Document:

EXHIBIT 10.1

   EXECUTION VERSION

CREDIT AGREEMENT

among

BRISTOL WEST HOLDINGS, INC.,

The Several Lenders

from Time to Time Parties Hereto,

ING CAPITAL LLC,

as Administrative Agent,

Dated as of July 31, 2006

ING CAPITAL LLC

and

JP MORGAN SECURITIES INC.,

as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers,

and

LASALLE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Documentation Agent

                    CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of July 31, 2006, among BRISTOL WEST HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the lending institutions from time to time parties hereto (each a “Lender” and, collectively, the “Lenders”) and ING Capital, LLC, as Administrative Agent (such term and each other capitalized term used but not defined in this introductory statement having the meaning provided in Section 1).

                    The Borrower has requested the Lenders to extend credit in the form of (a) Term Loans, in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $100,000,000, and (b) Revolving Credit Loans at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date and prior to the Maturity Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $25,000,000 less the aggregate Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time.  The Borrower has requested the Letter of Credit Issuer to issue Letters of Credit at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date and prior to the L/C Maturity Date, in an aggregate face amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $15,000,000.

                    The proceeds of the Term Loans will be used by the Borrower solely (a) to consummate the Refinancing, (b) to pay the Refinancing Expenses and (c) following the completion of (a) and (b) above, for general corporate purposes.  Proceeds of Revolving Credit Loans may be used by the Borrower solely for working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes (including Permitted Acquisitions), and Letters of Credit will be used by the Borrower for general corporate purposes.

                    The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

                    SECTION 1.  Definitions.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings specified in this Section 1 unless the context otherwise requires (it being understood that defined terms in this Agreement shall include in the singular number the plural and in the plural the singular):

                    “ABR” shall mean, for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%.  Any change in the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

                    “ABR Loan” shall mean each Loan bearing interest at the rate provided in Section 2.8(a).

                    “ABR Revolving Credit Loan” shall mean any Revolving Credit Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the ABR.

                    “Acquired Cash Flow” shall mean with respect to any Acquired Entity or Business or any Converted Restricted Subsidiary (any of the foregoing, a “Pro Forma Entity”), for any Test Period, the Cash Flow of such Pro Forma Entity for such Test Period (determined as if such Pro Forma Entity was a Regulated Insurance Company or an Unregulated Subsidiary for such entire Test Period).

                    “Acquired Entity or Business” shall have the meaning provided in the definition of the term “Adjusted EBITDA”.

                    “Acquired Person” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.1(j).

                    “Acquired Surplus” shall mean, with respect to any Pro Forma Entity, at any time, the Surplus of such Pro Forma Entity at such time (determined as if such Pro Forma Entity was a Regulated Insurance Company at such time).

                    “Acquired Surplus Entity or Business” shall mean any Person, property, business or asset (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) acquired to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of (but not including the Acquired Surplus of any related Person, property, business or assets to the extent not so acquired) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period.

                    “Act” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.17.

                    “Adjusted EBITDA” shall mean, for any period, the consolidated net income from continuing operations before income taxes and extraordinary items of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding net income (or loss) before taxes and extraordinary items of the Regulated Insurance Subsidiaries) for such period, all determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (a) to the extent deducted in determining such net income, and without duplication, the sum of the amounts for such period of (i) interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Leases in accordance with GAAP and Hybrid Capital), (ii) depreciation expense, (iii) amortization expense, including amortization of deferred financing fees, (iv) non-recurring charges, (v) non-cash charges, (provided that in the case of non-cash charges on account of future cash
expenditures, any such cash expenditures, when actually paid by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, shall be deducted from Adjusted EBITDA to the extent (A) such cash expenditure does not otherwise have the effect of reducing Adjusted EBITDA and (B) the non-cash charge in respect of such cash expenditure was previously added to consolidated net income in determining Adjusted EBITDA pursuant to this clause (v)), (vi) losses on asset sales, (vii) restructuring charges, (viii) Refinancing Expenses, (ix) any expenses or charges incurred in connection with any issuance of debt or equity securities, (x) any fees and expenses related to Permitted Acquisitions and (xi) any deduction for minority interest expense, less (b) to the extent included in determining such net income and without duplication, the sum of the amounts for such period of (i) non-recurring gains, (ii) non-cash gains and (iii) gains on asset sales, all as determined on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and the Unregulated
Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, provided that (A) except as provided in clause (B) below, there shall be excluded from Adjusted EBITDA the earnings or net income of all Unrestricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent otherwise included in such amount, except to the extent actually received in cash by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period through dividends or other distributions and (B) there shall be included in determining Adjusted EBITDA for any period (x) the Acquired Cash Flow of any Person, property, business or asset (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) acquired to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of (but not including the Acquired Cash Flow of any related Person, property, business or assets to the extent not so acquired) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period (each such Person, property, business or asset acquired and not subsequently so disposed of, an “Acquired Entity or
Business”), and the Acquired Cash Flow of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is converted into a Restricted Subsidiary during such period (each a “Converted Restricted Subsidiary”), in each case based on the actual Acquired Cash Flow of such Acquired Entity or Business or Converted Restricted Subsidiary for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) and (y) an adjustment with respect to each Acquired Entity or Business equal to the amount of the Pro Forma Adjustment with respect to such Acquired Entity or Business for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) as specified in the Pro Forma Adjustment Certificate delivered to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

