainty. Additionally, analyses relating to the values of
businesses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which
businesses may actually be sold or combined. Furthermore, no opinion is being
expressed as to the prices at which the American General securities to be
delivered in the Merger may trade at any time.
 
  Alex. Brown is a nationally recognized investment banking firm, engaged in
the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers
and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, private placements and valuations
for corporate and other purposes. Alex. Brown has provided various financing
and financial advisory services to Independent and received customary fees for
rendering such services. Alex. Brown has, in the past, acted as placement
agent in a private placement of debt securities for a subsidiary of
Independent. In addition, Alex. Brown acts as a market-maker for the
Independent Non-Voting Common Stock. Alex. Brown regularly publishes research
reports regarding the insurance and consumer finance industries and the
businesses and securities of publicly traded companies in those industries,
including Independent and American General. In the ordinary course of its
business, Alex. Brown may actively trade the equity securities of Independent
and American General for its own account or for the account of its customers
and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such
securities. Alex. Brown has served as a co-manager on two recent public
offerings of securities for American General.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the engagement letter, dated February 21, 1989, as
amended February 2, 1995, between Independent and Alex. Brown, Alex. Brown
received an annual retainer fee of $50,000. Independent also agreed to pay
Alex. Brown a fee of $750,000 upon delivery of its initial opinion, which fee
is payable without regard to the conclusions set forth in such opinion. In
addition, Independent agreed to pay Alex. Brown an additional fee of
$2,283,673 upon consummation of the Merger as compensation for financial
advisory services. Alex. Brown will be paid $150,000 for the delivery of each
additional opinion related to the Merger. Fees for such additional opinions
will be credited against the additional fee referenced above and are payable
without regard to the conclusions set forth in such opinions. In addition,
Independent has also agreed to
 
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<PAGE>
 
reimburse Alex. Brown for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection with rendering financial and advisory services, including fees and
disbursements of its legal counsel. Independent has agreed to indemnify Alex.
Brown and certain related persons against certain liabilities, including
certain liabilities under the federal securities laws, relating to, or arising
out of, its engagement.
 
AMERICAN GENERAL'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER
 
  The American General Board unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the
issuance of the Stock Consideration in connection with the Merger. The Merger
does not require the approval of the American General shareholders. In
reaching its conclusion to approve the Merger Agreement, the American General
Board determined that the Merger is consistent with and in furtherance of the
long-term business strategy of American General. The American General Board
believes that the acquisition of Independent will be an excellent geographic
and strategic fit with American General's existing life insurance business.
When the plan to consolidate Independent's operations into those of American
General's life insurance subsidiary, American General Life and Accident
Insurance Company ("AGLA"), is completed, American General expects a reduction
in annual operating expenses of $75 million. See "--Plans for Independent
After the Merger."
 
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
 
 GENERAL
 
  Certain directors and executive officers of Independent have interests in
the Merger that are in addition to the interests of Independent and its
shareholders generally. See "SECURITY OWNERSHIP--Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners, Directors and Management of Independent." The Independent
Board was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters,
in approving the Merger Agreement.
 
 INDEMNIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT'S DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  The Merger Agreement provides that AGC Life will indemnify the directors and
officers of Independent, to the extent such indemnification was available
prior to the Merger pursuant to (i) the FBCA; (ii) the Independent Articles;
(iii) the Independent Bylaws; (iv) similar organizational documents of any of
Independent's subsidiaries; or (v) pursuant to the terms of any
indemnification agreements entered into between Independent and any of
Independent's directors and/or officers with respect to matters occurring
prior to the Effective Time, and to continue for not less than six years from
the Effective Time the current directors' and officers' liability insurance
maintained by Independent, or the equivalent thereof, with respect to matters
occurring prior to the Effective Time, provided that in no event shall
American General or AGC Life be required to pay for such coverage any amount
per annum in excess of 200% of the aggregate premiums paid for such coverage
on an annualized basis in 1995.
 
 SEVERANCE PLAN
 
  Independent has a management severance plan. The management plan provides
that (i) the top tier (Wilford C. Lyon, Jacob F. Bryan IV, Boyd E. Lyon, Sr.,
and Kendall G. Bryan) will receive 2.5 times their annual base salary not to
exceed 290% of the Base Amount as defined in Section 2806(b)(3) of the Code in
order to avoid the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code; (ii) the
second tier (ten participants, including Michael C. Lyon, William G. Howard
and David A. Skup) will receive their annual base salary; and (iii) the third
tier (47 participants, including Guy Marvin III) will receive one-half their
annual base salary or one week's salary for every full year of service plus
one week's salary, whichever is greater, provided, however, that if a
participant is offered a position which is accepted by the participant, only
one-half of the severance will be paid. If no position is offered by American
General or if one is offered by American General and rejected by the
participant, the full amount of the severance becomes due. Payment of
severance to a participant is conditioned upon such participant remaining with
Independent until a date to be set by Independent and can be taken as a lump-
sum or salary continuation, which includes the continuation of certain
benefits.
 
 TRANSITION INCENTIVE COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS
 
  In connection with the announcement by Independent that the Independent
Board had authorized Independent's management to look into various methods of
maximizing shareholder value, the Independent Board determined that it was in
the best interest of Independent to provide an incentive to several members of
 
                                      56
<PAGE>
 
Independent's senior management to contribute to the continued success of
Independent during the period beginning on July 12, 1995 and ending on a date
to be set by Independent which is not more than six months after the date on
which the Effective Time occurs (the "Transition Period"). Accordingly,
Independent has entered into Transition Incentive Compensation Agreements (the
"Incentive Agreements") with nine members of its senior management, including
Guy Marvin, III, (the "Covered Managers"). Pursuant to the Incentive
Agreements, if a Covered Manager is terminated during the Transition Period
for any reason other than for cause, death or disability, such Covered Manager
will receive a severance benefit equal to one and one-half times the Covered
Manager's annual base compensation as of July 1, 1995. If a Covered Manager
(i) remains in the continuous service of Independent during the Transition
Period and, if offered, accepts a permanent position with American General or
one of its subsidiaries or (ii) dies or becomes disabled during the Transition
Period, he will receive a severance payment equal to three-fourths such
Covered Manager's annual base compensation as of July 1, 1995. If a Covered
Manager remains in the continuous service of Independent during the Transition
Period such Covered Manager will receive a severance payment equal to one and
one-half times such Covered Manager's annual base compensation as of July 1,
1995. Such Covered Managers are also eligible as third tier participants under
the Severance Plan described above.
 
 ACCELERATED VESTING OF PENSIONS
 
  Pursuant to Independent's Senior Executive ERISA Excess Plan, upon the
approval of the Merger Agreement by Independent shareholders, certain members
of Independent's senior management will receive 100% vesting of benefits.
 
PLANS FOR INDEPENDENT AFTER THE MERGER
 
  American General plans to consolidate Independent's operations into those of
AGLA which is expected to continue to be based in Nashville, Tennessee. AGLA
is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of American General that utilizes
employee agents to sell and service life and health insurance. The
consolidation is expected to take 18 to 24 months and, when completed, should
result in a substantial reduction in annual operating expenses. American
General will maintain a presence in Jacksonville, Florida subsequent to the
Merger through district sales offices.
 
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
 
  The following is a summary of the material provisions of the Merger
Agreement not summarized elsewhere in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. A copy
of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. The following
summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Merger Agreement.
 
 THE MERGER
 
  The Merger Agreement provides that, as soon as practicable following the
approval of the Merger Agreement by Independent's shareholders, and the
satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions to each party's obligation to
consummate the Merger, Independent will be merged with and into AGC Life in
accordance with the FBCA and The General and Business Corporation Law of
Missouri, the separate corporate existence of Independent will cease, and AGC
Life will continue as the surviving corporation ("Surviving Corporation") in
the Merger.
 
 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the directors and officers of AGC Life
immediately prior to the Effective Time, will be the directors and officers,
respectively, of the Surviving Corporation following the Merger.
 
 CHARTER AND BYLAWS
 
  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
of AGC Life as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time will be the
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, respectively, of the Surviving
Corporation following the Merger until thereafter amended as provided by law,
the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.
 
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
  The Merger Agreement contains various customary representations and
warranties of each of Independent and American General as to (i) due
organization, (ii) capitalization, (iii) ownership of subsidiaries, (iv)
authority relative to the Merger Agreement, (v) consents and approvals, (vi)
compliance with applicable laws, (vii) the accuracy of documents and reports
filed with the Commission, (viii) statutory financial statements, (ix) the
absence of certain changes, (x) the absence of undisclosed liabilities, (xi)
the absence of undisclosed litigation, (xii) the absence of defaults,
violations, breaches or conflicts with any agreements, governmental
authorizations or charter documents, (xiii) taxes, (xiv) title to property,
(xv) the accuracy of the information contained in reports filed with the
departments of insurance for all applicable domiciliary states, and the
conduct of insurance business by each of American General and Independent and
their respective insurance subsidiaries in compliance with applicable law,
(xvi) regulatory filings, (xvii) investments, (xviii) reserves , (xix) the
accuracy of the information provided for inclusion in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and the Registration Statement, (xx) no brokers being
entitled to fees in connection with the Merger other than as disclosed, (xxi)
environmental matters, and (xxii) full disclosure.
 
  American General has also made representations and warranties as to (i) the
ownership by American General and its subsidiaries of Independent Common Stock
and (ii) its reliance upon its independent investigation of Independent and
the warranties contained in the Merger Agreement and the absence of liability
on the part of the directors, officers and other representatives of
Independent and its subsidiaries for statements made to American General prior
to the execution of the Merger Agreement.
 
  Independent has also made representations and warranties as to (i) the
absence of redemptions of Independent Common Stock since January 1, 1995,
except for exchanges of Independent Voting Stock for Independent Non-Voting
Stock on a share for share basis, (ii) retirement and other employee plans and
matters relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended ("ERISA"), (iii) labor relations and other employee matters, (iv)
related party transactions, (v) the identification of affiliates and the
delivery of a letter agreement from affiliates in connection with Rule 145
under the Securities Act, (vi) the receipt of an opinion of Alex. Brown to the
effect that the consideration to be received by the Independent shareholders
in the Merger is fair from a financial point of view, (vii) obligations of
Independent and its subsidiaries under futures, option contracts, swaps, or
similar instruments ("Derivatives"), and (viii) material contracts to which
Independent or its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound.
 
  The respective representations and warranties of each of Independent and
American General will terminate at the Effective Time, other than the
representation and warranty of American General that it has conducted its own
independent review of Independent, has relied solely upon its own
investigation and analysis and the warranties contained in the Merger
Agreement and agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that none of
Independent, its subsidiaries or any of their respective directors, officers,
employees, affiliates, agents or representatives shall have any liability or
responsibility whatsoever to American General based upon any information
provided or made available, or statements made, to American General prior to
the execution of the Merger Agreement.
 
 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
 
  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Independent and American General have
agreed that, during the period from the date of the Merger Agreement until the
Effective Time, except as contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the
Independent disclosure letter or as mutually consented to, each of
Independent, AGC Life and American General and each of their respective
subsidiaries will conduct its business in the ordinary course consistent with
past practice and shall use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact their
respective business organizations and relationships with third parties. In
addition, each of Independent and American General have agreed not to, and not
to permit any subsidiary to: (i) amend its articles of incorporation or bylaws
(unless, in case of American General, it would not have any adverse impact on
the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or would not amend or
modify the terms of the capital stock of American General), (ii) split,
combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock (unless, in the case of
American General, it agrees to appropriate
 
                                      58
<PAGE>
 
adjustment to the Exchange Ratio), (iii) pay or declare any dividends or other
distributions (except for regular quarterly dividends), (iv) repurchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of Independent or
permit their respective subsidiaries to do so, (v) take any action that could,
directly or indirectly, cause the Merger to fail to qualify as a tax-free
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, or permit
their respective subsidiaries to do so, (vi) allow any of their respective
insurance subsidiaries to conduct transactions in specified investments except
in compliance with relevant investment policies and all applicable insurance
laws and regulations, or (vii) except to the extent necessary to comply with
the requirements of applicable laws and regulations, take, or agree to take,
any action that would make any of its representations and warranties
inaccurate in any material respect at any time prior to the Effective Time or
omit, or agree or commit to omit, to take any action necessary to prevent any
such representation or warranty from being inaccurate in any material respect
(provided that each of Independent and American General is permitted to take
or omit to take such action which (without any uncertainty) can be cured, and
in fact is cured, at or prior to the Effective Time) or take, or agree or
commit to take, any action that would result in, or is reasonably likely to
result in, any conditions to the Merger not being satisfied.
 
  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Independent has also agreed that, during
the period from the date of the Merger Agreement until the Effective Time,
Independent will not, and will not permit any subsidiary to: (i) merge or
consolidate with any other person or, except in the ordinary course of
business, acquire a material amount of assets of any other person, (ii) sell,
lease, license or otherwise surrender, relinquish or dispose of any material
facility owned or leased by it or any of its subsidiaries or any assets or
property which are material to it and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
except pursuant to existing disclosed contracts or commitments or in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (iii) issue any
capital stock or other securities or enter into any amendment of any material
term of any outstanding security, or incur any material indebtedness except in
the ordinary course of business pursuant to existing credit facilities or
arrangements, or amend or otherwise increase, accelerate the payment of
vesting of amounts payable or to become payable under or fail to make any
required contribution to, any Independent employee benefit plan, except in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as otherwise
permitted by the Merger Agreement, (iv) make any change in any accounting
method or accounting practice followed by it or any of its subsidiaries,
except in specified circumstances, or (v) settle any material audit, make or
change any material tax election or file amended tax returns.
 
  In addition, Independent has agreed not to, and to not permit any subsidiary
to (i) grant any increase in the compensation or benefits of directors,
officers, employees, consultants or agents (except in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice for any increase in the compensation of
employees who are not directors, officers or agents), (ii) enter into or amend
any employment agreement or other employment arrangement, except in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (iii) enter into
any agreement to purchase, or to lease for a term exceeding one year, any real
property, provided that Independent, or any of its subsidiaries, may as a
tenant, or a landlord, renew any existing lease for a term not exceeding
eighteen months, or (iv) release any third party from its obligations or grant
any consent under any existing standstill provision relating to any
Acquisition Proposal or otherwise under any confidentiality agreement or other
agreement, or fail to enforce fully any such agreement.
 
  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, American General has agreed that, from the
date of the Merger Agreement until the Effective Time, it will not and will
not permit any subsidiary to: (i) issue any shares of capital stock or other
securities (except for issuances of shares in the ordinary course pursuant to
any American General stock options) in connection with any transaction
requiring shareholder approval unless American General first notifies
Independent in writing of such transaction and provides Independent with
information with respect thereto, (ii) merge or consolidate with any other
person or, except in the ordinary course of business, acquire a material
amount of assets of any other person, if such merger, consolidation or
acquisition could reasonably be expected to have a material impact on the
ability of American General to consummate the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement, (iii) issue shares of any class or series of stock, or any
security convertible at the option of the holder thereof into shares of any
class or series of stock ranking senior to the American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock as to dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon
 
                                      59
<PAGE>
 
the liquidation of American General, and (iv) amend, alter or repeal, whether
by merger, consolidation or otherwise, any of the provisions of the American
General Articles or any of the resolutions contained therein which would
materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting
power of the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock or of the holder
thereof.
 
  In addition, from the date of the Merger Agreement until the Effective Time,
Independent has agreed that each of Independent and each Independent
subsidiary will (i) invest available cash only in corporate bonds (other than
bonds issued by public utilities) rated no higher than A1 nor lower than Baa3
by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. or no higher than A+ nor lower than BBB- by
Standard & Poors Corporation, with maturities of not fewer than five nor more
than ten years, (ii) maintain amounts in short-term investments equal to the
dividend amounts specified in the Merger Agreement, (iii) cease making
mortgage loans or purchasing mortgage-backed securities, and (iv) neither
purchase nor issue any Derivatives and use all reasonable efforts to sell,
closeout or otherwise liquidate, in an orderly fashion, any such Derivatives
which Independent owns.
 
 FILINGS AND OTHER ACTIONS
 
  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the parties have agreed that each of
Independent, American General and AGC Life will (i) promptly prepare and file
all requisite applications and notifications with the Florida Department of
Insurance, the Missouri Department of Insurance, and the insurance departments
of any other applicable states and make all filings and submissions under the
HSR Act, (ii) use all reasonable efforts to timely make all necessary filings
and timely seek all necessary consents, approvals, permits or authorizations
from the date of the Merger Agreement until the Effective Time, and (iii) use
all reasonable efforts to take all other actions, make all filings,
registrations and submissions, and do all things necessary or appropriate to
consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement as soon as
practicable.
 
 OTHER ACQUISITION PROPOSALS
 
  The Merger Agreement provides that, from the date of the Merger Agreement
until the termination thereof, neither Independent nor any of its subsidiaries
will initiate, solicit or encourage (including by way of furnishing
information or assistance), any proposal to purchase or acquire any equity
securities or (except in the ordinary course of business) assets of, or merge
or combine with Independent or any of its subsidiaries (each such proposal, an
"Acquisition Proposal"). Independent has also agreed not to take any other
action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal relating to,
or that may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal, or
enter into discussions or negotiate with any person or entity in furtherance
of such inquiries or to obtain an Acquisition Proposal, or agree to or endorse
any Acquisition Proposal, or authorize or permit any of the officers,
directors or employees of Independent or any of Independent's subsidiaries or
any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant or other
representative retained by Independent or any of Independent's subsidiaries to
take any such action.
 
  Independent has agreed to provide American General with prompt notice of its
receipt of an Acquisition Proposal from any third party. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, however, the Independent Board is not prohibited from (i)
furnishing information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with,
any person or entity in connection with an unsolicited bona fide proposal in
writing by such person or entity to acquire Independent pursuant to a merger,
consolidation, share exchange, business combination or other similar
transaction, or to acquire a substantial portion of the assets of Independent
or any of Independent's subsidiaries, if, and only to the extent that (A) the
Independent Board, after consultation with and based upon the advice of
independent legal counsel, determines in good faith that such action is
necessary for the Independent Board to comply with its fiduciary duties to
Independent's shareholders under applicable law and (B) prior to furnishing
such information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such
person or entity, Independent (x) provides written notice to American General
to the effect that it is furnishing information to, or entering into
discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity and (y) enters into
with such person or entity a confidentiality agreement in reasonably customary
form on terms not more favorable to such person or entity than the terms
contained in the Confidentiality Agreement dated April 26, 1995 by and between
Independent and American General, or (ii) complying with Rule 14e-2
promulgated under the Exchange Act with regard to an Acquisition Proposal. In
 
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<PAGE>
 
addition, Independent has agreed to cease and terminate any existing
activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties with respect to any
possible Acquisition Proposal, and to send a written notice to each party with
which it has had discussions during the 30 days prior to the date of Merger
Agreement to the effect that the Independent Board no longer seeks the making
of any Acquisition Proposal.
 
 EXPENSES
 
  The Merger Agreement provides that, except in the event of the termination
payments described below, whether or not the Merger is consummated, all costs
and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby will be paid by the party incurring such
expenses except that those expenses incurred in connection with printing and
mailing of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as well as the filing fees
relating to the Registration Statement and the HSR Act, will be shared equally
by Independent and American General.
 
 INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
 
  The Merger Agreement provides that all rights to indemnification existing in
favor of the present or former directors, officers, employees, fiduciaries and
agents of Independent or its subsidiaries (the "Indemnified Parties") as
provided in the Independent Articles or the Independent Bylaws or similar
organizational documents of any of its subsidiaries as in effect as of the
date of the Merger Agreement or pursuant to any indemnification agreements
between any of the Indemnified Parties and Independent with respect to matters
occurring prior to the Effective Time will survive the Merger and will
continue in full force and effect for the maximum term permitted by law, and
shall be enforceable by the Indemnified Parties against the Surviving
Corporation. In addition, AGC Life has agreed to maintain in effect for not
less than six years from the Effective Time the current policies of directors'
and officers' liability insurance maintained by Independent (provided that
American General may substitute therefor policies of equivalent coverage) with
respect to matters occurring prior to the Effective Time, provided that in no
event shall American General or AGC Life be required to pay for such coverage
any amount per annum in excess of 200% of the aggregate premiums paid for such
coverage on an annualized basis in 1995. These obligations survive the
consummation of the Merger and are intended to benefit each of the Indemnified
Parties.
 
 CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
 
  The Merger Agreement provides that the respective obligations of
Independent, AGC Life and American General to effect the Merger are subject to
the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Effective Time of each of the
following conditions: (i) the Merger Agreement and the Merger shall have been
approved and adopted by the requisite vote of Independent shareholders, (ii)
the waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the Merger under
the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated and no action shall have
been instituted by the DOJ or the FTC challenging or seeking to enjoin the
Merger, which action shall not have been withdrawn or terminated, (iii) no
statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or preliminary or
permanent injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced
by any federal or state court or governmental authority having jurisdiction
which prohibits, restrains, enjoins or restricts the consummation of the
Merger, (iv) all filings, permits, authorizations, consents, and approvals or
declarations or filings with, or expiration of waiting periods imposed by, any
governmental entity shall have been filed or obtained, and the appropriate
forms shall have been executed, filed and approved as required by the
corporate and insurance laws and regulations of the states of Florida and
Missouri, (v) the Registration Statement shall have become effective under the
Securities Act and shall not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings
seeking a stop order, (vi) the shares of American General Common Stock
issuable in the Merger shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, and
(vii) American General shall have used all reasonable efforts to have the
shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock issuable to
Independent's shareholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement authorized for
listing on either the NYSE or the Nasdaq National Market.
 
  The obligation of Independent to effect the Merger is subject to the
satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Effective Time of the following
additional conditions: (i) each of American General and AGC Life shall have
performed in all material respects its obligations contained in the Merger
Agreement required to be performed
 
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<PAGE>
 
by it at or prior to the Effective Time, (ii) all representations and
warranties of American General and AGC Life contained in the Merger Agreement
which are qualified with respect to materiality shall be true and correct in
all respects, and such representations and warranties that are not so
qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects in each case at
and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time (except to the
extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier
date, in which case as of such earlier date) except as otherwise permitted,
(iii) Independent shall have received a certificate of the Chairman of the
Board, the President, an Executive Vice President, a Senior Vice President or
the Chief Financial Officer of American General to the effect that the
conditions in clauses (i) and (ii) have been satisfied, (iv) Independent shall
have received an opinion from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, special
counsel to Independent, to the effect that the Merger will be treated for
federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Code, and (v) Independent shall have received an opinion from
Alex. Brown to the effect that the consideration to be received by Independent
shareholders in the Merger is fair to such shareholders from a financial point
of view.
 
  The obligations of American General and AGC Life to effect the Merger are
subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Effective Time of the
following additional conditions: (i) Independent shall have performed in all
material respects its obligations contained in the Merger Agreement required
to be performed by it at or prior to the Effective Time, (ii) all
representations and warranties of Independent contained in the Merger
Agreement which are qualified with respect to materiality shall be true and
correct in all respects, and such representations and warranties that are not
so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects in each case
at and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time (except to
the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an
earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), except as otherwise
permitted, (iii) American General and AGC Life shall have received a
certificate of the Chairman of the Board, the President, an Executive Vice
President, a Senior Vice President or the Chief Financial Officer of
Independent to the effect that the conditions in clauses (i) and (ii) of this
paragraph have been satisfied, and (iv) American General shall have received
an opinion from Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., special counsel to American General,
to the effect that the Merger will be treated for federal income tax purposes
as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
 
 TERMINATION
 
  The Merger Agreement provides that it may be terminated and the Merger
abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, (i) by mutual consent of
Independent and American General, (ii) by the Board of Directors of either
American General or Independent, if the Merger Agreement and the Merger shall
fail to receive the requisite vote for approval and adoption by the
shareholders of Independent at the Special Meeting, or if the Merger shall not
have been consummated by March 30, 1996, which date may be extended by written
notice of either American General or Independent to a date no later than June
30, 1996, if the Merger shall not have been consummated as a direct result of
the failure to obtain certain regulatory approvals, provided that the
terminating party is not in material breach of its representations, warranties
or covenants, (iii) by the Board of either American General or Independent if
a court of competent jurisdiction or agency or commission shall have issued an
order, decree or ruling or taken any other action permanently restraining,
enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement and such order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become
final and non-appealable provided certain conditions are satisfied, (iv) by
the Independent Board if (a) there has been a breach by American General or
AGC Life of any representation or warranty which would have or would be likely
to have a material adverse effect on American General, (b) there has been a
material breach of any covenants or agreements by American General, which
breach is not curable or, if curable, is not cured within thirty days notice,
or (c) prior to the Special Meeting, if the Independent Board has withdrawn,
modified or changed in a manner adverse to American General or AGC Life its
approval or recommendation of the Merger Agreement or the Merger in order to
approve and permit Independent to execute an agreement relating to an
Acquisition Proposal in circumstances where, based on a written opinion of
Independent's outside counsel, the failure to do so would result in a breach
of the fiduciary duties of the Independent Board (subject to Independent's
negotiation with American General to attempt to adjust the Merger Agreement to
permit Independent to proceed with the Merger); and (v) by the Board of
American General if (a) there has been a
 
                                      62
<PAGE>
 
breach by Independent of any representation or warranty which would have or
would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Independent,
(b) there has been a material breach of any covenants or agreements by
Independent, which breach is not curable or, if curable, is not cured within
thirty days notice or (c) the Independent Board shall have withdrawn, modified
or changed in a manner adverse to American General or AGC Life its approval or
recommendation of the Merger Agreement or the Merger or taken action in
relation to an Acquisition Proposal.
 
  The Merger Agreement further provides that, pending the Closing, American
General will not issue any capital stock in connection with any transaction
requiring shareholder approval unless American General first notifies
Independent and provides it with certain information. Thereafter, Independent
shall have the right, by giving notice to American General prior to 5:30 p.m.,
New York time, on the tenth Trading Day following receipt of such notice, to
terminate the Merger Agreement.
 
  In addition, the Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the
Effective Time (i) by Independent if the Average Closing Price is less than
$24.99 and (ii) by American General if the Average Closing Price is less than
$26.71.
 
  In the event of termination of the Merger Agreement by either Independent or
American General as described above, the Merger will be abandoned and there
will generally be no liability or obligation on the part of Independent,
American General or their respective subsidiaries, officers or directors
except for (i) certain specified obligations including without limitation
those relating to financial advisory and brokerage fees and expenses of the
Merger, (ii) damages occasioned by a party which is in material breach of its
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements, and (iii) under the
circumstances set forth in the paragraph below.
 
  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, under the circumstances set forth below,
Independent agrees to make certain termination payments to American General as
follows:
 
    (i) if an Acquisition Proposal which provides that Independent's
  shareholders will receive in excess of $27.50 per share is then outstanding
  and
 
      (A) the Board of Directors of Independent withdraws or modifies or
    changes in a manner adverse to American General or AGC Life its
    approval or recommendation of the Merger Agreement or the Merger in
    order to permit Independent to execute a definitive agreement relating
    to such Acquisition Proposal and Independent is unable to sustain the
    burden of proving that at least one condition to the consummation of
    the Merger (other than the conditions with respect to shareholder
    approval, receipt of a fairness opinion from Alex. Brown, the accuracy
    as of the Effective Time of Independent's representations and
    warranties and the performance by Independent of its obligations under
    the Merger Agreement) has not been satisfied and is unlikely to be
    satisfied by the Closing Date, or
 
      (B) the Merger Agreement and the Merger shall fail to receive the
    requisite vote for approval and adoption by the shareholders of
    Independent at the Special Meeting and Independent is unable to sustain
    the burden of proving that at least one condition to the consummation
    of the Merger (other than the conditions with respect to shareholder
    approval, receipt of a fairness opinion from Alex. Brown, the accuracy
    as of the Effective Time of Independent's representations and
    warranties and the performance by Independent of its obligations under
    the Merger Agreement) has not been satisfied and is unlikely to be
    satisfied by the Closing Date, or
 
      (C)  the Merger Agreement and the Merger receives the requisite vote
    for approval and adoption by the shareholders of Independent at the
    Independent Special Meeting, but Alex. Brown refuses or states that it
    will refuse to deliver the fairness opinion, and Independent is unable
    to sustain the burden of proving that at least one condition to the
    consummation of the Merger (other than the conditions with respect to
    shareholder approval, receipt of a fairness opinion from Alex. Brown,
    the accuracy as of the Effective Time of Independent's representations
    and warranties and the performance by Independent of its obligations
    under Merger Agreement) has not been satisfied and is unlikely to be
    satisfied by the Closing Date,
 
then Independent shall pay American General the sum of $14,000,000 in cash
(the "Termination Payment").
 
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<PAGE>
 
    (ii) if an Acquisition Proposal which provides that Independent's
  shareholders will receive in excess of $27.50 per share is then outstanding
  and
 
      (A) the Board of Directors of Independent withdraws or modifies or
    changes in a manner adverse to American General or AGC Life its
    approval or recommendation of the Merger Agreement or the Merger in
    order to permit Independent to execute a definitive agreement relating
    to such Acquisition Proposal and Independent is able to sustain the
    burden of proving that at least one condition to the consummation of
    the Merger (other than the conditions with respect to shareholder
    approval, receipt of a fairness opinion from Alex. Brown, the accuracy
    as of the Effective Time of Independent's representations and
    warranties and the performance by Independent of its obligations under
    the Merger Agreement) has not been satisfied and is unlikely to be
    satisfied as of the Closing Date, or
 
      (B) the Merger Agreement and the Merger shall fail to receive the
    requisite vote for approval and adoption by the shareholders of
    Independent at the Special Meeting and Independent is able to sustain
    the burden of proving that at least one condition to the consummation
    of the Merger (other than the conditions with respect to shareholder
    approval, receipt of a fairness opinion from Alex. Brown, the accuracy
    as of the Effective Time of Independent's representations and
    warranties and the performance by Independent of its obligations under
    the Merger Agreement) has not been satisfied and is unlikely to be
    satisfied by the Closing Date, or
 
      (C) the Merger Agreement and the Merger receives the requisite vote
    for approval and adoption by the shareholders of Independent at the
    Special Meeting, but Alex. Brown refuses or states that it will refuse
    to deliver the fairness opinion, and Independent is able to sustain the
    burden of proving that at least one condition to the consummation of
    the Merger (other than the conditions with respect to shareholder
    approval, receipt of a fairness opinion from Alex. Brown, the accuracy
    as of the Effective Time of Independent's representations and
    warranties and the performance by Independent of its obligations under
    the Merger Agreement) has not been satisfied and is unlikely to be
    satisfied by the Closing Date,
 
then Independent shall pay American General one-half the Termination Payment.
 
    (iii) if an Acquisition Proposal which provides that Independent's
  shareholders will receive in excess of $27.50 per share is not then
  outstanding and the Merger Agreement and the Merger shall fail to receive
  the requisite vote for approval and adoption by the shareholders of
  Independent at the Special Meeting and all other conditions to the
  consummation of the Merger have been satisfied or are likely to be
  satisfied (other than the conditions with respect to shareholder approval,
  receipt of a fairness opinion from Alex. Brown, the accuracy as of the
  Effective Time of Independent's representations and warranties and the
  performance by Independent of its obligations under the Merger Agreement),
  then Independent shall reimburse American General for its out-of-pocket
  expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the Merger, such
  reimbursement not to exceed one-third of the Termination Payment.
 
  All such termination payments shall be made as promptly as practicable but
not later than three business days after such termination, and such payments
shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
designated by American General.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
  The Merger will be treated as a purchase by American General for accounting
and financial reporting purposes. Under the purchase method of accounting, the
assets and liabilities of Independent will be recorded on the consolidated
books of American General at their fair values at the Effective Time.
 
REGULATORY FILINGS AND APPROVALS
 
  The regulatory filings and approvals described below must be made before the
Merger can be effected and may take a significant period of time to obtain.
Although Independent and American General believe that such approvals will be
obtained, there can be no assurance that this will be the case or that such
approvals will be obtained in a timely manner or that such approvals will not
be conditioned temporarily or otherwise encumbered.
 
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<PAGE>
 
 APPROVAL BY INSURANCE REGULATORS
 
  Before the Merger can be effected, Independent and American General will be
required to obtain the prior approvals of the Florida Department of Insurance
and the Missouri Department of Insurance, respectively, pursuant to applicable
laws and regulations. Independent and American General have made the necessary
filings with the Florida Department of Insurance and the Missouri Department
of Insurance to obtain these approvals and are prepared to make any additional
filings where necessary. Notification of approval was received from the
Missouri Department of Insurance on November 29, 1995 and from the Florida
Department of Insurance on January 26, 1996.
 
 ANTITRUST
 
  The Merger is subject to the expiration or termination of the 30-day waiting
period under the HSR Act and no action having been instituted by the DOJ or
the FTC which is not withdrawn or terminated prior to the Effective Time. The
HSR Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, provide that certain merger
transactions (including the Merger) may not be consummated until required
information and materials have been furnished to the DOJ and the FTC and
certain waiting periods have expired or been terminated. Independent and
American General made their respective filings with the DOJ and the FTC on
November 2, 1995, and received notice of early termination of the waiting
period on November 15, 1995.
 
  The DOJ and the FTC frequently scrutinize the legality under the antitrust
laws of transactions such as the Merger. Notwithstanding the expiration of the
HSR waiting period, any time before or after the Effective Time, the FTC, the
DOJ or others can take action under the antitrust laws, including seeking to
enjoin the consummation of the Merger, or seeking the divestiture by American
General of all or any part of the stock or assets of Independent. There can be
no assurances that a challenge to the Merger on antitrust grounds will not be
made, or if such a challenge is made, that it would not be successful.
 
  Any pre-acquisition notices regarding the competitive impact of the Merger
will be timely filed with various insurance departments in non-domiciliary
states where both Independent and American General insurance subsidiaries
transact business. Otherwise, after the Merger, any of these insurance
subsidiaries would be subject to a possible order (i) requiring the insurer to
cease transacting a line or lines of business or (ii) denying the license
application of the insurer.
 
STATE ANTI-TAKEOVER STATUTES
 
  Section 607.0901 of the FBCA prohibits business combination transactions
involving a Florida corporation (such as Independent) and an "Interested
Shareholder" (defined generally as any person that directly or indirectly
beneficially owns 10% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the subject
corporation), unless special requirements are met or certain exceptions apply,
including that the majority of the disinterested members of the board of
directors of the subject corporation approved the acquisition of shares by
such Interested Shareholder. Because the Independent Board has approved the
Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, the provisions of
Section 607.0901 are not applicable to the Merger. See "DESCRIPTION OF
INDEPENDENT CAPITAL STOCK--Florida Anti-Takeover Law and Certain Charter
Provisions--Florida Affiliated Transactions Statute."
 
  Section 607.0902 of the FBCA generally denies voting rights to shares
purchased by an acquiring person who has obtained or anticipates obtaining a
specified level of voting control in shares of an issuing public corporation
as part of a control-share acquisition, except to the extent that such voting
rights are conferred by resolution of the shareholders of the issuing public
corporation. A vote of the shareholders to confer voting power under the
statute must meet the criteria set forth in the statute, including the
requirement for approval by a majority of all votes entitled to be cast by
each voting group entitled to vote separately, excluding all interested
shares. Because the statute specifically exempts both a merger effected in
compliance with the FBCA and a transaction approved by the board of directors
of the issuing public corporation, the provisions of Section 607.0902 are not
applicable to the Merger. See "DESCRIPTION OF INDEPENDENT CAPITAL STOCK--
Florida Anti-Takeover Law and Certain Charter Provisions--Florida Control-
Share Acquisitions Statute."
 
                                      65
<PAGE>
 
  Independent, directly or through subsidiaries, conducts business in a number
of other states throughout the United States, some of which have also enacted
anti-takeover laws. Independent and American General do not know whether any
of these laws, by their terms, apply to the Merger and have not attempted to
comply with any such laws. Should any person seek to apply any such state
anti-takeover laws, Independent and American General will take such action as
then appears appropriate, which may include challenging the validity or
applicability of any such statute in appropriate court proceedings. In the
event it is asserted that one or more state anti-takeover statutes is
applicable to the Merger, and an appropriate court does not determine that it
is inapplicable or invalid as applied to the Merger, Independent and American
General might be required to file certain information with, or receive
approvals from, the relevant state authorities. In addition, if enjoined,
Independent and American General might be delayed in, or prevented from,
consummating the Merger.
 
OPERATIONS AFTER THE MERGER
 
  As a result of the Merger, the separate existence of Independent and the
Independent Board will terminate, but the directors of American General and
AGC Life will continue in office. The Merger Agreement does not contain any
provisions either (i) obligating American General to employ any officer or
employee of Independent following the Merger or (ii) requiring the election or
nomination of any specified individuals or any specified number of persons to
the board of directors of either AGC Life or American General.
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER
 
  The following is a discussion of the material federal income tax
consequences of the Merger under existing federal income tax law, which is
subject to change, possibly retroactively. Insofar as such discussion relates
to matters of law and legal conclusions, such discussion is the opinion of
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, counsel to Independent, and Vinson &
Elkins L.L.P., counsel to American General. This discussion assumes that
shareholders hold Independent Common Stock as capital assets as of the
effective date of the Merger. This discussion does not discuss all aspects of
federal income taxation which may be relevant to particular shareholders in
light of their personal circumstances, such as holders whose stock or options
were acquired pursuant to the exercise of an employee stock option or
otherwise as compensation, nor to shareholders who are subject to special
treatment under the federal income tax laws (for example, financial
institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, broker-dealers
and foreign persons), nor does it discuss any aspects of state, local or
foreign tax law. Each shareholder is advised to consult his own tax advisor as
to the federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of
the Merger.
 
  The obligation of Independent to consummate the Merger is conditioned upon
the receipt by Independent of an opinion from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &
Flom, and the obligation of American General to consummate the Merger is
conditioned upon the receipt by American General of an opinion from Vinson &
Elkins L.L.P., in each case substantially to the effect that, on the basis of
facts, representations and assumptions set forth in such opinions, the Merger
will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"). In accordance with such opinions, for federal income tax
purposes, Independent, American General and AGC Life will each be a "party to
a reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code and no gain
or loss will be recognized by Independent, American General or AGC Life by
reason of the Merger. Independent will not waive the condition requiring the
receipt of such an opinion from its counsel.
 
  The federal income tax consequences to a shareholder will depend on whether
the shareholder receives only American General Stock, a combination of
American General Stock and cash, or any cash in exchange for the shareholder's
Independent Common Stock pursuant to the Merger.
 
 RECEIPT OF ONLY AMERICAN GENERAL STOCK
 
  A shareholder who receives solely American General Stock in exchange for
Independent Common Stock will not recognize gain or loss upon such exchange
(except to the extent cash is received in lieu of fractional shares).
Accordingly, (i) the aggregate tax basis of the American General Stock
received by the shareholder
 
                                      66
<PAGE>
 
(allocated in the case of a shareholder who receives shares of both American
General Common Stock and American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock in
proportion to their respective fair market values) will be the same as the
aggregate tax basis of the Independent Common Stock surrendered in exchange
therefor pursuant to the Merger (adjusted with respect to fractional shares)
and (ii) the holding period of the American General Stock will include the
holding period of the Independent Common Stock surrendered in exchange
therefor pursuant to the Merger.
 
  A shareholder who receives cash in lieu of fractional shares will be treated
as having received such fractional shares pursuant to the Merger and then as
having exchanged such fractional shares for cash in a redemption by American
General. The amount of any capital gain or loss attributable to such deemed
redemption of fractional shares will be equal to the difference between the
cash received in lieu of fractional shares and the ratable portion of the tax
basis of the Independent Common Stock surrendered that is allocated to such
fractional shares.
 
 RECEIPT OF CASH AND AMERICAN GENERAL STOCK
 
  Subject to the exception described below in "--Additional Considerations," a
shareholder who receives a combination of American General Stock and cash in
exchange for Independent Common Stock will recognize capital gain, but not
loss, with respect to each block of Independent Common Stock surrendered
(shares of Independent Common Stock acquired at the same time in a single
transaction) in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the amount of gain
realized (i.e., the excess of the amount of cash and the fair market value of
American General Stock received that is allocable to such block of Independent
Common Stock over the tax basis of such block) and (ii) the amount of cash
received allocable to such block of Independent Common Stock. For purposes of
such calculation, the aggregate amount of cash and American General Stock
received by a shareholder will be allocated proportionally among the shares of
Independent Common Stock surrendered. The aggregate tax basis of the American
General Stock received by a shareholder (allocated in the case of a
shareholder who receives shares of both American General Common Stock and
American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock in proportion to their
respective fair market values) will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of
the Independent Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor pursuant to the
Merger, decreased by the total amount of cash received and increased by the
amount of gain recognized. The holding period of the American General Stock
will include the holding period of the Independent Common Stock surrendered.
 
  Shareholders who have different blocks of Independent Common Stock may wish
to investigate submitting separate Transmittal Letters for each block in order
to claim the receipt of different mixes of consideration with respect to each
block. This may result in a more favorable calculation of recognized gain
under the foregoing rules, but may also reduce the aggregate amount of cash
consideration received by a shareholder because of the rules governing the
allocation of cash available for election.
 
 RECEIPT OF ONLY CASH
 
  Subject to the exception described below in "--Additional Considerations," a
shareholder who receives solely cash in exchange for Independent Common Stock
will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference
between the amount of cash received and the aggregate tax basis of the
Independent Common Stock surrendered. Gain or loss must be calculated
separately for each block of Independent Common Stock held by a shareholder.
 
 ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
  With respect to shareholders who receive cash in the Merger, it is possible
that, under certain circumstances, the gain recognized could be treated as
dividend income rather than capital gain unless the requirements of Section
302 of the Code are satisfied. In order to determine whether those
requirements are satisfied, a shareholder is treated as receiving American
General Stock in the Merger (instead of the cash actually received) and then
receiving cash from American General in a hypothetical redemption of those
shares. The hypothetical redemption will satisfy the requirements under
Section 302 if it either (i) is "not essentially equivalent to a
 
                                      67
<PAGE>
 
dividend" or (ii) has the effect of a "substantially disproportionate"
redemption of American General Stock. Whether such cash received by a
shareholder in such hypothetical redemption of American General Stock is "not
essentially equivalent to a dividend" depends on the individual facts and
circumstances of each shareholder but in any event must result in a meaningful
reduction of a shareholder's proportionate interest in the American General
Stock. Alternatively, the hypothetical redemption of the American General
Stock will be "substantially disproportionate" if the ratio of the
shareholder's ownership of American General Stock after the hypothetical
redemption is less than 80% of the ratio of American General Stock
hypothetically owned by the shareholder after the Merger but before the
redemption. If the receipt of cash is treated as having the effect of a
dividend, only the portion of the recognized gain that is not in excess of the
shareholder's ratable share of the accumulated earnings and profits of
American General will be taxable as a dividend.
 
  In applying the foregoing tests, there must be taken into account not only
actual ownership of stock but also stock constructively owned by a shareholder
by reason of certain attribution rules under Section 318 of the Code. Under
these rules, a shareholder is treated as owning the stock owned by certain
family members, stock subject to an option to acquire such stock, stock owned
by certain estates and trusts of which the shareholder is a beneficiary, and
stock owned by certain affiliated entities. Under certain circumstances, an
individual who actually owns no American General Stock but pursuant to Section
318 of the Code constructively owns American General Stock by reason of
attribution from family members may avoid such attribution by filing a timely
agreement with the Internal Revenue Service under Section 302(c)(2) of the
Code and the regulations thereunder. Because of the complexity of these rules,
each holder of Independent Common Stock who believes these rules might apply
to him is urged to contact his own tax advisor.
 
  In addition, shareholders who receive American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock could be subject to special rules under Section 306 of the
Code on the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition thereof if the
receipt of cash in lieu of such stock would have been treated as a dividend
under the Section 302 rules described above. Each shareholder is encouraged to
consult his or her own tax advisors on the potential application of Section
306 to the receipt of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock.
 
  Under recent statutory proposals released by President Clinton on January
22, 1996, certain types of preferred stock, which could be interpreted to
include American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock that is received by
stockholders in exchange for their Independent Common Stock in the Merger,
will be treated as taxable "other property" rather than as tax-free stock
consideration. The transitional rule contained in the proposed legislation
states that the legislation would not apply to any stock issued pursuant to a
written agreement that was (subject to customary conditions) binding on
December 7, 1995, and at all times thereafter before the stock was issued. On
January 25, 1996, certain terms of the American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock relating to voting rights were amended in order to meet
certain requirements for listing on the NYSE, although neither American
General nor Independent views these amendments as material for purposes of the
transitional rule. Accordingly, although it is uncertain whether the proposed
legislation will be enacted and, if enacted, whether it will contain
transitional relief that will apply to American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock, it presently appears that the proposed legislation is not
intended to apply to the Merger because the Merger Agreement, having supplied
all material terms, was executed and, therefore, binding on October 19, 1995.
 
  EACH SHAREHOLDER IS ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO
PARTICULAR FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH MAY BE UNIQUE TO SUCH SHAREHOLDER AND
ALSO AS TO ANY ESTATE, GIFT, STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING
OUT OF THE MERGER.
 
  For a description of certain tax consequences relating to the ownership and
disposition of American General Stock issuable in the Merger, see "DESCRIPTION
OF AMERICAN GENERAL CAPITAL STOCK--Certain Federal Income Tax Aspects Relating
to the Ownership and Disposition of American General Common Stock and American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock."
 
                                      68
<PAGE>
 
RESTRICTIONS ON SALES OF SHARES BY AFFILIATES
 
  The shares of American General Stock issuable in connection with the Merger
have been registered under the Securities Act. Such shares will be freely
transferable under the Securities Act, except for shares issued to any person
who may be deemed to be an affiliate, as such term is defined under the
Securities Act for purposes of Rule 145 (an "Affiliate"), of Independent or
American General at the time of the Special Meeting. Affiliates may not sell
their shares of American General Stock acquired in connection with the Merger
except pursuant to (i) an effective Registration Statement under the
Securities Act covering such shares, (ii) the conditions contemplated by
paragraph (d) of Rule 145, or (iii) any other applicable exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act. Persons who may be deemed to
be Affiliates of Independent or American General generally include individuals
or entities that may be deemed to control, be controlled by or be under common
control with Independent or American General, and may include officers,
directors and principal shareholders of Independent or American General.
 
STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
 
  The obligations of the parties to the Merger Agreement to consummate the
Merger are subject to the shares of American General Common Stock to be issued
in connection with the Merger being authorized for listing on the NYSE and the
use of all reasonable efforts by American General to have the American General
7% Convertible Preferred Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger
authorized for listing on either the NYSE or the Nasdaq National Market. No
assurance can be given that such shares will in fact be so listed, or, if
listed, that an active trading market with respect to such shares will develop
or be sustained. See "RISK FACTORS--Uncertainty as to Trading Market and
Liquidity for American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock After the
Merger" and "--The Merger Agreement--Conditions to the Merger."
 
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
 
  Holders of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock do not have dissenters'
rights in connection with the Merger because Independent Non-Voting Common
Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market as of the Record Date. However,
holders of Independent Voting Common Stock who comply with the requirements of
Sections 607.1320 of the FBCA may dissent from the Merger and obtain payment
for the fair value of their Independent Common Stock. Such fair value is
exclusive of any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the Merger,
unless such exclusion would be inequitable. The appraised value of shares of
Independent Common Stock of a dissenting shareholder may be either greater or
less than the consideration that a shareholder of Independent is entitled to
receive in the Merger.
 
  The following is a summary of the statutory procedure to be followed by a
holder of Independent Voting Common Stock in order to dissent from the Merger
and enforce his right to receive fair value for his shares of Independent
Voting Common Stock if the Merger is approved and consummated. This summary
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the full text of such provisions, which is set forth as Annex C to this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
 
  Any holder of Independent Voting Common Stock electing to exercise
dissenters' rights with respect to the Merger must deliver to Independent
before the Special Meeting, or at such Special Meeting but before the vote on
the Merger is taken, a written notice of such shareholder's intent to demand
payment of the fair value of such shareholder's Independent Voting Common
Stock if the Merger is consummated. This written objection must be in addition
to and separate from any proxy or vote against the Merger. A VOTE BY A
SHAREHOLDER IN FAVOR OF THE MERGER WITH RESPECT TO ANY SHARES OF INDEPENDENT
VOTING COMMON STOCK WILL CAUSE SUCH SHAREHOLDER'S DISSENTERS' RIGHTS WITH
RESPECT TO SUCH SHARES TO BE LOST. Because a signed proxy card left blank
will, unless revoked, be voted FOR the Merger, in order to be assured that
such shareholder's Independent Voting Common Stock is not voted in favor of
the Merger, a shareholder electing to exercise dissenter rights who votes by
proxy must not leave the proxy card blank but must (i) vote AGAINST the Merger
or (ii) ABSTAIN from voting for or against the Merger. Neither a vote against
the Merger nor a proxy card directing such vote nor an abstention will satisfy
the requirement that a written objection to the transaction be delivered to
Independent before the vote upon the Merger.
 
                                      69
<PAGE>
 
  Within ten days after the date on which the shareholders' vote authorizing
such action is taken, Independent (or AGC Life, if the time period referred to
is after the Effective Time) will give written notice of such authorization to
each shareholder who filed a written notice of intent to demand payment for
his shares, excepting any shareholder who voted for or consented in writing to
the proposed action and who thereby is deemed to have elected not to enforce
his right to receive payment for his shares.
 
  Within twenty days after the giving of notice to him, any shareholder who
elects to dissent must file with Independent (or AGC Life, if the time period
referred to is after the Effective Time) a written notice of such election,
stating his name and address, the number and classes of shares as to which he
dissents and a demand for payment of the fair value of his shares. Any
shareholder failing to file such election to dissent within the twenty day
period will be bound by the terms of the Merger. Each shareholder demanding
payment shall submit the certificate or certificates representing his or her
shares of Independent Voting Common Stock to Independent (or AGC Life, if the
time period referred to is after the Effective Time) simultaneously with the
filing of such election to dissent. A shareholder may dissent as to less than
all of the shares as to which he has a right to dissent, held by him of record
or that he owns beneficially.
 
  Upon filing an election to dissent, each dissenting shareholder will cease
to have any of the rights of a shareholder. Such shareholder will have only
the right to be paid the fair value of his shares and any other rights
provided by Section 607.1320. A notice of election to dissent may be withdrawn
by the shareholder at any time before an offer is made by Independent (or AGC
Life, if the time period referred to is after the Effective Time) to pay an
amount which Independent (or AGC Life, if the time period referred to is after
the Effective Time) considers to be the fair value of Independent Voting
Common Stock owned by such shareholder. After such offer is made, a notice of
election may be withdrawn only if Independent (or AGC Life, if the time period
referred to is after the Effective Time) consents thereto. If a notice of
election to dissent is withdrawn, or the Merger is abandoned or rescinded or
the shareholders revoke the authority to effect the Merger, or no demand or
petition for the determination of fair value by a court has been made or filed
within the required time period, or a court shall determine that the
shareholder is not entitled to receive payment for his shares, he shall not
have the right to receive payment for his shares and he shall be reinstated to
all his rights as a shareholder as of the filing of his notice of election,
including any intervening preemptive rights and the right to payment of any
intervening dividend or other distribution or, if any such rights have expired
or any such dividend or distribution other than in cash has been completed, in
lieu thereof, at the election of Independent (or AGC Life, if the time period
referred to is after the Effective Time), the fair value thereof in cash as
determined by the board of directors of Independent (or AGC Life, if the time
period referred to is after the Effective Time) as of the time of such
expiration or completion, but without prejudice otherwise to any corporate
proceedings that may have been taken in the interim.
 
  Within ten days after the expiration of the period within which shareholders
may file their notices of election to dissent, or within ten days after the
Merger is consummated, whichever is later (but in no case later than ninety
days from the shareholders' authorization date), Independent (or AGC Life, if
the time period referred to is after the Effective Time) will make a written
offer to each shareholder who has filed such notice of election to pay for his
shares at a specified price which Independent (or AGC Life, if the time period
referred to is after the Effective Time) considers to be their fair value.
Such offer shall be accompanied by (i) the balance sheet of Independent (or
AGC Life, if the time period referred to is after the Effective Time) as of
the latest available date but not more than twelve months prior to the making
of such offer; and (ii) the profit and loss statement of Independent (or AGC
Life, if the time period referred to is after the Effective Time) for the
twelve-month period ended on the date of such balance sheet. If within thirty
days after the making of such offer, any shareholder accepts the offer by
Independent (or AGC Life, if the time period referred to is after the
Effective Time), payment therefor shall be made within ninety days after the
making of such offer or the consummation of the Merger, whichever is later.
Upon payment of the agreed value, the dissenting shareholder will cease to
have any interest in such shares.
 
  If Independent (or AGC Life, if the time period referred to is after the
Effective Time) fails to make such offer within such period of ten days, or if
it makes the offer and any dissenting shareholder or shareholders fail to
agree with it within the period of thirty days thereafter upon the price to be
paid for such shares, Independent
 
                                      70
<PAGE>
 
(or AGC Life, if the time period referred to is after the Effective Time)
will, within thirty days after receipt of a written demand from any dissenting
shareholder, given within 60 days after the Merger was effected (or at its
election at any time within such period of 60 days), file an action in any
court of competent jurisdiction in Duval County, Florida requesting that the
fair value of such shares be determined. If Independent (or AGC Life, if the
time period referred to is after the Effective Time) fails to institute the
proceeding, any dissenting shareholder may do so in the name of Independent
(or AGC Life, if the time period referred to is after the Effective Time). All
dissenting shareholders whose demands remain unsettled are required to be made
parties to such proceeding. The jurisdiction of the court in the appraisal
proceeding is plenary and exclusive, and all shareholders who are proper
parties to the proceeding will be entitled to judgment against Independent (or
AGC Life, if the time period referred to is after the Effective Time) for the
amount of the fair value of their shares. The court may, if it so elects,
appoint one or more person(s) as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend
a decision on the question of fair value. Independent (or AGC Life, if the
time period referred to is after the Effective Time) will pay each dissenting
shareholder the amount found to be due within ten days after the final
determination of the proceedings. Upon payment, the dissenting shareholder
will cease to have any interest in such shares. The court has the discretion
to include a fair rate of interest.
 
  The costs and expenses of any such dissent proceeding will be determined by
the court and will be assessed against Independent (or AGC Life, if the time
period referred to is after the Effective Time), but costs and expenses may be
apportioned and assessed against all or some of the dissenting shareholders to
whom Independent made an offer to pay for the shares, in such amounts as the
court deems equitable, to the extent that the court finds such dissenting
shareholders acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith in demanding
payment after receiving an offer of payment from Independent. The court may
also assess Independent (or AGC Life, if the time period referred to is after
the Effective Time) the reasonable compensation and expenses of the
appraisers. If the fair value of the shares, as determined by the court,
materially exceeds the amount offered by Independent (or AGC Life, if the time
period referred to is after the Effective Time) or if no offer was made, the
court may award to any dissenting shareholder that is a party such sum as it
determines to be reasonable compensation to any attorney or expert employed by
such shareholder.
 
 
                                      71
<PAGE>
 
                 DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN GENERAL CAPITAL STOCK
 
AMERICAN GENERAL COMMON STOCK
 
  American General is authorized to issue 300,000,000 shares of American
General Common Stock, par value $.50 per share. As of December 31, 1995, there
were outstanding 203,948,246 shares of American General Common Stock.
 
  Holders of American General Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends
when, as and if declared by the American General Board out of any funds
legally available therefore, and are entitled upon liquidation, after claims
of creditors and preferences of any series of American General Preferred
Stock, to receive pro rata the net assets of American General.
 
  The holders of American General Common Stock are entitled to one vote for
each share held. Directors of American General are elected for a one-year term
expiring upon the annual meeting of shareholders of American General. The
holders of American General Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights.
 
  The holders of American General Common Stock do not have any preemptive
rights to acquire any shares or other securities of any class which may at any
time be issued, sold or offered for sale by American General. The holders of
American General Common Stock have no conversion rights and the American
General Common Stock is not subject to redemption by either American General
or a shareholder.
 
  The American General Common Stock is listed and traded on the NYSE, Pacific
Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, Basel Stock Exchange, Geneva Stock
Exchange and Zurich Stock Exchange under the symbol "AGC." First Chicago Trust
Company of New York is the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing
agent for the American General Common Stock. Its address is P.O.Box 2500,
Jersey City, New Jersey 07303-2500, and its telephone number is (800) 519-
3111.
 
AMERICAN GENERAL PREFERRED STOCK
 
  Pursuant to the American General Articles, the American General Bylaws and
the TBCA, the American General Board, or an authorized committee thereof, has
the authority, without further shareholder action, to issue up to 60,000,000
shares of American General Preferred Stock, par value $1.50 per share
("American General Preferred Stock"), in one or more series and in such
amounts and for such consideration, as may be determined from time to time by
resolution of the American General Board, or an authorized committee thereof,
and to fix before the issuance of any shares of American General Preferred
Stock of a particular series, the number of shares constituting that series
and the distinctive designation of that series; the dividend rate (or method
of determining the same); the voting rights; conversion or exchange
provisions; redemption provisions; repurchase obligations; sinking fund
availability; rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up; restrictions
upon American General with respect to the creation of debt or the issuance of
additional American General Preferred Stock or other stock ranking senior with
respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up; restrictions upon American General
with respect to the issuance of, payment of dividends upon, or the making of
other distributions with respect to, or the acquisition or redemption of,
shares of stock ranking pari passu with or junior to such series of American
General Preferred Stock; the priority of such series of American General
Preferred Stock in relation to other series of American General Preferred
Stock; and any other designations, powers, preferences and rights, including,
without limitation, any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.
The holders of any series of American General Preferred Stock shall not have
any preemptive rights to acquire any shares or securities of any class which
may at any time be issued, sold or offered for sale by American General.
 
  As of the date hereof, American General has no American General Preferred
Stock outstanding; however, American General does have Rights (as defined
below) outstanding and has designated 5,000,000 shares of American General
Series A Preferred Stock (as defined below) for issuance upon exchange of the
American General Series A Preferred Securities (as defined below). A
description of the Rights and the American General
 
                                      72
<PAGE>
 
Series A Preferred Stock is provided below. See "--American General Preferred
Share Purchase Rights" and "--American General Series A Preferred Securities."
 
AMERICAN GENERAL PREFERRED SHARE PURCHASE RIGHTS
 
  On July 27, 1989, the American General Board authorized the issuance of one
preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each share of American General
Common Stock outstanding on August 7, 1989 and for each share of American
General Common Stock issued thereafter but prior to the earlier of the
Distribution Date and the Termination Date (as each such term is defined
below). A Right is attached to each share of American General Common Stock and
entitles the registered holder to purchase from American General one one-
hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par
value $1.50 per share, of American General (the "American General Junior
Preferred Shares") at a price of $120 per one one-hundredth of an American
General Junior Preferred Share, subject to certain adjustments.
 
  The Rights will expire on August 7, 1999, unless the expiration date is
extended or the Rights are redeemed earlier (any such date being the
"Termination Date"). The Rights are not exercisable or transferable separately
from the shares of American General Common Stock until the "Distribution Date"
which will occur on the earlier of (i) 10 business days following the first
public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons
(an "Acquiring Person") has acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of
the outstanding American General Common Stock and any other shares of capital
stock of American General entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors or entitled to vote in respect of any merger, consolidation, sale of
all or substantially all of American General's assets, liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of American General (the "Voting Stock") or (ii) 10
business days following the commencement of, or the first public announcement
of an intention to commence, a tender or exchange offer the consummation of
which would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of
affiliated or associated persons of 25% or more of the then outstanding Voting
Stock.
 
  In the event American General is acquired in a merger or other business
combination transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earnings
power should be sold or otherwise transferred, each holder of a Right will
have the right to receive, upon payment of the right's then current exercise
price, common stock of the acquiring company which has a market value of two
times the exercise price of the Right. In the event that any person becomes an
Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to
receive upon exercise thereof that number of shares of American General Common
Stock (or under certain circumstances, Common Stock-equivalent American
General Junior Preferred Shares) having a market value of two times the
exercise price of the Rights.
 
  At any time 10 business days after a person or group of affiliated or
associated persons has become an Acquiring Person and prior to the acquisition
by any person or group of 50% or more of the outstanding Voting Stock, the
American General Board may exchange the Rights (other than Rights acquired or
beneficially owned by such Acquiring Person, which Rights held by such
Acquiring Person shall then be null and void), in whole or in part, at an
exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock (or one one-hundredth of a share
of American General Junior Preferred Stock), appropriately adjusted to reflect
any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction, for each two shares of
Common Stock for which the Right is then exercisable.
 
  At any time prior to the close of business on the tenth day following the
first public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated
persons has become an Acquiring Person, the American General Board may redeem
the then outstanding Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.01 per
Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or
similar transaction (the "Rights Redemption Price"). Any such redemption of
the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such
conditions as the American General Board in its sole discretion may establish.
 
  The purchase price payable, and the number of American General Junior
Preferred Shares or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of
the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution in
the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or
reclassification of, the American General Junior Preferred Shares.
 
                                      73
<PAGE>
 
  The number of outstanding Rights and the number of one one-hundredths of an
American General Junior Preferred Share issuable upon exercise of each Right
are also subject to adjustment in the event of reclassification of securities,
or recapitalization or reorganization of American General or other transaction
involving American General which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of
increasing by more than one percent the proportionate share of the outstanding
shares of any class of equity securities of American General or any of its
subsidiaries beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person, in any such case,
prior to an exchange by American General as described above.
 
  The terms of the Rights may be amended, including extending the expiration
date, by the American General Board without the consent of the holders of the
Rights, except in certain circumstances.
 
  The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause
substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire American
General on terms not approved by the American General Board. The Rights should
not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the
American General Board since the Rights may be redeemed by American General at
the Rights Redemption Price prior to the time that a person or group has
acquired beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the Voting Stock.
 
  The American General Junior Preferred Shares will be non-redeemable and rank
junior to all other series of American General Preferred Stock. Each whole
American General Junior Preferred Share will be entitled to receive a
quarterly preferential dividend in an amount equal to the greater of (i) $0.25
or (ii) subject to certain adjustments, 100 times the dividend declared on
each share of American General Common Stock. In the event of the liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of American General, each whole American General
Junior Preferred Share will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidation
payment in an amount equal to the greater of (i) $1.50, or (ii) 100 times the
aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of American General
Common Stock, plus, in either case, an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid
dividends thereon. In the event of any merger, consolidation or other
transaction in which American General Common Stock is exchanged for or changed
into other stock or securities, cash or other property, each whole American
General Junior Preferred Share will be entitled to receive 100 times the
amount received per each share of American General Common Stock. Each whole
American General Junior Preferred Share will be entitled to 100 votes on all
matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of American General, and
American General Junior Preferred Shares will generally vote together as one
class with the American General Common Stock and any other voting capital
stock of American General on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders
of American General.
 
  If such registration is then required by applicable law, American General
will use its best efforts to cause the offer and sale of American General
Junior Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights to be registered
pursuant to the Securities Act at any such time as the Rights become
exercisable.
 
  The foregoing description of the Rights and the American General Junior
Preferred Shares does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, as amended, which is an exhibit
to the Registration Statement of which this Proxy Statement/Prospectus forms a
part, and the Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Shares of
American General Junior Preferred Shares.
 
AMERICAN GENERAL 7% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
 GENERAL
 
  In connection with the Merger Agreement, the American General Board has
adopted a Statement of Resolution Establishing 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
(the "7% Designation"), authorizing the issuance of the maximum number of
shares of the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock issuable
pursuant to the Merger. The summary of certain terms and provisions of the
American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock set forth below does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the American General Articles and the 7% Designation. The form
of 7% Designation is attached as an exhibit to the Merger Agreement which is
included in Annex A hereto. In addition, the American General Articles are
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus forms a part.
 
                                      74
<PAGE>
 
 DIVIDENDS
 
  Holders of shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock will be
entitled to receive, when and as declared by the American General Board of
Directors out of funds legally available therefor, cash dividends from the
date of initial issuance of the shares of American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock at the rate per annum of 7% of the Average Closing Price,
payable quarterly in arrears on each March 1, June 1, September 1 and December
1 (each, a "Dividend Payment Date"), or, if any such date is not a business
day, on the next succeeding business day; provided, however, that with respect
to any dividend period during which a redemption occurs, American General may,
at its option, declare accrued dividends to, and pay such dividends on, the
date fixed for redemption, in which case such dividends will be payable in
cash to the holders of shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred
Stock as of the record date for such dividend payment and would not be
included in the calculation of the related Call Price as set forth below. The
first dividend period will be from the date of initial issuance of the shares
of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock to but excluding the first
Dividend Payment Date thereafter that is at least eleven days after the
Effective Time, and the first dividend will be payable on such Dividend
Payment Date. Dividends will cease to accrue on shares of American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock on the Mandatory Conversion Date or on the date of
their earlier conversion or redemption.
 
  Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear on the stock
register of American General. The record date for each such payment shall be
not less than 10 nor more than 50 days preceding the corresponding Dividend
Payment Date, as shall be fixed by the American General Board of Directors.
Dividends payable on shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
for any period less than or more than a full quarterly dividend period will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Dividends
will accrue whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment
thereof and whether or not such dividends are declared. Accrued but unpaid
dividends on shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock will
accumulate as of the Dividend Payment Date on which they first become payable,
but no interest will accrue on accumulated but unpaid dividends.
 
  The shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock will rank on a
parity as to payment of dividends and distribution of assets upon liquidation,
with the Series A Preferred Stock (as hereinafter defined) and any other
preferred stock of American General that by its terms ranks on such parity
with the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock.
 
  If accumulated dividends have not been paid in full on the American General
7% Convertible Preferred Stock, then, subject to the next sentence, American
General shall not (a) declare or pay any dividend on any Dividend Pari Passu
Security or Dividend Junior Security (each as defined below) or (b) redeem,
purchase, retire or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of any Dividend
Junior Security (or rights to purchase such Dividend Junior Security), other
than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of any Dividend Junior Security
in connection with the satisfaction by American General or any of its
majority-owned subsidiaries of its obligations under any employee benefit plan
or the satisfaction by American General of its obligations pursuant to any
contract requiring American General to purchase any Dividend Junior Security,
(ii) as a result of a reclassification of any Dividend Junior Security or the
exchange or conversion of one class or series of any Dividend Junior Security
for another class or series of any Dividend Junior Security, (iii) redemptions
or purchases of any Rights or the declaration and payment of a dividend or
distribution of similar share purchase rights in the future or (iv) the
purchase of fractional shares of any Dividend Junior Security pursuant to the
conversion or exchange provisions of such Dividend Junior Security or the
security being converted or exchanged, (c) redeem, purchase, retire or
otherwise acquire for consideration any Dividend Pari Passu Security (or
rights, options or warrants to purchase such Dividend Pari Passu Security), or
(d) permit any subsidiary of American General to purchase or otherwise acquire
for consideration any shares of stock of American General unless American
General could, pursuant to the foregoing, purchase or otherwise acquire such
shares at such time and in such manner. The preceding sentence, however, shall
not apply to, or prohibit (a) dividends as a result of a reclassification of
Dividend Pari Passu Securities or Dividend Junior Securities, (b) dividends of
any Rights, (c) dividends or distributions of similar share purchase rights in
the future, (d) dividends or distributions in shares of American
 
                                      75
<PAGE>
 
General Common Stock or another class or series of capital stock of American
General that is junior to the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of American General, or (e) dividends
with respect to Dividend Pari Passu Securities in accordance with the
following sentence. If full accumulated dividends have not been paid upon the
shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock and any other class
or series of Dividend Pari Passu Securities, all dividends declared upon
shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock and any other such
class or series of Dividend Pari Passu Securities shall, if declared, be
declared pro rata so that the amount of cash dividends declared per share on
the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock and such other class or
series of Dividend Pari Passu Securities shall in all cases bear to each other
the same ratio that accumulated and unpaid dividends per share on the shares
of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock and such other class or
series of Dividend Pari Passu Securities bear to each other.
 
  The term "Dividend Pari Passu Security" means any preference stock or
preferred stock or other capital stock of American General and any guarantee
entered into by American General in respect of any preference stock or
preferred stock of any affiliate of American General ranking pari passu with
the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock as to the payment of
dividends. "Dividend Junior Security" means American General Common Stock,
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of American General and any
other class or series of capital stock of American General and any guarantee
entered into by American General in respect of any preference stock or
preferred stock of any affiliate of American General ranking junior to the
American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock as to the payment of
dividends.
 
 MANDATORY CONVERSION
 
  On the Mandatory Conversion Date, each outstanding share of American General
7% Convertible Preferred Stock will, unless previously either redeemed or
converted at the option of the holder into American General Common Stock, as
described below, mandatorily convert into (a) shares of American General
Common Stock at the Common Equivalent Rate (as defined below) in effect on
such date and (b) the right to receive cash in an amount equal to all accrued
and unpaid dividends on such shares of American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock (other than previously declared dividends payable to a holder
of record as of a prior date) to the Mandatory Conversion Date, whether or not
declared, out of funds legally available for the payments of dividends,
subject to the right of American General to redeem the shares of American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock on or after the Initial Redemption
Date, and before the Mandatory Conversion Date, as described below, and
subject to the conversion of the shares of American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock at the option of the holder at any time before the Mandatory
Conversion Date, as described below. The "Common Equivalent Rate" is initially
one share of American General Common Stock for each share of American General
7% Convertible Preferred Stock and is subject to adjustment as described
below. Dividends will cease to accrue on the Mandatory Conversion Date with
respect to the shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock then
outstanding.
 
  Because the price of the American General Common Stock is subject to market
fluctuations, the value of the American General Common Stock that may be
received by holders of shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred
Stock upon their mandatory conversion may be more or less than the Average
Closing Price.
 
 REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF AMERICAN GENERAL
 
  Shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock are not redeemable
by American General before the Initial Redemption Date. At any time and from
time to time on or after that date until immediately before the Mandatory
Conversion Date, American General will have the right to redeem, in whole or
in part, the outstanding shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred
Stock. Upon any such redemption, American General will deliver to the holder
thereof in exchange for each share of American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock subject to redemption the greater of (a) the number of shares
of American General Common Stock determined by dividing the Call Price (as
defined below) in effect on the redemption date by the Current Market Price
(as defined below) of the American General Common Stock, determined as of the
second trading
 
                                      76
<PAGE>
 
day immediately preceding the Notice Date (as defined below), or (b) 0.8264 of
a share of American General Common Stock (the "Minimum Redemption Rate"),
which is subject to adjustment in the manner described below. Dividends will
cease to accrue on the shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred
Stock on the date fixed for their redemption.
 
  The Call Price of each share of American General 7% Convertible Preferred
Stock is the sum of (a) 101.75% of the Average Closing Price on and after the
Initial Redemption Date, to and including the date immediately preceding the
first Preferred Dividend Payment Date after the Initial Redemption Date;
101.17% of the Average Closing Price on and after such first Preferred
Dividend Payment Date, to and including the date immediately preceding the
second Preferred Dividend Payment Date after the Initial Redemption Date;
100.58% of the Average Closing Price on and after such second Preferred
Dividend Payment Date, to and including the date immediately preceding the
third Preferred Dividend Payment Date after the Initial Redemption Date; and
the Average Closing Price on and after such third Preferred Dividend Payment
Date, to and including the date immediately preceding the Mandatory Conversion
Date; and (b) all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to but not including
the date fixed for redemption (other than previously declared dividends
payable to a holder of record as of a prior date).
 
  The "Current Market Price" per share of the American General Common Stock on
any date of determination means the lesser of (a) the average of the daily
closing sales prices of the American General Common Stock as reported on the
NYSE for the 15 consecutive trading days ending on and including such date of
determination and (b) the closing sale price of the American General Common
Stock as reported on the NYSE for such date of determination; provided,
however, that, with respect to any redemption of shares of American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock, if any event resulting in an adjustment of the
Common Equivalent Rate occurs during the period beginning on the first day of
such 15-day period and ending on the applicable redemption date, the Current
Market Price as determined pursuant to the foregoing will be appropriately
adjusted to reflect the occurrence of such event. The "Notice Date" with
respect to any notice given by the Company in connection with a redemption of
the shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock means the
earlier of the date of the public announcement of such redemption or the date
of commencement of mailing of such notice to the holders of shares of American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock.
 
  If fewer than all the outstanding shares of American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock are to be called for redemption, the shares to be redeemed
shall be selected by American General from outstanding shares of American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock by lot or pro rata (as nearly as may be
practicable without creating fractional shares) or by any other method
determined by the American General Board of Directors in its sole discretion
to be equitable.
 
  American General will provide notice of any redemption of shares of American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock to holders of record thereof to be
redeemed not less than 20 nor more than 60 days before the date fixed for
redemption. Any such notice will be provided by mail, sent to the holders of
record of the shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock to be
called for redemption at each such holder's address as it appears on the stock
register of American General, first class postage prepaid; provided, however,
that failure to give such notice or any defect therein will not affect the
validity of the proceeding for redemption of any shares of American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock to be redeemed except as to the holder to whom
American General has failed to give such notice or whose notice was defective.
On and after the redemption date, all rights of the holders of the shares of
American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock called for redemption will
terminate except the right to receive the redemption price and to receive
dividends on such shares previously declared and payable to the holders of
record of such shares as of a prior date. A public announcement of any call
for redemption will be made by American General before, or at the time of, the
mailing of such notice of redemption.
 
  Each holder of shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
called for redemption must surrender the certificates evidencing such shares
to American General at the place designated in the notice of
 
                                      77
<PAGE>
 
redemption and will thereupon be entitled to receive certificates for shares
of American General Common Stock and cash for any fractional share amount.
 
 CONVERSION AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER
 
  The shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock are
convertible, in whole or in part, at the option of the holders thereof, at any
time before the Mandatory Conversion Date, unless previously redeemed, into
shares of American General Common Stock at a rate of 0.8264 of a share of
American General Common Stock for each share of American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Optional Conversion Rate"), subject to
adjustment as described below. The right to convert shares of American General
7% Convertible Preferred Stock called for redemption will terminate
immediately before the close of business on the redemption date for such
shares.
 
  Conversion of shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock at
the option of the holder may be effected by the delivery of certificates
evidencing such shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock,
together with written notice of conversion and a proper assignment of such
certificates to American General or in blank (and, if applicable, the cash
payment described in the following paragraph), to the office of the transfer
agent for the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock or to any other
office or agency maintained by American General for that purpose and otherwise
in accordance with conversion procedures established by American General. Each
optional conversion will be deemed to have been effective immediately before
the close of business on the date on which the foregoing requirements have
been satisfied. The conversion will be at the Optional Conversion Rate in
effect at such time and on such date.
 
  Holders of shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock at the
close of business on a record date for any payment of declared dividends will
be entitled to receive the dividend payable on such shares of American General
7% Convertible Preferred Stock on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date
notwithstanding the optional conversion of such shares following such record
date and before such Dividend Payment Date. However, shares of American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion after the
close of business on a record date for any payment of declared dividends and
before the opening of business on the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date
must be accompanied by payment in cash of an amount equal to the dividend
attributable to the current quarterly dividend period payable on such date
minus the amount of the dividends, if any, payable on such date on the number
of shares of American General Common Stock issuable in connection with such
conversion (unless such shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred
Stock are subject to redemption on a redemption date on or after such record
date and on or prior to such Dividend Payment Date). A holder of shares of
American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock called for redemption on or
after the record date for any dividend payment and on or prior to the Dividend
Payment Date for such dividend will receive the dividend on such shares of
American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock payable on that Dividend
Payment Date and will be able to convert such shares after the record date for
such dividend without paying the above cash amount to American General upon
conversion. Except as provided above, upon any optional conversion of shares
of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock, American General will make
no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on
such shares, or for previously declared dividends or distributions on the
shares of American General Common Stock issued upon such conversion.
 
 CONVERSION ADJUSTMENTS
 
  The Common Equivalent Rate, the Minimum Redemption Rate and the Optional
Conversion Rate are each subject to adjustment as appropriate in certain
circumstances, including if American General (a) pays a stock dividend or
makes a distribution with respect to its American General Common Stock in
shares of American General Common Stock; (b) subdivides or splits its
outstanding American General Common Stock; (c) combines its outstanding
American General Common Stock into a smaller number of shares; (d) issues by
reclassification of its shares of American General Common Stock any shares of
American General Common Stock; (e) issues certain rights or warrants to all
holders of its American General Common Stock; or (f) pays a dividend or
distributes to all holders of its American General Common Stock evidences of
its indebtedness, cash or other
 
                                      78
<PAGE>
 
assets (including capital stock of American General but excluding any Excluded
Dividends (as defined below), and dividends and distributions referred to in
clause (a) above). "Excluded Dividends" means (a) any dividend, distribution
or issuance of rights or warrants referred to in clauses (a) or (c) of the
preceding sentence, (b) any regular cash dividend on the American General
Common Stock that does not exceed the per share amount of the immediately
preceding regular cash dividend on the American General Common Stock (after
accounting for any appropriate anti-dilution adjustments), and (c) in the case
of any other dividend or distribution (cash or otherwise), that portion
thereof which, when combined with the per share fair market value of all other
dividends and distributions paid by American General on American General
Common Stock during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of
such dividend or distribution (after accounting for any appropriate anti-
dilution adjustments and excluding cash dividends and distributions for which
a prior adjustment to the Common Equivalent Rate, the Minimum Redemption Rate
and Optional Conversion Rate was previously made), does not exceed 15% of the
Current Market Price per share of the American General Common Stock on the
trading date immediately preceding the date of declaration of such dividend or
distribution. In addition, American General will be entitled (but will not be
required) to make upward adjustments in the Common Equivalent Rate, the
Minimum Redemption Rate, the Optional Conversion Rate and the Call Price as
American General, in its discretion, determines to be advisable, in order that
any stock dividend, subdivision of shares, distribution of rights to purchase
stock or securities, or distribution of securities convertible into or
exchangeable for stock (or any transaction which could be treated as any of
the foregoing transactions pursuant to Section 305 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended) hereafter made by the Company to its shareholders
will not be taxable. All adjustments to the Common Equivalent Rate, the
Minimum Redemption Rate and the Optional Conversion Rate will be calculated to
the nearest .01 of a share of American General Common Stock. No such
adjustment will be required unless such adjustment will require an increase or
decrease of at least 1% therein; provided, however, that any adjustments
which, by reason of the foregoing, are not required to be made will be carried
forward and taken into account and any subsequent adjustment.
 
  Whenever the Common Equivalent Rate, the Minimum Redemption Rate and the
Optional Conversion Rate are adjusted as provided in the preceding paragraph,
American General will file with the transfer agent for the shares of American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock a certificate with respect to such
adjustment, make a prompt public announcement thereof and mail a notice to
holders of the shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
providing specified information with respect to such adjustment. At least ten
business days before taking any action that could result in certain
adjustments in the Common Equivalent Rate, the Minimum Redemption Rate and the
Optional Conversion Rate, American General will notify each holder of shares
of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock concerning such proposed
action.
 
 ADJUSTMENT FOR CERTAIN MERGERS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
 
  In case of any consolidation or merger to which American General is a party
(other than a consolidation or merger in which American General is the
surviving or continuing corporation and in which the shares of American
General Common Stock outstanding immediately before the consolidation or
merger remain unchanged), or in the case of any sale or transfer to another
corporation of all or substantially all of the assets of American General, or
in the case of a statutory exchange of securities with another corporation
(other than in connection with a merger or acquisition), each share of
American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock shall, after consummation of
such transaction, be subject to (a) conversion at the option of the holder
into the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property receivable upon
consummation of such transaction by a holder of the number of shares of
American General Common Stock into which such share of American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock might have been converted immediately before
consummation of such transaction, (b) conversion on the Mandatory Conversion
Date into the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property receivable
upon consummation of such transaction by a holder of the number of shares of
American General Common Stock into which such share of American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock would have been converted if the conversion on the
Mandatory Conversion Date had occurred immediately before the date of
consummation of such transaction, plus the right to receive cash in an amount
equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends on such share of American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock other than previously declared dividends payable
to a holder of record as of a prior date, and (c) redemption on any redemption
date on or after
 
                                      79
<PAGE>
 
the Initial Redemption Date in exchange for the kind and amount of securities,
cash or other property receivable upon consummation of such transaction by a
holder of the number of shares of American General Common Stock that would
have been issuable at the Call Price in effect on such redemption date upon a
redemption of such share of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
immediately before consummation of such transaction, assuming that, if the
Notice Date for such redemption is not before such transaction, the Notice
Date had been the date of such transaction; and assuming in each case that
such holder of shares of American General Common Stock failed to exercise
rights of election, if any, as to the kind or amount of securities, cash or
other property receivable upon consummation of such transaction (provided
that, if the kind or amount of securities, cash or other property receivable
upon consummation of such transaction is not the same for each non-electing
share, then the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property
receivable upon consummation of such transaction for each non-electing share
will be deemed to be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a
plurality of the non-electing shares). The kind and amount of securities into
or for which the shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
will be convertible or redeemable after consummation of such transaction will
be subject to adjustment as described above under "Conversion Adjustments"
following the date of consummation of such transaction. American General may
not become a party to any such transaction unless the terms thereof are
consistent with the foregoing.
 
 FRACTIONAL SHARES
 
  No fractional shares of American General Common Stock will be issued upon
redemption or conversion of shares of American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock. In lieu of any fractional share otherwise issuable with
respect to the aggregate number of shares of American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock of any holder that are redeemed or converted on any redemption
date or upon mandatory conversion or any optional conversion, such holder will
be entitled to receive an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the (a)
Current Market Price of the American General Common Stock, determined as of
the second trading day immediately preceding the Notice Date, in the case of
redemption, or (b) Closing Price (as defined in the 7% Designation) of the
American General Common Stock determined (i) as of the fifth trading day
immediately preceding the Mandatory Conversion Date, in the case of mandatory
conversion, or (ii) as of the second trading day immediately preceding the
effective date of conversion, in the case of an optional conversion by a
holder.
 
 LIQUIDATION RIGHTS
 
  In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up of American General, and subject to the rights of holders of any
other series of Preferred Stock, the holders of outstanding shares of American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive for each share
of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock an amount equal to the
Average Closing Price, plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, out of the
assets of American General available for distribution to shareholders, before
any distribution of assets is made to holders of American General Common Stock
or any other capital stock ranking junior to the American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up.
 
  If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up
of American General, the assets of American General are insufficient to permit
the payment of the full preferential amounts payable with respect to the
shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock and all other series
of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to distribution of assets upon
liquidation, the holders of shares of American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock and of all other such series of Preferred Stock will share
ratably in any distribution of assets of American General in proportion to the
full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment
of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled,
the holders of shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock will
not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by
American General. A consolidation or merger of American General with or into
one or more other corporations, or a sale, lease or exchange of all or
substantially all of the assets of American General, will not be deemed to be
a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of American
General.
 
 VOTING RIGHTS
 
  The holders of shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
will have the right with the holders of American General Common Stock to vote
in the election of Directors and upon each other matter
 
                                      80
<PAGE>
 
coming before any meeting of the holders of American General Common Stock on
the basis of 4/5th of a vote for each share of American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock held. In addition, American General will be entitled (but will
not be required) to make upward adjustments in the Common Equivalent Rate, the
Minimum Redemption Rate, the Optional Conversion Rate and the Call Price as
American General, in its discretion, determines to be advisable, in order that
any stock dividend, subdivision of shares, distribution of rights to purchase
stock or securities, or distribution of securities convertible into or
exchangeable for stock (or any transaction which could be treated as any of
the foregoing transactions pursuant to Section 305 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended) hereafter made by the Company to its shareholders
will not be taxable. The holders of shares of American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of American General Common Stock
will vote together as one class on such matters, except as otherwise provided
by law or by the American General Articles.
 
  If full cumulative dividends on the American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock are not paid for six quarterly dividend periods, the number of
directors of American General constituting the entire Board of Directors shall
be increased by two persons and the holders of shares of American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class together with the
holders of shares of all other series of capital stock of American General
ranking on a parity with the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
as to the payment of dividends and having the then present right to elect one
or more directors as a result of a dividend arrearage but not then entitled to
other separate voting rights to elect one or more directors in the event of
such an arrearage ("Class Voting Stock"), shall have the right to elect such
directors to fill such positions. Such right, when vested, will continue until
all dividends in arrears and payable on the shares of American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock have been paid in full, whereupon the terms of
office of all persons previously elected as directors by the holders of shares
of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock and such other Class Voting
Stock shall forthwith terminate and the number of the American General Board
of Directors shall be reduced accordingly.
 
  The American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock provides that:
 
    (i) so long as any shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred
  Stock remain outstanding, the consent of the holders of at least two-thirds
  of the outstanding shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred
  Stock and all other shares of preferred stock of American General ranking
  on a parity with the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock as to
  the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon Liquidation
  that would be affected equally by the action described in clause (A) or (B)
  below and that are entitled to vote on such matter (voting together as a
  class, with each such share of preferred stock being entitled to a
  proportional share of the votes that may be cast with respect to such
  matter based on the proportion that the liquidation preference of such
  share bears to the aggregate liquidation preference of all shares entitled
  to vote thereon), given in person or by proxy, at any special or annual
  meeting, or by written consent as permitted by law and the American General
  Articles and Bylaws, shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate any
  of the following: (A) the amendment, alteration or repeal of any of the
  provisions of the American General Articles (or of the resolutions
  establishing the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock), which
  would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or
  voting power of the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock,
  provided, however, that any such amendment, alteration or repeal that would
  authorize, create or issue any additional shares of stock (whether or not
  already authorized) ranking on a parity with or junior to the American
  General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock as to dividends or as to the
  distribution of assets upon Liquidation, shall be deemed not to materially
  and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting power,
  and provided further, however, that any such amendment, alteration or
  repeal may authorize, create or issue additional shares of stock ranking
  senior to the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock as to
  dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon Liquidation, if such
  action is approved in the manner set forth in subparagraph (ii) below; or
  (B) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of American General with
  any other corporation, unless each holder of shares of American General 7%
  Convertible Preferred Stock immediately preceding such merger or
  consolidation shall receive or continue to hold in the surviving
  corporation the same number of shares, with substantially the same rights
  and preferences (except as set forth above under
 
                                      81
<PAGE>
 
  "--Adjustments for Certain Mergers and Other Transactions"), as correspond
  to the shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock so held;
 
    (ii) so long as any shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred
  Stock remain outstanding, no class or series of stock ranking senior to the
  American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock as to dividends or as to
  the distribution of assets upon Liquidation, may be authorized, created or
  issued unless American General shall have obtained the consent of either
  (A) the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of
  American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock and all other shares of
  preferred stock of American General ranking on parity with the American
  General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and
  the distribution of assets upon Liquidation that are entitled to vote on
  such matter (voting together as a class, with each such share of preferred
  stock being entitled to a proportional share of the votes that may be cast
  with respect to such matter based on the proportion that the liquidation
  preference of such share bears to the aggregate liquidation preference of
  all shares entitled to vote thereon), or (B) the holders of a majority of
  the outstanding shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock,
  voting separately as a class, in each case given in person or by proxy, at
  any special or annual meeting, or by written consent as permitted by law
  and the American General Articles and Bylaws; and
 
    (iii) if the holders of the American General 7% Convertible Preferred
  Stock are entitled by law to vote on any matter other than as set forth
  above in subparagraphs (i) or (ii) above, then (A) if such holders are
  entitled to vote on such matter together with another series of preferred
  stock of American General, the vote required with respect to such matter
  shall be the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of American
  General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock and all such other series of
  preferred stock entitled to vote thereon (voting together as a class, with
  each such share of preferred stock being entitled to a proportional share
  of the votes that may be cast with respect to such matter based on the
  proportion that the liquidation preference of such share bears to the
  aggregate liquidation preference of all shares entitled to vote thereon),
  and (B) if such holders are entitled to vote as a separate class with
  respect to such matter, the vote required with respect to such matter shall
  be a majority of the outstanding American General 7% Convertible Preferred
  Stock.
 
  The provisions set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above shall not apply
if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would
otherwise be required shall be effected, (A) all outstanding shares of
American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or
converted pursuant to the terms of the American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock, or (B) all outstanding shares of American General 7%
Convertible Preferred Stock are scheduled to be redeemed or converted within
two months and sufficient shares of American General Common Stock and cash, if
any, necessary for such redemption or conversion shall have been deposited
with a bank or trust company in accordance with the terms of the American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock.
 
 MISCELLANEOUS
 
  Upon issuance, the shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
will be fully paid and non-assessable. Holders of shares of American General
7% Convertible Preferred Stock have no preemptive rights. American General
will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and
unissued American General Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the
conversion or redemption of shares of American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock, such number of shares of American General Common Stock as
will from time to time be issuable upon the conversion or redemption of all
the shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock then
outstanding. Shares of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
redeemed for, or converted into, American General Common Stock or otherwise
reacquired by American General will resume the status of authorized and
unissued shares of Preferred Stock, undesignated as to series, and will be
available for subsequent issuance.
 
AMERICAN GENERAL SERIES A PREFERRED SECURITIES AND PREFERRED STOCK
 
  American General Delaware, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and
an affiliate of American General ("American General Delaware"), has issued
5,000,000 shares of 6% Convertible Monthly Income
 
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Preferred Securities, Series A (the"American General Series A Preferred
Securities"), representing preferred limited liability company interests in
American General Delaware. All of the common limited liability company
interests in American General Delaware are owned directly or indirectly by
American General. The proceeds from the offering of the American General
Series A Preferred Securities were used by American General Delaware to
purchase from American General its 6% Series A Convertible Junior Subordinated
Debentures due 2025 (the "Series A Junior Subordinated Debentures").
 
  Holders of the American General Series A Preferred Securities are entitled
to receive cumulative cash distributions from American General Delaware at the
annual rate of 6% of the liquidation preference of $50 per Series A Preferred
Security, accruing from the date of original issuance and payable monthly in
arrears on the last day of each calendar month of each year.
 
  In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of American
General Delaware, holders of American General Series A Preferred Securities
are entitled to receive for each Series A Preferred Security a liquidation
preference of $50 plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends
(whether or not earned or declared), including any Additional Dividends (as
hereinafter defined), to the date of payment, subject to certain limitations.
 
  Each Series A Preferred Security is convertible at the option of the holder,
at any time prior to the expiration of such conversion rights as discussed
below (the "Conversion Expiration Date"), into shares of American General
Common Stock, at the rate of 1.2288 shares of American General Common Stock
for each Series A Preferred Security (equivalent to a conversion price of
$40.69 per share of American General Common Stock), subject to adjustment in
certain circumstances. On and after May 31, 2000, American General Delaware
may, at its option, cause the conversion rights of holders of the American
General Series A Preferred Securities to expire if certain conditions are then
satisfied.
 
  The American General Series A Preferred Securities are redeemable at the
option of American General Delaware, in whole or in part, from time to time,
on or after May 31, 2003, at a cash redemption price equal to the liquidation
preference for such American General Series A Preferred Securities plus
accumulated and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared),
including any Additional Dividends, to the date fixed for redemption. The
American General Series A Preferred Securities do not have a stated maturity
date, although they are subject to mandatory redemption upon repayment of the
principal of the Series A Junior Subordinated Debentures at stated maturity
(May 31, 2025), earlier redemption or otherwise, including as a result of
acceleration thereof.
 
  In addition, the American General Series A Preferred Securities are subject
to exchange, in whole but not in part, for shares of Series A Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.50 per share, of American General
("American General Series A Preferred Stock"), at the rate of one share of
American General Series A Preferred Stock for each Series A Preferred
Security, upon a vote of the holders of a majority of the aggregate
liquidation preference of all outstanding American General Series A Preferred
Securities following the failure of holders of American General Series A
Preferred Securities to receive dividends in full (including arrearages) for
15 consecutive months. The American General Series A Preferred Stock will have
dividend, liquidation, optional redemption and conversion provisions and
certain other terms substantially similar to those of the American General
Series A Preferred Securities, except that, among other things, the holders of
American General Series A Preferred Stock will have the right (voting together
with holders of certain other series of capital stock of American General
including, under certain circumstances, with the holders of American General
7% Convertible Preferred Stock) to elect two additional directors of American
General whenever dividends on the American General Series A Preferred Stock
are in arrears for 18 or more consecutive months, no interest will accumulate
or be payable on any dividend arrearages on the American General Series A
Preferred Stock and the American General Series A Preferred Stock will not be
subject to mandatory redemption. The American General Series A Preferred
Stock, if issued, would be pari passu with the American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and distribution of assets upon
liquidation of American General.
 