2

                    “Adjusted Surplus” shall mean, at any time, Surplus at such time, provided that (i) except as provided in clause (ii) below, there shall be excluded from Adjusted Surplus the Surplus of all Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the extent otherwise included in such amount, and (ii) there shall be included in determining Adjusted Surplus at any time the Acquired Surplus of any Acquired Surplus Entity or Business and the Acquired Surplus of a Converted Restricted Subsidiary, in each case based on the actual Acquired Surplus of such Acquired Surplus Entity or Business or Converted Restricted Subsidiary as of the relevant date.  

                    “Adjusted Total Revolving Credit Commitment” shall mean at any time the Total Revolving Credit Commitment less the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments of all Defaulting Lenders.

                    “Administrative Agent” shall mean ING, together with its affiliates, as the arranger of the Commitments and as the administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, or any successor appointed pursuant to Section 12.9. 

                    “Administrative Agent’s Office” shall mean the office of the Administrative Agent located at 1325 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, or such other office in New York City as the Administrative Agent may hereafter designate in writing as such to the other parties hereto.

                    “Affected Lender” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.7.

                    “Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with such Person.  A Person shall be deemed to control a corporation if such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power (a) to vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such corporation or (b) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such corporation, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

                    “Aggregate Revolving Credit Outstandings” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.2(b).

                    “Agreement” shall mean this Credit Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

3

                    “Applicable ABR Margin” shall mean, with respect to each ABR Loan at any date, the applicable percentage per annum set forth below based upon the Status in effect on such date:

	
   
 	
   
 	
  
Applicable   ABR
  
	
  Status
  	
   
 	
  
Margin
  
	
  

  	
  
 
  	
  

  
	
  
Level I Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
0.50%
  
	
  
Level II Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
0.00%
  
	
  
Level III Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
0.00%
  
	
  
Level IV Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
0.00%
  
	
  
Level V Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
0.00%
  

                    “Applicable Eurodollar Margin” shall mean, with respect to each Eurodollar Term Loan and Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loan at any date, the applicable percentage per annum set forth below based upon the Status in effect on such date:

	
  
 
  	
   
 	
  
Applicable   Eurodollar
  
	
  
Status
  	
   
 	
  
Margin
  
	
  

  	
  
 
  	
  

  
	
  
Level I Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
1.750%
  
	
  
Level II Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
1.250%
  
	
  Level III Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
1.000%
  
	
  
Level IV Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
0.875%
  
	
  
Level V Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
0.750%
  

                    “Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority” shall mean, when used with respect to any Regulated Insurance Company, the insurance department or similar administrative authority or agency located in (a) each state in which such Regulated Insurance Company is domiciled or (b) to the extent asserting regulatory jurisdiction over such Regulated Insurance Company, the insurance department, authority or agency in each state in which such Regulated Insurance Company is licensed, and shall include any Federal insurance regulatory department, authority or agency that may be created and that asserts regulatory jurisdiction over such Regulated Insurance Company.

                    “Approved Fund” shall mean, with respect to any Lender that is a fund that invests in commercial loans, the investment advisor thereof or any other fund that invests in commercial loans and that is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

                    “Asset Sale Prepayment Event” shall mean any sale, transfer or other disposition of any business units, assets or other properties of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries not in the ordinary course of business.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Asset Sale Prepayment Event” shall not include any transaction permitted by Section 10.4 (other than Section 10.4(b)).

                    “Assignment and Assumption” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.6(a)(iii).