 
                                      83
<PAGE>
 
  American General has irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed, on a
subordinated basis and to the extent provided in the applicable guarantee, the
payment of dividends by American General Delaware on the American General
Series A Preferred Securities (but only if and to the extent declared from
funds of American General Delaware legally available therefor), the redemption
price payable with respect to American General Series A Preferred Securities
(but only to the extent payable out of funds of American General Delaware
legally available therefor) and payments on liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up with respect to the American General Series A Preferred Securities
(but only to the extent that assets of American General Delaware are available
for distribution to holders of the American General Series A Preferred
Securities) (the "Guarantee"). The Guarantee is unsecured and is subordinate
to all other liabilities of American General (other than certain other
guarantees) and ranks pari passu with the most senior preferred stock issued
by American General, including the American General 7% Convertible Preferred
Stock.
 
  Interest on the Series A Junior Subordinated Debentures is payable monthly
in arrears but such interest payment period may be extended from time to time
by American General to a period not exceeding 60 consecutive months (an
"Extension Period"), in which event monthly dividend payments on the American
General Series A Preferred Securities by American General Delaware would be
deferred but would continue to accumulate monthly and certain additional
dividends ("Additional Dividends"), intended to provide monthly compounding on
dividend arrearages, would also accumulate. Prior to the termination of any
Extension Period of less than 60 consecutive months, American General may
further extend the interest payment period as long as such Extension Period,
as further extended, does not exceed 60 consecutive months and does not extend
beyond the stated maturity date or date of redemption of the Series A Junior
Subordinated Debentures. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the
payment of all accrued and unpaid interest (including compounded interest),
American General may select a new Extension Period, subject to the preceding
sentence. No interest will be due during an extended interest payment period
until the end of such period. At the end of any such Extension Period,
American General will be required to pay all accrued and unpaid interest
(including compounded interest) and upon such payment American General
Delaware should be able to pay all accumulated and unpaid dividends on the
American General Series A Preferred Securities (including Additional
Dividends). If American General were to exercise its rights to extend an
interest payment period on the Series A Junior Subordinated Debentures, it has
agreed, subject to certain exceptions, to not pay any dividends on any of its
capital stock, which would include the American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock.
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX ASPECTS RELATING TO THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION
OF AMERICAN GENERAL COMMON STOCK AND AMERICAN GENERAL 7% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED
STOCK
 
  The following is a summary of the material federal income tax consequences
of the ownership and disposition of American General Common Stock and American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock under existing federal income tax law,
which is subject to change, possibly retroactively. Insofar as such summary
relates to matters of law and legal conclusions, such summary represents the
opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to American General. This summary
assumes that shareholders will hold American General Common Stock and American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock as capital assets. This summary does
not discuss all aspects of federal income taxation which may be relevant to
particular shareholders who are subject to special treatment under the federal
income tax laws (for example, financial institutions, insurance companies,
tax-exempt organizations, broker-dealers and foreign persons), nor does it
discuss any aspects of state, local or foreign tax law. Each shareholder is
advised to consult his own tax advisor as to the federal, state, local and
foreign income and other tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of
American General Common Stock and American General 7% Convertible Preferred
Stock.
 
 DIVIDENDS
 
  Dividends paid on the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock or
American General Common Stock will be taxable as ordinary income to the extent
of American General's current and accumulated "earnings and profits" (as
defined for federal income tax purposes). To the extent that a distribution on
American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock or American General Common
Stock exceeds the current and accumulated
 
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<PAGE>
 
earnings and profits of American General, such distribution will be treated as
a nontaxable return of capital which reduces the holder's basis in its
American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock or American General Common
Stock; any such distribution in excess of a holder's basis will be treated as
gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. American General does not
expect, however, that dividends paid on the American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock or American General Common Stock will exceed its current and
accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations, dividends
received by corporate holders of the American General 7% Convertible Preferred
Stock or American General Common Stock out of such earnings and profits
generally will qualify for the dividends received deduction allowable to
corporations under Section 243 of the Code.
 
 CONVERSION
 
  In general, no gain or loss will be recognized for federal income tax
purposes on conversion of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock
solely into shares of American General Common Stock, except with respect to
any cash received in lieu of fractional shares of American General Common
Stock (pursuant to either mandatory conversion or optional redemption). If
dividends on the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock were in
arrears at the time of conversion, however, a portion of the American General
Common Stock received in exchange for American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock could be viewed under Section 305(c) of the Code as a
distribution with respect to the American General 7% Convertible Preferred
Stock, taxable as a dividend. The tax basis for American General Common Stock
received on conversion will be equal to the tax basis of the American General
7% Convertible Preferred Stock converted, reduced by the portion of basis
allocable to any fractional share exchanged for cash. The holding period of
the shares of American General Common Stock will include the holding period of
such American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock.
 
 ADJUSTMENT OF CONVERSION PRICE
 
  An adjustment in the conversion rates of the American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock pursuant to certain anti-dilution provisions contained in the
terms of the American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock, or the failure
to make such an adjustment, may, in certain circumstances, be treated as a
constructive distribution to holders of American General 7% Convertible
Preferred Stock or to holders of American General Common Stock under Section
305 of the Code.
 
 BACK-UP WITHHOLDING
 
  Under Section 3406 of the Code and applicable Treasury regulations, a
noncorporate holder of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock or
American General Common Stock may be subject to back-up withholding at the
rate of 31 percent with respect to dividends paid or proceeds received from a
sale or exchange of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock or
American General Common Stock, as the case may be. The payor will be required
to withhold the tax if (a) the payee fails to furnish a taxpayer
identification number ("TIN") to the payor or establish an exemption from
backup withholding, (b) the IRS notifies the payor that the TIN furnished by
the payee is incorrect, (c) there has been a notified payee under reporting
with respect to interest, dividends or original issue discount described in
Section 3406(c) of the Code or (d) there has been a failure of the payee to
certify under the penalty of perjury that the payee is not subject to backup
withholding under the Code.
 
  EACH SHAREHOLDER IS ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO
PARTICULAR FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH MAY BE UNIQUE TO SUCH SHAREHOLDER AND
ALSO AS TO ANY ESTATE, GIFT, STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
OWNERSHIP OR DISPOSITION OF AMERICAN GENERAL COMMON STOCK OR AMERICAN GENERAL
7% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK.
 
 
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<PAGE>
 
                   DESCRIPTION OF INDEPENDENT CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
  The authorized capital stock of Independent presently consists of 7,500,000
shares of Independent Voting Common Stock; 15,000,000 shares of Independent
Non-Voting Common Stock and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.10 per share (the "Independent Preferred Stock"). There were 5,688,775
shares of Independent Voting Common Stock and 7,475,725 shares of Independent
Non-Voting Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date. No shares of
Independent Preferred Stock were outstanding as of the Record Date.
 
  The following summaries of the terms of Independent Voting Common Stock,
Independent Non-Voting Common Stock, and Independent Preferred Stock do not
purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the
Independent Articles, the Independent Bylaws and the FBCA. For information as
to how to obtain the Independent Articles and the Independent Bylaws, see
"AVAILABLE INFORMATION." Shares of Independent Voting Common Stock and
Independent Non-Voting Common Stock are fully-paid and nonassessable. Neither
the holders of Independent Voting Common Stock nor the holders of Independent
Non-Voting Common Stock have any cumulative voting, pre-emptive, subscription,
redemption or sinking fund rights. Independent Non-Voting Common Stock is
listed and traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "INDHK."
There is no established trading market for Independent Voting Common Stock.
For a discussion of the material differences between the rights of holders of
Independent Common Stock and the rights of holders of American General Stock,
see "COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS."
 
INDEPENDENT VOTING COMMON STOCK AND INDEPENDENT NON-VOTING COMMON STOCK
 
  Except for voting rights, Independent Voting Common Stock and Independent
Non-Voting Common Stock are identical in all respects. The holders of
Independent Voting Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share. The
holders of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock have no voting rights except in
certain limited circumstances specified in the Independent Articles or the
FBCA including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the right to vote
separately as a class with respect to any proposed amendment to the
Independent Articles that adversely affects the rights of holders of
Independent Non-Voting Common Stock including, but not limited to, any
amendment otherwise requiring shareholder approval that would (a) increase or
decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of Independent Non-Voting
Common Stock; (b) effect an exchange, reclassification or cancellation of all
or part of the shares of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock; (c) effect an
exchange, or create a right of exchange, of all or any part of the shares of
another class into the shares of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock; (d)
change the designations, preferences, limitations or relative rights of the
shares of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock; (e) change the shares of
Independent Non-Voting Common Stock into the same or a different number of
shares of another class; (f) create a new class of shares having rights and
preferences prior and superior to the shares of Independent Non-Voting Common
Stock or increase the rights and preferences of any class having rights and
preferences prior to or superior to the shares of Independent Non-Voting
Common Stock; (g) increase the rights, preferences or number of authorized
shares of any class that, after giving effect to the amendment, have rights or
preferences with respect to distributions or to dissolution that are prior,
superior or substantially equal to shares of Independent Non-Voting Common
Stock and (h) cancel or otherwise affect dividends on the shares of
Independent Non-Voting Common Stock which have accrued but have not been
declared; (ii) the right to vote together with the holders of Independent
Voting Common Stock with respect to any merger or consolidation the terms of
which are more favorable (other than as to voting rights) to the holders of
Independent Voting Common Stock than to the holders of Independent Non-Voting
Common Stock;(iii) the right to vote separately as a class on a plan of merger
if the plan contains a provision which, if contained in a proposed amendment
to the Independent Articles, would entitle the class or series to vote as a
separate voting group on the amendment pursuant to the provisions set forth in
clause (i) above; and (iv) in certain other circumstances specified by the
FBCA.
 
 
                                      86
<PAGE>
 
  Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding
Independent Preferred Stock, holders of Independent Voting Common Stock are
entitled to receive ratably such cash dividends when, if, and as may be
declared by the Independent Board out of funds legally available therefor and
only if at such time an equal per share dividend shall be declared and paid to
the holders of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock, and vice versa. No stock
dividend, split-up or other similar distribution of shares of authorized but
unissued Independent Common Stock can be made unless it is payable to holders
of Independent Voting Common Stock in Independent Voting Common Stock and to
holders of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock in Independent Non-Voting
Common Stock, and no distribution can be made to the holders of one of such
classes unless a distribution is made to the holders of the other class in the
same proportion and at the same time.
 
  In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Independent,
the holders of Independent Voting Common Stock and the holders of Independent
Non-Voting Common Stock will be entitled to share pro rata in the net assets
of Independent remaining, if any, after payment or provision for payment in
respect of the debts and other liabilities of Independent and subject to
liquidation preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding
Independent Preferred Stock.
 
INDEPENDENT PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Independent Articles authorize the Independent Board to issue, from time
to time and without further shareholder action, one or more series of
Independent Preferred Stock, and to fix the relative rights and preferences of
the shares, including voting powers, dividend rights, liquidation preferences,
redemption rights and conversion privileges. Because of its broad discretion
with respect to the creation and issuance of new series of Independent
Preferred Stock without shareholder approval, the Independent Board could
adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Independent Voting Common
Stock. Except with respect to the relative rights, preferences and limitations
that may be fixed by the Independent Board, pursuant to the Independent
Articles, all shares of Independent Preferred Stock are to be identical.
 
  Dividends on Independent Preferred Stock are to be declared and paid or set
apart for payment before any dividends can be declared and paid or set apart
for payment on Independent Voting Common Stock and Independent Non-Voting
Common Stock with respect to the same period. Dividends on Independent
Preferred Stock are cumulative only if and to the extent determined by
resolution of the Independent Board.
 
  In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of
Independent, the holders of Independent Preferred Stock shall have preference
and priority over the holders of Independent Voting Common Stock and the
holders of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock for the payment of the amount
to which each outstanding series of Independent Preferred Stock may be
entitled in accordance with the terms and rights thereof and each holder of
Independent Preferred Stock would be entitled to be paid in full such amount,
or have a sum sufficient for the payment in full set aside before any payments
can be made to the holders of Independent Voting Common Stock or to the
holders of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock.
 
SHAREHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
 
  Holders of more than 90% of the issued and outstanding shares of Independent
Voting Common Stock have entered into a shareholders' agreement (the
"Shareholders' Agreement") prohibiting the parties thereto from transferring
shares of Independent Voting Common Stock held by them except under certain
circumstances. The excepted transfers include: (i) transfers pursuant to an
offer which has been approved by the Independent Board, (ii) transfers
pursuant to the written consent of holders of a majority of the shares of
Independent Voting Common Stock subject to the Shareholders' Agreement and
(iii) transfers to Independent in connection with the exchange of such shares
for an equal number of shares of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock. For
purposes of the Shareholders' Agreement, the Independent Board has approved
transfers of Independent Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement. The
Shareholders' Agreement has an initial term ending on November 10, 1996 and is
renewable for two additional five-year terms by the approval of the holders of
a majority of the Independent Voting Common Stock subject thereto, prior to
the expiration of each successive term.
 
                                      87
<PAGE>
 
EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS
 
  Independent has entered into Exchange Agreements with holders of more than
90% of the outstanding shares of Independent Voting Common Stock pursuant to
which holders may, at any time on or prior to December 31, 2006, exchange
shares of Independent Voting Common Stock for an equal number of shares of
Independent Non-Voting Common Stock without payment of any additional
consideration. All of the principal shareholders, officers and directors of
Independent are parties to these Agreements. See "SECURITY OWNERSHIP--Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and Management of
Independent."
 
FLORIDA ANTI-TAKEOVER LAW AND CERTAIN CHARTER PROVISIONS
 
  Certain provisions of the FBCA, the Independent Articles and the Independent
Bylaws may have the effect of delaying, making more difficult or preventing a
change in control or acquisition of Independent by means of a tender offer, a
proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions as summarized below, are expected
to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate
takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of
Independent first to negotiate with Independent. Independent believes that the
benefits derived from requiring the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited
proposal to negotiate with Independent outweigh the disadvantages of
discouraging such proposals because, among other things, negotiations with
respect to such proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
 
 DUAL CLASSES OF INDEPENDENT COMMON STOCK
 
  Independent Common Stock is divided into Independent Voting Common Stock and
Independent Non-Voting Common Stock. Except for certain limited circumstances
discussed above, the holders of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock have no
voting rights.
 
 RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERS OF INDEPENDENT VOTING COMMON STOCK
 
  The Independent Articles give Independent the option to purchase shares of
Independent Voting Common Stock that are offered for sale. If any holder of
Independent Voting Common Stock desires to transfer his shares, he must first
obtain a bona fide written offer to purchase from the prospective purchaser
and then present it to Independent, which has thirty days to accept the offer
upon the same terms, conditions and price or to assign its right to do so to
anyone Independent designates. This restriction does not apply to a gift, sale
or devise of shares of Independent Voting Common Stock by a shareholder to any
member of such shareholder's family. This provision applies to all transferees
of Independent Voting Common Stock. The Independent Board has waived
Independent's right to purchase shares of Independent Voting Common Stock to
the extent such shares are sold pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
 
 INDEPENDENT PREFERRED STOCK
 
  As described above, the Independent Board is authorized to provide for the
issuance of shares of Independent Preferred Stock in one or more series and to
fix the relative rights and preferences of the shares, including voting
powers, dividend rights, liquidation preferences, redemption rights and
conversion privileges. Although the Independent Board has no present intention
of doing so, it could issue a series of Independent Preferred Stock that
could, depending on its terms, either impede or facilitate the consummation of
a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt.
 
 FLORIDA AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS STATUTE
 
  Independent is also subject to the provisions of Section 607.0901 of the
FBCA. In general, the statute requires that certain affiliated transactions
("Affiliated Transactions") between the corporation and any person who is the
beneficial owner of more than 10% of the outstanding voting shares of the
corporation (an "Interested Shareholder") be approved by the affirmative vote
of the holders of two-thirds of the corporation's voting shares (other than
the shares beneficially owned by the Interested Shareholder), in addition to
any affirmative vote required by any other section of the FBCA or by the
corporation's articles of incorporation.
 
                                      88
<PAGE>
 
  For purposes of this statute, Affiliated Transactions include: (i) any
merger or consolidation of the corporation or any subsidiary of the
corporation with the Interested Shareholder or an affiliate thereof; (ii) any
sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition to or with the Interested
Shareholder or any affiliate thereof of assets of the corporation having an
aggregate fair market value equal to 5% or more of the aggregate fair market
value of all the corporation's assets, outstanding shares, earning power or
net income; (iii) the issuance or transfer by the corporation or any
subsidiary of the corporation (in one transaction or a series of transactions)
of any shares of the corporation or any subsidiary of the corporation which
have an aggregate fair market value equal to 5% or more of the aggregate fair
market value of all the outstanding shares of the corporation to the
Interested Shareholder or any affiliate thereof except pursuant to the
exercise of warrants or rights to purchase stock offered, or a dividend or
distribution paid or made, pro rata to all shareholders of the corporation;
(iv) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution
of the corporation proposed by, or pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or
understanding (whether or not in writing) with, the Interested Shareholder or
any affiliate thereof; (v) any reclassification of securities (including,
without limitation, any stock split, stock dividend, or other distribution of
shares in respect of shares, or any reverse stock split) or recapitalization
of the corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the corporation with any
subsidiary of the corporation, or any other transaction, with the Interested
Shareholder or any affiliate thereof, which has the effect, directly or
indirectly (in one transaction or a series of transactions during any 12-month
period), of increasing by more than 5% the percentage of the outstanding
voting shares of the corporation or any subsidiary of the corporation
beneficially owned by the Interested Shareholder; or (vi) any receipt by the
Interested Shareholder or any affiliate thereof of the benefit, directly or
indirectly (except proportionately as a shareholder of the corporation), of
any loans, advances, guaranties, pledges, or other financial assistance or any
tax credits or other tax advantages provided by or through the corporation.
 
  The two-thirds voting requirement does not apply to Affiliated Transactions
when any one of the following seven requirements are met: (i) the Affiliated
Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested directors;
(ii) the corporation has not had more than 300 shareholders of record at any
time during the three years preceding the announcement date; (iii) the
Interested Shareholder has been the beneficial owner of at least 80% of the
corporation's outstanding voting shares for at least five years preceding the
announcement date of the Affiliated Transaction; (iv) the Interested
Shareholder is the beneficial owner of at least 90% of the outstanding voting
shares of the corporation, exclusive of shares acquired directly from the
corporation in a transaction not approved by a majority of the disinterested
directors; (v) the corporation is an investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940; (vi) in the Affiliated Transaction,
consideration shall be paid to the holders of each class or series of voting
shares and certain conditions shall have been met including, without
limitation, (a) compliance with restrictions on the amount of the
consideration paid; (b) compliance with restrictions on the type of
consideration paid; (c) compliance with restrictions on the reduction of
dividends by the corporation during the previous three years; (d) compliance
with restrictions on transactions between the corporation and the Interested
Shareholder pursuant to which the Interested Shareholder receives any benefit
(except proportionately as a shareholder of the corporation) of loans,
advances, guaranties or other financial assistance from or through the
corporation; and (e) the mailing of a proxy statement describing the
Affiliated Transaction to holders of voting shares of the corporation at least
twenty-five days before the consummation of such Affiliated Transaction; or
(vii) the corporation has elected, in compliance with the FBCA, not to be
governed by this statute.
 
  Because the Independent Board has approved the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, the provisions of Section 607.0901 are not
applicable to the Merger.
 
 FLORIDA CONTROL-SHARE ACQUISITIONS STATUTE
 
  Independent is also subject to the provisions of Section 607.0902 of the
FBCA. In general, the statute denies voting rights to shares purchased by an
acquiring person who has obtained or anticipates obtaining a specified level
of voting control in shares of an issuing public corporation as part of a
control-share acquisition, except to the extent that such voting rights are
conferred by resolution by the shareholders of the issuing public corporation.
A vote of the shareholders to confer voting power under the statute must meet
the criteria set forth
 
                                      89
<PAGE>
 
in the statute, including the requirement for approval by a majority of all
votes entitled to be cast in each voting group entitled to vote separately,
excluding all interested shares. For purposes of the statute, an "issuing
public corporation" is a corporation which has more than 100 shareholders, has
its principal offices and place of business or substantial assets in the State
of Florida, and either has (i) more than 10% of its shareholders resident in
Florida; or (ii) more than 10% of its shares owned by residents of Florida; or
(iii) 1000 shareholders resident in Florida. Provisions of this statute become
effective when a person acquires or intends to acquire stock which, when added
to all other shares owned by such person or in respect of which such person
may exercise or direct voting power, either alone or as part of a group, would
entitle such person to exercise at least 20% of the voting power of the
issuing public corporation. The statute does not apply to acquisitions of any
shares of an issuing public corporation (i) pursuant to a merger or share
exchange effected in compliance with the FBCA or (ii) which have been approved
by the board of directors of such issuing public corporation.
 
  Because the statute specifically exempts both a merger effected in
compliance with the FBCA and a transaction approved by the board of directors
of the issuing public corporation, the provisions of Section 607.0902 are not
applicable to the Merger.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
  Chemical Mellon Securities Trust Company is the transfer agent and registrar
for Independent Common Stock. Its address is Four Station Square, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15219-1173, and its telephone number is (800) 756-3353.
 
                       COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
 
  The rights of shareholders of Independent are currently governed by the
FBCA, the Independent Articles and the Independent Bylaws. Upon consummation
of the Merger, Independent shareholders who receive Stock Consideration will
become shareholders of American General and their rights will be governed by
the TBCA, the American General Articles and the American General Bylaws, which
differ in certain material respects from the FBCA, the Independent Articles
and the Independent Bylaws. The following is a summary of certain differences
between the rights of Independent shareholders and those of American General
shareholders. See "DESCRIPTION OF INDEPENDENT CAPITAL STOCK" and "DESCRIPTION
OF AMERICAN GENERAL CAPITAL STOCK."
 
  The following summary does not purport to be a complete description of the
rights of shareholders of Independent or the rights of shareholders of
American General or a comprehensive comparison of such rights, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the FBCA and the TBCA, to the
Independent Articles and the Independent Bylaws, and to the American General
Articles and the American General Bylaws. The American General Articles and
Bylaws are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus forms a part. For more information regarding reviewing or
obtaining a copy of the charter documents or bylaws of either company, see
"AVAILABLE INFORMATION."
 
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK
 
  The authorized capital stock of Independent consists of 7,500,000 shares of
Independent Voting Common Stock, 15,000,000 shares of Independent Non-Voting
Common Stock and 20,000,000 shares of Independent Preferred Stock. As of
December 31, 1995, there were outstanding 5,688,775 shares of Independent
Voting Common Stock and 7,475,725 shares of Independent Non-Voting Common
Stock and no shares of Independent Preferred Stock. The authorized capital
stock of American General consists of 300,000,000 shares of American General
Common Stock and 60,000,000 shares of American General Preferred Stock. As of
December 31, 1995, there were outstanding 203,948,246 shares of American
General Common Stock and no shares of American General Preferred Stock.
 
                                      90
<PAGE>
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
  As described more fully above under "DESCRIPTION OF INDEPENDENT CAPITAL
STOCK," the holders of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock have no voting
rights except in certain limited circumstances. All holders of American
General Common Stock have the right to one vote per share with respect to all
matters submitted to a vote of American General shareholders.
 
  As described more fully above under "DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN GENERAL CAPITAL
STOCK--American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock," holders of American
General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock will generally be entitled to vote
together as a single class with holders of American General Common Stock on
all matters requiring a shareholder vote, on the basis of 4/5 of a vote per
share of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock. In addition, holders
of American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote
separately as a class with respect to certain matters, including rights to
elect additional directors to the American General Board in the event of
specified dividend arrearages.
 
AMERICAN GENERAL PREFERRED SHARE PURCHASE RIGHTS
 
  As described more fully above under "DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN GENERAL CAPITAL
STOCK--American General Preferred Share Purchase Rights," American General has
adopted a shareholder rights plan under which it has granted to all holders of
American General Common Stock certain rights to acquire shares of American
General Junior Preferred Shares which may have certain anti-takeover effects.
 
AMENDMENTS TO CHARTER AND BYLAWS
 
  Under the FBCA, the Independent Articles and the Independent Bylaws, an
amendment to the Independent Articles generally would require the approval of
the holders of a majority of the shares of each class entitled to vote thereon
and a majority of the total shares entitled to vote thereon. Under the FBCA,
the holders of a class of securities have the right to vote separately as a
class with respect to any charter amendments that would alter certain terms of
such class specified in the FBCA. Under the TBCA and the American General
Articles, an amendment to the American General Articles generally would
require the approval of the holders of two-thirds of the shares entitled to
vote thereon, or, if any class is entitled to vote separately thereon, the
approval of the holders of two-thirds of the shares of such class entitled to
vote thereon and two-thirds of the total shares entitled to vote thereon.
 
  Under the FBCA and the Independent Articles, the Independent Board and the
Independent shareholders are each empowered to adopt, alter, amend or repeal
the Independent Bylaws, except that the Independent Board is prohibited from
taking such action in relation to any bylaw with respect to which the
shareholders have specifically provided that such bylaw is not subject to
amendment or repeal by the Independent Board. Under the American General
Articles, except as expressly provided in the American General Bylaws, the
American General Board may alter, amend or repeal the American General Bylaws
without shareholder approval, although bylaws made by the American General
Board, and the power conferred upon the American General Board to amend such
bylaws, may be altered or repealed by the shareholders. The American General
Bylaws provide that, unless otherwise provided in the American General
Articles, the power to alter, amend, or repeal the Bylaws or adopt new bylaws
is vested in the American General Board, subject to repeal or change by action
of the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the then outstanding
shares of all classes entitled to vote generally in the election of directors,
voting together as a single class.
 
PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS; CUMULATIVE VOTING
 
  Neither the shareholders of Independent nor the shareholders of American
General have any preemptive rights to acquire unissued shares of the
corporation's capital stock, or any rights to cumulate votes with respect to
the election of directors.
 
BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Independent Board currently consists of eleven members, which is subject
to change by action of the Independent Board provided that, pursuant to the
Independent Articles, the Independent Board shall consist of at
 
                                      91
<PAGE>
 
least five members. The American General Board consists of ten directors,
which is subject to change by action of the American General Board provided
that, pursuant to the American General Bylaws, the American General Board
shall consist of at least three members but no more than 25 members. Members
of the Board of Directors of each of Independent and American General are
elected at each annual meeting of shareholders for terms expiring at the
succeeding annual meeting. Neither Independent nor American General has a
classified board of directors.
 
REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
 
  Under the FBCA, the shareholders of a corporation may remove one or more
directors with or without cause unless the articles of incorporation provide
otherwise. However, if a director is elected by a voting group of
shareholders, only the shareholders of that voting group may participate in
the vote to remove him or her. The Independent Bylaws provide that any
director may be removed from office, with or without cause, by the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Independent Voting
Common Stock represented in person or by proxy at a meeting of shareholders
called for that purpose.
 
  Under the TBCA, a corporation's bylaws or articles of incorporation may
provide that at any meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose,
one or more directors may be removed, with or without cause, by a vote of the
holders of a specified portion, but not less than a majority, of the shares
then entitled to vote in an election of directors. Subject to the rights of
any class or series of stock having a preference over the American General
Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to elect directors under
specified circumstances, the American General Bylaws provide that any director
may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders
of at least 75% of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of all
classes of stock entitled to vote generally in an election of directors,
voting together as a single class.
 
NEWLY-CREATED DIRECTORSHIPS AND VACANCIES
 
  Under the FBCA, except as noted below, whenever a vacancy occurs on a board
of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of
directors, it may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
remaining directors, though less than a quorum, unless the articles of
incorporation provide otherwise. The Independent Bylaws provide that if any
vacancy shall occur in the Independent Board by reason of death, resignation,
removal or otherwise, the remaining directors shall continue to act and such
vacancy may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less
than a quorum, subject to the right of the shareholders to replace a removed
director at the meeting of shareholders during which such removal occurred.
 
  Under the TBCA and the American General Bylaws, subject to the rights of any
holders of a class or series of stock having a preference over the American
General Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to elect directors
under specified circumstances, any vacancy on the American General Board
resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from
office or other cause shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the American General Board then in office, even though less than a quorum,
provided that any director so elected shall hold office only for the remainder
of the term of the director whose departure caused the vacancy. A directorship
created by reason of an increase in the number of directors by action of the
American General Board may be filled by the American General Board for a term
of office continuing only until the next election of directors (whether at an
annual or special shareholders meeting), provided that the American General
Board shall not fill more than two such directorships during the period
between two successive annual meetings of shareholders.
 
NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS
 
  Pursuant to the Independent Bylaws, nominations of persons for election as
directors of the corporation may be made at a shareholders' meeting only (i)
by or at the direction of the Independent Board, (ii) by any nominating
committee or person appointed by the Independent Board or (iii) by any
Independent shareholder entitled to vote for the election of directors at the
meeting who delivers to the Corporate Secretary of Independent notice of such
nomination not less than fifty days nor more than seventy-five days prior to
the meeting, provided, however, that in the event that less than sixty-five
days' notice of the date of the meeting is given, notice by the
 
                                      92
<PAGE>
 
shareholder to be timely must be received not later than the close of business
on the fifteenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the
meeting was made. Such notice of nomination must contain certain specified
information with respect to the shareholder making the proposal, and the
nominee or nominees.
 
  Subject to the rights of any class or series of stock having a preference
over the American General Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to
elect directors under specified circumstances, pursuant to the American
General Bylaws, nominations of persons for election as directors of the
corporation may be made by the board of directors or a committee appointed by
the board of directors or by any shareholder entitled to vote for the election
of directors generally. However, any shareholder entitled to vote in the
election of directors generally may nominate one or more persons for election
as directors only if written notice of such shareholder's intent to make such
nomination or nominations has been given to the Secretary of American General
not later than sixty days nor more than ninety days prior to any meeting of
shareholders called for the election of directors, except that in the event
that less than seventy days notice of the date of the meeting is given to
shareholders, such written notice shall be delivered not later than the close
of business on the tenth day following the day on which notice of the meeting
was mailed to shareholders. Each such notice must contain certain specified
information with respect to the shareholder making the proposal, and the
nominee or nominees.
 
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
  Pursuant to the Independent Bylaws, in order for an Independent shareholder
to have a proposal considered at an annual meeting of shareholders, the
shareholder must deliver notice of such proposal to the Corporate Secretary of
Independent not less than fifty days nor more than seventy-five days prior to
the meeting, provided, however, that in the event that less than sixty-five
days' notice of the date of the annual meeting is given to shareholders,
notice by the shareholder to be timely must be received not later than the
close of business on the fifteenth day following the day on which such notice
of the date of the annual meeting was mailed to Independent shareholders. The
proposing shareholder's notice shall set forth with respect to each matter the
shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief
description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting
and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the
name and record address of the shareholder proposing such business, (iii) the
class and number of shares of Independent that are beneficially owned by the
shareholder and (iv) any material interest of the shareholder in such
business. The American General Bylaws do not address the issue of shareholder
proposals other than with respect to director nominations, as described above.
 
SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE SHAREHOLDERS
 
  Under the FBCA and the Independent Bylaws, special meetings of the
shareholders may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the Independent Board
or the President, and shall be called by the President or Vice President or
the Corporate Secretary upon the written request of the holders of not less
than 10% of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting.
 
  Under the TBCA and the American General Bylaws, special meetings of the
shareholders shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, the President, or
the Secretary upon the written request of the holders of at least 10% of the
shares entitled to vote at the meeting.
 
SHAREHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT
 
  Unless a corporation's charter or bylaws provide otherwise, the FBCA allows
any action required to be taken, or which may be taken, at an annual or
special meeting of shareholders to be taken without a meeting, without prior
notice and without a vote so long as the written consent of not less than the
minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such
action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present
and voted is delivered to the corporation. Neither the Independent Articles
nor the Independent Bylaws address the issue relating to the action by
shareholders without a meeting. However, the rules of the Nasdaq National
Market, on which Independent Non-Voting Common Stock is listed for trading,
generally prohibit listed corporations from taking action by written consent.
 
                                      93
<PAGE>
 
  The TBCA provides that any action required to be taken at an annual or
special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting if all
shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the action consent in writing to
such action or, if the corporation's articles of incorporation so provide, if
a consent in writing shall be signed by the holders of shares having not less
than the minimum number of votes necessary to take such action at a meeting of
shareholders. The American General Articles do not contain such a provision.
 
VOTE REQUIRED FOR MERGERS
 
  Unless the articles of incorporation or the board of directors requires a
greater vote, the FBCA generally requires the affirmative vote of the holders
a majority of the shares in each class entitled to vote to approve a merger.
The FBCA does not require shareholders of the surviving corporation to vote in
a merger if after the merger (i) the articles of incorporation of the
surviving corporation will not differ from its articles of incorporation
before the merger and (ii) each shareholder of the surviving corporation whose
shares were outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger
will hold the same number of shares, with identical designations, preferences,
limitations, and relative rights, immediately after the merger. Other than
provisions which specify when the holders of Independent Non-Voting Common
Stock have the right to vote together with the Independent Voting Common
Stock, the Independent Articles do not contain any provisions relating to
shareholder approval of mergers.
 
  Unless the board of directors requires a greater vote, the TBCA generally
requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the
shares entitled to vote to approve a merger, or if any class of shares is
entitled to vote as a class on the approval of a merger, the affirmative vote
of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares in each such class and the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares otherwise
entitled to vote. The TBCA does not require a vote by the shareholders of the
surviving corporation if after the merger (i) the articles of incorporation of
the surviving corporation will not differ from its articles of incorporation
before the merger; (ii) each shareholder of the surviving corporation whose
shares were outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger
will hold the same number of shares, with identical designations, preferences,
limitations and relative rights immediately after the merger; (iii) the voting
power of the number of voting shares outstanding immediately after the merger,
plus the voting power of the number of voting shares issuable as a result of
the merger, will not exceed by more than 20% the voting power of the total
number of voting shares of the surviving corporation before the merger; (iv)
the number of participating shares outstanding immediately after the merger,
plus the number of participating shares issuable as a result of the merger,
will not exceed by more than 20% the total number of participating shares of
the surviving corporation outstanding immediately before the merger; and (v)
the board of directors of the surviving corporation adopts a resolution
approving the plan of merger. The American General Articles do not contain any
provisions relating to shareholder approval of mergers.
 
VOTE REQUIRED FOR SALES OF ASSETS
 
  Unless the articles of incorporation or the board of directors, requires a
greater vote, the FBCA generally requires the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the shares entitled to vote to approve the sale, lease,
exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all the corporation's
assets if other than in the usual and regular course of business. The FCBA
does not require shareholder approval for a sale of assets in the usual and
regular course of business, unless the articles of incorporation provide
otherwise. The Independent Articles do not contain any provisions relating to
shareholder approval of such dispositions.
 
  The TBCA generally requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote to approve the sale, lease, exchange
or other disposition of all or substantially all the corporation's assets if
other than in the usual and regular course of business, or if any class of
shares is entitled to vote as a class on the approval of a sale, lease,
exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all the corporation's
assets, the vote required for approval of such transaction is the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares in each such class
and the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares
otherwise entitled to vote. The TBCA does not require shareholder approval of
a sale of assets in the usual and regular
 
                                      94
<PAGE>
 
course of business unless otherwise specified in the articles of
incorporation. Under the TBCA, a sale of assets shall be deemed to be in the
usual and regular course of business if the corporation shall, directly or
indirectly, either continue to engage in one or more businesses or apply a
portion of the consideration received in connection with the transaction to
the conduct of a business in which it engages following the transactions. The
American General Articles do not contain any provisions relating to
shareholder approval of such dispositions.
 
ANTI-TAKEOVER STATUTES
 
  For a description of the FBCA's anti-takeover provisions, see "DESCRIPTION
OF INDEPENDENT CAPITAL STOCK--Florida Anti-Takeover Law and Certain Charter
Provisions." The TBCA has no similar anti-takeover provisions.
 
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
 
  Under the FBCA, a dissenting shareholder of a corporation participating in
certain transactions, under varying circumstances, may receive cash in the
amount of the fair value of his or her shares (as determined by agreement or
by a court) in lieu of the consideration otherwise receivable in any such
transaction. Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise,
dissenters' rights are not available with respect to a plan of merger or share
exchange or a proposed sale or exchange of property to holders of shares of
any class or series which, on the record date fixed to determine the
shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting of shareholders at which such
action is to be acted upon or to consent to any such action without a meeting,
were (i) registered on a national securities exchange or designated as a
national market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or (ii) held of record by
not fewer than 2,000 shareholders. The FBCA also provides dissenters' rights
in connection with (i) sales of substantially all of a corporation's assets,
(ii) amendments to the articles of incorporation that may adversely affect
certain rights of preferences of shareholders and (iii) control-share
acquisitions. See "THE PROPOSED MERGER--Dissenters' Rights."
 
  Under the TBCA, a shareholder generally has the right to dissent from any
merger to which the corporation is a party, from any sale of all or
substantially all assets of the corporation, or from any plan of exchange and
to receive fair value for his or her shares. However, dissenters' rights are
not available with respect to a plan of merger in which there is a single
surviving corporation or with respect to any plan of exchange if (1) the
shares held by the shareholder are part of a class, shares of which are listed
on a national securities exchange or held of record by not less than 2,000
holders on the record date fixed to determine the shareholders entitled to
vote on the plan of merger or the plan of exchange and (2) the shareholder is
not required by the terms of the plan of merger or plan of exchange to accept
for his or her shares any consideration other than (a) shares of a corporation
that, immediately after the effective time of the merger or exchange, will be
part of a class of shares that are(i) listed, or authorized for listing upon
official notice of issuance, on a national securities exchange or (ii) held of
record by not less than 2,000 holders and (b) cash in lieu of fractional
shares otherwise entitled to be received.
 
LIMITATION ON DIRECTOR'S LIABILITY
 
  The FBCA provides that directors are not personally liable for monetary
damages to the corporation or any other person, unless: (i) the director
breached or failed to perform his duties as a director; and (ii) the
director's breach of or failure to perform those duties constitutes: (a) a
violation of the criminal law (unless the director had reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was lawful or had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful); (b) a transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit; (c) a circumstance under which the director would
be liable for authorizing an unlawful distribution; (d) in a proceeding by or
in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor or by or in
the right of a shareholder, conscious disregard for the best interests of the
corporation, or willful misconduct; or (e) in a proceeding by or in the right
of someone other than the corporation or a shareholder, recklessness or an act
or omission which was committed in bad faith or with malicious purpose or in a
manner exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights, safety or
property.
 
                                      95
<PAGE>
 
  The American General Articles, in accordance with Texas law, provide that a
director of the corporation shall not be liable to the corporation or its
shareholders for monetary damages for an act or omission in the director's
capacity as a director, except to the extent the director is found liable for
(i) a breach of the director's duty or loyalty to the corporation or its
shareholders; (ii) an act or omission not in good faith or that involves
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; (iii) a transaction
from which the director received an improper benefit, whether or not the
benefit resulted from an action taken within the scope of the director's
office; (iv) an act or omission for which the liability of a director is
expressly provided by statute; or (v) an act related to an unlawful stock
repurchase or payment of a dividend. In addition, the American General
Articles provide that any repeal or amendment of the foregoing provisions by
the shareholders of the corporation shall be prospective only and shall not
adversely affect any limitation on the liability of a director of the
corporation existing at the time of such repeal or amendment, and that, in
addition to the circumstances in which the director of the corporation is not
liable as set forth in the preceding sentences, the director shall not be
liable to the fullest extent permitted by any provisions of the statutes of
Texas later enacted that further limits the liability of a director.
 
INDEMNIFICATION
 
  The Independent Bylaws provide that Independent will indemnify any person
who (i) is party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative) by reason of the fact that he or she is or
was a director or officer of Independent or is or was serving at the request
of Independent as a director or officer of another corporation against certain
costs if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of Independent, and with respect to
any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct
was unlawful; or (ii) was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to
any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of
Independent to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he
or she is or was a director or officer of Independent or is or was serving at
the request of Independent as a director or officer of another corporation
against certain costs actually and reasonably incurred, if he or she acted in
good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of Independent, except that no indemnification shall be made
available where such person is adjudged to be liable for negligence or
misconduct in the performance of his or her duty unless the court determines
such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such
expenses the court deems proper.
 
  Under the TBCA, a corporation has the power to indemnify directors,
officers, employees and agents of the corporations against certain liabilities
and to purchase and maintain liability insurance for those persons. The
American General Bylaws provide that American General will indemnify any
person who was or is a named defendant or respondent or is threatened to be
made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or
investigative, or any appeal of such action, suit or proceeding and any
inquiry or investigation that could lead to such an action, suit or
proceeding, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer or
employee of American General, or is or was serving at the request of American
General as a director, officer or employee of another foreign or domestic
corporation, against judgments, penalties, fines, amounts paid in settlement
and reasonable expenses actually incurred by him in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed, (i) in the case of conduct in his or her official
capacity as a director of American General, to be in the best interests of
American General, and (ii) in all other cases, to be not opposed to the best
interests of American General, except that no indemnification shall be made
available where such person is found liable for willful or intentional
misconduct in the performance of his or her duty to American General.
 
 
                                      96
<PAGE>
 
                              SECURITY OWNERSHIP
 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF AMERICAN GENERAL
 
  American General does not know of any person that owns more than five
percent of the American General Common Stock, except for those listed below.
The percentage ownership has been calculated based on the number of issued and
outstanding shares of American General Common Stock as of December 31, 1995.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         SHARES
  NAME AND ADDRESS                                    BENEFICIALLY  PERCENT OF
 OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                                     OWNED        CLASS
 -------------------                                  ------------  ----------
 <S>                                                  <C>           <C>
 INVESCO PLC
  11 Devonshire Square
  London EC2M 4YR
  England............................................ 14,661,175(1)    7.2%
 Fayez Sarofim & Co.
  ("Sarofim Co.") and
  Fayez S. Sarofim
  Two Houston Center
  Suite 2907
  Houston, Texas..................................... 12,079,430(2)    5.9%
</TABLE>
--------
(1) Based on a Schedule 13G dated February 10, 1995. INVESCO PLC and certain
    of its subsidiaries report shared voting and investment power with respect
    to all of the shares reported in the table.
(2) Based on a Schedule 13G dated February 14, 1995. Mr. Sarofim is chairman,
    president and principal shareholder of Sarofim Co. He reports that through
    Sarofim Co., Sarofim Trust Co. (each of which is a registered investment
    adviser) and certain trusts of which Mr. Sarofim is trustee, he may be
    deemed to share investment power with respect to all of the shares
    reported in the table. He shares voting power with Sarofim Co. and Sarofim
    Trust Co. with respect to not more than 10,241,347 of such shares. Such
    investment power, voting power, or both, also may be deemed to be shared
    with clients of Sarofim Co. or Sarofim Trust Co., or with trustees, other
    fiduciaries, clients or others. The shares reported in the table exclude
    5,800 shares owned by family members of Mr. Sarofim, but as to which Mr.
    Sarofim and Sarofim Co. disclaim beneficial ownership.
 
                                      97
<PAGE>
 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT OF
INDEPENDENT
 
  The following table shows as to each class of equity securities of
Independent, the number of shares owned beneficially, directly or indirectly,
by each director and executive officer, and by all directors and executive
officers of Independent as a group (13 persons), as of December 31, 1995. In
some instances more than one beneficial owner is listed for the same
securities. To the extent that shares held beneficially by spouses or
relatives of such officers and directors are included, such officers and
directors disclaim beneficial ownership.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                         OWNED              PERCENT OF CLASS
                                  ----------------------    -------------------
    NAME OF                                      NON-                    NON-
 ENEFICIAL OWNERB                  VOTING       VOTING       VOTING     VOTING
----------------                  ---------    ---------    --------   --------
 <S>                              <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>
 George M. Baldwin............... 1,033,288(1)       --          18.2%       --
 Lucy B. Gooding.................   981,612(5) 1,222,340(5)      17.3       16.4
 Jacob F. Bryan IV...............   867,128(2) 1,077,334(3)      15.2       14.4
 G. Howard Bryan.................   829,612(2) 1,032,396(3)      14.6       13.8
 Boyd E. Lyon, Sr................   290,702(4)       --           5.1        --
 Wilford C. Lyon, Jr.............   213,072          --           3.7        --
 Patricia H. Doane...............   143,512          602          2.5          *
 Michael C. Lyon.................    49,531          100            *          *
 Carter B. Bryan.................    37,130       36,152            *          *
 Kendall G. Bryan................    37,930       13,877            *          *
 William G. Howard...............     2,474          --             *        --
 Guy Marvin, III.................       --           500          --           *
 David A. Skup...................       --           462          --           *
 All directors and executive of-
  ficers as a group.............. 3,673,579    2,377,147         64.6       31.8
</TABLE>
--------
* Less than 1 percent of the outstanding shares of such class.
(1) Includes 1,032,888 shares held of record by a trust under the will of
    Grace D. Coburn (deceased). Frederick E. Williams and John G. Grimsley are
    trustees. George M. Baldwin and James L. Baldwin are beneficiaries of the
    trust.
(2) Includes all the shares of three trusts aggregating 812,412 shares of
    Independent Voting Common Stock of which Jacob F. Bryan IV, G. Howard
    Bryan and Julia Olive Craig Brooke are beneficiaries and/or trustees.
(3) Includes all the shares of three trusts aggregating 1,006,616 shares of
    Independent Non-Voting Common Stock of which Jacob F. Bryan IV, G. Howard
    Bryan and Julia Olive Craig Brooke are beneficiaries and/or trustees.
(4) Includes all the shares of two trusts aggregating 101,760 shares of
    Independent Voting Common Stock held by the Registrant's retirement plans
    of which Boyd E. Lyon, Sr. is a trustee.
(5) Includes 981,612 shares of Independent Voting Common Stock and 1,222,340
    shares of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock held in a trust of which
    Lucy B. Gooding, Bonnie H. Smith and Jack E. Brooks are trustees.
 
  The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 1995, certain information
with respect to the only persons who, to the best knowledge of Independent,
were the beneficial owners of more than five percent of the outstanding shares
of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock, other than those referred to above.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    NAME AND ADDRESS OF                   SHARES BENEFICIALLY
      BENEFICIAL OWNER                           OWNED        PERCENT OF CLASS
    -------------------                   ------------------- ----------------
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>
Tweedy, Browne Company, L.P.
 52 Vanderbilt Avenue
 New York, NY............................       637,055(1)          8.56%
</TABLE>
--------
(1) Based on a Schedule 13D dated December 5, 1995.
 
  Independent has entered into Exchange Agreements with holders of more than
90% of the outstanding shares of Independent Voting Common Stock pursuant to
which such holders may, at any time on or prior to
 
                                      98
<PAGE>
 
December 31, 2006, exchange shares of Independent Voting Common Stock for an
equal number of shares of Independent Non-Voting Common Stock without payment
of any additional consideration. All of the principal shareholders, officers
and directors listed above are parties to these agreements. See "DESCRIPTION
OF INDEPENDENT CAPITAL STOCK--Exchange Agreements."
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  The legality of the American General Common Stock and the American General
7% Convertible Preferred Stock to be issued in the Merger will be passed upon
for American General by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to American General.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, counsel to Independent, and Vinson &
Elkins L.L.P. will each render opinions with respect to certain federal income
tax consequences of the Merger. J. Evans Attwell, a director of American
General, is a partner in the law firm of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. See "THE
PROPOSED MERGER--Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger" and
"DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN GENERAL CAPITAL STOCK--Certain Federal Income Tax
Aspects Relating to the Ownership and Disposition of American General Common
Stock and American General 7% Convertible Preferred Stock."
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated financial statements and schedules of Independent and its
subsidiaries appearing in or incorporated by reference in Independent's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 have been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their reports thereon
included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated
financial statements and schedules are incorporated herein by reference in
reliance upon reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial
statements and schedules given upon the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to
be present at the Special Meeting, where they will have the opportunity to
make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
 
  The consolidated financial statements and schedules of American General and
its subsidiaries appearing in or incorporated by reference in American
General's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 have
been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their
reports thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such
consolidated financial statements and schedules are incorporated herein by
reference in reliance upon reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such
financial statements and schedules given upon the authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
 
  The consolidated financial statements of American Franklin Company and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1993, and for the year then ended, appearing
in American General's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 14, 1995, and
the consolidated financial statements of American Franklin Company and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and for the years ended
December 31, 1994 and 1993, appearing in American General's Current Report on
Form 8-K dated April 14, 1995, have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,
independent accountants, as set forth in their reports thereon included
therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial
statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon reports of
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. pertaining to such financial statements given upon
the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
 
                                      99
<PAGE>
 
                                                                         ANNEX A
 
                                                                [CONFORMED COPY]
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
 
                                  BY AND AMONG
 
                         AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION,
 
                           AGC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                                      AND
 
                       INDEPENDENT INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
 
                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 19, 1995
 
       (AND AS AMENDED AS OF JANUARY 25, 1996 WITH RESPECT TO EXHIBIT A)
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
                                   ARTICLE I
 
                                   The Merger
 
 <C>          <S>                                                          <C>
 Section 1.1  The Merger................................................     1
 Section 1.2  Closing...................................................     1
 Section 1.3  Effective Time of the Merger..............................     1
 Section 1.4  Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation.......     2
 
                                   ARTICLE II
 
                              Shareholder Approval
 
 Section 2.1  Shareholder Meeting.......................................     2
 Section 2.2  Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statement........     2
 Section 2.3  No False or Misleading Statements.........................     2
 
                                  ARTICLE III
 
                     Conversion and Exchange of Securities
 
 Section 3.1  Conversion of Shares......................................     3
 Section 3.2  Allocation of Merger Consideration; Election Procedures...     4
 Section 3.3  Fractional Interests......................................     7
 Section 3.4  Dissenting Shares.........................................     8
 Section 3.5  Exchange of Certificates..................................     8
 Section 3.6  No Liability..............................................     9
 
                                   ARTICLE IV
 
              Representations and Warranties of Purchaser and Sub
 
 Section 4.1  Organization..............................................     9
 Section 4.2  Capitalization............................................    10
 Section 4.3  Sub and Purchaser Subsidiaries............................    10
 Section 4.4  Authority Relative to this Agreement......................    11
 Section 4.5  Consents and Approvals; No Violations.....................    11
 Section 4.6  Purchaser SEC Reports.....................................    11
 Section 4.7  Statutory Financial Statements............................    12
 Section 4.8  Absence of Certain Changes................................    12
 Section 4.9  Litigation................................................    12
 Section 4.10 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities........................    12
 Section 4.11 No Default................................................    13
 Section 4.12 Taxes.....................................................    13
 Section 4.13 Title to Property.........................................    13
 Section 4.14 Insurance Practices; Permit and Insurance Licenses........    14
 Section 4.15 Regulatory Filings........................................    14
 Section 4.16 Investments...............................................    14
 Section 4.17 Reserves..................................................    14
 Section 4.18 Ownership of Company Common Stock.........................    15
              Information in Proxy Statement/Prospectus and Registration
 Section 4.19 Statement.................................................    15
 Section 4.20 Brokers...................................................    15
 Section 4.21 Environmental Matters.....................................    15
 Section 4.22 Disclosure................................................    15
 Section 4.23 Investigation by Purchaser................................    16
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
 
                                   ARTICLE V
 
                 Representations and Warranties of the Company
 
 <C>          <S>                                                          <C>
 Section 5.1  Organization..............................................    16
 Section 5.2  Capitalization............................................    16
 Section 5.3  Company Subsidiaries......................................    17
 Section 5.4  Authority Relative to this Agreement......................    17
 Section 5.5  Consents and Approvals; No Violations.....................    18
 Section 5.6  Company SEC Reports.......................................    18
 Section 5.7  Statutory Financial Statements............................    19
 Section 5.8  Absence of Certain Changes................................    19
 Section 5.9  Litigation................................................    19
 Section 5.10 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities........................    19
 Section 5.11 No Default................................................    19
 Section 5.12 Taxes.....................................................    20
 Section 5.13 Title to Property.........................................    20
 Section 5.14 Insurance Practices; Permits and Insurance Licenses.......    20
 Section 5.15 Regulatory Filings........................................    21
 Section 5.16 Investments...............................................    21
 Section 5.17 Reserves..................................................    21
 Section 5.18 Redemption of Company Common Stock........................    22
              Information in Proxy Statement/Prospectus and Registration
 Section 5.19 Statement.................................................    22
 Section 5.20 Brokers...................................................    22
 Section 5.21 Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA.............................    22
 Section 5.22 Labor Relations; Employees................................    24
 Section 5.23 Environmental Matters.....................................    24
 Section 5.24 Related Party Transactions................................    24
 Section 5.25 Affiliates................................................    25
 Section 5.26 Opinion of Financial Advisor..............................    25
 Section 5.27 Derivatives...............................................    25
 Section 5.28 Contracts.................................................    25
 Section 5.29 Disclosure................................................    26
 
                                   ARTICLE VI
 
                     Conduct of Business Pending the Merger
 
 Section 6.1  Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger.....    26
 Section 6.2  Conduct of Business by Purchaser Pending the Merger.......    28
 Section 6.3  Investment Restrictions...................................    29
 
                                  ARTICLE VII
 
                             Additional Agreements
 
 Section 7.1  Access and Information....................................    29
 Section 7.2  Acquisition Proposals.....................................    29
 Section 7.3  Filings; Other Action.....................................    30
 Section 7.4  Public Announcements......................................    31
 Section 7.5  Employee Benefits.........................................    31
 Section 7.6  Stock Exchange Listing....................................    31
 Section 7.7  Company Indemnification Provision.........................    31
 Section 7.8  Comfort Letters...........................................    32
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-ii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----
 <C>           <S>                                                        <C>
 Section 7.9   Tax Matters..............................................   32
 Section 7.10  Intercompany Dividends...................................   32
                     Certificate of Designation of Purchaser Convertible
 Section 7.11  Preferred Stock..........................................   32
 Section 7.12  Additional Matters.......................................   33
 
                                  ARTICLE VIII
 
                    Conditions to Consummation of the Merger
 
                     Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the
 Section 8.1   Merger...................................................   33
                   Conditions to Obligation of the Company to Effect the
 Section 8.2   Merger...................................................   33
                Conditions to Obligations of Purchaser and Sub to Effect
 Section 8.3   the Merger...............................................   34
 
                                   ARTICLE IX
 
                       Termination, Amendment and Waiver
 
 Section 9.1   Termination by Mutual Consent............................   34
 Section 9.2   Termination by Either Purchaser or the Company...........   34
 Section 9.3   Termination by the Company...............................   35
 Section 9.4   Termination by Purchaser.................................   36
 Section 9.5   Effect of Termination and Abandonment....................   36
 
                                   ARTICLE X
 
                               General Provisions
 
 Section 10.1  Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements...   38
 Section 10.2  Notices..................................................   38
 Section 10.3  Descriptive Headings.....................................   38
 Section 10.4  Entire Agreement; Assignment.............................   38
 Section 10.5  Governing Law............................................   39
 Section 10.6  Expenses.................................................   39
 Section 10.7  Amendment................................................   39
 Section 10.8  Waiver...................................................   39
 Section 10.9  Counterparts; Effectiveness..............................   39
 Section 10.10 Severability; Validity; Parties in Interest..............   39
 Section 10.11 Enforcement of Agreement.................................   39
</TABLE>
 
                                     A-iii
<PAGE>
 
                         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
 
  AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of October 19, 1995, by and among
AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION, a Texas corporation ("Purchaser"), AGC LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY, a Missouri corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Purchaser ("Sub"), and INDEPENDENT INSURANCE GROUP, INC., a Florida
corporation (the "Company").
 
  WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Purchaser, Sub and the
Company have approved the merger of the Company with and into Sub upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein (the "Merger"); and
 
  WHEREAS, Purchaser, Sub and the Company intend that the Merger qualify as a
tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
 
  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
 
                                   ARTICLE I
 
                                  THE MERGER
 
  Section 1.1 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof,
at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.2 hereof), the Company shall be
merged with and into Sub in accordance with the applicable provisions of the
Florida Business Corporation Act (the "FBCA") and The General and Business
Corporation Law of Missouri and the separate corporate existence of the
Company shall thereupon cease, and Sub shall be the surviving corporation in
the Merger (the "Surviving Corporation") and all of its rights, privileges,
powers, immunities, purposes and franchises shall continue unaffected by the
Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in the FBCA and in The
General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri. Pursuant to the Merger, (a)
the Articles of Incorporation of Sub as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation, until thereafter amended as provided by law and such Articles of
Incorporation and (b) the By-laws of Sub as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the By-laws of the Surviving Corporation, until
thereafter amended as provided by law, such By-laws and the Articles of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation.
 
  Section 1.2 Closing. The Company shall as promptly as practicable notify
Purchaser, and Purchaser and Sub shall as promptly as practicable notify the
Company, when the conditions to such party's or parties' obligation to effect
the Merger contained in Article VIII have been satisfied. The closing of the
Merger (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom, 919 Third Avenue, New York, New York, at 10:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on the sixth business day after the later of these notices
has been given (the "Closing Date"), unless another date or place is agreed to
in writing by the parties hereto; provided, however, that the parties hereto
agree to use all reasonable efforts to consummate the Closing on January 2,
1996, or as soon as practicable thereafter.
 
  Section 1.3 Effective Time of the Merger. The Merger shall become effective
when an appropriate Articles of Merger is executed and filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Florida as provided by the FBCA and the
Secretary of State of the State of Missouri as provided in The General and
Business Corporation Law of Missouri, or at such later time as the parties
hereto shall have designated in such filings as the Effective Time of the
Merger (the "Effective Time"), which filings shall be made as soon as
practicable after the closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement in accordance with Section 1.2 hereof.
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
  Section 1.4 Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation. The
directors and officers of Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation at the Effective Time.
The directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation shall hold office
until their respective successors shall have been duly elected or appointed
and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in
accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving
Corporation.
 
                                  ARTICLE II
 
                             SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL
 
  Section 2.1 Shareholder Meeting. In order to consummate the Merger, the
Company, acting through its Board of Directors, shall, in accordance with
applicable law, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a special meeting
of its shareholders (the "Company Special Meeting"), as soon as practicable
after the Registration Statement (as hereinafter defined) is declared
effective, for the purpose of voting upon the adoption of this Agreement. The
Company shall include in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as hereinafter
defined) the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Company that
shareholders of the Company vote in favor of the approval of the Merger and
the adoption of this Agreement, unless the inclusion of such recommendation
would, in the written opinion of outside legal counsel to the Company, result
in a breach of the Board of Directors' fiduciary duties under applicable law.
 
  Section 2.2 Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statement. In
connection with the solicitation of approval of the principal terms of this
Agreement and the Merger by the Company's shareholders, the Company and
Purchaser shall as promptly as practicable prepare and file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a preliminary proxy statement
relating to the Merger and this Agreement and use all reasonable efforts to
obtain and furnish the information required to be included by the SEC in the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as hereinafter defined). The Company, after
consultation with Purchaser, shall respond as promptly as practicable to any
comments made by the SEC with respect to the preliminary proxy statement and
shall cause a definitive proxy statement to be mailed to its shareholders at
the earliest practicable date. Such definitive proxy statement shall also
constitute a prospectus of Purchaser with respect to the Purchaser Stock (as
hereinafter defined) to be issued in the Merger (such proxy statement and
prospectus are referred to herein as the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus"), which
prospectus is to be filed with the SEC as part of a registration statement on
Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") for the purpose of registering such
shares of Purchaser Stock under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"). Purchaser shall prepare and as promptly as practicable file
with the SEC the Registration Statement. Purchaser, after consultation with
the Company, shall respond as promptly as practicable to any comments made by
the SEC with respect to the Registration Statement, and shall use all
reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective by
the SEC. Purchaser shall also take any action required to be taken under
applicable state securities laws in connection with the issuance of Purchaser
Stock in the Merger, and the Company shall furnish all information concerning
the Company and the holders of Company Common Stock as may be reasonably
requested by Purchaser in connection with such action.
 
  Section 2.3 No False or Misleading Statements. The information provided and
to be provided by each of Purchaser and the Company specifically for use in
the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall not, with
respect to the information supplied by such party, in the case of the
Registration Statement, on the date the Registration Statement becomes
effective and, in the case of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, on the date upon
which the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is mailed to the shareholders of the
Company or on the date upon which approval of the Merger by the shareholders
of the Company is obtained, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. Each of Purchaser and the Company agrees
to correct as promptly as practicable any such information provided by it that
shall have become false or misleading in any material respect and to take all
steps necessary to file with the SEC and have declared effective or cleared by
the SEC any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus so as to correct the same and to cause the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus as so corrected to be disseminated to the Company's
shareholders to the extent required by applicable law. The Registration
Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall comply as to form in all
material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act, the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and other applicable
law.
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE III
 
                     CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES
 
  Section 3.1 Conversion of Shares. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of any of the parties hereto or any
holder of any of the following securities:
 
    (a) All shares of Voting Common Stock of the Company, par value One
  Dollar per share (the "Company Voting Stock"), and all shares of Non-Voting
  Common Stock of the Company, par value One Dollar per share (the "Company
  Non-Voting Stock"; the Company Voting Stock and the Company Non-Voting
  Stock, collectively, the "Company Common Stock"), that are owned by the
  Company as treasury stock and any shares of Company Common Stock owned by
  Purchaser, Sub or any other direct or indirect subsidiary of Purchaser
  (other than 3,000 shares of Company Common Stock held in a separate account
  of a subsidiary of Purchaser) shall be cancelled and retired and shall
  cease to exist and no payment or other consideration shall be made in
  respect thereof.
 
    (b) Each share of Common Stock of Sub, par value $100.00 per share,
  issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall
  remain outstanding and shall be unchanged after the Merger and shall
  thereafter constitute all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of
  the Surviving Corporation.
 
    (c) Except as otherwise provided herein and subject to the limitations
  set forth in Section 3.2, each remaining share of Company Common Stock
  issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
  Dissenting Shares (as hereinafter defined)), shall be converted into,
  exchanged for and represent the right to receive any of the following:
 
      (i) a fraction of a duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
    nonassessable share of common stock of Purchaser (together with the
    attached Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock Purchase Rights,
    the "Purchaser Common Stock"), par value $0.50 per share (the "Common
    Stock Consideration"), calculated by dividing (x) $27.50 by (y) the
    Average Closing Price, rounded to four decimal places (such fraction
    being referred to herein as the "Exchange Ratio"). As used herein, the
    "Average Closing Price" shall mean the average of the closing prices
    (or, if the Purchaser Common Stock should not trade on any Trading Day
    (as hereinafter defined), the average of the high bid and low asked
    prices therefor on such day), regular way, per share of Purchaser
    Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape
    during the ten consecutive Trading Days ending on (and including) the
    fifth Trading Day prior to the Effective Time,
 
      (ii) a fraction of a duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
    nonassessable share of 7% Convertible Preferred Stock of Purchaser (the
    "Purchaser Convertible Preferred Stock"; the Purchaser Common Stock and
    the Purchaser Convertible Preferred Stock, collectively, "Purchaser
    Stock"), par value $1.50 per share (the "Convertible Preferred Stock
    Consideration"; the Common Stock Consideration and the Convertible
    Preferred Stock Consideration, collectively, "Stock Consideration"),
    equal to the Exchange Ratio as calculated in accordance with Section
    3.1(c)(i) above, which Purchaser Convertible Preferred Stock shall have
    such terms and provisions as set forth in the Statement of Resolution
    Establishing a Series of Shares (the "Certificate of Designation")
    attached hereto as Exhibit A, with such immaterial changes as the
    parties hereto shall agree, or
 
      (iii) $27.50 in cash (the "Cash Price"), without any interest thereon
    (the "Cash Consideration"; the Common Stock Consideration, the
    Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration and the Cash Consideration,
    collectively, the "Merger Consideration"),
 
in each case as the holder thereof shall have elected or be deemed to have
elected, in accordance with and subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 3.2 hereof. All shares of Company Common Stock converted or exchanged
into Merger Consideration shall no longer be outstanding and shall
automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each
certificate previously evidencing any such shares of Company Common Stock
shall thereafter represent the right to receive, upon the surrender of such
certificate in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.5, only the
applicable Merger Consideration. The holders of such certificates previously
evidencing such
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
 
shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such shares of Company
Common Stock except as otherwise provided herein or by law.
 
  Section 3.2 Allocation of Merger Consideration; Election Procedures.
 
    (a) Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement:
 
      (i) "Elected Convertible Preferred Stock Percentage" means the
    percentage determined by dividing (A) the number of Convertible
    Preferred Stock Election Shares of a record holder of Company Common
    Stock by (B) the total number of shares of Company Common Stock owned
    by such record holder;
 
      (ii) "Full Distribution Shareholder" means a record holder of Company
    Common Stock whose Elected Convertible Preferred Stock Percentage is
    equal to or less than 50%;
 
      (iii) "Unguaranteed Distribution Shareholder" means a record holder
    of Company Common Stock whose Elected Convertible Preferred Stock
    Percentage is greater than 50%;
 
      (iv) "Convertible Preferred Stock Election Amount" means the
    aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock in respect of which
    Convertible Preferred Stock Elections have been made;
 
      (v) "Convertible Preferred Stock Overelection Shares" means the
    number of Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares of a record
    holder of Company Common Stock which were not converted into
    Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration pursuant to Section
    3.2(f)(ii)(A);
 
      (vi) "Convertible Preferred Stock Overelection Percentage" means the
    quotient obtained by dividing (A) 50% of the aggregate number of shares
    of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
    Merger less the aggregate amount of Convertible Preferred Stock
    Election Shares converted to Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration
    for all Full Distribution Shareholders pursuant to Section 3.2(f)(i)
    and for all Unguaranteed Distribution Shareholders pursuant to Section
    3.2(f)(ii)(A) by (B) the aggregate number of Convertible Preferred
    Stock Overelection Shares;
 
      (vii) "Unconverted Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares" means
    the Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares of a record holder of
    Company Common Stock which were not converted into Convertible
    Preferred Stock Consideration pursuant to Section 3.2(f)(i) or Section
    3.2(f)(ii);
 
      (viii) "Maximum Cash Consideration" means the Cash Price multiplied
    by 50% of the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock issued
    and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger;
 
      (ix) "Cash Available for Election" means the Maximum Cash
    Consideration less the sum of (A) the aggregate amount of cash paid in
    lieu of fractional interests in accordance with Section 3.3 and (B) the
    product of (i) the number of Dissenting Shares which are not to be
    treated as Non-Election Shares pursuant to Section 3.4, if any, and
    (ii) the Cash Price; provided, however, that if the Company fails to
    deliver prior to the Closing executed representation letters from one
    or more persons owning 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Company
    Stock as contemplated by Section 7.9 hereof, then the Cash Available
    for Election shall be reduced by the sum of (i) the product of (A) 50%
    of the aggregate number of shares of Company Stock owned by such holder
    or holders multiplied by (B) $27.50 and (ii) such additional amount, if
    any, as is necessary, so that the tax opinions referred to in Sections
    8.2(b) and 8.3(b) may be rendered, but in no event shall such
    additional amount exceed the amount specified in clause (i) of this
    proviso;
 
      (x) "Guaranteed Cash Percentage" means the quotient obtained by
    dividing Cash Available for Election by the product of (A) the Cash
    Price and (B) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock
    issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the
    Merger;
 
 
                                      A-4
<PAGE>
 
      (xi) "Elected Cash Percentage" means the percentage determined by
    dividing (A) the number of Cash Election Shares (as hereinafter
    defined) of a record holder of Company Common Stock by (B) the total
    number of shares of Company Common Stock owned by such record holder;
 
      (xii) "Full Pay Shareholder" means a record holder of Company Common
    Stock whose Elected Cash Percentage is equal to or less than the
    Guaranteed Cash Percentage;
 
      (xiii) "Unguaranteed Pay Shareholder" means a record holder of
    Company Common Stock whose Elected Cash Percentage is greater than the
    Guaranteed Cash Percentage;
 
      (xiv) "Cash Election Amount" means the product of the aggregate
    number of Cash Election Shares and the Cash Price;
 
      (xv) "Cash Overelection Shares" means the number of Cash Election
    Shares of a record holder of Company Common Stock which were not
    converted into Cash Consideration pursuant to Section 3.2(g)(ii)(A);
 
      (xvi) "Cash Overelection Percentage" means the quotient obtained by
    dividing (A) the Cash Available for Election less the aggregate amount
    of Cash Consideration paid to all Full Pay Shareholders pursuant to
    Section 3.2(g)(i) and to all Unguaranteed Pay Shareholders pursuant to
    Section 3.2(g)(ii)(A) by (B) the product of the Cash Price and the
    aggregate number of Cash Overelection Shares; and
 
      (xvii) "Unconverted Cash Election Shares" means the Cash Election
    Shares of a record holder of Company Common Stock which were not
    converted into Cash Consideration pursuant to Section 3.2(g)(i) or
    Section 3.2(g)(ii).
 
    (b) Allocation. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
  contrary, the aggregate amount of Cash Consideration to be provided to
  holders of Company Common Stock shall not exceed the Cash Available for
  Election and no more than 50% of the aggregate number of shares of Company
  Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger shall
  be converted into Purchaser Convertible Preferred Stock.
 
    (c) Election. Subject to allocation and proration in accordance with the
  provisions of this Section 3.2, each record holder of shares of Company
  Common Stock (other than Dissenting Shares, if any, which are not to be
  treated as Non-Election Shares pursuant to Section 3.4 and shares to be
  cancelled in accordance with Section 3.1(a)) issued and outstanding
  immediately prior to the Election Deadline (as hereinafter defined) shall
  be entitled to submit a request specifying the portion of such record
  holder's shares of Company Common Stock which such record holder desires to
  have converted into (i) Common Stock Consideration (a "Common Stock
  Election"), (ii) Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration (a "Convertible
  Preferred Stock Election"; a Common Stock Election and a Convertible
  Preferred Stock Election, collectively, a "Stock Election") and/or (iii)
  Cash Consideration (a "Cash Election"), or to indicate that such record
  holder has no preference as to the receipt of Common Stock Consideration,
  Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration or Cash Consideration for such
  shares (a "Non-Election"). Each record holder making a Convertible
  Preferred Stock Election shall also be entitled to submit a request
  specifying the portion of such holder's Unconverted Convertible Preferred
  Stock Election Shares, if any, such record holder desires to have converted
  into Cash Consideration and/or Common Stock Consideration and each record
  holder making a Cash Election shall be entitled to submit a request
  specifying the portion of such holder's Unconverted Cash Election Shares,
  if any, such record holder desires to have converted into Common Stock
  Consideration and/or Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration. Shares of
  Company Common Stock as to which a Cash Election is made, including
  Unconverted Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares which a record
  holder has requested be converted into Cash Consideration, are referred to
  herein as "Cash Election Shares". Shares of Purchaser Convertible Preferred
  Stock as to which a Convertible Preferred Stock Election is made, including
  Unconverted Cash Election Shares which a record holder has requested be
  converted into Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration, are referred to
  herein as "Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares". Shares of Company
  Common Stock in respect of which a Non-Election is made (including shares
  in respect of which such an election is deemed to have been made
 
                                      A-5
<PAGE>
 
  pursuant to this Section 3.2 and Section 3.4) (collectively, "Non-Election
  Shares") shall be deemed to be shares in respect of which a Common Stock
  Election has been made.
 
    (d) Procedure for Elections. Elections pursuant to Section 3.2(c) shall
  be made on a form to be mutually agreed upon by Purchaser and the Company
  (a "Form of Election") and to be provided by the Exchange Agent (as defined
  in Section 3.5) for that purpose to holders of record of Company Common
  Stock, together with appropriate transmittal materials, at the time of
  mailing to holders of record of Company Common Stock of the Proxy
  Statement/Prospectus in connection with the Company Special Meeting
  referred to in Section 2.1. Elections shall be made by mailing to the
  Exchange Agent a duly completed Form of Election. To be effective, a Form
  of Election must be (i) properly completed, signed and submitted to the
  Exchange Agent at its designated office, by 5:00 p.m., on the business day
  that is two Trading Days (as hereinafter defined) prior to the Closing Date
  (which date shall be publicly announced by Purchaser as soon as practicable
  but in no event less than five Trading Days prior to the Closing Date) (the
  "Election Deadline") and (ii) accompanied by the certificates representing
  the shares of Company Common Stock as to which the election is being made
  (or by an appropriate guarantee of delivery of such certificates by a
  commercial bank or trust company in the United States or a member of a
  registered national security exchange or of the National Association of
  Securities Dealers, Inc., provided such certificates are in fact delivered
  to the Exchange Agent within eight Trading Days after the date of execution
  of such guarantee of delivery). The Company shall make, or cause the
  Exchange Agent to make, a Form of Election available to all persons who
  become holders of record of Company Common Stock between the date of
  mailing described in the first sentence of this Section 3.2(d) and the
  Election Deadline. The Company shall determine, in its sole and absolute
  discretion, which authority it may delegate in whole or in part to the
  Exchange Agent, whether Forms of Election have been properly completed,
  signed and submitted or revoked. The decision of the Company (or the
  Exchange Agent, as the case may be) in such matters shall be conclusive and
  binding. Neither the Company nor the Exchange Agent will be under any
  obligation to notify any person of any defect in a Form of Election
  submitted to the Exchange Agent. A holder of shares of Company Common Stock
  that does not submit an effective Form of Election prior to the Election
  Deadline shall be deemed to have made a Non-Election. As used in this
  Agreement, "Trading Day" means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange
  is open for trading.
 
    (e) Revocation of Election; Return of Certificates. An election may be
  revoked, but only by written notice received by the Exchange Agent prior to
  the Election Deadline. Any certificate(s) representing shares of Company
  Common Stock which have been submitted to the Exchange Agent in connection
  with an election shall be returned without charge to the holder thereof in
  the event such election is revoked as aforesaid and such holder requests in
  writing the return of such certificate(s). Upon any such revocation, unless
  a duly completed Election Form is thereafter submitted in accordance with
  Section 3.2(d) with respect to such shares, such shares shall be deemed
  Non-Election Shares. In the event that this Agreement is terminated
  pursuant to the provisions hereof and any shares of Company Common Stock
  have been transmitted to the Exchange Agent pursuant to the provisions
  hereof, such shares shall be returned as promptly as practicable without
  charge to the person submitting the same.
 
    (f) Proration of Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares. In the
  event that the Convertible Preferred Stock Election Amount exceeds 50% of
  the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock issued and
  outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, the
  Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares shall be converted into the
  right to receive Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration and/or other
  Merger Consideration in the following manner:
 
      (i) the Exchange Agent shall distribute to each Full Distribution
    Shareholder, Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration for each of the
    Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares of such party;
 
      (ii) the Exchange Agent shall distribute to each Unguaranteed
    Distribution Shareholder, Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration
 
                                      A-6
<PAGE>
 
        (A) for that number of Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares
      equal to 50% of the number of shares of Company Common Stock owned
      by such record holder, and
 
        (B) for that number of Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares
      equal to the product of the number of Convertible Preferred Stock
      Election Shares owned by such shareholder which were not converted
      into Convertible Preferred Stock Consideration pursuant to Section
      3.2(f)(ii)(A) and the Convertible Preferred Stock Overelection
      Percentage;
 
      (iii) all Unconverted Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares
    will be converted into such other Merger Consideration as each record
    holder of such shares directs, subject to the provisions of this
    Section 3.2, and in the absence of such direction, such shares shall be
    treated as Non-Election Shares.
 
    (g) Proration of Cash Election Shares. In the event that the Cash
  Election Amount exceeds the Cash Available for Election, the Cash Election
  Shares shall be converted into the right to receive Cash Consideration
  and/or other Merger Consideration in the following manner:
 
      (i) the Exchange Agent shall distribute to each Full Pay Shareholder,
    Cash Consideration for each of the Cash Election Shares of such party;
 
      (ii) the Exchange Agent shall distribute to each Unguaranteed Pay
    Shareholder, Cash Consideration
 
        (A) for that number of Cash Election Shares equal to the product
      of the number of shares of Company Common Stock owned by such record
      holder and the Guaranteed Cash Percentage, and
 
        (B) for that number of Cash Election Shares equal to the product
      of the number of Cash Election Shares which were not converted into
      Cash Consideration pursuant to Section 3.2(g)(ii)(A) and the Cash
      Overelection Percentage; and
 
      (iii) all Unconverted Cash Election Shares will be converted into
    such other Merger Consideration as each record holder of such shares
    directs, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.2, and in the
    absence of such direction, such shares shall be treated as Non-Election
    Shares.
 
    (h) Computations. The Exchange Agent, in consultation with the Company
  and Purchaser, shall make all computations to give effect to this Section
  3.2, which computations, in the event of a dispute between the Company and
  Purchaser, shall be conclusive and binding.
 
    (i) Order of Proration; No Proration.
 
      (i) In the event both proration of Convertible Preferred Stock
    Election Shares and Cash Election Shares is necessary, the Convertible
    Preferred Stock Election Shares shall be prorated first.
 
      (ii) In the event that the Cash Available for Election exceeds the
    Cash Election Amount, all Cash Election Shares shall be converted into
    the right to receive Cash Consideration.
 
      (iii) In the event that the Convertible Preferred Stock Election
    Amount is less than 50% of the aggregate number of shares of Company
    Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
    Time of the Merger, all Convertible Preferred Stock Election Shares
    shall be converted into the right to receive Convertible Preferred
    Stock Consideration (and cash in lieu of fractional interests in
    accordance with Section 3.3).
 
      (iv) All Common Stock Election Shares shall be converted into the
    right to receive Common Stock Consideration (and cash in lieu of
    fractional interests in accordance with Section 3.3).
 
  Section 3.3 Fractional Interests. No certificates or scrip representing
fractional shares of Purchaser Stock shall be issued in connection with the
Merger, and such fractional interests will not entitle the owner thereof to
any rights of a shareholder of Purchaser. In lieu of a fractional interest in
a share of Purchaser Stock, each holder of shares of Company Common Stock
exchanged pursuant to Section 3.1(c) who would otherwise have been entitled to
receive a fraction of a share of Purchaser Stock shall receive cash (without
interest) in an amount equal to the product of such fractional interest
multiplied by the Average Closing Price.
 
                                      A-7
<PAGE>
 
  Section 3.4 Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
the contrary, no share of Company Voting Stock, the holder of which shall have
complied with the provisions of Section 607.1320 of the FBCA as to dissenter's
rights (a "Dissenting Share"), shall be deemed converted into and to represent
the right to receive Merger Consideration hereunder, and the holders of
Dissenting Shares, if any, shall be entitled to payment, solely from the
Surviving Corporation, of the appraised value of such Dissenting Shares to the
extent permitted by and in accordance with the provisions of Section 607.1320
of the FBCA; provided, however, that (i) if any holder of Dissenting Shares
shall, under the circumstances permitted by the FBCA, subsequently deliver a
written withdrawal of his or her demand for appraisal of such Dissenting
Shares, or (ii) if any holder fails to establish his or her entitlement to
rights to payment as provided in such Section 607.1320, or (iii) if neither
any holder of Dissenting Shares nor the Surviving Corporation has filed a
petition demanding a determination of the value of all Dissenting Shares
within the time provided in such Section 607.1320, such holder or holders (as
the case may be) shall forfeit such right to payment for such Dissenting
Shares pursuant to such Section 607.1320 and each such share shall not be
considered a Dissenting Share but shall thereupon be treated as a Non-Election
Share for purposes of Section 3.2. The Company shall give Purchaser (i) prompt
notice of any written demands for appraisal of any Company Common Stock,
attempted withdrawals of such demands, and any other instruments received by
Company relating to shareholders' rights of appraisal and (ii) the opportunity
to direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for
appraisal under the FBCA. The Company shall not, except with the prior written
consent of Purchaser, voluntarily make any payment with respect to any demands
for appraisals of Company Common Stock, offer to settle or settle any such
demands or approve any withdrawal of any such demands.
 
  Section 3.5 Exchange of Certificates.
 
    (a) As soon as practicable after the execution and delivery of this
  Agreement and, in any event, not less than five Trading Days prior to the
  mailing of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to holders of Company Common
  Stock, Purchaser shall designate a bank or trust company (or such other
  person or persons as shall be reasonably acceptable to Purchaser and
  Company) to act as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") in effecting the
  exchange of certificates that, prior to the Effective Time, represented
  shares of Company Common Stock (the "Certificates") for Merger
  Consideration pursuant to Section 3.1(a) hereof (and cash in lieu of
  fractional interests in accordance with Section 3.3). Upon the surrender of
  each such Certificate representing shares of Company Common Stock, the
  Exchange Agent shall pay the holder of such Certificate the applicable
  Merger Consideration (and cash in lieu of fractional interests in
  accordance with Section 3.3), and such Certificate shall forthwith be
  cancelled. Until so surrendered and exchanged, each such Certificate that
  prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Company Common Stock
  (other than Certificates representing Dissenting Shares which are not to be
  treated as Non-Election Shares pursuant to Section 3.2 or shares of Company
  Common Stock to be cancelled in accordance with Section 3.1(a)) shall
  represent solely the right to receive Merger Consideration (and cash in
  lieu of fractional interests in accordance with Section 3.3). No interest
  shall be paid or accrue on Merger Consideration.
 
    (b) As of or as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time,
  Purchaser shall deposit or cause to be deposited in trust with the Exchange
  Agent, for the benefit of the holders of shares of Company Common Stock,
  for exchange in accordance with this Article III, the aggregate Merger
  Consideration.
 
    (c) The cash portion of the aggregate Merger Consideration shall be
  invested by the Exchange Agent, as directed by and for the benefit of the
  Surviving Corporation, provided that such investments shall be limited to
  direct obligations of the United States of America, obligations for which
  the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged to
  provide for the payment of principal and interest, commercial paper rated
  of the highest quality by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or
  Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of McGraw-Hill, Inc. ("S&P"),
  and certificates of deposit issued by a commercial bank whose long-term
  debt obligations are rated at least A2 by Moody's or at least A by S&P, in
  each case having a maturity not in excess of one year.
 
    (d) As promptly as practicable following the date which is six months
  after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent shall deliver to the Surviving
  Corporation all cash, shares of Purchaser Stock, Certificates
 
                                      A-8
<PAGE>
 
  and other documents in its possession relating to the transactions
  described in this Agreement, and the Exchange Agent's duties shall
  terminate. Thereafter, each holder of a Certificate may surrender such
  Certificate to the Surviving Corporation and (subject to applicable
  abandoned property, escheat and similar laws and, in the case of Dissenting
  Shares, subject to applicable law) receive in exchange therefor the
  applicable Merger Consideration (and cash in lieu of fractional interest in
  accordance with Section 3.3), without any interest thereon.
 
    (e) After the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock
  transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of any shares of Company Common
  Stock. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates formerly representing
  shares of Company Common Stock are presented to the Surviving Corporation
  or the Exchange Agent, they shall be cancelled and (subject to applicable
  abandoned property, escheat and similar laws and, in the case of Dissenting
  Shares, subject to applicable law) exchanged for Merger Consideration (and
  cash in lieu of fractional interests in accordance with Section 3.3), as
  provided in this Article III.
 
    (f) No dividends or other distributions declared or made after the
  Effective Time with respect to shares of Purchaser Stock shall be paid to
  the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to the shares of
  Purchaser Stock such holder is entitled to receive, and no cash payment in
  lieu of fractional interests shall be paid pursuant to Section 3.3, in each
  case, until the holder of such Certificate shall surrender such
  Certificate, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
 
    (g) The Exchange Agent or Purchaser shall be entitled to deduct and
  withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this
  Agreement to any holder of Company Common Stock such amounts as the
  Exchange Agent, Purchaser or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be,
  is required to deduct and withhold with respect to such payment under the
  Code or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law. Any amounts so
  withheld shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been
  paid to the holder of the Company Common Stock in respect of which such
  deduction and withholding was made.
 
  Section 3.6 No Liability. Neither Purchaser, the Company nor the Surviving
Corporation shall be liable to any holder of shares of Company Common Stock
for any Merger Consideration in respect of such shares (or dividends or
distributions with respect thereto) delivered to a public official pursuant to
any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law. In the event any
Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an
affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such Certificate to be lost,
stolen or destroyed and, if required by Purchaser, the posting by such person
of a bond in customary form and amount as indemnity against any claim that may
be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent will
issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger
Consideration (and cash in lieu of fractional interests in accordance with
Section 3.3), without any interest or other payments thereon, upon due
surrender of and deliverable in respect of such Certificate pursuant to this
Agreement.
 
                                  ARTICLE IV
 
              REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER AND SUB
 
  Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
 
  Section 4.1 Organization. Each of Purchaser and Sub is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the States
of Texas and Missouri, respectively, with the corporate power and authority
and all necessary governmental approvals to own, lease and operate its
properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted or
presently proposed to be conducted. Sub is duly licensed or authorized as an
insurance company in the State of Missouri and in each other jurisdiction
where it is required to be licensed or authorized. Each of Purchaser and Sub
is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do business, and is in good
standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of its properties owned or
held under lease or the nature of its activities make such qualification
necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not individually
or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business, assets,
liabilities, results of operations or financial condition of Purchaser, Sub
and the Purchaser Subsidiaries (as hereinafter defined), taken as a whole (a
"Purchaser Material Adverse Effect").
 
                                      A-9
<PAGE>
 
  Section 4.2 Capitalization. As of August 31, 1995: (i) the authorized
capital stock of Purchaser consists of 300,000,000 shares of Purchaser Common
Stock and 60,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $1.50 per share of
Purchaser ("Purchaser Preferred Stock"), (ii) 204,894,131 shares of Purchaser
Common Stock, and no shares of Purchaser Preferred Stock, were issued and
outstanding and (iii) stock options to acquire 2,843,228 shares of Purchaser
Common Stock (the "Purchaser Stock Options") were outstanding under all stock
option plans of Purchaser. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital
stock of Purchaser are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free
of preemptive rights. All of the shares of Purchaser Stock reserved for
issuance in exchange for shares of Company Common Stock at the Effective Time
in accordance with this Agreement will be, when so issued, duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights.
Since August 31, 1995 to the date hereof, no shares of Purchaser's capital
stock have been issued, except Purchaser Common Stock issued pursuant to stock
option or other employee benefit plans. Except for (i) outstanding stock
options, (ii) 4,500,000 shares of 6% Convertible Monthly Income Preferred
Securities, Series A, of American General Delaware, L.L.C., (iii) the Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock Purchase Rights attached to the Purchaser
Common Stock and (iv) other miscellaneous options relating to 100,000 shares
of Purchaser Common Stock, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no
options, warrants, subscriptions, calls, rights, convertible securities or
other agreements or commitments obligating Purchaser to issue, transfer, sell,
redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock.
 
  Section 4.3 Sub and Purchaser Subsidiaries.
 
    (a) The authorized capital stock of Sub consists of 250,000 shares of
  Common Stock, par value $100.00 per share. As of the date hereof, 141,041
  shares of Common Stock of Sub are issued and outstanding and are owned by
  Purchaser.
 
    (b) Each subsidiary of Purchaser, other than Sub (collectively, the
  "Purchaser Subsidiaries"), is a corporation duly organized, validly
  existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
  incorporation and has the corporate power and authority and all necessary
  government approvals to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry
  on its business as now being conducted, except where the failure to be so
  organized, existing and in good standing or to have such power and
  authority or necessary governmental approvals would not individually or in
  the aggregate have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect. Each Purchaser
  Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing to do
  business in each jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased or
  operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such
  qualification or licensing necessary, except in such jurisdictions where
  the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and in good standing would
  not individually or in the aggregate have a Purchaser Material Adverse
  Effect. Schedule 4.3(b) attached hereto sets forth the name of each of the
  Purchaser Subsidiaries that is as of the date hereof a significant
  subsidiary as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the
  Exchange Act (collectively, the "Purchaser Significant Subsidiaries").
 
    (c) Schedule 4.3(c) attached hereto sets forth the name of each of the
  Purchaser Significant Subsidiaries that is as of the date hereof an
  insurance company (collectively, the "Purchaser Insurance Subsidiaries").
  Each of the Purchaser Insurance Subsidiaries is (i) duly licensed or
  authorized as an insurance company in its jurisdiction of incorporation and
  (ii) duly licensed or authorized as an insurance company in each other
  jurisdiction where it is required to be so licensed or authorized.
 
    (d) Purchaser is, directly or indirectly, the record and beneficial owner
  of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Sub and of each of the
  Purchaser Significant Subsidiaries, there are no proxies with respect to
  any such shares, and no equity securities of Sub or of any Purchaser
  Significant Subsidiary are or may become required to be issued by reason of
  any options, warrants, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any
  character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into
  or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of any capital stock of Sub or
  of any Purchaser Significant Subsidiary, and there are no contracts,
  commitments, understandings or arrangements by which Purchaser or any
  Purchaser Significant Subsidiary is or may be bound to issue, redeem,
  purchase or sell additional shares of capital stock of Sub or of any
  Purchaser Significant Subsidiary or securities convertible into or
  exchangeable or
 
                                     A-10
<PAGE>
 
  exercisable for any such shares. All of such shares so owned by Purchaser
  are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by it free
  and clear of Encumbrances (as hereinafter defined) securing obligations not
  reflected in the Purchaser SEC Reports.
 
  Section 4.4 Authority Relative to this Agreement. Each of Purchaser and Sub
has the corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to
carry out its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement by Purchaser and Sub and the consummation by Purchaser and
Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by the
Board of Directors of Purchaser and Sub and by Purchaser as the sole
shareholder of Sub by written consent, and no other corporate proceedings on
the part of Purchaser or Sub are necessary to authorize this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by each of Purchaser and Sub and (assuming this
Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company)
constitutes a valid and binding agreement of each of Purchaser and Sub,
enforceable against Purchaser and Sub in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and other laws
affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and to
general equitable principles.
 
  Section 4.5 Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except (a) for applicable
requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended (the "HSR Act"), the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, state or
foreign laws relating to takeovers, state securities or blue sky laws, state
insurance laws and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the filing of the
Articles of Merger as required by the FBCA and The General and Business
Corporation Law of Missouri and the filing of the Certificate of Designation
as required by Section 7.11 (collectively, the "Governmental Requirements"),
or (b) where the failure to make any filing with, or to obtain any permit,
authorization, consent or approval of, any court or tribunal or
administrative, governmental or regulatory body, agency, commission, division,
department, public body or other authority (a "Government Entity") would not
prevent or delay the consummation of the Merger, or otherwise prevent
Purchaser or Sub from performing their respective obligations under this
Agreement, and would not individually or in the aggregate have a Purchaser
Material Adverse Effect, no filing with, and no permit, authorization, consent
or approval of, any Governmental Entity is necessary for the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by Purchaser and Sub and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Neither the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by Purchaser or Sub, nor
the consummation by Purchaser or Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby,
nor compliance by Purchaser or Sub with any of the provisions hereof, will (i)
conflict with or result in any breach of any provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation or By-Laws of Purchaser and Sub or the Articles or Certificate
of Incorporation, as the case may be, or By-Laws of any of the Purchaser
Subsidiaries, (ii) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or
without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any
right of termination, cancellation, acceleration, vesting, payment, exercise,
suspension or revocation) under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of
any note, bond, mortgage, deed of trust, security interest, indenture,
license, contract, agreement, plan or other instrument or obligation to which
Purchaser, Sub or any of the Purchaser Subsidiaries is a party or by which any
of them or any of their properties or assets may be bound or affected, (iii)
violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation
applicable to Purchaser, Sub, any Purchaser Subsidiary or any of their
properties or assets, (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any
Encumbrance on any asset of Purchaser, Sub or any Purchaser Subsidiary, or (v)
cause the suspension or revocation of any permit, license, governmental
authorization, consent or approval necessary for Purchaser, Sub or any of the
Purchaser Subsidiaries to conduct its business as currently conducted, except
in the case of clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) for violations, breaches,
defaults, terminations, cancellations, accelerations, creations, impositions,
suspensions or revocations which would not individually or in the aggregate
have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.
 