4

                    “Authorized Control Level” shall mean “Authorized Control Level Risk-Based Capital” as defined by the NAIC as of December 31, 1994, as such definition has been amended from time to time, and as applied in the context of the Risk-Based Capital Guidelines promulgated by the NAIC.

                    “Authorized Officer” shall mean the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Treasurer or any other senior officer of the Borrower designated as such in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower.

                    “Available Amount” shall mean, on any date (the “Reference Date”), an amount equal to (a) the sum of (i) $10,000,000, (ii) 50% of the cumulative amount of Excess Cash Flow for all fiscal years completed after the Closing Date but prior to the Reference Date, (iii)  the amount of any common or preferred capital contributions (other than any equity contribution made in accordance with Section 10.5(c)(i)) made in cash to the Borrower from and including the Business Day immediately following the Closing Date through and including the Reference Date, (iv) an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower on or prior to the Reference Date from any issuance of common or preferred equity securities by the Borrower, (v) the aggregate amount of all cash dividends and other cash distributions received
by the Borrower or any Guarantor from any Minority Investments or Unrestricted Subsidiaries on or prior to the Reference Date (other than the portion of any such dividends and other distributions that is used by the Borrower or any Guarantor to pay taxes), (vi) the aggregate amount of all cash repayments of principal received by the Borrower or any Guarantor from any Minority Investments or Unrestricted Subsidiaries on or prior to the Reference Date in respect of loans made by the Borrower or any Guarantor to such Minority Investments or Unrestricted Subsidiaries and (vii) the aggregate amount of all net cash proceeds received by the Borrower or any Guarantor in connection with the sale, transfer or other disposition of its ownership interest in any Minority Investment or Unrestricted Subsidiary on or prior to the Reference Date minus (b) the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of any investments (including loans) made by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 10.5(m)(ii) on
or prior to the Reference Date, (ii) cash dividends paid on Permitted Preferred Stock on or prior to the Reference Date (to the extent that the proceeds of such Permitted Preferred Stock were used to make an investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 10.5(m)(ii)), and (iii) the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in any fiscal year pursuant to Section 10.12 in excess of  the sum of (x) $10,000,000 and (y) the amount carried forward pursuant to the proviso therein.

                    “Available Commitment” shall mean an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the amount of the Total Revolving Credit Commitment over (b) the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding and (ii) the aggregate Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time.

                    “Bankruptcy Code” shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.5.

                    “Benefited Lender” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.8.

5

                    “Board” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).

                    “Borrower” shall have the meaning provided in the preamble to this Agreement.

                    “Borrower Common Stock” shall mean any class of outstanding common stock of the Borrower after the Transaction. 

                    “Borrowing” shall mean and include (a) the incurrence of one Type of Term Loan of a single Facility on the Closing Date (or resulting from conversions on a given date after the Closing Date) having, in the case of Eurodollar Term Loans, the same Interest Period (provided that ABR Loans incurred pursuant to Section 2.10(b) shall be considered part of any related Borrowing of Eurodollar Term Loans) and (b) the incurrence of one Type of Revolving Credit Loan on a given date (or resulting from conversions on a given date) having, in the case of Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans, the same Interest Period (provided that ABR Loans incurred pursuant to Section 2.10(b) shall be considered part of any related Borrowing of Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans).

                    “Business Day” shall mean (a) for all purposes other than as covered by clause (b) below, any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day that shall be in The City of New York a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized by law or other governmental actions to close and (b) with respect to all notices and determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, Eurodollar Loans, any day that is a Business Day described in clause (a) and which is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the relevant interbank Eurodollar market.

                    “BWCIC” shall mean Bristol West Casualty Insurance Company.

                    “BWIC” shall mean Bristol West Insurance Company.

                    “Capital Expenditures” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities and including in all events all amounts expended or capitalized under Capital Leases, but excluding any amount representing capitalized interest) by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be included as additions during such period to property, plant or equipment reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, provided that the term “Capital Expenditures” shall not include (a) expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution or restoration of assets (i) to the extent financed from insurance proceeds paid on account of the loss of or damage to the assets
being replaced or restored or (ii) with awards of compensation arising from the taking by eminent domain or condemnation of the assets being replaced, (b) the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment to the extent that the gross amount of such purchase price is reduced by the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time or (c) the purchase of plant, property or equipment made within one year of the sale of any asset to the extent purchased with the proceeds of such sale.