  Section 4.6 Purchaser SEC Reports. Purchaser has delivered to the Company
true and complete copies of each Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K, Proxy Statement, Schedule 13D filed
with respect to Purchaser, Form S-4, and the prospectus included in any other
registration statement as presently in effect and as last amended, pursuant to
which Purchaser has registered equity securities for sale in underwritten
offerings (including any amendments thereto), filed by Purchaser with
 
                                     A-11
<PAGE>
 
the SEC since January 1, 1992 through the date hereof (collectively, the
"Purchaser SEC Reports"). As of the respective dates such Purchaser SEC
Reports were filed or, if any such Purchaser SEC Reports were amended, as of
the date such amendment was filed, each of the Purchaser SEC Reports (i)
complied in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder and (ii) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. Each of (i) the audited consolidated
financial statements of Purchaser (including any related notes and schedules)
included (or incorporated by reference) in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 and (ii) the unaudited consolidated
interim financial statements of Purchaser (including any related notes and
schedules) included (or incorporated by reference) in its Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995, fairly present, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent
basis (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto), the consolidated
financial position of Purchaser and the Purchaser Subsidiaries as of the dates
thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and changes in their
financial position for the periods then ended (subject to normal year-end
adjustments in the case of any unaudited interim financial statements).
 
  Section 4.7 Statutory Financial Statements. The Annual Statements and
Quarterly Statements of the Purchaser Insurance Subsidiaries, as filed with
the departments of insurance for all applicable domiciliary states for the
years ended December 31, 1993 and December 31, 1994 (the "Annual Statutory
Statements of Purchaser") and the quarters ended March 31, 1994, June 30,
1994, March 31, 1995 and June 30, 1995 (collectively, the "March 31 and June
30 Statutory Statements of Purchaser"), respectively, together with all
exhibits and schedules thereto (all Annual Statutory Statements of Purchaser
and all March 31 and June 30 Statutory Statements of Purchaser, together with
all exhibits and schedules thereto, referred to in this Section 4.7 are
hereinafter referred to as the "Statutory Financial Statements of Purchaser"),
have been prepared in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or
permitted by the departments of insurance for all applicable domiciliary
states for purposes of financial reporting to the state's insurance regulators
("State Statutory Accounting Principles"), and such accounting practices have
been applied on a basis consistent with State Statutory Accounting Principles
throughout the periods involved, except as expressly set forth in the notes,
exhibits or schedules thereto, and the Statutory Financial Statements of
Purchaser present fairly in all material respects the financial position and
the results of operations for the Purchaser Insurance Subsidiaries as of the
dates and for the periods therein in accordance with State Statutory
Accounting Principles. Purchaser has delivered to the Company true and
complete copies of the Annual Statutory Statements of Purchaser and the March
31 and June 30 Statutory Statements of Purchaser.
 
  Section 4.8 Absence of Certain Changes. Since June 30, 1995, there has been
no event or condition which has had (or is reasonably likely to result in) a
Purchaser Material Adverse Effect, and Purchaser and the Purchaser Significant
Subsidiaries have in all material respects conducted their businesses in the
ordinary course consistent with past practices and have not taken any action
which, if taken after the date hereof, would violate Section 6.2 hereof.
 
  Section 4.9 Litigation. Except as disclosed in the Purchaser SEC Reports,
there is no suit, action, proceeding or investigation (whether at law or
equity, before or by any federal, state or foreign court, tribunal,
commission, board, agency or instrumentality, or before any arbitrator)
pending or, to the best knowledge of Purchaser, threatened against or
affecting Purchaser, Sub or any of the Purchaser Subsidiaries, the outcome of
which, in the reasonable judgment of Purchaser, is likely individually or in
the aggregate to have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect, nor is there any
judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any court, governmental
department, commission, agency, instrumentality or arbitrator outstanding
against Purchaser, Sub or any of the Purchaser Subsidiaries having, or which,
insofar as can reasonably be foreseen, in the future may have, a Purchaser
Material Adverse Effect.
 
  Section 4.10 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Except for liabilities or
obligations which are accrued or reserved against in Purchaser's financial
statements (or reflected in the notes thereto) included in the Purchaser
 
                                     A-12
<PAGE>
 
SEC Reports or which were incurred after June 30, 1995 in the ordinary course
of business and consistent with past practices or in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or liabilities incurred in
connection with acquisitions made after June 30, 1995, Purchaser and the
Purchaser Subsidiaries do not have any material liabilities or obligations
(whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) of a nature required by
GAAP to be reflected in a consolidated balance sheet (or reflected in the
notes thereto) of Purchaser.
 
  Section 4.11 No Default. Neither Purchaser, Sub nor any of the Purchaser
Subsidiaries is in violation or breach of, or default under (and no event has
occurred which with notice or the lapse of time or both would constitute a
violation or breach of, or default under) any term, condition or provision of
(a) its Articles or Certificate of Incorporation, as the case may be, or By-
Laws, (b) any note, bond, mortgage, deed of trust, security interest,
indenture, license, agreement, plan, contract, lease, commitment or other
instrument or obligation to which Purchaser, Sub or any of the Purchaser
Subsidiaries is a party or by which they or any of their properties or assets
may be bound or affected, (c) any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute,
rule or regulation applicable to Purchaser, Sub or any of the Purchaser
Subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets, or (d) any permit, license,
governmental authorization, consent or approval necessary for Purchaser, Sub
or any of the Purchaser Subsidiaries to conduct their respective businesses as
currently conducted, except in the case of clauses (b), (c) and (d) above for
violations, breaches or defaults which would not individually or in the
aggregate have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.
 
  Section 4.12 Taxes.
 
    (a) Except as set forth in the Purchaser SEC Reports:
 
      (i) Purchaser and the Purchaser Subsidiaries have (i) duly filed (or
    there has been filed on their behalf) with the appropriate governmental
    authorities all material Tax Returns (as hereinafter defined) required
    to be filed by them on or prior to the date hereof, and (ii) duly paid
    in full or made provision in accordance with GAAP (or there has been
    paid or provision has been made on their behalf) for the payment of all
    material Taxes (as hereinafter defined) for all periods ending through
    the date hereof;
 
      (ii) no federal, state, local or foreign audits or other
    administrative proceedings or court proceedings are presently pending
    with regard to any Taxes or Tax Returns of Purchaser or the Purchaser
    Subsidiaries wherein an adverse determination or ruling in any one such
    proceeding or in all such proceedings in the aggregate could have a
    Purchaser Material Adverse Effect;
 
      (iii) the Internal Revenue Service has completed examinations of the
    consolidated federal income Tax Returns of Purchaser for all periods
    through and including December 31, 1985. Except as set forth in the
    Purchaser SEC Reports, all issues have been settled with respect to
    such examinations. The Internal Revenue Service is examining as of the
    date hereof the consolidated federal income Tax Returns of Purchaser
    for the years 1986 through 1988; and
 
      (iv) neither Purchaser nor the Purchaser Subsidiaries is a party to
    any material tax sharing agreement or arrangement with any entity not
    included in Purchaser's consolidated financial statements most recently
    filed by Purchaser with the SEC.
 
    (b) "Taxes" shall mean all federal, state, local and foreign taxes, and
  other assessments of a similar nature (whether imposed directly or through
  withholding), including any interest, additions to tax, or penalties
  applicable thereto. "Tax Returns" shall mean all federal, state, local and
  foreign tax returns, declarations, statements, reports, schedules, forms
  and information returns and any amended Tax Returns relating to Taxes.
 
  Section 4.13 Title to Property. Except as set forth in the Purchaser SEC
Reports, each of Purchaser and the Purchaser Subsidiaries (i) has good and
valid title to all of its properties, assets and other rights that do not
constitute real property, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for such
Encumbrances that do not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Purchaser
Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) owns, has valid leasehold interests in or
valid contractual rights to use, all of the assets, tangible and intangible,
used by, or necessary for the conduct of, its business except where the
failure to have such valid leasehold interests or such valid contractual
rights do not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Purchaser Material
Adverse Effect.
 
                                     A-13
<PAGE>
 
  Section 4.14 Insurance Practices; Permit and Insurance Licenses.
 
    (a) The business of Purchaser and each of the Purchaser Subsidiaries is
  being conducted in compliance, in all material respects, with all
  applicable laws, including, without limitation, all insurance laws,
  ordinances, rules, regulations, decrees and orders of any Governmental
  Entity, and all material notices, reports, documents and other information
  required to be filed thereunder within the last three years were properly
  filed in all material respects and were in compliance in all material
  respects with such laws.
 
    (b) Purchaser, and each of the Purchaser Insurance Subsidiaries, has all
  permits and insurance licenses the use and exercise of which are necessary
  for the conduct of its business as now conducted, other than such permits
  and insurance licenses the absence of which would not, individually or in
  the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Purchaser Material Adverse
  Effect. The business of Purchaser and each of the Purchaser Insurance
  Subsidiaries has been and is being conducted in compliance, in all material
  respects, with all such permits and insurance licenses. To the best
  knowledge of Purchaser, all such permits and insurance licenses are in full
  force and effect, and there is no proceeding or investigation pending or
  threatened which would reasonably be expected to lead to the revocation,
  amendment, failure to renew, limitation, suspension or restriction of any
  such permit or insurance license.
 
  Section 4.15 Regulatory Filings. Purchaser and the Purchaser Subsidiaries
have filed all reports, statements, documents, registrations, filings or
submissions required to be filed by any of them with any Governmental Entity,
except where the failure to file, in the aggregate, would not have a Purchaser
Material Adverse Effect; and, to the best knowledge of Purchaser, all such
reports, statements, documents, registrations, filings or submissions were in
all material respects true, complete and accurate when filed.
 
  Section 4.16 Investments.
 
    (a) The Statutory Financial Statements of Purchaser set forth a list,
  which list is accurate and complete in all material respects, of all
  securities, mortgages and other investments (collectively, the "Purchaser
  Investments") owned by the Purchaser Insurance Subsidiaries as of December
  31, 1994, together with the cost basis book or amortized value, as the case
  may be, as of December 31, 1994. All transactions in Purchaser Investments
  by each of the Purchaser Insurance Subsidiaries from January 1, 1995 to the
  date hereof have complied in all material respects with the investment
  policies of such Purchaser Insurance Subsidiary and all applicable
  insurance laws and regulations.
 
    (b) Except as set forth in the Statutory Financial Statements of
  Purchaser, the Purchaser Insurance Subsidiaries have good and marketable
  title to the Purchaser Investments listed in the Statutory Financial
  Statements of Purchaser or acquired in the ordinary course of business
  since June 30, 1995, other than with respect to those Purchaser Investments
  which have been disposed of in the ordinary course of business or as
  contemplated by this Agreement or redeemed in accordance with their terms
  since such date and other than with respect to statutory deposits which are
  subject to certain restrictions on transfer.
 
    (c) The information provided by Purchaser to the Company indicating the
  aggregate amount by which the Purchaser Investments have been written down
  from January 1, 1995 through September 30, 1995 and the aggregate amount of
  Purchaser Investments in default with respect to the payment of principal
  or interest as of September 30, 1995, is true and correct in all material
  respects.
 
  Section 4.17 Reserves. The aggregate reserves of the Purchaser Insurance
Subsidiaries as recorded in the Statutory Accounting Statements of Purchaser
have been determined in accordance with generally accepted actuarial
principles consistently applied (except as set forth therein). The insurance
reserving practices and policies of the Purchaser Insurance Subsidiaries have
not changed, in any material respect, since December 31, 1994 and the results
of the application of such practices and policies are reflected in the
Statutory Accounting Statements of Purchaser. All reserves of the Purchaser
Insurance Subsidiaries set forth in the Statutory Accounting Statements of
Purchaser are, to the best knowledge of Purchaser, fairly stated in accordance
with sound actuarial principles and meet the requirements of the insurance
laws of the applicable insurance authority, except where the failure to so
state such reserves or meet such requirements would not have a Purchaser
Material Adverse Effect.
 
                                     A-14
<PAGE>
 
  Section 4.18 Ownership of Company Common Stock. As of the date hereof,
Purchaser and the Purchaser Subsidiaries (a) are not beneficial owners (as
defined in Rule 16d-1(a)(2) of the Exchange Act) of more than 3,000 shares of
Company Common Stock and (b) have not purchased or otherwise acquired since
January 1, 1994 more than 130,000 shares of Company Common Stock.
 
  Section 4.19 Information in Proxy Statement/Prospectus and Registration
Statement. The Registration Statement (or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto), at the date it becomes effective and at the time of the Company
Special Meeting, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they are made, not misleading, except that no representation is made by
Purchaser with respect to statements made therein based on information
supplied by the Company in writing for inclusion in the Registration
Statement. None of the information supplied by Purchaser for inclusion or
incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus will, at the date
mailed to shareholders and at the time of the Company Special Meeting, contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading. The Registration Statement will comply in all material respects
with the provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
 
  Section 4.20 Brokers. No person is entitled to any brokerage, financial
advisory, finder's or similar fee or commission payable by Purchaser in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon
arrangements made by and on behalf of Purchaser.
 
  Section 4.21 Environmental Matters.
 
    (a) Except as disclosed in the Purchaser SEC Reports, to the knowledge of
  Purchaser, (i) each of Purchaser and the Purchaser Subsidiaries is and has
  been in compliance in all respects with and, except for ongoing compliance
  obligations, including current activities to remove asbestos and future
  activities to remove asbestos, if applicable, has no existing liabilities
  under, and (ii) there are no written claims or notices by any person
  received by Purchaser or any of the Purchaser Subsidiaries that any of
  Purchaser or the Purchaser Subsidiaries has not been in compliance in all
  respects with or has any existing liabilities under, all applicable laws,
  rules, regulations, common law, ordinances, decrees, orders and other
  binding legal requirements relating to pollution, the preservation of the
  environment, and the exposure to materials in the environment or the work
  place ("Environmental Laws") with respect to property owned by Purchaser or
  any of the Purchaser Subsidiaries, except for such non-compliance or
  liabilities that would not be reasonably likely to have a Purchaser
  Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Purchaser SEC Reports,
  neither Purchaser nor any of the Purchaser Subsidiaries is subject to any
  decrees, orders, decisions of arbitrators or judgments that impose
  requirements under Environmental Laws, restrictions under Environmental
  Laws, liabilities under Environmental Laws, or penalties for violations of
  Environmental Laws or the aforementioned requirements or restrictions,
  except where such requirements, restrictions, liabilities, or penalties
  would not be reasonably likely to have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.
 
    (b) Except as disclosed in the Purchaser SEC Reports, with respect to
  currently owned property and all property formerly owned, leased or
  operated by Purchaser or any of the Purchaser Subsidiaries, including
  foreclosure property, to the knowledge of Purchaser, there are no past or
  present actions, conditions or occurrences that could form the basis of any
  outstanding claim under Environmental Laws against, or liability under such
  laws of, Purchaser or any of the Purchaser Subsidiaries, except for such
  claims or liabilities which in the aggregate would not reasonably be
  expected to result in a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.
 
  Section 4.22 Disclosure. No representation or warranty by Purchaser or the
Purchaser Subsidiaries in this Agreement, and no statement contained in the
Purchaser SEC Reports and the Statutory Financial Statements of Purchaser,
contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or
will omit to state any material fact necessary, in light of the circumstances
under which it was made, to make the statements herein or
 
                                     A-15
<PAGE>
 
therein not misleading. There is no fact known to Purchaser which could
reasonably be expected to have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect which has
not been set forth in the Purchaser SEC Reports, the Statutory Financial
Statements of Purchaser or in this Agreement.
 
  Section 4.23 Investigation by Purchaser. Purchaser has conducted its own
independent review and analysis of the businesses, assets, condition,
operations and prospects of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (as
hereinafter defined) and acknowledges that Purchaser has been provided access
to the properties, premises and records of the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries for this purpose. In entering into this Agreement, Purchaser has
relied solely upon its own investigation and analysis and the warranties
contained herein, and Purchaser:
 
    (a) acknowledges that none of the Company, the Company Subsidiaries or
  any of their respective directors, officers, employees, affiliates, agents
  or representatives makes any representation or warranty, either express or
  implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information
  provided or made available to Purchaser or their agents or representatives
  prior to the execution of this Agreement, and
 
    (b) agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that none of the
  Company, the Company Subsidiaries or any of their respective directors,
  officers, employees, affiliates, agents or representatives shall have any
  liability or responsibility whatsoever to Purchaser on any basis
  (including, without limitation, in contract or tort, under federal or state
  securities laws or otherwise) based upon any information provided or made
  available, or statements made, to Purchaser prior to the execution of this
  Agreement,
 
except that the foregoing limitations shall not apply to the Company to the
extent the Company makes the specific representations and warranties set forth
in Article V of this Agreement and in the Company Disclosure Letter, but
always subject to the limitations and restrictions contained herein and
therein.
 
                                   ARTICLE V
 
                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
 
  Except as otherwise disclosed to Purchaser in a letter delivered to it prior
to the execution hereof (which letter contains appropriate references to
identify the representations and warranties herein to which the information in
such letter relates) (the "Company Disclosure Letter"), the Company represents
and warrants to Purchaser as follows:
 
  Section 5.1 Organization. The Company is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Florida
and has the corporate power and authority and all necessary governmental
approvals to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted or presently proposed to be conducted.
The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do business, and is
in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of its properties
owned or held under lease or the nature of its activities makes such
qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not
individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the
business, assets, liabilities, results of operations or financial condition of
the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a "Company
Material Adverse Effect").
 
  Section 5.2 Capitalization. As of September 1, 1995: (i) the authorized
capital stock of the Company consisted of 7,500,000 shares of Company Voting
Stock, 15,000,000 shares of Company Non-Voting Stock and 20,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per share (the "Company Preferred Stock") and
(ii) 5,692,083 shares of Company Voting Stock, 7,472,417 shares of Company
Non-Voting Stock and no shares of Company Preferred Stock were issued and
outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Company Voting Stock
and Company Non-Voting Stock are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable
and free of preemptive rights. Except as set forth above or as specified in
Section 5.2 of the Company Disclosure Letter, as of the date of this Agreement
there are no shares of capital stock of the Company issued or outstanding or
any options, warrants, subscriptions, calls, rights, convertible securities or
other agreements or commitments obligating the Company to issue, transfer,
sell, redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock.
 
                                     A-16
<PAGE>
 
  Section 5.3 Company Subsidiaries.
 
    (a) Section 5.3(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth the name
  of each subsidiary of the Company (collectively, the "Company
  Subsidiaries") and the state or jurisdiction of its incorporation. Each
  Company Subsidiary is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
  good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and
  has the corporate power and authority and all necessary government
  approvals to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its
  business as now being conducted, except where the failure to be so
  organized, existing and in good standing or to have such power and
  authority or necessary governmental approvals would not individually or in
  the aggregate have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each Company
  Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing to do
  business in each jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased or
  operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such
  qualification or licensing necessary, except in such jurisdictions where
  the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and in good standing would
  not individually or in the aggregate have a Company Material Adverse
  Effect.
 
    (b) Section 5.3(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth the name
  of each of the Company Subsidiaries that is an insurance company
  (collectively, the "Company Insurance Subsidiaries"). Except as disclosed
  in Section 5.3(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, each of the Company
  Insurance Subsidiaries is (i) duly licensed or authorized as an insurance
  company in its jurisdiction of incorporation and (ii) duly licensed or
  authorized as an insurance company in each other jurisdiction where it is
  required to be so licensed or authorized.
 
    (c) Except as set forth in Section 5.3(c) of the Company Disclosure
  Letter, the Company is, directly or indirectly, the record and beneficial
  owner of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the
  Company Subsidiaries, there are no proxies with respect to any such shares,
  and no equity securities of any Company Subsidiary are or may become
  required to be issued by reason of any options, warrants, rights to
  subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to,
  or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable
  for, shares of any capital stock of any Company Subsidiary, and there are
  no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the
  Company or any Company Subsidiary is or may be bound to issue, redeem,
  purchase or sell additional shares of capital stock of any Company
  Subsidiary or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable
  for any such shares. Except as set forth in Section 5.3(c) of the Company
  Disclosure Letter, all of such shares so owned by the Company are validly
  issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by it free and clear of
  any Encumbrances, restraints on alienation, or any other restrictions with
  respect to the transferability or assignability thereof (other than
  restrictions on transfer imposed by federal or state securities laws).
 
    (d) Except for the Company Subsidiaries and as set forth in the Statutory
  Financial Statements of the Company (as hereinafter defined) or in Section
  5.3(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company does not directly or
  indirectly own any equity or similar interest in, or any interest
  convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity or similar
  interest in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other business
  association or entity that directly or indirectly conducts any activity
  which is material to the Company.
 
  Section 5.4 Authority Relative to this Agreement.
 
    (a) The Company has the corporate power and authority to enter into this
  Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder. The execution,
  delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the
  consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby have
  been duly authorized by the Company's Board of Directors, and no other
  corporate proceedings on the part of the Company, other than obtaining
  shareholder approval pursuant to Section 2.1 hereto, are necessary to
  authorize this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Subject
  to the foregoing, this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
  delivered by the Company and (assuming this Agreement constitutes a valid
  and binding obligation of Purchaser and Sub) constitutes a valid and
  binding agreement of the Company,
 
                                     A-17
<PAGE>
 
  enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to
  applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and other
  laws affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and
  to general equitable principles.
 
    (b) The Company's Board of Directors has (i) taken sufficient action,
  pursuant to paragraph 2(i) of the Shareholder Agreement dated as of January
  29, 1990, to approve the offer of Purchaser to enter into the transactions
  contemplated by this Agreement with the Company and (ii) waived the
  Company's right, pursuant to Section 7.2 of the Company's Articles of
  Incorporation, to purchase, or assign the right to purchase, the shares of
  Company Voting Stock to be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise
  disposed of by any holder thereof hereunder.
 
  Section 5.5 Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except (a) for the
Governmental Requirements, or (b) where the failure to make any filing with,
or to obtain any permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any
Governmental Entity would not prevent or delay the consummation of the Merger,
or otherwise prevent the Company from performing its obligations under this
Agreement, and would not individually or in the aggregate have a Company
Material Adverse Effect, no filing with, and no permit, authorization, consent
or approval of, any Governmental Entity is necessary for the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Except as set forth in
Section 5.5 of the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the execution, delivery
or performance of this Agreement by the Company, nor the consummation by the
Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by the Company
with any of the provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in any
breach of any provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of the
Company or the Certificate or Articles of Incorporation, as the case may be,
or By-Laws of any of the Company Subsidiaries, (ii) result in a violation or
breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both)
a default (or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, vesting,
payment, exercise, acceleration, suspension or revocation) under, any of the
terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, deed of trust,
security interest, indenture, license, contract, agreement, plan or other
instrument or obligation to which the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their properties or
assets may be bound or affected, (iii) violate any order, writ, injunction,
decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company, any of the
Company Subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets, (iv) result in the
creation or imposition of any Encumbrance on any asset of the Company or any
Company Subsidiary or (v) cause the suspension or revocation of any permit,
license, governmental authorization, consent or approval necessary for the
Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries to conduct its business as
currently conducted, except in the case of clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v)
for violations, breaches, defaults, terminations, cancellations,
accelerations, creations, impositions, suspensions or revocations which would
not individually or in the aggregate have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
  Section 5.6 Company SEC Reports. The Company has delivered to Purchaser true
and complete copies of each registration statement, report and proxy or
information statement (including exhibits and any amendments thereto) filed by
the Company with the SEC since January 1, 1992 through the date hereof
(collectively, the "Company SEC Reports"). As of the respective dates the
Company SEC Reports were filed or, if any such Company SEC Reports were
amended, as of the date such amendment was filed, each of the Company SEC
Reports (i) complied in all material respects with all applicable requirements
of the Securities Act and Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder and (ii) did not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each of (i) the
audited consolidated financial statements of the Company (including any
related notes and schedules) included (or incorporated by reference) in its
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 and
(ii) the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements for the Company
(including any related notes and schedules) included (or incorporated by
reference) in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
1995, fairly present, in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis
(except as may be indicated in the notes thereto), the consolidated financial
position of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof
and the consolidated results of their operations and changes in their
financial position for the periods then ended (subject to normal year-end
adjustments in the case of any unaudited interim financial statements).
 
                                     A-18
<PAGE>
 
  Section 5.7 Statutory Financial Statements. The Annual Statements and
Quarterly Statements of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries, as filed with the
Florida Department of Insurance for the years ended December 31, 1993 and
December 31, 1994 (the "Annual Statutory Statements of the Company") and the
quarters ended March 31, 1994, June 30, 1994, March 31, 1995 and June 30, 1995
(collectively, the "March 31 and June 30 Statutory Statements of the
Company"), respectively, together with all exhibits and schedules thereto (all
Annual Statutory Statements of the Company and all March 31 and June 30
Statutory Statements of the Company, together with all exhibits and schedules
thereto, referred to in this Section 5.7 are hereinafter referred to as the
"Statutory Financial Statements of the Company"), have been prepared in
accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the
Florida Department of Insurance for purposes of financial reporting to the
state's insurance regulators ("Florida Statutory Accounting Principles"), and
such accounting practices have been applied on a basis consistent with Florida
Statutory Accounting Principles throughout the periods involved, except as
expressly set forth in the notes, exhibits or schedules thereto, and the
Statutory Financial Statements of the Company present fairly in all material
respects the financial position and the results of operations for the Company
Insurance Subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods therein in
accordance with Florida Statutory Accounting Principles. The Company has
delivered to Purchaser true and complete copies of the Annual Statutory
Statements of the Company and the March 31 and June 30 Statutory Statements of
the Company.
 
  Section 5.8 Absence of Certain Changes. Since June 30, 1995, there has been
no event or condition which has had (or is reasonably likely to result in) a
Company Material Adverse Effect, and except as set forth in Section 5.8 of the
Company Disclosure Letter, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have in
all material respects conducted their businesses in the ordinary course
consistent with past practices and have not taken any action which, if taken
after the date hereof, would violate Section 6.1 hereof.
 
  Section 5.9 Litigation. Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Reports or as
set forth in Section 5.9 of the Company Disclosure Letter, there is no suit,
action, proceeding or investigation (whether at law or equity, before or by
any federal, state or foreign court, tribunal, commission, board, agency or
instrumentality, or before any arbitrator) pending or, to the best knowledge
of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of the
Company Subsidiaries, the outcome of which, in the reasonable judgment of the
Company, is likely individually or in the aggregate to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect, nor is there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order
of any court, governmental department, commission, agency, instrumentality or
arbitrator outstanding against the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries
having, or which, insofar as can reasonably be foreseen, in the future may
have, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
  Section 5.10 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Except for liabilities or
obligations which are accrued or reserved against in the Company's financial
statements (or reflected in the notes thereto) included in the Company SEC
Reports or disclosed in Section 5.10 of the Company Disclosure Letter or which
were incurred after June 30, 1995 in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practices or in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries do
not have any material liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued,
contingent or otherwise) of a nature required by GAAP to be reflected in a
consolidated balance sheet (or reflected in the notes thereto) of the Company.
 
  Section 5.11 No Default. Except as set forth in Section 5.11 of the Company
Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries is
in violation or breach of, or default under (and no event has occurred which
with notice or the lapse of time or both would constitute a violation or
breach of, or a default under) any term, condition or provision of (a) its
Articles or Certificate of Incorporation, as the case may be, or By-Laws, (b)
any note, bond, mortgage, deed of trust, security interest, indenture,
license, agreement, plan, contract, lease, commitment or other instrument or
obligation to which the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party
or by which they or any of their properties or assets may be bound or
affected, (c) any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation
applicable to the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or any of their
properties or assets, or (d) any permit, license, governmental authorization,
consent or approval necessary for the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries to conduct their respective
 
                                     A-19
<PAGE>
 
businesses as currently conducted, except in the case of clauses (b), (c) and
(d) above for breaches, defaults or violations which would not individually or
in the aggregate have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
  Section 5.12 Taxes. Except as set forth in Section 5.12 of the Company
Disclosure Letter:
 
    (a) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have (i) duly filed (or
  there has been filed on their behalf) with the appropriate governmental
  authorities all material Tax Returns required to be filed by them on or
  prior to the date hereof, and (ii) duly paid in full or made provision in
  accordance with GAAP (or there has been paid or provision has been made on
  their behalf) for the payment of all material Taxes for all periods ending
  through the date hereof;
 
    (b) no federal, state, local or foreign audits or other administrative
  proceedings or court proceedings are presently pending with regard to any
  Taxes or Tax Returns of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries wherein an
  adverse determination or ruling in any one such proceeding or in all such
  proceedings in the aggregate could have a Company Material Adverse Effect;
 
    (c) The federal income Tax Returns of the Company and the Company
  Subsidiaries have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service (or the
  applicable statutes of limitation for the assessment of federal income
  Taxes for such periods have expired) for all periods through and including
  December 31, 1990, and no material deficiencies were asserted as a result
  of such examinations that have not been resolved and fully paid. Neither
  the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has granted any requests,
  agreements, consents or waivers to extend the statutory period of
  limitations applicable to the assessment of any Taxes with respect to any
  Tax Returns of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries; and
 
    (d) neither the Company nor the Company Subsidiaries is a party to any
  material tax sharing, tax indemnity or other agreement or arrangement.
 
  Section 5.13 Title to Property.
 
    (a) Except as set forth in Section 5.13(a) of the Company Disclosure
  Letter, each of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (i) has good and
  valid title to all of its properties, assets and other rights that do not
  constitute real property, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for
  such Encumbrances that do not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
  Company Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) owns, has valid leasehold
  interests in or valid contractual rights to use, all of the assets,
  tangible and intangible, used by, or necessary for the conduct of, its
  business, except where the failure to have such valid leasehold interests
  or such valid contractual rights do not, individually or in the aggregate,
  have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
    (b) Except as set forth in Section 5.13(b) of the Company Disclosure
  Letter, each of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries:
 
      (i) owns and has good and marketable title in fee simple to the real
    property owned by such party, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges,
    liens, charges, encumbrances, defects, security interests, claims,
    options and restrictions of all kind ("Encumbrances"), except for (A)
    minor imperfections of title, easements and rights of way, none of
    which, individually or in the aggregate, materially detracts from the
    value of or impairs the use of the affected property or impairs the
    operations of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries and (B)
    liens for current taxes not yet due and payable ("Permitted Company
    Liens");
 
      (ii) is in peaceful and undisturbed possession of the space and/or
    estate under each lease under which it is a tenant, and there are no
    material defaults by it as tenant thereunder; and
 
      (iii) has good and valid rights of ingress and egress to and from all
    the real property owned or leased by such party from and to the public
    street systems for all usual street, road and utility purposes.
 
  Section 5.14 Insurance Practices; Permits and Insurance Licenses.
 
    (a) The business of the Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries is
  being conducted in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
  laws, including, without limitation, all insurance laws, ordinances, rules,
  regulations, decrees and orders of any Governmental Entity, and all
  material notices,
 
                                     A-20
<PAGE>
 
  reports, documents and other information required to be filed thereunder
  within the last three years were properly filed in all material respects
  and were in compliance in all material respects with such laws.
 
    (b) The Company, and each of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries, has all
  permits and insurance licenses the use and exercise of which are necessary
  for the conduct of its business as now conducted, other than such permits
  and insurance licenses the absence of which would not, individually or in
  the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse
  Effect. The business of the Company and each of the Company Insurance
  Subsidiaries has been and is being conducted in compliance, in all material
  respects, with all such permits and insurance licenses. To the best
  knowledge of the Company, all such permits and insurance licenses are in
  full force and effect, and there is no proceeding or investigation pending
  or threatened which would reasonably be expected to lead to the revocation,
  amendment, failure to renew, limitation, suspension or restriction of any
  such permit or insurance license.
 
  Section 5.15 Regulatory Filings. The Company has made available for
inspection by Purchaser complete copies of all material registrations, filings
and submissions made since January 1, 1992 by the Company or any of the
Company Subsidiaries with any Governmental Entity and any reports of
examinations issued since January 1, 1992 by any such Governmental Entity that
relate to the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries. The Company and the
Company Subsidiaries have filed all reports, statements, documents,
registrations, filings or submissions required to be filed by any of them with
any Governmental Entity, except where the failure to file, in the aggregate,
would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect; and, to the best knowledge
of the Company, all such reports, statements, documents, registrations,
filings or submissions were in all material respects true, complete and
accurate when filed.
 
  Section 5.16 Investments.
 
    (a) The Statutory Financial Statements of the Company set forth a list,
  which list is accurate and complete in all material respects, of all
  securities, mortgages and other investments (collectively, the "Company
  Investments") owned by the Company Insurance Subsidiaries as of December
  31, 1994, together with the cost basis book or amortized value, as the case
  may be, as of December 31, 1994. Section 5.16(a) of the Company Disclosure
  Letter sets forth a list, which list is accurate and complete in all
  material respects, of all transactions in the Company Investments by each
  Company Insurance Subsidiary from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995.
  All transactions in Company Investments by each of the Company Insurance
  Subsidiaries from September 30, 1995 to the date hereof have complied in
  all material respects with the investment policies of such Company
  Insurance Subsidiary and all applicable insurance laws and regulations.
 
    (b) Except as set forth in the Statutory Financial Statements of the
  Company, the Company Insurance Subsidiaries have good and marketable title
  to the Company Investments listed in the Statutory Financial Statements of
  the Company or acquired in the ordinary course of business since June 30,
  1995, other than with respect to those Company Investments which have been
  disposed of in the ordinary course of business or as contemplated by this
  Agreement or redeemed in accordance with their terms since such date and
  other than Permitted Company Liens or with respect to statutory deposits
  which are subject to certain restrictions on transfer.
 
    (c) Section 5.16(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter identifies the
  Company Investments listed thereon which have been written down on the June
  30, 1995 Statutory Statement of the Company, or to the best knowledge of
  the Company, are as of September 30, 1995 in default in the payment of
  principal or interest.
 
    (d) Except as set forth in the Statutory Financial Statements of the
  Company, there are no Encumbrances on any of the Company Investments, other
  than Permitted Company Liens and special deposits reflected in the
  Statutory Financial Statements of the Company, and none of the Company
  Investments consist of securities loaned to third parties.
 
  Section 5.17 Reserves. The aggregate reserves of the Company Insurance
Subsidiaries as recorded in the Statutory Accounting Statements of the Company
have been determined in accordance with generally accepted
 
                                     A-21
<PAGE>
 
actuarial principles consistently applied (except as set forth therein).
Except as disclosed in Section 5.17 of the Company Disclosure Letter, the
insurance reserving practices and policies of the Company Insurance
Subsidiaries have not changed, in any material respect, since December 31,
1994 and the results of the application of such practices and policies are
reflected in the Statutory Accounting Statements of the Company. All reserves
of the Company Insurance Subsidiaries set forth in the Statutory Accounting
Statements of the Company are, to the best knowledge of the Company, fairly
stated in accordance with sound actuarial principles and meet the requirements
of the insurance laws of the applicable insurance authority, except where the
failure to so state such reserves or meet such requirements would not have a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
  Section 5.18 Redemption of Company Common Stock. Since January 1, 1995 the
Company has not redeemed any shares of Company Common Stock, except for
exchanges of Company Voting Stock for Company Non-Voting Stock on a share for
share basis.
 
  Section 5.19 Information in Proxy Statement/Prospectus and Registration
Statement. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus (or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto), at the date mailed to Company shareholders and at the
time of the Company Special Meeting, will not contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, except that no
representation is made by the Company with respect to statements made therein
based on information supplied by Purchaser in writing for inclusion in the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus. None of the information supplied by the Company
for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
will, at the date it becomes effective and at the time of the Company Special
Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made,
not misleading. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus will comply in all material
respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
 
  Section 5.20 Brokers. Except as set forth in Section 5.20 of the Company
Disclosure Letter, no person is entitled to any brokerage, financial advisory,
finder's or similar fee or commission payable by the Company in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements
made by and on behalf of the Company.
 
  Section 5.21 Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA.
 
    (a) Section 5.21(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a list,
  which is complete and accurate in all material respects, of each bonus,
  deferred compensation, incentive compensation, stock purchase, stock
  option, equity-based award, severance or termination pay, hospitalization
  or other medical, accident, disability, life or other insurance,
  supplemental unemployment benefits, fringe and other welfare benefit,
  profit-sharing, pension, or retirement plan, program, agreement or
  arrangement, and each other employee benefit plan, program, agreement or
  arrangement, that is sponsored, maintained or contributed to or required to
  be contributed to by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries or by any
  trade or business, whether or not incorporated, that together with the
  Company would be deemed a "single employer" within the meaning of Section
  4001 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
  ("ERISA"), or considered as being members of a controlled group of
  corporations, under common control, or members of an affiliated service
  group within the meaning of Subsections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code
  or Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA (each such Subsidiary, trade, business or
  member an "ERISA Affiliate"), in each case for the benefit of any employee
  or terminated employee of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries
  (the "Plans"). No ERISA Plan is a "multiemployer pension plan," as defined
  in Section 3(37) of ERISA, nor is any ERISA Plan a plan described in
  Section 4063(a) of ERISA.
 
    (b) With respect to each Plan listed in Section 5.21(a) of the Company
  Disclosure Letter, to the extent applicable, the Company has heretofore
  made available or has caused to be made available to Purchaser true and
  complete copies of each of the following documents:
 
      (i) a copy of each written Plan;
 
                                     A-22
<PAGE>
 
      (ii) a copy of the most recent annual report on Form 5500 and
    actuarial report, if required under ERISA, and to the extent they have
    been prepared by the Company or its ERISA Affiliates, the most recent
    report prepared with respect thereto in accordance with Statement of
    Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 87, Employer's Accounting
    for Pensions, SFAS No. 106, Employer's Accounting for Post-Retirement
    Benefits other than Pensions, or SFAS No. 112, Employer's Accounting
    for Post-Employment Benefits, as the case may be;
 
      (iii) a copy of the most recent Summary Plan Description required
    unde ERISA with respect thereto;
 
      (iv) if the Plan is funded through a trust or any third party funding
    vehicle, a copy of the trust or other funding agreement and the latest
    financial statements thereof; and
 
      (v) the most recent determination letter received from the Internal
    Revenue Service with respect to each Plan intended to qualify under
    Section 401 of the Code.
 
    (c) No material liability under Title IV of ERISA has been incurred by
  the Company or any ERISA Affiliate that has not been satisfied in full, and
  to the knowledge of the Company, no condition exists that presents a
  material risk to the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of incurring a material
  liability under such Title, other than liability for premiums due the
  Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") (which premiums have been
  paid when due).
 
    (d) With respect to each ERISA Plan which is subject to Title IV of
  ERISA, the present value of accrued benefits under such plan, based upon
  the actuarial assumptions used for funding purposes in the most recent
  actuarial report prepared by such plan's actuary with respect to such plan,
  did not exceed, as of its latest valuation date, the then current value of
  the assets of such plan allocable to such accrued benefits. No ERISA Plan
  or any trust established thereunder that is subject to Section 302 of ERISA
  and Section 412 of the Code has incurred any "accumulated funding
  deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the
  Code), whether or not waived, as of the last day of the most recent fiscal
  year of each ERISA Plan ended prior to the Effective Time; and all
  contributions required to be made with respect thereto (whether pursuant to
  the terms of any ERISA Plan or otherwise) on or prior to the Effective Time
  have been timely made.
 
    (e) Except as set forth in Section 5.21(e) of the Company Disclosure
  Letter, none of the Company, any ERISA Affiliate, any ERISA Plan, and, to
  knowledge of the Company, any trust created thereunder and any trustee or
  administrator thereof has engaged in a transaction in connection with which
  the Company or any ERISA Affiliate, any ERISA Plan, any such trust, or any
  trustee or administrator thereof, or any party dealing with any ERISA Plan
  or any such trust could be subject to either a material civil penalty
  assessed pursuant to Section 409 or 502(i) of ERISA or a material tax
  imposed pursuant to sections 4971, 4972, 4975, 4976, 4977, 4979 or 4980 of
  the Code.
 
    (f) Except as set forth in Section 5.21(f) of the Company Disclosure
  Letter, there is no matter pending (other than routine qualification
  determination filings, copies of which have been furnished to Purchaser, or
  will be promptly furnished to Purchaser when made) with respect to any of
  the Plans before the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor or PBGC.
 
    (g) Each of the Company and its ERISA Affiliates has complied in all
  material respects with the notice and continuation requirements of Section
  4980B of the Code and Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA.
 
    (h) Except as set forth in Section 5.21(h) of the Company Disclosure
  Letter, to the knowledge of the Company, each Plan has been operated and
  administered in all material respects in accordance with its terms and
  applicable law, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code.
 
    (i) Except as set forth in Section 5.21(i) of the Company Disclosure
  Letter, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
  will not (i) entitle any current or former employee, director or officer of
  the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries to severance pay,
  unemployment compensation or any other payment, except as expressly
  provided in this Agreement or (ii) accelerate the time of payment or
  vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due any such employee,
  director or officer.
 
                                     A-23
<PAGE>
 
    (j) Except as set forth in Section 5.21(j) of the Company Disclosure
  Letter, there are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
  threatened or anticipated actions, suits or claims by or on behalf of any
  Plan, by any employee or beneficiary covered under any Plan, or otherwise
  involving any such Plan (other than routine claims for benefits).
 
  Section 5.22 Labor Relations; Employees.
 
    (a) Since January 1, 1991, none of the employees of the Company or the
  Company Subsidiaries are represented by any labor organization and, to the
  knowledge of the Company, no union claims to represent these employees have
  been made. To the knowledge of the Company, there have been no union
  organizing activities with respect to employees of the Company or the
  Company Subsidiaries within the past five years. To the knowledge of the
  Company, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are not, and have not
  been, engaged in any unfair labor practices as defined in the National
  Labor Relations Act or similar applicable law, ordinance or regulation, nor
  is there pending any unfair labor practice charge.
 
    (b) The Company and the Company Subsidiaries have not during the past two
  years effectuated a "plant closing" or "mass layoff" (as defined in the
  Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) affecting any of their
  sites of employment or one or more facilities or operating units within any
  site of employment or facility, nor is any such action scheduled within the
  90-day period prior to the Effective Time.
 
    (c) The Company and the Company Subsidiaries have at all times during the
  preceding three (3) years, treated their home service agents as employees
  for purposes of filings required under applicable tax laws.
 
  Section 5.23 Environmental Matters.
 
    (a) Except as disclosed in Section 5.23 of the Company Disclosure Letter
  and in any environmental report obtained by Purchaser in connection with
  its due diligence review of the Company, to the knowledge of the Company,
  (i) each of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries is and has been in
  compliance in all respects with and, except for ongoing compliance
  obligations, including current activities to remove asbestos and future
  activities to remove asbestos, if applicable, has no existing liabilities
  under, and (ii) there are no written claims or notices by any person
  received by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries that any of the
  Company or the Company Subsidiaries has not been in compliance in all
  respects with or has any existing liabilities under, all applicable
  Environmental Laws with respect to property owned by the Company or any of
  the Company Subsidiaries, except for such non-compliance or liabilities
  that would not be reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse
  Effect. Except as disclosed in Section 5.23 of the Company Disclosure
  Letter, neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries is subject
  to any decrees, orders, decisions of arbitrators or judgments that impose
  requirements under Environmental Laws, restrictions under Environmental
  Laws, liabilities under Environmental Laws, or penalties for violations of
  Environmental Laws or the aforementioned requirements or restrictions,
  except where such requirements, restrictions, liabilities, or penalties
  would not be reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
    (b) Except as disclosed in Section 5.23 of the Company Disclosure Letter
  and in any environmental report obtained by Purchaser in connection with
  its due diligence review of the Company, with respect to currently owned
  property and all property formerly owned, leased or operated by the Company
  or any of the Company Subsidiaries, including foreclosure property, to the
  knowledge of the Company, there are no past or present actions, conditions
  or occurrences that could form the basis of any outstanding claim under
  Environmental Laws against, or liability under such laws of, the Company or
  any of the Company Subsidiaries, except for such claims or liabilities
  which in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to result in a
  Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
  Section 5.24 Related Party Transactions. Except for the transactions
described in Section 5.24 of the Company Disclosure Letter, all transactions
involving the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries that are required to
be disclosed in the Company SEC Reports in accordance with Item 404 of
Regulation S-K have been so disclosed, and to the knowledge of the Company,
since December 31, 1994, neither the Company nor any of the Company
Subsidiaries has entered into any transactions that would be required to be
disclosed in future
 
                                     A-24
<PAGE>
 
public filings under the Exchange Act pursuant to such Item which have not
already been disclosed in the Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date
hereof.
 
  Section 5.25 Affiliates. Section 5.25 of the Company Disclosure Letter
identifies all persons who, to the knowledge of the Company, may be deemed to
be affiliates of the Company under Rule 145 of the Securities Act, including,
without limitation, all directors and executive officers of the Company. The
Company shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain and deliver to Purchaser
prior to the Closing an executed letter agreement, in such form as may be
mutually agreed to by the parties, from each of the persons identified on
Section 5.25 of the Company Disclosure Letter, acknowledging that such person
is subject to the provisions of Rule 145(d) promulgated under the Securities
Act.
 
  Section 5.26 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company has received a
written opinion from Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated ("Alex. Brown"), dated as
of the date hereof, to the effect that the consideration to be received by the
shareholders of the Company pursuant to the Merger is fair to such
shareholders from a financial point of view.
 
  Section 5.27 Derivatives. Section 5.27 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets
forth the statement of position, as of September 30, 1995, of the Company and
the Company Subsidiaries with respect to obligations under any futures or
option contracts, swaps, hedges or similar instruments ("Derivatives") to
which the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party. Except as
disclosed in Section 5.27 of the Company Disclosure Letter, since September
30, 1995, neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has entered
into agreements relating to Derivatives.
 
  Section 5.28 Contracts.
 
    (a) Section 5.28 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of
  contracts to which the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries is a
  party or by which it is bound which:
 
      (i) require the payment by or to the Company or the Company
    Subsidiaries of amounts in excess of $500,000 per annum, other than (X)
    reinsurance and retrocession contracts, (Y) insurance contracts and (Z)
    contracts with insurance agents ("Agent Contracts"), all of which
    contracts referred to in clauses (X), (Y) and (Z) have been entered
    into in the ordinary course of business;
 
      (ii) are Agent Contracts for the top 50 insurance agents of the
    Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries in terms of commission
    income earned during calendar year 1995 through September 30, 1995
    (setting forth the names of such insurance agents);
 
      (iii) are reinsurance or retrocession contracts which require the
    payment of premiums by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries of
    amounts in excess of $500,000 per year;
 
      (iv) contain covenants limiting the freedom of the Company or any of
    the Company Subsidiaries to engage in any line of business in any
    geographic area or to compete with any person or entity or restricting
    the ability of the Company Subsidiaries to acquire equity securities of
    any person or entity;
 
      (v) are employment or severance contracts applicable to any employee
    of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, including without
    limitation contracts to employ executive officers and other contracts
    with officers or directors of the Company or any of the Company
    Subsidiaries, other than Agent Contracts and any such contract which by
    its terms is terminable by the Company or any of the Company
    Subsidiaries on not more than 60 days' notice without material
    liability; or
 
      (vi) are other contracts (except those referred to in clauses (X),
    (Y) and (Z) of subsection 5.28(a)(i) above) which were made in the
    ordinary course of business and either involve an obligation on the
    part of the Company or a Company Subsidiary of more than $500,000 per
    annum or could result, upon the breach thereof, in damages or losses of
    more than $500,000, other than consequential damages or damages
    resulting from liabilities sounding in tort (collectively, the "Company
    Contracts").
 
                                     A-25
<PAGE>
 
    (b) With respect to each of the Company Contracts, to the knowledge of
  the Company, except as disclosed in Section 5.28 of the Company Disclosure
  Letter:
 
      (i) such contract is (assuming due power and authority of, and due
    execution and delivery by, the other party or parties thereto) valid
    and binding upon each party thereto and is in full force and effect;
 
      (ii) there is no material default or claim of material default
    thereunder and no event has occurred which, with the passage of time or
    the giving of notice (or both), would constitute a material default
    thereunder, or would permit material modification, acceleration or
    termination thereof; and
 
      (iii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
    Agreement will not give rise to a right of the other party or parties
    thereto to terminate such contract or impose liability under the terms
    thereof on the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries; provided,
    that this representation shall not be deemed to give assurances
    regarding rights of termination based on any decrease in insurance
    industry ratings of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries resulting
    from the declaration and/or payment of the extraordinary dividend.
 
  Section 5.29 Disclosure. No representation or warranty by the Company or the
Company Subsidiaries in this Agreement, including the Company Disclosure
Letter, and no statement contained in the Company SEC Reports and the
Statutory Financial Statements of the Company, contains or will contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state any
material fact necessary, in light of the circumstances under which it was
made, to make the statements herein or therein not misleading. There is no
fact known to Company which could reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect which has not been set forth in the Company SEC
Reports, the Statutory Financial Statements of the Company or in this
Agreement, including the Company Disclosure Letter.
 
                                  ARTICLE VI
 
                    CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
 
  Section 6.1 Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger. From the
date hereof until the Effective Time, unless Purchaser shall otherwise agree
in writing, or except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter or as
otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries shall conduct their respective businesses in the ordinary course
consistent with past practice and shall use all reasonable efforts to preserve
intact their business organizations and relationships with third parties
(including but not limited to their respective relationships with
policyholders, insureds, agents, underwriters, brokers and investment
customers) and to keep available the services of their present officers and
key employees, subject to the terms of this Agreement. Except as set forth in
the Company Disclosure Letter or as otherwise provided in this Agreement, from
the date hereof until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of
Purchaser:
 
    (a) the Company shall not adopt or propose any change in its Articles of
  Incorporation or By-Laws;
 
    (b) the Company shall not declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other
  distribution with respect to any shares of capital stock of the Company
  (except for regular quarterly dividends in an amount no greater than $.06
  per share), or split, combine or reclassify any of the Company's capital
  stock, and the Company and the Company Subsidiaries shall not repurchase,
  redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock or other securities
  of, or other ownership interests in, the Company;
 
    (c) the Company shall not, and shall not permit any Company Subsidiary
  to, merge or consolidate with any other person or (except in the ordinary
  course of business) acquire a material amount of assets of any other
  person;
 
    (d) the Company shall not, and shall not permit any Company Subsidiary
  to, sell, lease, license or otherwise surrender, relinquish or dispose of
  (i) any material facility owned or leased by the Company or any Company
  Subsidiary or (ii) any assets or property which are material to the Company
  and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except pursuant to existing
  contracts or commitments (the terms of which
 
                                     A-26
<PAGE>
 
  have been disclosed to Purchaser prior to the date hereof), or in the
  ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
 
    (e) the Company shall not, and shall not permit any Company Subsidiary
  to, settle any material Audit, make or change any material Tax election or
  file amended Tax Returns;
 
    (f) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries shall not issue any capital
  stock or other securities or enter into any amendment of any material term
  of any outstanding security of the Company, and the Company and the Company
  Subsidiaries shall not incur any material indebtedness except in the
  ordinary course of business pursuant to existing credit facilities or
  arrangements, amend or otherwise increase, accelerate the payment or
  vesting of the amounts payable or to become payable under or fail to make
  any required contribution to, any Company Plan (as hereinafter defined) or
  materially increase any non-salary benefits payable to any employee or
  former employee, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with
  past practice or as otherwise permitted by this Agreement;
 
    (g) the Company shall not, and shall not permit any Company Subsidiary
  to, grant any increase in the compensation or benefits of directors,
  officers, employees, consultants or agents of the Company or any Company
  Subsidiary; provided, however, that increases in the ordinary course of
  business consistent with past practice in the compensation of employees,
  who are not directors, officers or agents, shall be permitted;
 
    (h) the Company shall not, and shall not permit any Company Subsidiary
  to, enter into or amend any employment agreement or other employment
  arrangement with any employee of the Company or any Company Subsidiary,
  except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
 
    (i) the Company shall not change any method of accounting or accounting
  practice by the Company or any Company Subsidiary, except for any such
  required change in GAAP or the Florida Statutory Accounting Principles;
 
    (j) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Company Subsidiary
  to, take any action that could, directly or indirectly, cause the Merger to
  fail to qualify as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section
  368(a) of the Code;
 
    (k) the Company shall not permit any Company Insurance Subsidiary to
  conduct transactions in Company Investments except in compliance with the
  investment policies of such Company Insurance Subsidiary and all applicable
  insurance laws and regulations;
 
    (l) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Company Subsidiary
  to, enter into any agreement to purchase, or to lease, for a term in excess
  of one year, any real property, provided that the Company, or any Company
  Subsidiary, (i) may as a tenant, or a landlord, renew any existing lease
  for a term not to exceed eighteen months and (ii) nothing herein shall
  prevent the Company, in its capacity as a landlord, from renewing any lease
  pursuant to an option granted prior to the date hereof;
 
    (m) the Company shall not, and shall not permit any Company Subsidiary
  to, agree or commit to do any of the foregoing;
 
    (n) except to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of
  applicable laws and regulations, the Company shall not, and shall not
  permit any Company Subsidiary to, (i) take, or agree or commit to take, any
  action that would make any representation and warranty of the Company
  hereunder inaccurate in any material respect at, or as of any time prior
  to, the Effective Time, (ii) omit, or agree or commit to omit, to take any
  action necessary to prevent any such representation or warranty from being
  inaccurate in any material respect at any such time, provided however that
  the Company shall be permitted to take or omit to take such action which
  (without any uncertainty) can be cured, and in fact is cured, at or prior
  to the Effective Time or (iii) take, or agree or commit to take, any action
  that would result in, or is reasonably likely to result in, any of the
  conditions of the Merger set forth in Article 8 not being satisfied; and
 
    (o) release any third party from its obligations, or grant any consent,
  under any existing standstill provision relating to any Acquisition
  Proposal (as hereinafter defined) or otherwise under any confidentiality or
  other agreement, or fail to fully enforce any such agreement.
 
                                     A-27
<PAGE>
 
  Section 6.2 Conduct of Business by Purchaser Pending the Merger. From the
date hereof until the Effective Time, unless the Company shall otherwise agree
in writing, or as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, Purchaser, Sub and
the Purchaser Subsidiaries shall conduct their respective businesses in all
material respects in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and
shall use all reasonable efforts to substantially preserve intact their
business organizations and relationships with third parties (including but not
limited to their respective relationships with policyholders, insureds,
agents, underwriters, brokers and investment customers) and to keep available
the services of their present officers and key employees, subject to the terms
of this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, from the
date hereof until the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of the
Company:
 
    (a) Purchaser shall not adopt or propose any change in its Articles of
  Incorporation or By-Laws that would have any adverse impact on the
  transactions contemplated by this Agreement or which would amend or modify
  the terms or provisions of the capital stock of Purchaser;
 
    (b) Purchaser shall not declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other
  distribution with respect to any shares of capital stock of Purchaser
  (except for regular quarterly dividends), or split, combine or reclassify
  the Purchaser Stock without agreeing to an appropriate adjustment to the
  Exchange Ratio;
 
    (c) Purchaser shall not merge or consolidate with any other person or
  (except in the ordinary course of business) acquire a material amount of
  assets of any other person, if such merger, consolidation or acquisition
  could reasonably be expected to have a material impact on the ability of
  Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
 
    (d) Purchaser shall not issue any shares of capital stock or other
  securities (except for issuances of shares in the ordinary course pursuant
  to Purchaser Stock Options) in connection with any transaction requiring
  shareholder approval unless Purchaser first notifies the Company in writing
  (an "Issuance Notice") of such transaction and provides the Company with
  information to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company with respect
  thereto. Thereafter, the Company shall have the right, by giving written
  notice to Purchaser at any time prior to 5:30 p.m., New York City time, on
  the tenth Trading Day following receipt of the Issuance Notice, to abandon
  the Merger and terminate this Agreement;
 
    (e) Purchaser and the Purchaser Subsidiaries shall not (i) issue shares
  of any class or series of stock, or any security convertible at the option
  of the holder thereof into shares of any class or series of stock ranking
  senior to the Purchaser Convertible Preferred Stock as to dividends or as
  to the distribution of assets upon the liquidation of Purchaser or (ii)
  amend, alter or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, any
  of the provisions of Purchaser's Restated Articles of Incorporation or any
  of the resolutions contained therein which would materially and adversely
  affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Purchaser
  Convertible Preferred Stock or of the holder thereof; provided, however,
  that any such amendment, alteration or repeal that would authorize, create
  or issue any additional shares of stock (whether or not authorized as of
  the date hereof) ranking on a parity with or junior to the Purchaser
  Convertible Preferred Stock as to dividends or as to the distribution of
  assets upon the liquidation of Purchaser, shall be deemed not to materially
  and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of
  the Purchaser Convertible Preferred Stock;
 
    (f) Purchaser shall not, and shall not permit any Purchaser Subsidiary
  to, take any action that could, directly or indirectly, cause the Merger to
  fail to qualify as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section
  368(a) of the Code;
 
    (g) Purchaser shall not permit any Purchaser Insurance Subsidiary to
  conduct transactions in Purchaser Investments except in compliance with the
  investment policies of such Purchaser Insurance Subsidiary and all
  applicable insurance laws and regulations;
 
    (h) Purchaser shall not, and shall not permit any Purchaser Subsidiary
  to, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of Company Common Stock;
 
    (i) Purchaser shall not, and shall not permit Sub or any Purchaser
  Subsidiary to, agree or commit to do any of the foregoing; and
 
                                     A-28
<PAGE>
 
    (j) except to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of
  applicable laws and regulations, Purchaser shall not, and shall not permit
  Sub or any Purchaser Subsidiary to, (i) take, or agree or commit to take,
  any action that would make any representation and warranty of Purchaser
  hereunder inaccurate, in any material respect, at, or as of any time prior
  to, the Effective Time, (ii) omit, or agree or commit to omit, to take any
  action necessary to prevent any such representation or warranty from being
  inaccurate, in any material respect, at any such time, provided however
  that Purchaser shall be permitted to take or omit to take such action which
  (without any uncertainty) can be cured, and in fact is cured, at or prior
  to the Effective Time or (iii) take, or agree or commit to take, any action
  that would result in, or is reasonably likely to result in, any of the
  conditions of the Merger set forth in Article 8 not being satisfied.
 
  Section 6.3 Investment Restrictions.
 
    (a) From the date hereof until the Effective Time, each of the Company
  and each Company Subsidiary shall:
 
      (i) invest available cash only in corporate bonds (other than bonds
    issued by public utilities) rated no higher than A1 nor lower than Baa3
    by Moody's or no higher than A+ nor lower than BBB--by S&P, with
    maturities of not fewer than five nor more than ten years ("Permitted
    Investments");
 
      (ii) maintain amounts in short-term investments equal to the dividend
    amounts specified in Section 7.10; and
 
      (iii) cease making mortgage loans or purchasing mortgage backed
    securities;
 
  provided, however, that nothing in this Section 6.3(a) shall require any
  Company Subsidiary to make any investment other than in compliance with the
  investment policies of such Company Subsidiary and all insurance laws and
  regulations applicable thereto, or prohibit the Company from making
  investments, mortgage loans or purchasing mortgage backed securities
  pursuant to existing contracts or commitments (the terms of which have been
  disclosed to Purchaser prior to the date hereof).
 
    (b) The Company and each Company Subsidiary shall neither purchase nor
  issue any put, call, straddle, hedge, interest-rate swap or other similar
  option or derivative contract, and the Company shall use all reasonable
  efforts to sell, close-out or otherwise liquidate, in an orderly fashion,
  any such options or derivatives which it owns.
 
                                  ARTICLE VII
 
                             ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
 
  Section 7.1 Access and Information. The Company and Purchaser shall each
afford to the other and to the other's financial advisors, legal counsel,
accountants, consultants, financing sources, and other authorized
representatives access during normal business hours throughout the period
prior to the Effective Time to all of its books, records, properties, plants
and personnel and, during such period, each shall furnish as promptly as
practicable to the other (a) a copy of each report, schedule and other
document filed or received by it pursuant to the requirements of federal
securities laws, and (b) all other information as such other party reasonably
may request, provided that neither party shall disclose to the other any
competitively sensitive information and no investigation pursuant to this
Section 7.1 shall affect any representations or warranties made herein or the
conditions to the obligations of the respective parties to consummate the
Merger. Each party shall continue to abide by the terms of the confidentiality
agreements between Purchaser and the Company, dated April 26, 1995 and October
16, 1995 (collectively, the "Confidentiality Agreements").
 
  Section 7.2 Acquisition Proposals. From the date hereof until the
termination hereof, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries will not
initiate, solicit or encourage (including by way of furnishing information or
assistance), or take any other action to facilitate, any inquiries or the
making of any proposal relating to, or that may reasonably be expected to lead
to, any Acquisition Proposal, or enter into discussions or negotiate with any
person or entity in furtherance of such inquiries or to obtain an Acquisition
Proposal, or agree to or endorse any Acquisition Proposal, or authorize or
permit any of the officers, directors or employees of the Company or any
 
                                     A-29
<PAGE>
 
of the Company Subsidiaries or any investment banker, financial advisor,
attorney, accountant or other representative retained by the Company or any of
the Company Subsidiaries to take any such action, and the Company shall
promptly notify Purchaser of all relevant terms of any such inquiries and
proposals received by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, or by
any such officer, director, investment banker, financial advisor, attorney,
accountant or other representative relating to any such matters, and if such
inquiry or proposal is in writing, the Company shall promptly deliver or cause
to be delivered to Purchaser a copy of such inquiry or proposal; provided,
however, that nothing contained in this Section 7.2 shall prohibit the Board
of Directors of the Company from (i) furnishing information to, or entering
into discussions or negotiations with, any person or entity in connection with
an unsolicited bona fide proposal in writing by such person or entity to
acquire the Company pursuant to a merger, consolidation, share exchange,
business combination or other similar transaction or to acquire a substantial
portion of the assets of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, if,
and only to the extent that (A) the Board of Directors of the Company, after
consultation with and based upon the advice of independent legal counsel,
determines in good faith that such action is necessary for such Board of
Directors to comply with its fiduciary duties to the Company's shareholders
under applicable law and (B) prior to furnishing such information to, or
entering into discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity, the
Company (x) provides written notice to Purchaser to the effect that it is
furnishing information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with,
such person or entity and (y) enters into with such person or entity a
confidentiality agreement in reasonably customary form on terms not more
favorable to such person or entity than the terms contained in the
Confidentiality Agreement dated April 26, 1995, or (ii) complying with Rule
14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act with regard to an Acquisition
Proposal. The term "Acquisition Proposal" as used herein means any proposal to
purchase or acquire any equity securities or (except in the ordinary course of
business) assets of, or merge or combine with, the Company or any of its
subsidiaries. Immediately after the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
the Company will cease and terminate any existing activities, discussions or
negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect to any
possible Acquisition Proposal and shall send a written notice to each party
that it has had discussions with during the 30 days prior to the date of this
Agreement that the Board of Directors of the Company no longer seeks the
making of any Acquisition Proposal.
 
  Section 7.3 Filings; Other Action. Subject to the terms and conditions
herein provided, as promptly as practicable, the Company, Purchaser and Sub
shall: (i) promptly make all filings and submissions under the HSR Act and all
filings required by the insurance regulatory authorities in Florida and in
Missouri, and deliver notices and consents to jurisdiction to state insurance
departments, each as reasonably may be required to be made in connection with
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) use all
reasonable efforts to cooperate with each other in (A) determining which
filings are required to be made prior to the Effective Time with, and which
material consents, approvals, permits, notices or authorizations are required
to be obtained prior to the Effective Time from, governmental or regulatory
authorities of the United States, the several states or the District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and foreign jurisdictions in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and (B) timely making all
such filings and timely seeking all such consents, approvals, permits, notices
or authorizations, and (iii) use all reasonable efforts to take, or cause to
be taken, all other action and do, or cause to be done, all other things
necessary or appropriate to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement as soon as practicable. In connection with the foregoing, the
Company will provide Purchaser, and Purchaser will provide the Company, with
copies of correspondence, filings or communications (or memoranda setting
forth the substance thereof) between such party or any of its representatives,
on the one hand, and any governmental agency or authority or members of their
respective staffs, on the other hand, with respect to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby. Each of Purchaser and the Company
acknowledge that certain actions may be necessary with respect to the
foregoing in making notifications and obtaining clearances, consents,
approvals, waivers or similar third party actions which are material to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and each of Purchaser
and the Company agree to take such action as is necessary to complete such
notifications and obtain such clearances, approvals, waivers or third party
actions, provided, however, that nothing in this Section 7.3 or elsewhere in
this Agreement shall require any party hereto to incur expenses in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby which are not reasonable under the
 
                                     A-30
<PAGE>
 
circumstances in relation to the size of the transaction contemplated hereby
or to require Purchaser, any Purchaser Subsidiary, the Surviving Corporation,
the Company or any Company Subsidiary to hold separate or make any divestiture
of a significant asset or otherwise agree to any material restriction on their
operations (including restrictions on the ability of Purchaser or any
Purchaser Subsidiary to consolidate operations of the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries in Nashville, Tennessee or to otherwise realize the expected
benefits and cost savings to be obtained from the Merger) in order to obtain
any waiver, consent or approval required by this Agreement.
 
  Section 7.4 Public Announcements. Purchaser, on the one hand, and the
Company, on the other hand, agree that they will not issue any press release
or otherwise make any public statement or respond to any press inquiry with
respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without the
prior approval of the other party (which approval will not be unreasonably
withheld), except as may be required by applicable law.
 
  Section 7.5 Employee Benefits.
    (a) From and after the Effective Time, subject to applicable law and
  except as contemplated hereby, Purchaser and the Purchaser Subsidiaries
  will honor, in accordance with their terms, all employee benefit plans,
  programs, agreements or arrangements of the Company and the Company
  Subsidiaries in effect as of the date hereof (or as modified in accordance
  with Section 6.1 hereof) (the "Company Plans"); provided, however, that
  nothing herein shall preclude any change effected on a prospective basis in
  any Company Plan from and after the Effective Time. Purchaser and the
  Purchaser Subsidiaries will provide benefits to employees of the Company
  and the Company Subsidiaries who become employees of Purchaser and the
  Purchaser Subsidiaries or continue after the Effective Time as employees of
  the Company or the Company Subsidiaries which will not, in the aggregate,
  be materially less favorable than those provided to other similarly
  situated employees of Purchaser, Sub and the Purchaser Subsidiaries from
  time to time; provided, however, that Purchaser and the Purchaser
  Subsidiaries shall be deemed to have satisfied the foregoing requirement if
  benefits are provided to such employees that are no less favorable than
  those provided to such employees by the Company immediately prior to the
  Effective Time. With respect to the employee benefit plans, programs,
  agreements or arrangements of Purchaser and the Purchaser Subsidiaries in
  effect as of the date hereof (or as modified in accordance with Section 6.2
  hereof) (the "Purchaser Plans"), Purchaser and the Surviving Corporation
  shall grant all employees of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries from
  and after the Effective Time credit for service with the Company and the
  Company Subsidiaries, their affiliates and predecessors prior to the
  Effective Time for all purposes, other than the accrual of benefits, for
  which such service was recognized by the Company and the Company
  Subsidiaries. To the extent the Purchaser Plans provide medical or dental
  welfare benefits after the Effective Time, such plans shall waive pre-
  existing conditions and actively-at-work exclusions to the extent such
  exclusions have been satisfied in similar Company Plans and shall provide
  that any expenses incurred on or before the Effective Time shall be taken
  into account under deductible, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket
  provisions under such Purchaser Plans.
 
    (b) Purchaser agrees that it will cause the Company to comply with the
  Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, to the extent
  applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries, in connection with actions
  taken after the Effective Time.
 
  Section 7.6 Stock Exchange Listing. Purchaser shall as promptly as
practicable prepare and submit to the New York Stock Exchange a listing
application covering the shares of Purchaser Common Stock and Purchaser
Convertible Preferred Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger and
this Agreement, and shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain, prior to the
Effective Time, approval for the listing of such shares, subject to official
notice of issuance.
 
  Section 7.7 Company Indemnification Provision. Purchaser agrees that all
rights to indemnification existing in favor of the present or former
directors, officers, employees, fiduciaries and agents of the Company or any
of the Company Subsidiaries (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") as
provided in the Company's Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws or the
certificate or articles of incorporation, by-laws or similar
 
                                     A-31
<PAGE>
 
organizational documents of any of the Company Subsidiaries as in effect as of
the date hereof or pursuant to the terms of any indemnification agreements
entered into between the Company and any of the Indemnified Parties with
respect to matters occurring prior to the Effective Time shall survive the
Merger and shall continue in full force and effect (without modification or
amendment, except as required by applicable law or except to make changes
permitted by law that would enlarge the Indemnified Parties' right of
indemnification), to the fullest extent and for the maximum term permitted by
law, and shall be enforceable by the Indemnified Parties against the Surviving
Corporation. At the Closing the Surviving Corporation shall expressly and
directly assume by written instrument all such obligations. Purchaser shall
cause to be maintained in effect for not less than six years from the
Effective Time the current policies of the directors' and officers' liability
insurance maintained by the Company (provided that Purchaser may substitute
therefor policies of at least equivalent coverage containing terms and
conditions which are no less advantageous) with respect to matters occurring
prior to the Effective Time, provided that in no event shall Purchaser or the
Surviving Corporation be required to expend to maintain or procure insurance
coverage pursuant to this Section 7.7 any amount per annum in excess of 200%
of the aggregate premiums paid in 1995 on an annualized basis for such
purpose. In the event the payment of such amount for any year is insufficient
to maintain such insurance or equivalent coverage cannot otherwise be
obtained, the Surviving Corporation shall purchase as much insurance as may be
purchased for the amount indicated. The provisions of this Section 7.7 shall
survive the consummation of the Merger and expressly are intended to benefit
each of the Indemnified Parties.
 
  Section 7.8 Comfort Letters.
 
    (a) Purchaser shall use all reasonable efforts to cause Ernst & Young
  LLP, Purchaser's independent accountants, to deliver to the Company a
  letter dated as of the date of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and addressed
  to the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
  Company, in connection with the procedures undertaken by them with respect
  to the financial statements and other financial information of Purchaser
  contained in the Registration Statement and the other matters contemplated
  by AICPA Statement No. 72 and customarily included in comfort letters
  relating to transactions similar to the Merger.
 
    (b) The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to cause Ernst & Young
  LLP, the Company's independent accountants, to deliver to Purchaser a
  letter dated as of the date of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and addressed
  to Purchaser, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser,
  in connection with the procedures undertaken by them with respect to the
  financial statements and other financial information of the Company and the
  Company Subsidiaries contained in the Registration Statement and the other
  matters contemplated by AICPA Statement No. 72 and customarily included in
  comfort letters relating to transactions similar to the Merger.
 
  Section 7.9 Tax Matters. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to
deliver to Purchaser as soon as practicable following the execution and
delivery of this Agreement an executed representation letter, substantially in
the form of Exhibit B attached hereto, from each person owning 5% or more of
the outstanding shares of Voting Common Stock or Non-Voting Common Stock of
the Company.
 
  Section 7.10 Intercompany Dividends. On the date immediately prior to the
Closing Date, subject to compliance with applicable law and the receipt of all
necessary approvals, the Company shall use all reasonable efforts to cause (i)
Thomas Jefferson Insurance Company to pay a $1.0 million dividend to The
Independent Life and Accident Insurance Company; (ii) Independent Fire
Insurance Company to pay a $4 million dividend to The Independent Life and
Accident Insurance Company and (iii) The Independent Life and Accident
Insurance Company to pay a $35 million dividend to the Company, each such
dividend to be paid in the form of a demand promissory note, or such other
form as the parties may mutually agree.
 
  Section 7.11 Certificate of Designation of Purchaser Convertible Preferred
Stock. Prior to Closing, Purchaser (i) shall cause to be filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Texas, in accordance with Article 2.13 of
the Texas Business Corporation Act, the Certificate of Designation in the form
of Exhibit A attached hereto with such immaterial changes as the parties may
mutually agree (the "Certificate"), establishing and
 
                                     A-32
<PAGE>
 
designating the Purchaser Convertible Preferred Stock and fixing and
determining the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights
thereof; (ii) shall insert in Section 2(a) of the Certificate the Average
Closing Price as the liquidation preference; and (iii) shall insert in Section
1(a) of the Certificate a number no less than the maximum number of shares of
Purchaser Convertible Preferred Stock issuable in the Merger as the number of
shares constituting the Purchaser Convertible Preferred Stock Series.
 
  Section 7.12 Additional Matters. Subject to the terms and conditions herein
provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use all reasonable efforts to
take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or cause to be done, all
things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to
consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including using all reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary waivers,
consents and approvals in connection with the Governmental Requirements and to
effect all necessary registrations and filings. In case at any time after the
Effective Time any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the
purposes of this Agreement, the proper officers and/or directors of Purchaser,
Sub and the Company shall take all such necessary action.
 
                                 ARTICLE VIII
 
                   CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
 
  Section 8.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger. The
respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject to
the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following
conditions:
 
    (a) any waiting period applicable to the consummation of the Merger under
  the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated, and no action shall have
  been instituted by the Department of Justice or Federal Trade Commission
  challenging or seeking to enjoin the consummation of this transaction,
  which action shall have not been withdrawn or terminated;
 
    (b) no statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or
  preliminary or permanent injunction shall have been enacted, entered,
  promulgated or enforced by any federal or state court or governmental
  authority having jurisdiction which prohibits, restrains, enjoins or
  restricts the consummation of the Merger;
 
    (c) each of the Company and Purchaser shall have made such filings, and
  obtained such permits, authorizations, consents, or approvals, required by
  the Governmental Requirements to consummate the transactions contemplated
  hereby, and the appropriate forms shall have been executed, filed and
  approved as required by the corporate and insurance laws and regulations of
  the states of Florida and Missouri;
 
    (d) this Agreement and the Merger shall have been adopted and approved by
  the requisite vote of the shareholders of the Company in accordance with
  the applicable provisions of the FBCA;
 
    (e) the Registration Statement shall have become effective under the
  Securities Act and shall not be the subject of any stop order or
  proceedings seeking a stop order;
 
    (f) the shares of Purchaser Common Stock issuable to the Company's
  shareholders pursuant to this Agreement shall have been authorized for
  listing on the New York Stock Exchange upon official notice thereof; and
 
    (g) Purchaser shall have used all reasonable efforts to have the shares
  of Purchaser Convertible Preferred Stock issuable to the Company's
  shareholders pursuant to this Agreement authorized for listing on either
  the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market.
 
  Section 8.2 Conditions to Obligation of the Company to Effect the
Merger. The obligation of the Company to effect the Merger shall be subject to
the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following additional
conditions:
 
    (a) each of Purchaser and Sub shall have performed in all material
  respects its obligations under this Agreement required to be performed by
  it at or prior to the Effective Time; the representations and warranties of
  Purchaser and Sub contained in this Agreement which are qualified with
  respect to materiality
 
                                     A-33
<PAGE>
 
  shall be true and correct in all respects, and such representations and
  warranties that are not so qualified shall be true and correct in all
  material respects, in each case as of the date of this Agreement and at and
  as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time (except to the
  extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an
  earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date) except as contemplated
  by this Agreement; and the Company shall have received a certificate of the
  Chairman of the Board, the President, an Executive Vice President, a Senior
  Vice President or the Chief Financial Officer of Purchaser as to the
  satisfaction of this condition;
 
    (b) the Company shall have received an opinion from Skadden, Arps, Slate,
  Meagher & Flom, special counsel to the Company, dated the Effective Time,
  to the effect that, on the basis of certain facts, representations and
  assumptions set forth in such opinion which are consistent with the stated
  facts existing at the Effective Time, the Merger will be treated for
  Federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of
  Section 368(a) of the Code, and that Purchaser, Sub and the Company will
  each be a party to that reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b)
  of the Code. In rendering the opinion described in the preceding sentence,
  such counsel may require and rely upon representations contained in
  certificates of officers of Purchaser, Sub and the Company and their
  respective subsidiaries; and
 
    (c) the Company shall have received a written opinion from Alex. Brown,
  dated as of the date of the Closing, to the effect that the consideration
  to be received by the shareholders of the Company pursuant to the Merger is
  fair to such shareholders from a financial point of view.
 
  Section 8.3 Conditions to Obligations of Purchaser and Sub to Effect the
Merger. The obligations of Purchaser and Sub to effect the Merger shall be
subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following
additional conditions:
 
    (a) the Company shall have performed in all material respects its
  obligations under this Agreement required to be performed by it at or prior
  to the Effective Time; and the representations and warranties of the
  Company contained in this Agreement which are qualified with respect to
  materiality shall be true and correct in all respects, and such
  representations and warranties that are not so qualified shall be true and
  correct in all material respects, in each case as of the date of this
  Agreement and at and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such
  time (except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically
  relate to an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), except
  as contemplated by the Company Disclosure Letter or this Agreement; and
  Purchaser and Sub shall have received a Certificate of the Chairman of the
  Board, the President, an Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or
  the Chief Financial Officer of the Company as to the satisfaction of this
  condition; and
 
    (b) Purchaser shall have received an opinion from Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.,
  special counsel to Purchaser, dated the Effective Time, to the effect that,
  on the basis of certain facts, representations and assumptions set forth in
  such opinion which are consistent with the stated facts existing at the
  Effective Time, the Merger will be treated for Federal income tax purposes
  as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and
  that Purchaser, Sub and the Company will each be a party to that
  reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code. In
  rendering the opinion described in the preceding sentence, such counsel may
  require and rely upon representations contained in certificates of officers
  of Purchaser, Sub and the Company and their respective subsidiaries.
 
                                  ARTICLE IX
 
                       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
 
  Section 9.1 Termination by Mutual Consent. This Agreement may be terminated
at any time prior to the Effective Time by mutual written agreement of
Purchaser and the Company.
 
  Section 9.2 Termination by Either Purchaser or the Company. This Agreement
may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned by action of the Board of
Directors of either Purchaser or the Company if (a) this Agreement and the
Merger shall fail to receive the requisite vote for approval and adoption by
the shareholders
 
                                     A-34
<PAGE>
 
of the Company at the Company Special Meeting, (b) the Merger shall not have
been consummated before March 30, 1996; provided, however, that this Agreement
may be extended by written notice of either Purchaser or the Company to a date
not later than June 30, 1996, if the Merger shall not have been consummated as
a direct result of the conditions in Section 8.1(a) or 8.1(c) not having been
satisfied by such date, or (c) a United States federal or state court of
competent jurisdiction or United States federal or state governmental,
regulatory or administrative agency or commission shall have issued an order,
decree or ruling or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining
or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
such order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and non-
appealable; provided, that the party seeking to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to clause (b) shall not be in material violation of any of its
representations, warranties or covenants set forth in this Agreement, and the
party seeking to terminate this Agreement pursuant to clause (c) shall have
used all reasonable efforts to remove such injunction, order or decree.
 
  Section 9.3 Termination by the Company. This Agreement may be terminated and
the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, before or
after the approval of the Merger and the adoption of this Agreement by the
shareholders of the Company referred to in Section 2.1, by action of the Board
of Directors of the Company, if (a) there has been a breach by Purchaser or
Sub of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement which would
have or would be likely to have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect; (b) there
has been a material breach of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in
this Agreement on the part of Purchaser, which breach is not curable or, if
curable, is not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice of such
breach is given by the Company to Purchaser; (c) prior to the Company Special
Meeting, the Board of Directors of the Company has (i) withdrawn, or modified
or changed in a manner adverse to Purchaser or Sub its approval or
recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger in order to approve and permit
the Company to execute a definitive agreement relating to an Acquisition
Proposal, and (ii) determined, based on a written opinion of outside legal
counsel to the Company, that the failure to take such action as set forth in
the preceding clause (i) would result in a breach of the Board of Directors'
fiduciary duties under applicable law, provided, however, that (A) the Board
of Directors of the Company shall have been advised in such written opinion of
outside counsel that notwithstanding a binding commitment to consummate an
agreement of the nature of this Agreement entered into in the proper exercise
of their applicable fiduciary duties, and notwithstanding all concessions
which may be offered by Purchaser in negotiations entered into pursuant to
clause (B) below, such fiduciary duties would also require the directors to
terminate this Agreement as a result of such Acquisition Proposal, and (B)
prior to any such termination, the Company shall, and shall cause its
respective financial and legal advisors to, negotiate with Purchaser to make
such adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement as would enable
the Company to proceed with the transactions contemplated herein on such
adjusted terms; (d) the Average Closing Price shall be less than the Company's
Walk Away Threshold (as hereinafter defined); or (e) the Company shall have
elected to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 6.2(d).
 
  The Company's Walk Away Threshold shall be computed as follows:
 
      (i) if the Average Reference Price (as hereinafter defined) is equal
    to or more than $38.125, the Company's Walk Away Threshold shall be
    $29;
 
      (ii) if the Average Reference Price is less than $38.125, the
    Company's Walk Away Threshold shall be the lesser of (a) $29 or (b) $29
    multiplied by the Adjustment Factor;
 
      (iii) if the S&P Factor (as hereinafter defined) is greater than 1,
    the Adjustment Factor shall be a fraction, the numerator of which shall
    be the Average Reference Price and the denominator of which shall be
    $38.125; and
 
      (iv) if the S&P Factor is less than 1, the Adjustment Factor shall be
    the sum of (i) the amount by which 1 exceeds the S&P Factor and (ii) a
    fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Average Reference Price
    and the denominator of which shall be $38.125.
 
  As used herein, the "Average Reference Price" shall mean the average of the
closing prices (or if Purchaser Common Stock is not traded on any of the five
calendar days next succeeding October 29, 1995, the arithmetic
 
                                     A-35
<PAGE>
 
mean of the high bid and the low asked prices therefor on such day), regular
way, of Purchaser Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
Composite Tape on each of the five calendar days next succeeding October 29,
1995. As used herein, the "S&P Factor" shall be a fraction, the numerator of
which shall be the arithmetic mean of the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite
Stock Price Index at the close of business on each of the five calendar days
next succeeding October 29, 1995 and the denominator of which shall be the
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index at the close of business on
October 18, 1995.
 
  Section 9.4 Termination by Purchaser. This Agreement may be terminated and
the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by action
of the Board of Directors of Purchaser, if (a) there has been a breach by the
Company of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement which
would have or would be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; (b)
there has been a material breach of any of the covenants or agreements set
forth in this Agreement on the part of the Company, which breach is not
curable or, if curable, is not cured within thirty (30) days after written
notice of such breach given by Purchaser to the Company; (c) the Board of
Directors of the Company shall have withdrawn, or modified or changed in a
manner adverse to Purchaser or Sub its approval or recommendation of this
Agreement or the Merger or shall have recommended an Acquisition Proposal, or
shall have executed an agreement in principle (or similar agreement) or
definitive agreement providing for an Acquisition Proposal or other business
combination with a person or entity other than Purchaser or its affiliates (or
the Board of Directors of the Company resolves to do any of the foregoing); or
(d) the Average Closing Price shall be less than the Purchaser's Walk Away
Threshold. The Purchaser's Walk Away Threshold shall be computed as follows
 
      (i) if the Average Reference Price is equal to or more than $38.125,
    the Purchaser's Walk Away Threshold shall be $31;
 
      (ii) if the Average Reference Price is less than $38.125, the
    Purchaser's Walk Away Threshold shall be the lesser of (a) $31 or (b)
    $31 multiplied by the Adjustment Factor.
 
  Section 9.5 Effect of Termination and Abandonment.
 
    (a) In the event of termination of the Agreement and the abandonment of
  the Merger pursuant to this Article IX, written notice thereof shall as
  promptly as practicable be given to the other parties to this Agreement and
  this Agreement shall terminate and the transactions contemplated hereby
  shall be abandoned, without further action by any of the parties hereto. If
  this Agreement is terminated as provided herein: (i) except as provided in
  Section 9.5(b), there shall be no liability or obligation on the part of
  Purchaser, the Purchaser Subsidiaries, the Company or the Company
  Subsidiaries or their respective officers and directors, and all
  obligations of the parties shall terminate, except for the obligations of
  the parties pursuant to this Section 9.5, except for the provisions of
  Sections 4.20, 5.20, 7.4, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 and 10.10, except for the
  obligations of the parties set forth in the Confidentiality Agreements
  referred to in Section 7.1 hereof (provided, however, that if this
  Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.3(c), Purchaser shall no
  longer be bound by paragraph 9 of the Confidentiality Agreement dated April
  26, 1995) and except that a party who is in material breach of its
  representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this
  Agreement shall be liable for damages occasioned by such breach, including
  without limitation any expenses incurred by the other party in connection
  with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and (ii) all
  filings, applications and other submissions made pursuant to the
  transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall, to the extent
  practicable, be withdrawn from the agency or person to which made.
 
    (b) Under the circumstances set forth in this Section 9.5(b), and only
  under these circumstances, the Company agrees to make certain termination
  payments to Purchaser as follows:
 
      (i) if an Acquisition Proposal which provides that the Company's
    shareholders will receive in excess of $27.50 per share is then
    outstanding and
 
        (A) the Board of Directors of the Company withdraws or modifies or
      changes in a manner adverse to Purchaser or Sub its approval or
      recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger in order to permit
      the Company to execute a definitive agreement relating to such
      Acquisition
 
                                     A-36
<PAGE>
 
      Proposal and the Company is unable to sustain the burden of proving
      that at least one condition to the consummation of the Merger (other
      than the conditions referred to in Section 8.1(d), Section 8.2(c)
      and Section 8.3(a)) has not been satisfied and is unlikely to be
      satisfied by the Closing Date, or
 
        (B) this Agreement and the Merger shall fail to receive the
      requisite vote for approval and adoption by the shareholders of the
      Company at the Company Special Meeting and the Company is unable to
      sustain the burden of proving that at least one condition to the
      consummation of the Merger (other than the conditions referred to in
      Section 8.1(d), Section 8.2(c) and Section 8.3(a))has not been
      satisfied and is unlikely to be satisfied by the Closing Date, or
 
        (C) this Agreement and the Merger receives the requisite vote for
      approval and adoption by the shareholders of the Company at the
      Company Special Meeting, but Alex. Brown refuses or states that it
      will refuse to deliver the fairness opinion, and the Company is
      unable to sustain the burden of proving that at least one condition
      to the consummation of the Merger (other than the conditions
      referred to in Section 8.2(c) and Section 8.3(a)) has not been
      satisfied and is unlikely to be satisfied by the Closing Date,
 
    then the Company shall pay the Purchaser the sum of $14,000,000 in cash
    (the "Termination Payment").
 
      (ii) if an Acquisition Proposal which provides that the Company's
    shareholders will receive in excess of $27.50 per share is then
    outstanding and
 
        (A) the Board of Directors of the Company withdraws or modifies or
      changes in a manner adverse to Purchaser or Sub its approval or
      recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger in order to permit
      the Company to execute a definitive agreement relating to such
      Acquisition Proposal and the Company is able to sustain the burden
      of proving that at least one condition to the consummation of the
      Merger (other than the conditions referred to in Section 8.1(d),
      Section 8.2(c) and Section 8.3(a)) has not been satisfied and is
      unlikely to be satisfied as of the Closing Date, or
 
        (B) this Agreement and the Merger shall fail to receive the
      requisite vote for approval and adoption by the shareholders of the
      Company at the Company Special Meeting and the Company is able to
      sustain the burden of proving that at least one condition to the
      consummation of the Merger (other than the conditions referred to in
      Section 8.1(d), Section 8.2(c) and Section 8.3(a)) has not been
      satisfied and is unlikely to be satisfied by the Closing Date, or
 
        (C) this Agreement and the Merger receives the requisite vote for
      approval and adoption by the shareholders of the Company at the
      Company Special Meeting, but Alex. Brown refuses or states that it
      will refuse to deliver the fairness opinion, and the Company is able
      to sustain the burden of proving that at least one condition to the
      consummation of the Merger (other than the conditions referred to in
      Section 8.2(c) and Section 8.3(a)) has not been satisfied and is
      unlikely to be satisfied by the Closing Date,
 
    then the Company shall pay the Purchaser one-half the Termination
    Payment.
 
      (iii) if an Acquisition Proposal which provides that the Company's
    shareholders will receive in excess of $27.50 per share is not then
    outstanding and this Agreement and the Merger shall fail to receive the
    requisite vote for approval and adoption by the shareholders of the
    Company at the Company Special Meeting and all other conditions to the
    consummation of the Merger have been satisfied or are likely to be
    satisfied (other than the conditions referred to in Section 8.1(d),
    Section 8.2(c) and Section 8.3(a)), then the Company shall reimburse
    Purchaser for its out-of-pocket expenses, reasonably incurred in
    connection with the Merger, such reimbursement not to exceed one-third
    of the Termination Payment.
 
  All such termination payments shall be made as promptly as practicable but
not later than three business days after such termination, and such payments
shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
designated by Purchaser.
 
                                     A-37
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE X
 
                              GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
  Section 10.1 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. No
representations or warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered
pursuant to this Agreement, other than the representation and warranty
contained in Section 4.23, shall survive beyond the Effective Time. This
Section 10.1 shall not limit any covenant or agreement set forth in this
Agreement, which covenants and agreements shall survive the Effective Time.
 
  Section 10.2 Notices. All notices, claims, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given upon (a) confirmation
of receipt of a facsimile transmission, (b) confirmed delivery by a standard
overnight carrier or when delivered by hand or (c) the expiration of five
business days after the day when mailed by registered or certified mail
(postage prepaid, return receipt requested), addressed to the respective
parties at the following addresses (or such other address for a party as shall
be specified by like notice):
 
  (a)If to Purchaser or Sub, to:
 
    American General Corporation
    2929 Allen Parkway
    Houston, Texas 77019
    Telecopy: (713) 831-1300
    Attention: Jon P. Newton, Esq.
 
    with a copy to:
 
    Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
    3300 First City Tower
    1001 Fannin
    Houston, Texas 77002-6760
    Telecopy: (713) 758-2346
    Attention: Scott N. Wulfe, Esq.
 
  (b)If to the Company, to:
 
    Independent Insurance Group, Inc.
    One Independent Drive
    Jacksonville, Florida 32276
    Telecopy: (904) 358-5889
    Attention: Guy Marvin, Esq.
 
    with a copy to:
 
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
    919 Third Avenue
    New York, New York 10022
    Telecopy: (212) 735-2000
    Attention: Theodore J. Kozloff, Esq.
 
  Section 10.3 Descriptive Headings. 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.
 
  Section 10.4 Entire Agreement; Assignment. This Agreement (including the
Exhibits, Company Disclosure Letter and other documents and instruments
referred to herein) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other
prior agreements and understandings (other than those contained in the
Confidentiality
 
                                     A-38
<PAGE>
 
Agreements, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein), both written
and oral, among the parties or any of them, with respect to the subject matter
hereof, including, without limitation, any transaction between or among the
parties hereto. This Agreement shall not be assigned by operation of law or
otherwise, except that Sub may assign all of its rights and obligations
hereunder to any direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser which shall then
be substituted for Sub for all purposes hereof; provided, however, that no
such assignment shall be made if such assignment would have a material adverse
effect on the Company, the Company's shareholders or the likelihood that the
transaction contemplated hereby would be consummated.
 
  Section 10.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida without giving
effect to the provisions thereof relating to conflicts of law.
 
  Section 10.6 Expenses. Except as provided in Section 9.5, whether or not the
Merger is consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be paid
by the party incurring such expenses, except that those expenses incurred in
connection with printing and mailing the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as well
as the filing fees relating to the Registration Statement and the HSR Act,
will be shared equally by Purchaser and the Company.
 
  Section 10.7 Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended except by an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.
 
  Section 10.8 Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, the parties
hereto may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations
or other acts of the other parties hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties contained herein or in any document delivered
pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or
conditions contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to
any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument
in writing signed on behalf of such party.
 
  Section 10.9 Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in
two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but
all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement shall
become effective when each party hereto shall have received counterparts
thereof signed by all of the other parties hereto.
 
  Section 10.10 Severability; Validity; Parties in Interest. If any provision
of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is
held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, and the
application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be
affected thereby, and to such end, the provisions of this Agreement are agreed
to be severable. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to
confer upon any person not a party to this Agreement any rights or remedies of
any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
 
  Section 10.11 Enforcement of Agreement. The parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event that any provision of this
Agreement was not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be
entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement
and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of
competent jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which
they are entitled at law or in equity.
 
                                     A-39
<PAGE>
 
  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of Purchaser, Sub and the Company has caused this
Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written.
 
                                          AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION
 
                                              /s/ James R. Tuerff
                                          By:
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             JAMES R. TUERFF 
                                             PRESIDENT
 
                                          AGC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                                              /s/ James R. Tuerff
                                          By:
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             JAMES R. TUERFF 
                                             SENIOR CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
 
                                          INDEPENDENT INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
 
                                              /s/ Wilford C. Lyon, Jr.
                                          By:
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             WILFORD C. LYON, JR. 
                                             CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                                             CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
                                     A-40
<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT A
 
                         AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION
 
            STATEMENT OF RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A SERIES OF SHARES
 
                         Providing for the Issuance of
                  7% Convertible Preferred Stock Pursuant to
              Article 2.13 of the Texas Business Corporation Act
 
  Pursuant to the provisions of Article 2.13 of the Texas Business Corporation
Act, the undersigned corporation submits the following statement for the
purpose of establishing and designating a series of shares of its Preferred
Stock and fixing and determining the designations, preferences, limitations
and relative rights thereof:
 
    1. The name of the corporation is American General Corporation (the
  "Corporation").
 
    2. The following resolutions, establishing and designating a series of
  shares and fixing and determining the designations, preferences,
  limitations and relative rights thereof, was duly adopted by the Board of
  Directors of the Corporation on      , 1995:
 
    RESOLVED, that pursuant to Article Four of the Restated Articles of
    Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, which authorizes the
    issuance of three hundred sixty million (360,000,000) shares,
    consisting of sixty million (60,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock of
    the par value of one dollar fifty cents ($1.50) per share (hereinafter
    referred to as the "Preferred Stock"), and three hundred million
    (300,000,000) shares of Common Stock of the par value of fifty cents
    ($.50) per share (hereinafter referred to as the "Common Stock"), the
    Corporation hereby provides for the issuance of a series of Preferred
    Stock, designated as 7% Convertible Preferred Stock, and hereby fixes
    the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of the
    shares of the 7% Convertible Preferred Stock, in addition to those set
    forth in such Article Four, which shall be as follows:
 
  Section 1. Designation And Amount.
 
  (a) The shares of this series of Preferred Stock shall be designated as "7%
Convertible Preferred Stock" (the "7% Preferred Stock") and the number of
shares constituting such series shall be  ,000,000, par value $1.50 per share.
The number of authorized shares of 7% Preferred Stock may be reduced to a
number not less than the number of shares then issued by further resolution
duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or a duly authorized
committee thereof and by the filing of a certificate pursuant to the
provisions of the Texas Business Corporation Act stating that such reduction
has been so authorized. The shares of 7% Preferred Stock shall rank on a
parity with the Corporation's Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
(the "Series A Stock") in respect of the payment of dividends and the
distribution of assets upon Liquidation (as defined in paragraph (a) of
Section 5).
 
  Section 2. Dividends.
 
  (a) The holders of outstanding shares of 7% Preferred Stock will be entitled
to receive, subject to the rights of holders of the Series A Stock and holders
of other classes or series of stock which may from time to time be issued by
the Corporation ranking on a parity with the 7% Preferred Stock in respect of
dividends, and when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds
legally available therefor, cumulative preferential cash dividends from the
date of initial issuance at a rate per annum of seven percent (7%) of the
liquidation preference of $    per share (equivalent to $    per annum or
$   per quarter for each share of 7% Preferred Stock), payable quarterly in
arrears on each March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1, respectively
(each such date being hereinafter referred to as a "Preferred Dividend Payment
Date"); provided, however, that, with respect to any dividend period during
which a redemption occurs, the Corporation may, at its option, declare accrued
dividends on the shares of 7% Preferred Stock to (but not including), and pay
such accrued dividends on, the date fixed for redemption, in which case such
dividends shall be payable to the holders of shares of 7%
<PAGE>
 
Preferred Stock as of the record date for such dividend payment and shall not
be included in the calculation of the related Call Price (as defined in clause
(ii) of paragraph (i) of Section 3). The first dividend shall be for the
period from the date of initial issuance of 7% Preferred Stock to and
including [the date immediately preceding the first Preferred Dividend Payment
Date following the eleventh day after the Effective Time under the Agreement
and Plan of Merger], 1996 and will be paid on [such Preferred Dividend Payment
Date], 1996. If any Preferred Dividend Payment Date shall not be a business
day (as defined in clause (i) of paragraph (i) of Section 3), then the
Preferred Dividend Payment Date shall be on the next succeeding day that is a
business day. Each such dividend will be payable to holders of record as they
appear on the books of the Corporation or any transfer agent for the shares of
7% Preferred Stock on such record dates, not less than 10 nor more than 50
days preceding the payment dates thereof, as shall be fixed by the Board of
Directors. Dividends on the shares of 7% Preferred Stock shall accrue on a
daily basis (except as otherwise provided in the last paragraph of Section
3(c) with respect to Optional Conversion) commencing on and including the date
of initial issuance of 7% Preferred Stock, and accrued dividends for each
quarterly dividend period or portion thereof shall accumulate, to the extent
not paid, on the Preferred Dividend Payment Date first following the quarterly
period or portion thereof for which they accrue. Except as otherwise provided
in Section 3(a) or 3(j)(2), accumulated unpaid dividends shall not bear
interest. Dividends on the shares of 7% Preferred Stock shall accrue whether
or not the Corporation has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally
available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends
are declared. Dividends in arrears for any past quarterly dividend periods may
be declared and paid at any time without reference to any regular Preferred
Dividend Payment Date to holders of record on such date, not exceeding 50 days
preceding the payment date thereof, as shall be fixed by the Board of
Directors. Dividends (or cash amounts equal to accrued and unpaid dividends)
payable on the shares of 7% Preferred Stock for any period shorter than a
quarterly dividend period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months. Dividends on the shares of 7% Preferred Stock shall
cease to accrue as of the close of business on the earlier of (i) the day
immediately prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date, as defined in paragraph
(a) of Section 3, or (ii) the day immediately prior to their earlier
conversion or redemption.
 
  (b) If full cumulative dividends on the 7% Preferred Stock have not been
declared and paid or irrevocably set apart for payment when due, then, subject
to the next succeeding sentence, the Corporation shall not (i) declare or pay
any dividend on any Dividend Pari Passu Security or Dividend Junior Security
(each as defined below) or (ii) redeem, purchase, retire or otherwise acquire
for consideration shares of any Dividend Junior Security (or rights, options
or warrants to purchase such Dividend Junior Security), other than (w)
purchases or acquisitions of shares of any Dividend Junior Security in
connection with the satisfaction by the Corporation or any of its majority-
owned subsidiaries of its obligations under any employee benefit plan or the
satisfaction by the Corporation of its obligations pursuant to any put
contract requiring the Corporation to purchase any Dividend Junior Security,
(x) as a result of a reclassification of any Dividend Junior Security or the
exchange or conversion of one class or series of any Dividend Junior Security
for another class or series of any Dividend Junior Security, (y) redemptions
or purchases of any Rights (as defined in Section 3(k)) or the declaration and
payment of a dividend or distribution of similar share purchase rights in the
future or (z) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of any Dividend
Junior Security pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such
Dividend Junior Security or the security being converted or exchanged, (iii)
redeem, purchase, retire or otherwise acquire for consideration any Dividend
Pari Passu Security (or rights, options or warrants to purchase such Dividend
Pari Passu Security), or (iv) permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to
purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the
Corporation unless the Corporation could, pursuant to the foregoing, purchase
or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner. The
preceding sentence, however, shall not apply to, or prohibit (i) dividends as
a result of a reclassification of Dividend Pari Passu Securities or Dividend
Junior Securities, (ii) dividends of any Rights, (iii) dividends or
distributions of similar share purchase rights in the future, (iv) dividends
or distributions in shares of Common Stock or another class or series of
capital stock of the Corporation that is junior to the 7% Preferred Stock as
to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, or (v) dividends with respect to
Dividend Pari Passu Securities in accordance with the following sentence. If
full cumulative dividends have not been paid upon the shares of 7% Preferred
Stock and any other class or series of Dividend Pari Passu Securities, all
dividends declared upon shares of 7% Preferred Stock and any other such class
or
 
                                     A-A2
<PAGE>
 
series of Dividend Pari Passu Securities shall, if declared, be declared pro
rata so that the amount of cash dividends declared per share on the 7%
Preferred Stock and such other class or series of Dividend Pari Passu
Securities shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that
accumulated and unpaid dividends per share on the shares of 7% Preferred Stock
and such other class or series of Dividend Pari Passu Securities bear to each
other.
 
  The term "Dividend Pari Passu Security" means any preference stock or
preferred stock or other capital stock of the Corporation and any guarantee
entered into by the Corporation in respect of any preference stock or
preferred stock of any affiliate of the Corporation ranking pari passu with
the 7% Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends. "Dividend Junior
Security" means Common Stock, Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of
the Corporation and any other class or series of capital stock of the
Corporation and any guarantee entered into by the Corporation in respect of
any preference stock or preferred stock of any affiliate of the Corporation
ranking junior to the 7% Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends.
 
  (c) Accruals of dividends on the 7% Preferred Stock shall not bear interest,
regardless of whether funds shall be legally available for the declaration or
payment thereof.
 
  Section 3. Redemptions or Conversions.
 
  (a) Mandatory Conversion on Mandatory Conversion Date. Unless earlier called
for redemption or converted in accordance with the provisions hereof, on [the
Preferred Dividend Payment Date closest to the fifth anniversary of the
Effective Time of the Merger] or, if such date is not a business day, the next
succeeding day that is a business day (the "Mandatory Conversion Date"), each
outstanding share of 7% Preferred Stock shall, without additional notice to
holders thereof, convert automatically ("Mandatory Conversion") into:
 
    (i) fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock at the Common
  Equivalent Rate (as defined herein) in effect on the Mandatory Conversion
  Date; plus
 
    (ii) the right to receive an amount in cash equal to all accrued and
  unpaid dividends on such share of 7% Preferred Stock (other than previously
  declared dividends payable to a holder of record as of a prior date) to and
  including the day immediately prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date,
  whether or not earned or declared, out of funds legally available therefor.
 
  The "Common Equivalent Rate" shall initially be one share of Common Stock
for each share of 7% Preferred Stock and shall be subject to adjustment as set
forth in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section 3.
 
  If an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends on the shares of 7%
Preferred Stock described in clause (ii) above (the "Required Dividend
Amount") is not deposited with a bank or trust company in accordance with
Section 3(j)(2) on or prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date (the amount, if
any, by which the Required Dividend Amount exceeds the amount so deposited in
respect of the Required Dividend Amount being herein called the "Deposit
Deficit"), the Corporation shall, out of funds legally available therefor, as
promptly as practicable following the Mandatory Conversion Date, deposit cash
with a bank or trust company in accordance with Section 3(j)(2) in an amount
equal to the Deposit Deficit plus an amount equal to interest at the rate of
7% per annum, compounded quarterly, on the Deposit Deficit from time to time
outstanding from and including the Mandatory Conversion Date to but not
including the date the Deposit Deficit is reduced to zero; provided, that so
long as a Deposit Deficit is outstanding, no class or series of stock
thereafter issued by the Corporation shall rank senior to the claims of the
holders of the shares of 7% Preferred Stock on the Mandatory Conversion Date
with regard to the Required Dividend Amount and interest thereon as and to the
extent provided in the first proviso of the penultimate sentence of Section
3(j)(2).
 
  (b) Right to Call for Redemption. Shares of 7% Preferred Stock are not
redeemable by the Corporation before [the date one year prior to the Mandatory
Conversion Date] (the "Initial Redemption Date"). At any time and from time to
time on or after that date until and including the day immediately prior to
the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Corporation shall have the right to call,
in whole or in part, the outstanding shares of 7% Preferred Stock for
redemption (subject to the notice provisions set forth in paragraph (j) of
this Section 3). On
 
                                     A-A3
<PAGE>
 
the redemption date, the Corporation shall deliver to the holders thereof in
exchange for each such share called for redemption the greater of:
 
    (i) a number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock
  determined by dividing the Call Price (as defined in clause (ii) of
  paragraph (i) of this Section 3) in effect on the redemption date by the
  Current Market Price (as defined in clause (v) of paragraph (d) of this
  Section 3) per share of Common Stock determined as of the second Trading
  Date (as defined in clause (v) of paragraph (i) of this Section 3)
  immediately preceding the Notice Date (as defined in clause (iv) of
  paragraph (i) of this Section 3); or
 
    (ii) 0.8264 of a share of Common Stock (subject to adjustment in the same
  manner as the Optional Conversion Rate (as defined in paragraph (c) of this
  Section 3) is adjusted).
 
  If fewer than all the outstanding shares of 7% Preferred Stock are to be
called for redemption, shares to be redeemed shall be selected by the
Corporation from outstanding shares of 7% Preferred Stock by lot or pro rata
(as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional shares) or by any
other method determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in its
sole discretion to be equitable.
 
  (c) Optional Conversion. Shares of 7% Preferred Stock are convertible, at
the option of the holders thereof ("Optional Conversion"), at any time or from
time to time, before the Mandatory Conversion Date, unless previously
redeemed, into shares of Common Stock at a rate of 0.8264 of a share of Common
Stock for each share of 7% Preferred Stock (the "Optional Conversion Rate"),
subject to adjustment as set forth in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section
3. The right of Optional Conversion of shares of 7% Preferred Stock called for
redemption shall terminate immediately before the close of business on the day
prior to any redemption date with respect to such shares.
 
  Optional Conversion of shares of 7% Preferred Stock may be effected by
delivering certificates evidencing such shares of 7% Preferred Stock, together
with written notice of conversion and, if required by the Corporation, a
proper assignment of such certificates to the Corporation or in blank (and, if
applicable as provided in the following paragraph, cash payment of an amount
equal to the dividends attributable to the current quarterly dividend period
payable on such shares), to the office of the transfer agent for the shares of
7% Preferred Stock or to any other office or agency maintained by the
Corporation for that purpose and otherwise in accordance with Optional
Conversion procedures established by the Corporation. Each Optional Conversion
shall be deemed to have been effected immediately before the close of business
on the date on which the foregoing requirements shall have been satisfied. The
Optional Conversion shall be at the Optional Conversion Rate in effect at such
time and on such date.
 
  Holders of shares of 7% Preferred Stock at the close of business on a record
date for any payment of declared dividends shall be entitled to receive the
dividend payable on such shares of 7% Preferred Stock on the corresponding
dividend payment date notwithstanding the Optional Conversion of such shares
of 7% Preferred Stock following such record date and on or prior to such
dividend payment date. However, shares of 7% Preferred Stock surrendered for
Optional Conversion after the close of business on a record date for any
payment of declared dividends and before the opening of business on the next
succeeding dividend payment date must be accompanied by payment in cash of an
amount equal to the dividends attributable to the current quarterly dividend
period payable on such shares on such next succeeding dividend payment date
minus the dividends, if any, payable on such date on the number of shares of
Common Stock issuable in connection with such Optional Conversion of such
shares (unless such shares of 7% Preferred Stock are subject to redemption on
a redemption date between such record date established for such dividend
payment date and such dividend payment date). Except as provided above, upon
any Optional Conversion of shares of 7% Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall
make no payment of or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in
arrears, on such shares of 7% Preferred Stock as to which Optional Conversion
has been effected or for previously declared dividends or distributions on the
shares of Common Stock issued upon Optional Conversion.
 
  (d) Common Equivalent Rate and Optional Conversion Rate Adjustments. The
Common Equivalent Rate and the Optional Conversion Rate are each subject to
adjustment from time to time as provided below in this
 
                                     A-A4
<PAGE>
 
paragraph (d). All adjustments to the Common Equivalent Rate and the Optional
Conversion Rate shall be calculated to the nearest 1/100th of a share of
Common Stock (with 5/1000 of a share being rounded to the next lower 1/100 of
a share).
 
    (i) If the Corporation shall either:
 
      (1) pay a dividend or make a distribution with respect to Common
    Stock in shares of Common Stock,
 
      (2) subdivide or split its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a
    greater number of shares,
 
      (3) combine its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller
    number of shares, or
 
      (4) issue by reclassification of its shares of Common Stock any
    shares of common stock of the Corporation
 
then, in any such event, the Common Equivalent Rate and the Optional
Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior thereto shall each be adjusted so
that the holder of a share of 7% Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive,
on the conversion of such share of 7% Preferred Stock, the number of shares of
Common Stock of the Corporation which such holder would have owned or been
entitled to receive after the happening of any of the events described above
had such share of 7% Preferred Stock been converted at the Common Equivalent
Rate (in the case of a Mandatory Conversion) or the Optional Conversion Rate
(in the case of an Optional Conversion), as applicable, in effect immediately
prior to the happening of such event or the record date therefor, whichever is
earlier. Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after the close of
business on the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to
receive such dividend or distribution in the case of a dividend or
distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective time
in case of a subdivision, split, combination or reclassification. Any shares
of Common Stock issuable in payment of a dividend or distribution shall be
deemed to have been issued immediately prior to the close of business on the
record date for such dividend or distribution for purposes of calculating the
number of outstanding shares of Common Stock under clauses (ii) and (iii)
below.
 
    (ii) Subject to Section 3(d)(xi), if the Corporation shall issue rights
  (other than Rights) or warrants to all holders of its Common Stock
  entitling them (for a period not exceeding 45 days from the date of such
  issuance) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price
  per share (taking into account the consideration received for the issuance
  of such right or warrant plus any consideration to be received upon the
  exercise thereof) less than the Current Market Price per share of the
  Common Stock on the record date for the determination of stockholders
  entitled to receive such rights or warrants, then in each case the Common
  Equivalent Rate and the Optional Conversion Rate shall each be adjusted by
  multiplying (I) the Common Equivalent Rate or the Optional Conversion Rate,
  as applicable, in effect immediately prior thereto by (II) a fraction, of
  which the numerator shall be (A) the number of shares of Common Stock
  outstanding on such record date, plus (B) the number of additional shares
  of Common Stock offered for subscription or purchase, and of which the
  denominator shall be (A) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
  on such record date, plus (B) the number of additional shares of Common
  Stock which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares so
  offered for subscription or purchase would purchase at the Current Market
  Price per share of the Common Stock on such record date (determined by
  multiplying such total number of shares by the exercise price of such
  rights or warrants and dividing the product so obtained by such Current
  Market Price). Shares of Common Stock owned by or held for the account of
  the Corporation or another company of which a majority of the shares
  entitled to vote in the election of directors are held, directly or
  indirectly, by the Corporation shall not be deemed to be outstanding for
  purposes of such computation. Such adjustment shall be made successively
  whenever any such rights or warrants are issued and shall become effective
  immediately after the close of business on the record date for the
  determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants.
  To the extent that any rights or warrants referred to in this clause (ii)
  expire unexercised, the Common Equivalent Rate and the Optional Conversion
  Rate shall each be readjusted to the Common Equivalent Rate and the
  Optional Conversion Rate, respectively, which would then be in effect had
  the adjustment made upon the issuance of such rights
 
                                     A-A5
<PAGE>
 
  or warrants been made upon the basis of the issuance of only the number of
  rights or warrants actually exercised.
 
    (iii) If the Corporation shall pay a dividend or make a distribution to
  all holders of its Common Stock of evidences of its indebtedness or other
  assets (including shares of capital stock of the Corporation but excluding
  any Excluded Dividends (as defined in this clause (iii)) and excluding any
  distributions and dividends referred to in clause (i) above), or shall
  distribute to all holders of its Common Stock rights or warrants to
  subscribe for or purchase securities of the Corporation or any of its
  subsidiaries (other than those referred to in clause (ii) above), the
  Common Equivalent Rate and the Optional Conversion Rate shall each be
  adjusted by multiplying (I) the Common Equivalent Rate or the Optional
  Conversion Rate, as applicable, in effect immediately prior to the date of
  such dividend or distribution by (II) a fraction, of which the numerator
  shall be the Current Market Price per share of Common Stock on the date
  fixed for the payment of such distribution (the "Reference Date"), and of
  which the denominator shall be such Current Market Price per share of
  Common Stock less the fair market value as of the Reference Date of the
  portion of the assets or evidences of indebtedness so distributed, or of
  such subscription rights or warrants, applicable to one share of Common
  Stock. Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after the close
  of business on the record date for the determination of stockholders
  entitled to receive such dividend or distribution. "Excluded Dividends"
  shall mean (1) any dividend or distribution referred to in paragraphs
  (i)(1) or (i)(4) of this Section 3(d), (2) any dividend, distribution or
  issuance of rights or warrants referred to in paragraph (ii) of this
  Section 3(d) or of Rights, (3) any regular cash dividend on the Common
  Stock that does not exceed the per share amount of the immediately
  preceding regular cash dividend on the Common Stock (as adjusted to
  appropriately reflect any of the events referred to in paragraph (i) of
  this Section 3(d)), and (4) in the case of any other dividend or
  distribution (cash or otherwise), that portion thereof which, when combined
  with the per share fair market value of all other dividends and
  distributions paid by the Corporation on Common Stock during the 365-day
  period ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution
  (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any of the events referred to in
  paragraph (i) of this Section 3(d) and excluding dividends and
  distributions referred to in clauses (1) and (2) and dividends and
  distributions, or portions thereof, that resulted in an adjustment to the
  Common Equivalent Rate and the Optional Conversion Rate (or would have but
  for the application of Section 3(d)(vii), 3(d)(x) or 3(d)(xi)), does not
  exceed 15% of the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock on the
  Trading Date immediately preceding the date of declaration of such dividend
  or distribution. The fair market value of any dividend or distribution not
  paid in cash shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of
  the Corporation, whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a
  resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation. For purposes of
  this paragraph (iii), any dividend or distribution that includes shares of
  Common Stock or rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares of
  Common Stock shall be deemed instead to be (1) a dividend or distribution
  of the evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock of the
  Corporation, cash or assets other than such shares of Common Stock or such
  rights or warrants (making any Common Equivalent Rate or Optional
  Conversion Rate adjustment required by this paragraph (iii)) immediately
  followed by (2) a dividend or distribution of such shares of Common Stock
  or such rights or warrants (making any further Common Equivalent Rate or
  Optional Conversion Rate adjustment required by paragraphs (i) or (ii) of
  this Section 3(d) and, in the case of rights or warrants, subject to the
  last sentence of such paragraph (ii)), except the Reference Date of such
  dividend or distribution as defined in this paragraph (iii) shall be
  substituted as "the record date for determination of stockholders entitled
  to receive such dividend or distribution," "the record date for
  determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants",
  "the record date for such dividend or distribution" and "such record date"
  within the meaning of paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 3(d).
 
    (iv) Anything in this Section 3 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
  Corporation shall be entitled to make such upward adjustments in the Common
  Equivalent Rate, the Optional Conversion Rate or the Call Price, in
  addition to those required by this Section 3, as the Corporation in its
  sole discretion shall determine to be advisable, in order that any stock
  dividends, subdivision or split of shares, distribution of rights to
  purchase stock or securities, or a distribution of securities convertible
  into or exchangeable for stock (or any transaction which could be treated
  as any of the foregoing transactions pursuant to Section 305 of the
 
                                     A-A6
<PAGE>
 
  Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) hereafter made by the
  Corporation to its stockholders shall not be taxable. If the Corporation
  determines that such an adjustment to the Common Equivalent Rate, the
  Optional Conversion Rate or the Call Price should be made, an adjustment
  shall be made effective as of such date as is determined by the Board of
  Directors of the Corporation. The Corporation from time to time may make
  such upward adjustments in the Common Equivalent Rate, the Optional
  Conversion Rate or the Call Price, in addition to those required by this
  Section 3, by any amount selected by the Corporation for any period of time
  if the period is at least 20 days and the Board of Directors of the
  Corporation shall have made a determination that such upward adjustment
  would be in the best interest of the Corporation. The determination of the
  Board of Directors of the Corporation as to whether an adjustment to the
  Common Equivalent Rate, the Optional Conversion Rate or the Call Price
  should be made pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this clause (iv),
  and if so, as to what adjustment should be made and when, shall be
  conclusive, final and binding on the Corporation and all stockholders of
  the Corporation.
 
    (v) As used in this Section 3, the Current Market Price per share of
  Common Stock on any date of determination shall be the lesser of (A) the
  average of the daily Closing Prices for the fifteen consecutive Trading
  Dates ending on and including the date of determination of the Current
  Market Price, or (B) the Closing Price for the date of determination of the
  Current Market Price; provided, however, that, for the purposes of
  calculating the Current Market Price in connection with any redemption of
  the 7% Preferred Stock, if any adjustment of the Common Equivalent Rate
  pursuant to paragraph (d) or paragraph (e) of this Section 3 is effective
  as of any date during the period beginning on the first day of such
  fifteen-day period and ending on the date on which shares of 7% Preferred
  Stock are to be redeemed, then the Current Market Price as determined
  pursuant to the foregoing will be adjusted to the extent appropriate to
  reflect such adjustment. If the Current Market Price is adjusted pursuant
  to the immediately preceding proviso as a result of the effectiveness of an
  adjustment of the Common Equivalent Rate but the event requiring an
  adjustment of the Common Equivalent Rate does not occur prior to the
  redemption of the 7% Preferred Stock, then the Corporation may in its sole
  discretion elect to defer the following until the occurrence of such event:
 
      (1) issuing to the holder of any shares of 7% Preferred Stock
    surrendered for redemption the additional shares of Common Stock
    issuable upon such redemption over and above the shares of Common Stock
    issuable upon such redemption on the basis of the Current Market Price
    prior to adjustment; and
 
      (2) paying to such holder any amount in cash in lieu of a fractional
    share of Common Stock pursuant to paragraph (g) of this Section 3.
 
    (vi) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment to the
  Common Equivalent Rate or the Optional Conversion Rate that would cause the
  Corporation to issue shares of Common Stock for consideration below the
  then par value (if any) of the Common Stock upon conversion or redemption
  of the 7% Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall take any corporate action
  which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the
  Corporation may validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable
  shares of such Common Stock at such adjusted Common Equivalent Rate or
  Optional Conversion Rate.
 
    (vii) No adjustment in the Common Equivalent Rate or the Optional
  Conversion Rate shall be required unless such adjustment would require an
  increase or decrease of at least 1% in such rate; provided, however, that
  any adjustments which by reason of this clause (vii) are not required to be
  (and are not) made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any
  subsequent adjustment.
 
    (viii) In any case in which this Section 3(d) shall require that an
  adjustment in the Common Equivalent Rate or the Optional Conversion Rate as
  a result of any event become effective after the close of business on a
  record date, and the date of a conversion pursuant to paragraph (a) or (c)
  of this Section 3 occurs after such record date but before the occurrence
  of such event, the Corporation may in its sole discretion elect to defer
  the following until the occurrence of such event:
 
      (1) issuing to the holder of any shares of 7% Preferred Stock
    surrendered for conversion the additional shares of Common Stock
    issuable upon such conversion over and above the shares of
 
                                     A-A7
<PAGE>
 
    Common Stock issuable upon such conversion on the basis of the Common
    Equivalent Rate or the Optional Conversion Rate, as applicable, prior
    to adjustment; and
 
      (2) paying to such holder any amount in cash in lieu of a fractional
    share of Common Stock pursuant to paragraph (g) of this Section 3.
 
    (ix) Before redeeming any shares of 7% Preferred Stock, the Corporation
  shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel,
  be necessary in order that the Corporation may validly and legally issue
  fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock upon such redemption.
 
    (x) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3(d), no
  adjustment of the Common Equivalent Rate or Optional Conversion Rate shall
  be required to be made upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock
  pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of
  dividends or interest payable on securities of the Corporation and the
  investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under
  any such plan, or the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or
  rights to purchase such shares pursuant to any present or future employee,
  officer, director, consultant or agent benefit plan or program or agreement
  of the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation or pursuant to any
  option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security
  outstanding as of the date the 7% Preferred Stock was first designated
  pursuant to this Statement of Resolution Establishing a Series of Shares.
 
    (xi) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3(d), the
  issuance or distribution of Rights shall not be deemed to constitute an
  issuance or a distribution or dividend of rights, warrants, or other
  securities to which any of the adjustment provisions described above
  applies.
 
    (xii) In case the Corporation shall, by dividend or otherwise, declare or
  make a distribution on its Common Stock referred to in Section 3(d)(iii)
  (including, without limitation, dividends or distributions referred to in
  the last sentence of Section 3(d)(iii) but excluding the Excluded
  Dividends), the holder of each share of 7% Preferred Stock, upon the
  conversion thereof subsequent to the close of business on the date fixed
  for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such distribution
  and prior to the effectiveness of the Optional Conversion Rate adjustment
  in respect of such distribution, shall also be entitled to receive for each
  share of Common Stock into which such share of 7% Preferred Stock is
  converted, the portion of the shares of Common Stock, rights, warrants,
  evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, cash and assets so
  distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock; provided, however,
  that, at the election of the Corporation (whose election shall be evidenced
  by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or a committee
  thereof) with respect to all holders so converting, the Corporation may, in
  lieu of distributing to such holders any portion of such distribution not
  consisting of cash or securities of the Corporation, pay such holders an
  amount in cash equal to the fair market value thereof (as determined in
  good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be
  conclusive and described in a resolution of the Board of Directors of the
  Corporation or a committee thereof). If any conversion of a share of 7%
  Preferred Stock described in the immediately preceding sentence occurs
  prior to the payment date for a distribution to holders of Common Stock
  which the holder of the share of 7% Preferred Stock so converted is
  entitled to receive in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence,
  the Corporation may elect (such election to be evidenced by a resolution of
  the Board of Directors of the Corporation or a committee thereof) to
  distribute to such holder a due bill for the shares of Common Stock,
  rights, warrants, evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, cash
  or assets to which such holder is so entitled, provided that such due bill
  (y) meets any applicable requirements of the principal national securities
  exchange or other market on which the Common Stock is then traded, and (z)
  requires payment or delivery of such shares of Common Stock, rights,
  warrants, evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, cash or
  assets no later than the date of payment or delivery thereof to holders of
  shares of Common Stock receiving such distribution.
 
    (xiii) There shall be no adjustment of the Common Equivalent Rate or
  Optional Conversion Rate in case of the issuance of any capital stock (or
  securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock) of the
  Corporation or any other distribution or event except as specifically
  described in this Section 3. If any
 
                                     A-A8
<PAGE>
 
  action would require adjustment of the Common Equivalent Rate and the
  Conversion Rate pursuant to more than one of the provisions of this Section
  3, only one adjustment shall be made and such adjustment shall be the
  amount of adjustment that has the highest absolute value to the holders of
  the 7% Preferred Stock.
 
  (e) Adjustment for Certain Mergers and Other Transactions. In case of any
consolidation or merger to which the Corporation is a party (other than a
consolidation or merger in which the Corporation is the surviving or
continuing corporation and in which the shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately before the merger or consolidation remain unchanged), or in the
case of any sale or transfer to another corporation of the property of the
Corporation as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, or in the case of
a statutory exchange of securities with another corporation (other than in
connection with a merger or acquisition), each share of 7% Preferred Stock
shall, after consummation of such transaction, be subject to (i) conversion at
the option of the holder into the kind and amount of securities, cash, or
other property receivable upon consummation of such transaction by a holder of
the number of shares of Common Stock into which such share of 7% Preferred
Stock might have been converted immediately before consummation of such
transaction, (ii) conversion on the Mandatory Conversion Date into the kind
and amount of securities, cash, or other property receivable upon consummation
of such transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into
which such share of 7% Preferred Stock would have been converted if the
conversion on the Mandatory Conversion Date had occurred immediately before
the date of consummation of such transaction, plus the right to receive cash
in an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends on such share of 7%
Preferred Stock (other than previously declared dividends payable to a holder
of record as of a prior date), and (iii) redemption on any redemption date on
or after the Initial Redemption Date in exchange for the kind and amount of
securities, cash, or other property receivable upon consummation of such
transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock that would
have been issuable at the Call Price in effect on such redemption date upon a
redemption of such share of 7% Preferred Stock immediately before consummation
of such transaction, assuming that, if the Notice Date for such redemption is
not before such transaction, the Notice Date had been the date of such
transaction; and assuming in each case that such holder of shares of Common
Stock failed to exercise rights of election, if any, as to the kind or amount
of securities, cash, or other property receivable upon consummation of such
transaction (provided that, if the kind or amount of securities, cash, or
other property receivable upon consummation of such transaction is not the
same for each non-electing share, then the kind and amount of securities,
cash, or other property receivable upon consummation of such transaction for
each non-electing share shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so
receivable per share by a plurality of the non-electing shares). The kind and
amount of securities into or for which the shares of 7% Preferred Stock shall
be convertible or redeemable after consummation of such transaction shall be
subject to adjustment as described in Section 3(d) following the date of
consummation of such transaction. The Corporation may not become a party to
any such transaction unless the terms thereof are consistent with the
foregoing.
 
  (f) Notice of Adjustments, Etc. Whenever the Common Equivalent Rate and the
Optional Conversion Rate are adjusted as herein provided, the Corporation
shall:
 
    (i) forthwith compute the adjusted Common Equivalent Rate and the
  adjusted Optional Conversion Rate in accordance with this Section 3 and
  prepare a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman,
  the President, any Vice President or the Treasurer of the Corporation
  setting forth the adjusted Common Equivalent Rate and the adjusted Optional
  Conversion Rate, the method of calculation thereof in reasonable detail and
  the facts requiring such adjustment and upon which such adjustment is based
  and file such certificate forthwith with the transfer agent or agents for
  the 7% Preferred Stock and the Common Stock;
 
    (ii) make a prompt public announcement stating that the Common Equivalent
  Rate and the Optional Conversion Rate have been adjusted and setting forth
  the adjusted Common Equivalent Rate and the adjusted Optional Conversion
  Rate; and
 
    (iii) mail a notice stating that the Common Equivalent Rate and the
  Optional Conversion Rate have been adjusted, the facts requiring such
  adjustment and upon which such adjustment is based and setting forth the
  adjusted Common Equivalent Rate and the adjusted Optional Conversion Rate
  to the holders of
 
                                     A-A9
<PAGE>
 
  record of the outstanding shares of 7% Preferred Stock at or prior to the
  time the Corporation mails an interim statement to its stockholders
  covering the quarter-yearly period during which the facts requiring such
  adjustment occurred, but in any event within 45 days of the end of such
  quarter-yearly period.
 
In case, at any time while any of the shares of 7% Preferred Stock are
outstanding,
 
    (i) the Corporation shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution)
  on its Common Stock, other than Excluded Dividends; or
 
    (ii) the Corporation shall authorize the issuance to all holders of its
  Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares of
  its Common Stock or of any other subscription rights or warrants; or
 
    (iii) the Corporation shall authorize any reclassification of its Common
  Stock (other than a subdivision or combination thereof) or any
  consolidation or merger to which the Corporation is a party and for which
  approval of any stockholders of the Corporation is required (except for a
  merger of the Corporation into one of its subsidiaries solely for the
  purpose of changing the corporate domicile of the Corporation to another
  state of the United States and in connection with which there is no
  substantive change in the rights or privileges of any securities of the
  Corporation other than changes resulting from differences in the corporate
  statutes of the state the Corporation was then domiciled in and the new
  state of domicile), or the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of
  the assets of the Corporation;
 
then the Corporation shall cause to be filed at each office or agency
maintained for the purpose of conversion of the shares of 7% Preferred Stock,
and shall cause to be mailed to the holders of record of the outstanding
shares of 7% Preferred Stock, at least 10 days (or such shorter period, if
any, as may be practicable in the case of an action described in clause (iii))
before the date hereinafter specified in clause (A) or (B) below (or the
earlier of the dates hereinafter specified, in the event that more than one
date is specified), a notice stating (A) the date on which a record is to be
taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, rights or warrants, or,
if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common
Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution, rights or
warrants are to be determined, or (B) the date on which any such
reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or transfer is expected to
become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of
Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for
securities or other property (including cash), if any, deliverable upon such
reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or transfer. The failure to give
or receive the notice required by the preceding sentence or any defect therein
shall not affect the legality or validity of any such dividend, distribution,
right or warrant or other action.
 
  (g) No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be
issued upon redemption or conversion of any shares of the 7% Preferred Stock.
In lieu of any fractional share otherwise issuable in respect of the aggregate
number of shares of the 7% Preferred Stock of any holder that are redeemed or
converted on any redemption date or upon Mandatory Conversion or Optional
Conversion, such holder shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash
(computed to the nearest cent) equal to the same fraction of the (i) Current
Market Price of the Common Stock (determined as of the second Trading Date
immediately preceding the Notice Date) in the case of redemption, or (ii)
Closing Price of the Common Stock determined (A) as of the fifth Trading Date
immediately preceding the Mandatory Conversion Date, in the case of Mandatory
Conversion, or (B) as of the second Trading Date immediately preceding the
effective date of conversion, in the case of an Optional Conversion by a
holder. If more than one share of 7% Preferred Stock shall be surrendered for
conversion or redemption at one time by or for the same holder, the number of
full shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed
on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of the 7% Preferred Stock so
surrendered or redeemed.
 
  (h) Cancellation. All shares of 7% Preferred Stock which shall have been
issued and reacquired in any manner by the Corporation (including shares
redeemed, shares purchased and retired and shares converted into shares of
Common Stock or exchanged for shares of any other class of stock) shall be
retired and canceled and the Board of Directors shall cause to be taken all
action necessary to restore such shares to the status of
 
                                     A-A10
<PAGE>
 
authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock without designation as to
series or class, and such shares may thereafter be issued, but not as shares
of 7% Preferred Stock.
 
  (i) Definitions. As used herein,
 
    (i) the term "business day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,
  Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are
  authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close or a day which
  is or is declared a national or New York holiday;
 
    (ii) The "Call Price" of each share of 7% Preferred Stock shall be the
  sum of (x) $[101.75% of the liquidation preference] on and after the
  Initial Redemption Date, to and including [the date immediately preceding
  the next Preferred Dividend Payment Date], 2000; $[101.17% of the
  liquidation preference] on and after [the next Preferred Dividend Payment
  Date], 2000, to and including [the date immediately preceding the next
  Preferred Dividend Payment Date], 2000; $[100.58% of the liquidation
  preference] on and after [the next Preferred Dividend Payment Date], 2000,
  to and including [the date immediately preceding the next Preferred
  Dividend Payment Date], 2000; and $[100% of the liquidation preference] on
  and after [the next Preferred Dividend Payment Date], 2000, to and
  including [the date immediately preceding the Mandatory Conversion Date];
  and (y) all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to but not including the
  date fixed for redemption (other than previously declared dividends payable
  to a holder of record as of a prior date);
 
    (iii) the term "Closing Price" on any day shall mean the closing sales
  price regular way on such day or, in case no such sale takes place on such
  day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked quotations regular
  way, in each case on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if the Common Stock
  is not listed or admitted to trading on such Exchange, on the principal
  national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or
  admitted to trading, or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any
  national securities exchange, the average of the high bid and low asked
  quotations of the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on the day in
  question as reported by the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated, or a
  similarly generally accepted reporting service, or, if no such quotations
  are available, the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by
  any New York Stock Exchange member firm selected from time to time by the
  Board of Directors of the Corporation for that purpose;
 
    (iv) the term "Notice Date" with respect to any notice given by the
  Corporation in connection with a redemption of shares of 7% Preferred Stock
  shall be the date on which first occurs either the public announcement of
  such redemption or the commencement of the mailing of such notice to the
  holders of the shares of 7% Preferred Stock in accordance with paragraph
  (j) of this Section 3;
 
    (v) the term "Trading Date" shall mean a date on which the New York Stock
  Exchange (or any successor to such Exchange) is open for the transaction of
  business.
 
  (j) Procedures Regarding Redemption or Mandatory Conversion.
 
    (1) The Corporation will provide notice of any redemption of shares of 7%
  Preferred Stock to holders of record of the 7% Preferred Stock to be
  redeemed not less than 20 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for
  such redemption. Such notice shall be provided by mailing notice of such
  redemption first class postage prepaid, to each holder of record of the
  shares of 7% Preferred Stock to be redeemed at such holder's address as it
  appears on the stock register of the Corporation; provided, however, that
  no failure to give such notice nor any defect therein shall affect the
  validity of the proceeding for the redemption of any shares of 7% Preferred
  Stock to be redeemed except as to the holder to which the Corporation has
  failed to give said notice of redemption or except as to the holder whose
  notice of redemption was defective. A public announcement of any call for
  redemption shall be made by the Corporation before, or at the time of, the
  mailing of such notice of redemption. Each such mailed notice shall state,
  as appropriate, the following:
 
      (i) the redemption date;
 
      (ii) the number of shares of 7% Preferred Stock to be redeemed and,
    if less than all the shares held by any holder are to be redeemed, the
    number of such shares to be redeemed;
 
 
                                     A-A11
<PAGE>
 
      (iii) the Call Price, the number of shares of Common Stock per share
    of 7% Preferred Stock deliverable upon redemption and the Current
    Market Price used to calculate such number of shares of Common Stock;
 
      (iv) the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be
    surrendered for redemption; and
 
      (v) that dividends on shares of 7% Preferred Stock to be redeemed
    will cease to accrue on the day immediately prior to the redemption
    date (except as otherwise provided herein).
 
    (2) The Corporation's obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock and
  cash, if any, in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 3
  shall be deemed fulfilled if, on or before a redemption date or the
  Mandatory Conversion Date, the Corporation shall deposit, with a bank or
  trust company having an office or agency and doing business in the Borough
  of Manhattan in New York City and having a capital and surplus of at least
  $50,000,000, such shares of Common Stock and cash, if any, as are required
  to be delivered by the Corporation pursuant to this Section 3 upon the
  occurrence of the related redemption or Mandatory Conversion, in trust for
  the account of the holders of the shares to be redeemed or converted (and
  so as to be and continue to be available therefor), with irrevocable
  instructions and authority to such bank or trust company that such shares
  and funds be delivered upon redemption or conversion of the shares of 7%
  Preferred Stock so called for redemption or subject to conversion. Any
  shares of Common Stock and cash, if any, so deposited and unclaimed by the
  holders of shares of 7% Preferred Stock at the end of two years after such
  redemption or conversion date (together with any interest thereon not
  theretofore paid to the Corporation which shall be allowed by the bank or
  trust company with which such deposit was made) shall be paid by such bank
  or trust company to the Corporation (or its successor), after which the
  holder or holders of such shares of 7% Preferred Stock so redeemed or
  converted shall look only to the Corporation (or its successor) for
  delivery of such shares of Common Stock and cash, if any. Each holder of
  shares of 7% Preferred Stock to be redeemed or converted shall surrender
  the certificates evidencing such shares to the Corporation at the place
  designated in the notice of such redemption (or, in the case of a
  conversion pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 3, the principal
  executive offices of the Corporation or at such other place as may be
  designated by the Corporation (or its successor) in a written notice mailed
  to the holders of record of the 7% Preferred Stock) and shall thereupon be
  entitled to receive certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock and
  cash, if any, payable pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b), as the case may be,
  of this Section 3, following such surrender and following the date of such
  redemption or conversion. In case fewer than all the shares represented by
  any such surrendered certificates are called for redemption, a new
  certificate shall be issued at the expense of the Corporation representing
  the unredeemed shares. If (A) shares of 7% Preferred Stock are called for
  redemption and, on the date fixed for redemption, shares of Common Stock
  necessary for the redemption shall have been deposited with a bank or trust
  company as provided above or (B) shares of 7% Preferred Stock have been
  converted pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 3, then,
  notwithstanding that the certificates evidencing any shares of 7% Preferred
  Stock so called for redemption or converted shall not have been
  surrendered, the shares represented thereby so called for redemption or
  converted shall be deemed no longer outstanding and all rights with respect
  to the shares so called for redemption or converted shall forthwith cease
  and terminate, except for the right of the holders to receive the shares of
  Common Stock and cash, if any, payable pursuant to this Section 3, without
  interest upon surrender of their certificates therefor; provided, that if
  any cash payable upon the surrender of certificates evidencing shares of 7%
  Preferred Stock that have been converted pursuant to paragraph (a) of this
  Section 3 is not paid when due, the obligation to pay such cash shall bear
  interest at the rate of 7% per annum, compounded quarterly; and provided
  further that holders of shares of 7% Preferred Stock at the close of
  business on a record date for any payment of dividends on shares of 7%
  Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive the dividends payable on such
  shares on the corresponding dividend payment date notwithstanding the
  redemption or conversion of such shares following such record date and on
  or before such corresponding dividend payment date. Holders of shares of 7%
  Preferred Stock that are redeemed or converted in a Mandatory Conversion
  shall not be entitled to receive dividends declared and paid on shares of
  Common Stock issuable on such redemption or Mandatory Conversion, and such
  shares of Common
 
                                     A-A12
<PAGE>
 
  Stock shall not be entitled to vote, until such shares of Common Stock are
  issued upon the surrender of the certificates representing such shares of
  7% Preferred Stock and upon such surrender such holders shall be entitled
  to receive such dividends declared and paid on such shares of Common Stock
  subsequent to the redemption date or Mandatory Conversion Date, as
  applicable.
 
  (k) Reservation of Shares and Rights. The Corporation shall at all times
reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of authorized but
unissued shares of Common Stock, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock
into which all shares of 7% Preferred Stock from time to time outstanding are
convertible pursuant to paragraph (a) or (c) of this Section 3, but shares of
Common Stock held in treasury of the Corporation may, in its discretion, be
delivered upon any conversion of shares of 7% Preferred Stock. Whenever the
Corporation shall issue shares of Common Stock upon conversion of 7% Preferred
Stock, the Corporation shall issue, together with each such share of Common
Stock, one right to purchase Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of
the Corporation (or other securities in lieu thereof) pursuant to the Rights
Agreement, dated as of July 27, 1989, between the Corporation and First
Chicago Trust Company of New York, as amended, or any similar rights issued to
holders of Common Stock in addition thereto or in replacement therefor (such
rights, together with any additional or replacement rights, being collectively
referred to as the "Rights"), whether or not such Rights shall be exercisable
at such time, but only if such Rights are issued and outstanding and held by
other holders of Common Stock (or are evidenced by outstanding share
certificates representing Common Stock) at such time and have not expired or
been redeemed.
 
  (l) Timing. The holders of shares of 7% Preferred Stock at the close of
business on a record date for the payment of dividends shall be entitled to
receive the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding dividend
payment date notwithstanding the redemption or conversion thereof subsequent
to such record date and on or before such corresponding dividend payment date.
 
  (m) Partial Redemption. In no event shall the Corporation redeem less than
all the outstanding shares of 7% Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph (b) of
this Section 3 unless full cumulative dividends shall have been paid or
declared and set apart for payment upon all outstanding shares of 7% Preferred
Stock for all past dividend periods.
 
  (n) Taxes. The Corporation shall pay any and all documentary, stamp or
similar issue or transfer taxes payable in respect of the issue or delivery of
shares of Common Stock on the redemption or conversion of shares of 7%
Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 3; provided, however, that the
Corporation shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in
respect of any registration of transfer involved in the issue or delivery of
shares of Common Stock in a name other than that of the registered holder of
the shares of 7% Preferred Stock redeemed or converted or to be redeemed or
converted, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the
person requesting such issue has paid to the Corporation the amount of any
such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Corporation, that such
tax has been paid.
 
  (o) Listing. The Corporation shall endeavor to list the shares of Common
Stock required to be delivered upon redemption or conversion of the shares of
7% Preferred Stock, prior to such delivery, upon each national securities
exchange, if any, upon which the outstanding Common Stock is listed at the
time of such delivery.
 
  (p) Multiple Shares Surrendered. If more than one share shall be surrendered
for redemption or conversion at one time by the same holder, the number of
full shares of Common Stock issuable upon such redemption or conversion
thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of 7%
Preferred Stock so surrendered.
 
  (q) Compliance with Laws. Prior to the delivery of any securities which the
Corporation shall be obligated to deliver upon redemption or conversion of the
7% Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall endeavor to comply with all federal
and state laws and regulations thereunder requiring the registration of such
securities with, or any approval of or consent to delivery thereof by, any
governmental authority.
 
                                     A-A13
<PAGE>
 
  (r) Survival of Certain Provisions. So long as a Deposit Deficit is
outstanding, the provisions contained in Sections 3(a) and 3(j)(2) hereof
regarding a Deposit Deficit shall continue in full force and effect and shall
not thereafter be amended, notwithstanding that no shares of 7% Preferred
Stock remain outstanding.
 
  Section 4. Voting Rights.
 
  (a) Except as otherwise provided by paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section 4
or as required by law, the holders of shares of 7% Preferred Stock shall have
4/5 of a vote in respect of each share of 7% Preferred Stock held as to all
matters voted upon by the stockholders of the Corporation and shall vote
together with the holders of the Common Stock and together with the holders of
any other classes or series of stock who are entitled to vote in such manner
and not as a separate class.
 
  (b) In the event that full cumulative dividends on the 7% Preferred Stock
are not paid for six quarterly dividend periods, the number of directors of
the Corporation constituting the entire Board of Directors shall be increased
by two persons and the holders of shares of the 7% Preferred Stock, voting
separately as a class together with the holders of shares of all other series
of capital stock of the Corporation ranking pari passu with the 7% Preferred
Stock as to the payment of dividends and having the then present right to
elect one or more directors as a result of a dividend arrearage but not then
entitled to other separate voting rights to elect one or more directors in the
event of such an arrearage (herein referred to as "Class Voting Stock"), shall
have the right to elect such directors to fill such positions at any regular
meeting of shareholders or special meeting held in place thereof, or at a
special meeting of the holders of the 7% Preferred Stock and such other Class
Voting Stock called as provided in paragraph (c) below. Whenever all
arrearages of dividends on the 7% Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have
been paid or declared and irrevocably set apart for payment, then the right of
the holders of shares of the 7% Preferred Stock (and, subject to the terms of
such other Class Voting Stock, such other Class Voting Stock) to elect such
additional two directors shall cease (but subject always to the same
provisions for the vesting of such voting rights in the case of any similar
future arrearages in dividends), and the terms of office of all persons
previously elected as directors by the holders of shares of the 7% Preferred
Stock and such other Class Voting Stock shall forthwith terminate and the
number of the Board of Directors shall be reduced accordingly.
 
  (c) At any time after the voting power referred to in paragraph (b) above,
shall have been so vested in the holders of shares of the 7% Preferred Stock,
the Secretary of the Corporation may, and upon the written request of any
holder or the holders of at least 10% of the number of shares of 7% Preferred
Stock then outstanding (addressed to the Secretary at the principal executive
office of the Corporation) shall, call a special meeting of the holders of
shares of the 7% Preferred Stock and all other Class Voting Stock for the
election of the two directors to be elected by them; provided that the
Secretary shall not be required to call such special meeting if the request
for such meeting is received less than 45 calendar days before the date fixed
for the next ensuing annual meeting of shareholders. Such call shall be made
by notice similar to that provided in the by-laws of the Corporation for a
special meeting of the shareholders or as required by law. Subject to the
foregoing provisions, if any such special meeting required to be called as
above provided shall not be called by the Secretary within 20 calendar days
after receipt of an appropriate request, then any holder of shares of 7%
Preferred Stock may call such meeting, upon the notice above provided, and for
that purpose shall have access to the stock books and records of the
Corporation. Except as otherwise provided by law, at any such meeting, the
holders of a majority of the number of shares of 7% Preferred Stock and such
other Class Voting Stock then outstanding shall constitute a quorum for the
purpose of electing directors as contemplated in paragraph (b) above. If at
any such meeting or adjournment thereof a quorum of such holders of 7%
Preferred Stock and such other Class Voting Stock shall not be present, no
election of directors by the 7% Preferred Stock and such other Class Voting
Stock shall take place, and any such meeting may be adjourned from time to
time for periods not exceeding 30 calendar days until a quorum of the 7%
Preferred Stock and the Class Voting Stock is present at such adjourned
meeting. Unless otherwise provided by law, directors to be elected by the
holders of shares of 7% Preferred Stock and such other Class Voting Stock
shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by such holders at a meeting
at which a quorum is present. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the absence of a
quorum of the 7% Preferred Stock
 
                                     A-A14
<PAGE>
 
and such other Class Voting Stock shall not prevent the voting of, including
the election of, directors by the holders of Common Stock and other classes of
capital stock at such meeting.
 
  (d) Any director who shall have been elected by holders of shares of 7%
Preferred Stock (or by the holders of shares of 7% Preferred Stock, voting
separately as a class together with the holders of one or more other series of
Class Voting Stock), or any director so elected as provided below, may be
removed at any time during a class voting period, either for or without cause,
by, and only by, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
number of shares of 7% Preferred Stock then outstanding, voting separately as
a class together with the holders of all other series of Class Voting Stock
then outstanding, if any, given at a special meeting of such shareholders
called for the purpose, and any vacancy thereby created may be filled during
such class voting period only by the holders of shares of 7% Preferred Stock
and the other series, if any, of Class Voting Stock. In case any vacancy
(other than as provided in the preceding sentence) shall occur among the
directors elected by the holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock
(and such other Class Voting Stock), a successor shall be elected by the Board
of Directors to serve until the next annual meeting of the shareholders or
special meeting held in place thereof upon the nomination of the then
remaining director elected by the holders of the 7% Preferred Stock (and such
other Class Voting Stock) or the successor of such remaining director.
 
  (e) (i) So long as any shares of 7% Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the
consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of 7%
Preferred Stock and all other shares of preferred stock of the Corporation
ranking on a parity with the 7% Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends
and the distribution of assets upon Liquidation that would be affected equally
by the action described in clause (A) or (B) below and that are entitled to
vote on such matter (voting together as a class, with each such share of
preferred stock being entitled to a proportional share of the votes that may
be cast with respect to such matter based on the proportion that the
liquidation preference of such share bears to the aggregate liquidation
preference of all shares entitled to vote thereon), given in person or by
proxy, at any special or annual meeting called for such purpose, or by written
consent as permitted by law and the Restated Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws, shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate any of the following:
 
    (A) the amendment, alteration or repeal of any of the provisions of the
  Restated Articles of Incorporation or of the resolutions contained herein
  which would materially and adversely affect any right, preference,
  privilege or voting power of the 7% Preferred Stock, provided, however,
  that any such amendment, alteration or repeal that would authorize, create
  or issue any additional shares of stock (whether or not already authorized)
  ranking on a parity with or junior to the 7% Preferred Stock as to
  dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon Liquidation, shall be
  deemed not to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences,
  privileges or voting power, and provided further, however, that any such
  amendment, alteration or repeal may authorize, create or issue additional
  shares of stock ranking senior to the 7% Preferred Stock as to dividends or
  as to the distribution of assets upon Liquidation, if such action is
  approved in the manner set forth in subparagraph (ii) below; or
 
    (B) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with
  any other corporation, unless each holder of shares of 7% Preferred Stock
  immediately preceding such merger or consolidation shall receive or
  continue to hold in the surviving corporation the same number of shares,
  with substantially the same rights and preferences (except as contemplated
  by Section 3(e)), as correspond to the shares of 7% Preferred Stock so
  held.
 
  (ii) So long as any shares of 7% Preferred Stock remain outstanding, no
class or series of stock ranking senior to the 7% Preferred Stock as to
dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon Liquidation may be
authorized, created or issued unless the Corporation shall have obtained the
consent of either (A) the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding
shares of 7% Preferred Stock and all other shares of preferred stock of the
Corporation ranking on parity with the 7% Preferred Stock as to the payment of
dividends and the distribution of assets upon Liquidation that are entitled to
vote on such matter (voting together as a class, with each such share of
preferred stock being entitled to a proportional share of the votes that may
be cast with respect to such matter based on the proportion that the
liquidation preference of such share bears to the aggregate liquidation
 
                                     A-A15
<PAGE>
 
preference of all shares entitled to vote thereon), or (B) the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of 7% Preferred Stock, voting separately as
a class, in each case given in person or by proxy, at any special or annual
meeting, or by written consent as permitted by law and the Restated Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws.
 
  (iii) The provisions set forth in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) above shall not
apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote
would otherwise be required shall be effected, (A) all outstanding shares of
7% Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or converted pursuant to paragraph
(a), (b) or (c) of Section 3 or (B) all outstanding shares of 7% Preferred
Stock are scheduled to be redeemed or converted pursuant to paragraph (a) or
(b) of Section 3 within two months and sufficient shares of the Common Stock
and cash, if any, necessary for such redemption or conversion shall have been
deposited with a bank or trust company in accordance with Section 3(j)(2).
 
  (iv) If the holders of the 7% Preferred Stock are entitled by law to vote on
any matter other than as set forth in subparagraphs (i) or (ii) above, then
(A) if such holders are entitled to vote on such matter together with another
series of preferred stock of the Corporation, the vote required with respect
to such matter shall be the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of 7%
Preferred Stock and all such other series of preferred stock entitled to vote
thereon (voting together as a class, with each such share of preferred stock
being entitled to a proportional share of the votes that may be cast with
respect to such matter based on the proportion that the liquidation preference
of such share bears to the aggregate liquidation preference of all shares
entitled to vote thereon), and (B) if such holders are entitled to vote as a
separate class with respect to such matter, the vote required with respect to
such matter shall be a majority of the outstanding 7% Preferred Stock.
 
  Section 5. Liquidation Rights.
 
  (a) Subject to the rights of holders of Series A Stock and holders of any
class or series of stock which the Corporation may in the future issue which
ranks senior to, or on a parity with, the 7% Preferred Stock in respect of a
distribution of assets upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the
affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary (such event, a
"Liquidation"), the holders of shares of 7% Preferred Stock shall be entitled
to receive out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to
stockholders, whether from capital, surplus or earnings, before any
distribution or payment is made to holders of Common Stock of the Corporation
or on any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior as
to assets distributable upon Liquidation to the shares of 7% Preferred Stock,
liquidating distributions in the amount of $    per share [the Average Closing
Price as defined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger], plus an amount equal to
all dividends accrued and unpaid thereon, whether or not earned or declared
(including dividends accumulated and unpaid), to the date of Liquidation; but
such holders shall not be entitled to any further payment. If, upon any
Liquidation, the assets of the Corporation or proceeds thereof distributable
among the holders of the shares of 7% Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to
pay in full the preferential amount aforesaid and liquidating payments on any
other class or series of stock ranking on a parity with the 7% Preferred Stock
in respect of a distribution of assets upon Liquidation, then such assets or
proceeds thereof shall be distributed among the holders of shares of 7%
Preferred Stock and any such other stock ratably in accordance with the
respective amounts which would be payable on such shares of 7% Preferred Stock
and any such other stock if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full. For
the purposes hereof, neither the consolidation or merger of the Corporation
with one or more corporations nor the sale, lease or transfer by the
Corporation of all or any part of its assets shall be deemed a Liquidation.
 
  (b) Subject to the rights of holders of shares of any class or series of
stock ranking on a parity with or senior to the 7% Preferred Stock in respect
of the distribution of assets upon Liquidation, and after payment shall have
been made in full to the holders of 7% Preferred Stock, as provided in this
Section 5, but not prior thereto, any other class or series of stock ranking
junior to the 7% Preferred Stock in respect of the distribution of assets upon
Liquidation shall, subject to the respective terms and provisions (if any)
applying thereto, be entitled to receive any and all assets remaining to be
paid or distributed, and the holders of the 7% Preferred Stock shall not be
entitled to share therein.
 
                                     A-A16
<PAGE>
 
  (c) Written notice of any Liquidation, stating the payment date or dates
when and the place or places where the amounts distributable in such
circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by first class mail, postage
prepaid, not less than 15 days (to the extent practicable) prior to any
payment date stated therein, to the holders of record of the 7% Preferred
Stock at their respective addresses as the same shall appear on the books of
the Corporation or any transfer agent for the 7% Preferred Stock.
 
  Section 6. Record Holders.
 
  The Corporation and the transfer agent for the 7% Preferred Stock may deem
and treat the record holder of any share of 7% Preferred Stock as the true and
lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Corporation nor such
transfer agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
 
  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Statement of Resolution Establishing a Series of
shares has been made under the hand of the undersigned, the       of the
Corporation, this   day of      , 199 .
 
                                          American General Corporation
 
                                          By: _________________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:
 
                                     A-A17
<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT B
 
Independent Insurance Group, Inc.
One Independent Drive
Jacksonville, Florida 32276
 
American General Corporation
2929 Allen Parkway
Houston, Texas 77019
 
Dear Sirs:
 
  Reference is made to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among
American General Corporation ("Purchaser"), AGC Life Insurance Company and
Independent Insurance Group, Inc. (the "Company") dated as of October 19, 1995
(the "Agreement"). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Agreement.
 
  The undersigned represents, warrants and agrees, as of the date hereof and
as of the Closing Date as follows:
 
  A. I have no plan, intention, or arrangement to dispose of any of the
     Purchaser Stock that I receive in the Merger.
 
  B. I will not dispose of any of the Purchaser Stock that I receive in the
     Merger within two years of the Effective Time unless, prior to such
     disposition, I deliver to Purchaser an opinion of counsel reasonably
     satisfactory to Purchaser that such disposition will not violate the
     continuity of shareholder interest requirement set forth in Treasury
     Regulation (S) 1.368-1 with respect to the Merger. For this purpose, a
     disposition by gift, bequest, or similar means will not be treated as a
     disposition.
 
  C. I will provide written notice to Purchaser, not less than 30 days prior
     to the intended date of disposition, specifying the number of shares of
     Purchaser Stock that I propose to dispose.
 
  The undersigned acknowledges that this letter will be relied upon by
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. in rendering
their opinions as to certain federal income tax consequences of the Merger and
that the receipt of this letter by Purchaser has been a condition to Purchaser
executing and delivering the Agreement.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 
                                          _____________________________________
<PAGE>
 
                                                                 SCHEDULE 4.3(B)
 
                       PURCHASER SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES
 
The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company
American General Finance, Inc.
American General Finance Corporation
American General Life and Accident Insurance Company
American General Life Insurance Company
AGC Life Insurance Company
The Franklin Life Insurance Company
American Franklin Company
<PAGE>
 
                                                                 SCHEDULE 4.3(C)
 
                        PURCHASER INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES
 
The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company
American General Life and Accident Insurance Company
American General Life Insurance Company
AGC Life Insurance Company
The Franklin Life Insurance Company
<PAGE>
 
                    ALEX. BROWN & SONS
                       INCORPORATED
 
<TABLE> 
<S>            <C>                                                                           <C>
LOGO           ESTABLISHED 1800 . AMERICA'S OLDEST INVESTMENT BANKING FIRM                   REPLY TO: P.O. BOX 515
               MEMBERS: NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. AND OTHER LEADING EXCHANGES               BALTIMORE, MD 21203
</TABLE> 
 
                                                                        ANNEX B
 
                                                               January 30, 1996
 
Independent Insurance Group, Inc.
One Independent Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32276
 
Attention: Board of Directors
 
Dear Sirs:
 
  Independent Insurance Group, Inc. (the "Company"), American General
Corporation ("AGC") and AGC Life Insurance Company ("AGC Life"), a Missouri
Corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of AGC, have entered into an
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 19, 1995 and as amended as of
January 25, 1996 (the "Agreement"). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company
will be merged into AGC Life (the "Merger") and each outstanding share of the
Company's Voting and Non-voting Common Stock, par value $1.00, (collectively,
the "Common Stock") will be converted into the right to receive, at the option
of the holder thereof: (i) $27.50 in cash, (ii) a fraction of a share of AGC
common stock, par value $.50 per share, representing $27.50, or (iii) a
fraction of a share of newly issued AGC 7% Convertible Preferred Stock, par
value $1.50 per share (the "Convertible Preferred Stock"), such fraction of a
Convertible Preferred share having a liquidation preference of $27.50. The
aggregate amount of cash and the total number of shares of Convertible
Preferred Stock issuable in the Merger are subject to limitation as described
in the Agreement. We have assumed, with your consent, that the Merger will
qualify as a tax-free reorganization. You have requested our opinion as to
whether the consideration to be received by the holders of the Common Stock
pursuant to the Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to such
holders.
 
  Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated, ("Alex. Brown"), as a customary part of its
investment banking business, is engaged in the valuation of businesses and
their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated
underwritings, private placements and valuations for estate, corporate and
other purposes. We have acted as financial advisor to the Board of Directors
of the Company in connection with the Merger and will receive a fee for our
services, a portion of which is contingent upon the consummation of the
Merger. We have, in the past, also acted as a financial advisor to the Company
on other matters. Alex. Brown regularly publishes research reports regarding
the life insurance and consumer finance industries and the businesses and
securities of publicly owned companies in one and/or both of those industries,
including the Company and AGC. In the ordinary course of business, we may
actively trade the securities of both the Company and AGC for our own account
and the account of our customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long
or short position in securities of the Company and AGC. We also have served as
a co-manager on two recent public offerings of securities for AGC.
 
  In connection with our opinion, we have reviewed certain publicly available
financial information concerning the Company and AGC. We have also held
discussions with members of the senior managements of the Company and AGC
regarding the business and prospects of
<PAGE>
 
of the Company and AGC, respectively. In addition, we have (i) reviewed the
reported price and trading activity for the non-voting common stock of the
Company and the common stock of AGC, (ii) compared certain financial and stock
market information for the Company and AGC with similar information for certain
other life insurance and consumer finance companies whose securities are
publicly traded, (iii) reviewed the financial terms of certain recent business
combinations which we deemed comparable in whole or in part, (iv) reviewed an
actuarial appraisal of The Independent Life and Accident Insurance Company
prepared by a nationally-recognized actuarial firm and (v) performed such other
studies and analyses and considered such other factors, including the terms of
the Agreement and the process by which the Company reviewed its strategic
alternatives, as we deemed appropriate.
 
  We have not independently verified the information described above and for
purposes of this opinion have assumed the accuracy, completeness and fairness
thereof. With respect to information relating to the prospects of the Company
and AGC, we have assumed that such information reflects the best currently
available estimates and judgments of the respective managements of the Company
and AGC as to the likely future financial performance of the Company and AGC,
respectively. Although we have been provided with certain financial
projections prepared by the Company's management, the Company's management
advised us that we should not rely on these projections due to the fact that
they only represented management's initial attempt at preparing detailed
financial forecasts. In addition, we have not made an independent evaluation
or appraisal of the assets of the Company or AGC, nor have we been furnished
with any such evaluation or appraisal, other than the appraisal described in
clause (iv) of the preceding paragraph. Our opinion is based on market,
economic and other conditions as they exist and can be evaluated as of the
date of this letter.
 
  Our opinion as expressed below does not imply any conclusion as to the
likely trading prices or trading range for either AGC's common stock or the
Convertible Preferred Stock following the consummation of the Merger. The
trading range for AGC's common stock and the Convertible Preferred Stock may
vary depending on, among other factors, changes in interest rates, dividend
rates, market conditions, general economic conditions and other factors that
generally influence the price of securities. Moreover, we believe there is a
possibility that the market for the Convertible Preferred Stock will be less
liquid than the market for many other similar convertible preferred securities
and that the value of a share of Convertible Preferred Stock may be less, on a
relative basis, than the value of a share of similar convertible preferred
securities with more liquid markets. This opinion does not constitute a
recommendation to the Company's shareholders as to how they should vote at the
shareholders' meeting in connection with the Merger or which form of
consideration to request.
 
  The opinion expressed herein was prepared for the use of the Board of
Directors of the Company. We hereby consent to the inclusion of this opinion
as an exhibit to any proxy or Registration Statement distributed in connection
with the Merger.
  
  Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the
date of this letter, the consideration to be received by the holders of the
Common Stock pursuant to the Agreement is fair, from a financial point of
view, to such holders.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 
                                          Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated
 
                                                   /s/ Peter F. de Vos
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                     Peter F. de Vos
 
                                      B-2
<PAGE>
 
                                                                        ANNEX C
 
                       FLORIDA BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT
 
  607.1301 DISSENTER'S RIGHTS; DEFINITIONS.--The following definitions apply
to ss. 607.1302 and 607.132:
 
    (1) "Corporation" means the issuer of the shares held by a dissenting
  shareholder before the corporate action or the surviving or acquiring
  corporation by merger or share exchange of that issuer.
 
    (2) "Fair value," with respect to a dissenter's shares, means the value
  of the shares as of the close of business on the day prior to the
  shareholders' authorization date, excluding any appreciation or
  depreciation in anticipation of the corporate action unless exclusion would
  be inequitable.
 
    (3) "Shareholders' authorization date" means the date on which the
  shareholders' vote authorizing the proposed action was taken, the date on
  which the corporation received written consents without a meeting from the
  requisite number of shareholders in order to authorize the action, or, in
  the case of a merger pursuant to s. 607.1104, the day prior to the date on
  which a copy of the plan of merger was mailed to each shareholder of record
  of the subsidiary corporation.
 
  607.1302 RIGHT OF SHAREHOLDERS TO DISSENT.--(1) Any shareholder has the
right to dissent from, and obtain payment of the fair value of his shares in
the event of, any of the following corporate actions:
 
    (a) Consummation of a plan of merger to which the corporation is a party:
 
      1. If the shareholder is entitled to vote on the merger, or
 
      2. If the corporation is a subsidiary that is merged with its parent
    under s. 607.1104, and the shareholders would have been entitled to
    vote on action taken, except for the applicability of s. 607.1104;
 
    (b) Consummation of a sale or exchange of all, or substantially all, of
  the property of the corporation, other than in the usual and regular course
  of business, if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the sale or exchange
  pursuant to s. 607.1202, including a sale in dissolution but not including
  a sale pursuant to court order or a sale for cash pursuant to a plan by
  which all or substantially all of the net proceeds of the sale will be
  distributed to the shareholders within 1 year after the date of sale;
 
    (c) As provided in s. 607.0902(11), the approval of a control-share
  acquisition;
 
    (d) Consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the corporation is
  a party as the corporation the shares of which will be acquired, if the
  shareholder is entitled to vote on the plan;
 
    (e) Any amendment of the articles of incorporation if the shareholder is
  entitled to vote on the amendment and if such amendment would adversely
  affect such shareholder by:
 
      1. Altering or abolishing any preemptive rights attached to any of
    his shares;
 
      2. Altering or abolishing the voting rights pertaining to any of his
    shares, except as such rights may be affected by the voting rights of
    new shares then being authorized of any existing or new class or series
    of shares;
 
      3. Effecting an exchange, cancellation, or reclassification of any of
    his shares, when such exchange, cancellation, or reclassification would
    alter or abolish his voting rights or alter his percentage of equity in
    the corporation, or effecting a reduction or cancellation of accrued
    dividends or other arrearages in respect to such shares;
 
      4. Reducing the stated redemption price of any of his redeemable
    shares, altering or abolishing any provision relating to any sinking
    fund for the redemption or purchase of any of his shares, or making any
    of his shares subject to redemption when they are not otherwise
    redeemable;
 
      5. Making noncumulative, in whole or in part, dividends of any of his
    preferred shares which had theretofore been cumulative;
<PAGE>
 
      6. Reducing the stated dividend preference of any of his preferred
    shares; or
 
      7. Reducing any stated preferential amount payable on any of his
    preferred shares upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation; or
 
    (f) Any corporate action taken, to the extent the articles of
  incorporation provide that a voting or nonvoting shareholder is entitled to
  dissent and obtain payment for his shares.
 
      (2) A shareholder dissenting from any amendment specified in
    paragraph (1)(e) has the right to dissent only as to those of his
    shares which are adversely affected by the amendment.
 
      (3) A shareholder may dissent as to less than all the shares
    registered in his name. In that event, his rights shall be determined
    as if the shares as to which he has dissented and his other shares were
    registered in the names of different shareholders.
 
      (4) Unless the articles of incorporation otherwise provide, this
    section does not apply with respect to a plan of merger or share
    exchange or a proposed sale or exchange of property, to the holders of
    shares of any class or series which, on the record date fixed to
    determine the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting of
    shareholders at which such action is to be acted upon or to consent to
    any such action without a meeting, were either registered on a national
    securities exchange or designated as a national market system security
    on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of
    Securities Dealers, Inc., or held of record by not fewer than 2,000
    shareholders.
 
      (5) A shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain payment for his
    shares under this section may not challenge the corporate action
    creating his entitlement unless the action is unlawful or fraudulent
    with respect to the shareholder or the corporation.
 
  607.1320 PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE OF DISSENTERS' RIGHTS.--(1)(a) If a proposed
corporate action creating dissenters' rights under s. 607.1302 is submitted to
a vote at a shareholders' meeting, the meeting notice shall state that
shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissenters' rights and be
accompanied by a copy of ss. 607.1301, 607.1302, and 607.1320. A shareholder
who wishes to assert dissenters' rights shall:
 
    1. Deliver to the corporation before the vote is taken written notice of
  his intent to demand payment for his shares if the proposed action is
  effectuated, and
 
    2. Not vote his shares in favor of the proposed action. A proxy or vote
  against the proposed action does not constitute such a notice of intent to
  demand payment.
 
  (b) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under s.
607.1302 is effectuated by written consent without a meeting, the corporation
shall deliver a copy of ss. 607.1301, 607.1302, and 607.1320 to each
shareholder simultaneously with any request for his written consent or, if
such a request is not made, within 10 days after the date the corporation
received written consents without a meeting from the requisite number of
shareholders necessary to authorize the action.
 
    (2) Within 10 days after the shareholders' authorization date, the
  corporation shall give written notice of such authorization or consent or
  adoption of the plan of merger, as the case may be, to each shareholder who
  filed a notice of intent to demand payment for his shares pursuant to
  paragraph (1)(a) or, in the case of action authorized by written consent,
  to each shareholder, excepting any who voted for, or consented in writing
  to, the proposed action.
 
    (3) Within 20 days after the giving of notice to him, any shareholder who
  elects to dissent shall file with the corporation a notice of such
  election, stating his name and address, the number, classes, and series of
  shares as to which he dissents, and a demand for payment of the fair value
  of his shares. Any shareholder failing to file such election to dissent
  within the period set forth shall be bound by the terms of the proposed
  corporate action. Any shareholder filing an election to dissent shall
  deposit his certificates for certificated shares with the corporation
  simultaneously with the filing of the election to dissent. The corporation
  may restrict the transfer of uncertificated shares from the date the
  shareholder's election to dissent is filed with the corporation.
 
                                      C-2
<PAGE>
 
    (4) Upon filing a notice of election to dissent, the shareholder shall
  thereafter be entitled only to payment as provided in this section and
  shall not be entitled to vote or to exercise any other rights of a
  shareholder. A notice of election may be withdrawn in writing by the
  shareholder at any time before an offer is made by the corporation, as
  provided in subsection (5), to pay for his shares. After such offer, no
  such notice of election may be withdrawn unless the corporation consents
  thereto. However, the right of such shareholder to be paid the fair value
  of his shares shall cease, and he shall be reinstated to have all his
  rights as a shareholder as of the filing of his notice of election,
  including any intervening preemptive rights and the right to payment of any
  intervening dividend or other distribution or, if any such rights have
  expired or any such dividend or distribution other than in cash has been
  completed, in lieu thereof, at the election of the corporation, the fair
  value thereof in cash as determined by the board as of the time of such
  expiration or completion, but without prejudice otherwise to any corporate
  proceedings that may have been taken in the interim, if:
 
      (a) Such demand is withdrawn as provided in this section;
 
      (b) The proposed corporate action is abandoned or rescinded or the
    shareholders revoke the authority to effect such action;
 
      (c) No demand or petition for the determination of fair value by a
    court has been made or filed within the time provided in this section;
    or
 
      (d) A court of competent jurisdiction determines that such
    shareholder is not entitled to the relief provided by this section.
 
    (5) Within 10 days after the expiration of the period in which
  shareholders may file their notices of election to dissent, or within 10
  days after such corporate action is effected, whichever is later (but in no
  case later than 90 days from the shareholders' authorization date), the
  corporation shall make a written offer to each dissenting shareholder who
  has made demand as provided in this section to pay an amount the
  corporation estimates to be the fair value for such shares. If the
  corporate action has not been consummated before the expiration of the 90-
  day period after the shareholders' authorization date, the offer may be
  made conditional upon the consummation of such action. Such notice and
  offer shall be accompanied by:
 
      (a) A balance sheet of the corporation, the shares of which the
    dissenting shareholder holds, as of the latest available date and not
    more than 12 months prior to the making of such offer; and
 
      (b) A profit and loss statement of such corporation for the 12-month
    period ended on the date of such balance sheet or, if the corporation
    was not in existence throughout such 12-month period, for the portion
    thereof during which it was in existence.
 
    (6) If within 30 days after the making of such offer any shareholder
  accepts the same, payment for his shares shall be made within 90 days after
  the making of such offer or the consummation of the proposed action,
  whichever is later. Upon payment of the agreed value, the dissenting
  shareholder shall cease to have any interest in such shares.
 
    (7) If the corporation fails to make such offer within the period
  specified therefor in subsection (5) or if it makes the offer and any
  dissenting shareholder or shareholders fail to accept the same within the
  period of 30 days thereafter, then the corporation, within 30 days after
  receipt of written demand from any dissenting shareholder given within 60
  days after the date on which such corporate action was effected, shall, or
  at its election at any time within such period of 60 days may, file an
  action in any court of competent jurisdiction in the county in this state
  where the registered office of the corporation is located requesting that
  the fair value of such shares be determined. The court shall also determine
  whether each dissenting shareholder, as to whom the corporation requests
  the court to make such determination, is entitled to receive payment for
  his shares. If the corporation fails to institute the proceeding as herein
  provided, any dissenting shareholder may do so in the name of the
  corporation. All dissenting shareholders (whether or not residents of this
  state), other than shareholders who have agreed with the corporation as to
  the value of their shares, shall be made parties to the proceeding as an
  action against their shares. The corporation shall serve a copy of the
  initial pleading in such proceeding upon each dissenting shareholder who is
  a resident
 
                                      C-3
<PAGE>
 
  of this state in the manner provided by law for the service of a summons
  and complaint and upon each nonresident dissenting shareholder either by
  registered or certified mail and publication or in such other manner as is
  permitted by law. The jurisdiction of the court is plenary and exclusive.
  All shareholders who are proper parties to the proceeding are entitled to
  judgment against the corporation for the amount of the fair value of their
  shares. The court may, if it so elects, appoint one or more persons as
  appraisers to receive evidence and recommend a decision on the question of
  fair value. The appraisers shall have such power and authority as is
  specified in the order of their appointment or an amendment thereof. The
  corporation shall pay each dissenting shareholder the amount found to be
  due him within 10 days after final determination of the proceedings. Upon
  payment of the judgment, the dissenting shareholder shall cease to have any
  interest in such shares.
 
    (8) The judgment may, at the discretion of the court, include a fair rate
  of interest, to be determined by the court.
 
    (9) The costs and expenses of any such proceeding shall be determined by
  the court and shall be assessed against the corporation, but all or any
  part of such costs and expenses may be apportioned and assessed as the
  court deems equitable against any or all of the dissenting shareholders who
  are parties to the proceeding, to whom the corporation has made an offer to
  pay for the shares, if the court finds that the action of such shareholders
  in failing to accept such offer was arbitrary, vexatious, or not in good
  faith. Such expenses shall include reasonable compensation for, and
  reasonable expenses of, the appraisers, but shall exclude the fees and
  expenses of counsel for, and experts employed by, any party. If the fair
  value of the shares, as determined, materially exceeds the amount which the
  corporation offered to pay therefor or if no offer was made, the court in
  its discretion may award to any shareholder who is a party to the
  proceeding such sum as the court determines to be reasonable compensation
  to any attorney or expert employed by the shareholder in the proceeding.
 
    (10) Shares acquired by a corporation pursuant to payment of the agreed
  value thereof or pursuant to payment of the judgment entered therefor, as
  provided in this section, may be held and disposed of by such corporation
  as authorized but unissued shares of the corporation, except that, in the
  case of a merger, they may be held and disposed of as the plan of merger
  otherwise provides. The shares of the surviving corporation into which the
  shares of such dissenting shareholders would have been converted had they
  assented to the merger shall have the status of authorized but unissued
  shares of the surviving corporation.
 
                                      C-4
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
  Article 2.02-1 of the Texas Business Corporation Act contains detailed
provisions with respect to indemnification of directors and officers of a Texas
corporation against reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with
certain legal proceedings.
 
  Article VI of the American General Bylaws sets forth certain rights of the
Registrant's officers and directors to indemnification. The American General
Bylaws, as in effect on the date hereof, are incorporated by reference herein
as Exhibit 4(c).
 
  The American General Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that, with
certain specified exceptions, a director of the Registrant will not be liable
to the corporation for monetary damages for an act or omission in the
director's capacity as a director. Reference is made to the American General
Restated Articles of Incorporation filed as exhibit 4(a) hereto.
 
  The Registrant has placed in effect insurance coverage which purports (a) to
insure it against certain costs of indemnification which may be incurred by it
pursuant to the aforementioned bylaw provisions or otherwise, and (b) to insure
the officers and directors of the Registrant and of its specified subsidiaries
against certain liabilities incurred by them in the discharge of their
functions as officers and directors except for liabilities arising from their
own malfeasance.
 
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
  (a) EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION
 -------                               -----------
 <C>     <S>
   *2    Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Registrant, AGC Life
          Insurance Company and Independent Insurance Group, Inc., dated as of
          October 19, 1995 and as amended as of January 25, 1996 (included as
          Annex A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in Part I of this
          Registration Statement).
    4(a) Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (including
          Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Shares of Series A
          Junior Participating Preferred Stock) (incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement No. 33-33115 filed by the
          Registrant).
   *4(b) Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Shares of Series A
          Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant.
    4(c) Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
          for the year ended December 31, 1993).
   *4(d) Form of Statement of Resolutions Establishing Series of Shares of 7%
          Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant (included as an exhibit
          to Annex A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in Part I of this
          Registration Statement).
   *4(e) Specimen Stock Certificate for the 7% Convertible Preferred Stock of
          the Registrant.
    4(f) Specimen Stock Certificate for American General Common Stock
          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to Form 8-B filed by the
          Registrant on June 26, 1980).
   *4(g) Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of May 15, 1995, between the
          Registrant and Chemical Bank, as Trustee, relating to the
          Registrant's 6% Series A Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures.
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION
 -------                               -----------
 <C>     <S>
    4(h) Rights Agreement dated as of July 27, 1989, as amended by the First
          Amendment thereto dated as of October 26, 1992, by and between the
          Registrant and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as Rights
          Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Registrant's
          Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1989,
          and to Exhibit 19 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
          for the quarter ended September 30, 1992, respectively).
   *4(i) Terms of the 6% Convertible Monthly Income Preferred Securities,
          Series A, of American General Delaware, L.L.C.
   *4(j) Guarantee of the Registrant with respect to the 6% Convertible Monthly
          Income Preferred Securities, Series A, of American General Delaware,
          L.L.C.
   *4(k) Resolutions Establishing the Registrant's 6% Series A Convertible
          Junior Subordinated Debentures.
    4(l) Form of Certificate evidencing 6% Convertible Monthly Income Preferred
          Securities, Series A, of American General Delaware, L.L.C.
          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(u) to Registration Statement
          No. 33-58317 filed by the Registrant).
   *5    Opinion and Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. with respect to the
          legality of securities to be issued in the Merger.
   *8(a) Opinion and Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. with respect to certain
          tax matters.
   *8(b) Opinion and Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom with
          respect to certain tax matters.
   *8(c) Opinion and Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. with respect to certain
          other tax matters.
   *8(d) Opinion and Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom with
          respect to certain other tax matters.
  *12    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of
          Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
  *23(a) Consents of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in their opinions in
          Exhibits 5, 8(a) and 8(c) above).
  *23(b) Consents of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (contained in their
          opinions in Exhibits 8(b) and 8(d) above).
  *23(c) Consents of Ernst & Young LLP.
  *23(d) Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
  *23(e) Consent of Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated (contained in their opinion
          included as Annex B to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in Part I of
          this Registration Statement).
  *24    Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this
          Registration Statement).
  *99(a) Form of Proxy of Independent Insurance Group, Inc. (relating to the
          special meeting of shareholders of Independent Insurance Group, Inc.
          described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in Part I of this
          Registration Statement).
  *99(b) Form of Election/Letter of Transmittal.
</TABLE>
--------
Filed Herewith (*).
 
  In accordance with paragraph (b)(4)(iii) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, the
Registrant is not filing herewith certain instruments defining the rights of
holders of long-term debt of the Registrant because the total amount of
securities authorized thereunder does not exceed 10 percent of the total
assets of the Registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The
Registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of such instruments to the
Commission upon request.
 
  (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
    Not Applicable.
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
    (i) To include any prospectus required in Section 10(a)(3) of the
  Securities Act of 1933;
 
    (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
  effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-
  effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
  represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
  Registration Statement;
 
    (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
  distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any
  material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
 
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant
to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
 
  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
 
  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
 
  (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
 
  (5) That prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered
hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this Registration
Statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within
the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering
prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable
registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed
underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of
the applicable form.
 
  (6) That every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to the immediately
preceding paragraph or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of Section
10(a)(3) of the Act and is used in connection with an offering of securities
subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the
Registration Statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective,
and that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
 
  (7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 20 above or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer
or controlling person of the Registrant in the
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel
the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
 
  (8) To respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference
into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this form, within
one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated
documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes
information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of
the Registration Statement through the date of responding to the request.
 
  (9) To supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information
concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein,
that was not the subject of and included in the Registration Statement when it
became effective.
 
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
  EACH PERSON WHOSE SIGNATURE APPEARS BELOW HEREBY APPOINTS JON P. NEWTON AND
AUSTIN P. YOUNG AND EACH OF THEM, ANY ONE OF WHOM MAY ACT WITHOUT THE JOINDER
OF THE OTHER, AS HIS/HER ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION AND
RESUBSTITUTION, TO SIGN ON HIS/HER BEHALF AND IN THE CAPACITY STATED BELOW AND
TO FILE ALL AMENDMENTS AND POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENTS TO THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT, WHICH AMENDMENT OR AMENDMENTS MAY MAKE SUCH CHANGES AND ADDITIONS
IN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS SUCH ATTORNEY-IN-FACT MAY DEEM NECESSARY OR
APPROPRIATE.
 
                                  SIGNATURES
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THE
REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS
BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON,
STATE OF TEXAS, ON JANUARY 29, 1996.
 
                                          American General Corporation
 
                                             /s/      Robert M. Devlin
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                      Robert M. Devlin
                                                         President
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
 
              SIGNATURE                        TITLE                   DATE
 
/s/      Harold S. Hook              Chairman of the Board,      January 29,
---------------------------------     Chief Executive Officer        1996
        (HAROLD S. HOOK)              and Director (principal
                                      executive officer)
 
/s/      Austin P. Young             Senior Vice President       January 29,
-------------------------------       and Chief Financial            1996
                                      Officer (principal
        (AUSTIN P. YOUNG)             financial officer)
 
/s/      Pamela J. Penny             Vice President and          January 29,
-------------------------------       Controller (principal          1996
                                      accounting officer)
        (PAMELA J. PENNY)
 
/s/     J. Evans Attwell             Director                    January 29,
-------------------------------                                      1996
       (J. EVANS ATTWELL)
 
/s/     Brady F. Carruth             Director                    January 29,
-------------------------------                                      1996
       (BRADY F. CARRUTH)
 
                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
              SIGNATURE                        TITLE                   DATE
 
/s/ W. Lipscomb Davis, Jr.           Director                      January 29,
-------------------------------                                        1996
   (W. LIPSCOMB DAVIS, JR.)
 
/s/    Robert M. Devlin              Director                      January 29,
-------------------------------                                        1996
      (ROBERT M. DEVLIN)
 
/s/     Larry D. Horner              Director                      January 29,
-------------------------------                                        1996
       (LARRY D. HORNER)
 
/s/  Richard J. V. Johnson           Director                      January 29,
-------------------------------                                        1996
    (RICHARD J. V. JOHNSON)
 
/s/      Jon P. Newton               Director                      January 29,
-------------------------------                                        1996
        (JON P. NEWTON)
 
/s/   Robert E. Smittcamp            Director                      January 29,
-------------------------------                                        1996
     (ROBERT E. SMITTCAMP)
 
/s/     Anne W. Tatlock              Director                      January 29,
-------------------------------                                        1996
       (ANNE W. TATLOCK)
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                                                  PAGE
 NUMBER                           DESCRIPTION                            NUMBER
 -------                          -----------                            ------
 <C>     <S>                                                             <C>
   *2    Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Registrant, AGC
          Life Insurance Company and Independent Insurance Group,
          Inc., dated as of October 19, 1995 and as amended as of
          January 25, 1996 (included as Annex A to the Proxy
          Statement/Prospectus in Part I of this Registration
          Statement)..................................................
    4(a) Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant
          (including Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of
          Shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock)
          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration
          Statement No. 33-33115 filed by the Registrant).............
   *4(b) Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Shares of
          Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of the
          Registrant..................................................
    4(c) Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's Annual Report on
          Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993).............
   *4(d) Form of Statement of Resolutions Establishing Series of
          Shares of 7% Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant
          (included as an exhibit to Annex A to the Proxy
          Statement/Prospectus in Part I of this Registration
          Statement)..................................................
   *4(e) Specimen Stock Certificate for the 7% Convertible Preferred
          Stock of the Registrant.....................................
    4(f) Specimen Stock Certificate for American General Common Stock
          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to Form 8-B filed by
          the Registrant on June 26, 1980)............................
   *4(g) Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of May 15, 1995,
          between the Registrant and Chemical Bank, as Trustee,
          relating to the Registrant's 6% Series A Convertible Junior
          Subordinated Debentures.....................................
    4(h) Rights Agreement dated as of July 27, 1989, as amended by the
          First Amendment thereto dated as of October 26, 1992, by and
          between the Registrant and First Chicago Trust Company of
          New York, as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 4 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
          for the quarter ended June 30, 1989, and to Exhibit 19 to
          the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
          quarter ended September 30, 1992, respectively).............
   *4(i) Terms of the 6% Convertible Monthly Income Preferred
          Securities, Series A, of American General Delaware,
          L.L.C. .....................................................
   *4(j) Guarantee of the Registrant with respect to the 6%
          Convertible Monthly Income Preferred Securities, Series A,
          of American General Delaware, L.L.C. .......................
   *4(k) Resolutions Establishing the Registrant's 6% Series A
          Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures..................
    4(l) Form of Certificate evidencing 6% Convertible Monthly Income
          Preferred Securities, Series A, of American General
          Delaware, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(u)
          to Registration Statement No. 33-58317 filed by the
          Registrant).................................................
   *5    Opinion and Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. with respect to
          the legality of securities to be issued in the Merger.......
   *8(a) Opinion and Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. with respect to
          certain tax matters.........................................
   *8(b) Opinion and Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
          with respect to certain tax matters.........................
   *8(c) Opinion and Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., with respect
          to certain other tax matters................................
   *8(d) Opinion and Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
          with respect to certain other tax matters...................
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                                                   PAGE
 NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION                            NUMBER
 -------                           -----------                            ------
 <C>     <S>                                                              <C>
  *12    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of
          Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock
          Dividends....................................................
  *23(a) Consents of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in their
          opinions in Exhibits 5, 8(a) and 8(c) above).................
  *23(b) Consents of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (contained in
          their opinions in Exhibits 8(b) and 8(d) above)..............
  *23(c) Consents of Ernst & Young LLP.................................
  *23(d) Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. ..........................
  *23(e) Consent of Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated (contained in their
          opinion included as Annex B to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
          in Part I of this Registration Statement)....................
  *24    Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this
          Registration Statement)......................................
  *99(a) Form of Proxy of Independent Insurance Group, Inc. (relating
          to the special meeting of shareholders of Independent
          Insurance Group, Inc. described in the Proxy
          Statement/Prospectus in Part I of this Registration
          Statement)...................................................
  *99(b) Form of Election/Letter of Transmittal........................
</TABLE>
--------
Filed herewith (*).