6

                    “Capitalized Lease Obligations” shall mean, as applied to any Person, all obligations under Capital Leases of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case taken at the amount thereof accounted for as liabilities in accordance with GAAP.

                    “Capital Lease”, as applied to any Person, shall mean any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee that, in conformity with GAAP, is, or is required to be, accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

                    “Cash Flow” shall mean, for any Test Period, the sum, without duplication, of (a) the greater of (i) Combined Statutory Pre-Tax Earnings for all Regulated Insurance Companies for such Test Period and (ii) the sum of 10% of Adjusted Surplus as of the last day of the fiscal year most recently ended prior to the end of such Test Period plus all tax sharing payments made by Regulated Insurance Companies to the Borrower during such Test Period and (b) Adjusted EBITDA for such Test Period.  

                    “Cash Flow to Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio” shall mean, for any Test Period, the ratio of (a) Cash Flow for such Test Period to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense for such Test Period.

                    “Change of Control” shall mean and be deemed to have occurred if (a) (i) any person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (other than KKR, its Affiliates and the Management Group, collectively) shall at any time have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than 35% of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Borrower and (ii) KKR, its Affiliates and the Management Group beneficially own, in the aggregate, a lesser percentage of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Borrower than the person, entity or “group” referred to in clause (i) above, unless, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) above, KKR, its Affiliates and the Management Group have, at such time, the right or the ability by voting power, contract or otherwise
to elect or designate for election a majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower; and/or (b) at any time Continuing Directors shall not constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower.

                    “Closing Date” shall mean the date on or before July 31, 2006, on which the initial Borrowing is made hereunder.

                    “Coast” shall mean Coast National Insurance Company.

                    “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.  Section references to the Code are to the Code, as in effect at the date of this Agreement, and any subsequent provisions of the Code, amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.

                    “Collateral” shall have the meaning provided in the Pledge Agreement.

                    “Combined” shall mean, when used with reference to any amount or financial statement, such amount as determined, or financial statement as prepared, on a combined basis for all of the specified entities and their respective Subsidiaries; provided that any such amount or financial statement determined or prepared for any specified entity and its Subsidiaries separately shall be determined or prepared on a consolidated basis in accordance with SAP or GAAP, as applicable.

7

                    “Combined Risk-Based Capital Ratio” shall mean the ratio (expressed as a percentage), at any time, of (i) the sum, without duplication, of the Total Adjusted Capital of each Regulated Insurance Company to (ii) the sum, without duplication, of the Authorized Control Level of each Regulated Insurance Company.

                    “Commitment Fee Rate” shall mean, with respect to the Available Commitment on any day, the rate per annum set forth below opposite the Status in effect on such day:

	
  
 
  	
   
 	
  
Commitment
  
	
  
Status
  	
   
 	
  
Fee Rate
  
	
  

  	
   
 	
  

  
	
  
Level I Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
0.375%
  
	
  
Level II Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
0.275%
  
	
  
Level III Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
0.200%
  
	
  Level IV Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
0.175%
  
	
  
Level V Status
  	
  
 
  	
  
0.150%
  

                    “Commitments” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment and Revolving Credit Commitment.

                    “Confidential Information” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.16.

                    “Consolidated Interest Expense” shall mean, for any period, the sum of (i) cash interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Leases in accordance with GAAP and Hybrid Capital), net of cash interest income, of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing and net costs under Hedge Agreements (other than currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts and other similar agreements), but excluding, however, amortization of deferred financing costs and any other amounts of non-cash interest, all as calculated on a consolidated basis
in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) cash dividends paid on Permitted Preferred Stock during such period; provided that (a) except as provided in clause (b) below, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Interest Expense for any period the cash interest expense (or income to the extent excluded from Cash Flow) of all Unrestricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent otherwise included in Consolidated Interest Expense and (b) for purposes of the definition of the term “Permitted Acquisition” and Sections 10.3 and 10.9, there shall be included in determining Consolidated Interest Expense for any period the cash interest expense (or income to the extent excluded from Acquired Cash Flow) of any Acquired Entity or Business acquired during such period and of any Converted Restricted Subsidiary converted during such period, in each case based on such cash interest expense (or income) of such Acquired Entity or Business or Converted Restricted Subsidiary for such period (including the
portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) assuming any Indebtedness incurred or repaid in connection with any such acquisition or conversion had been incurred or prepaid on the first day of such period.

8

                    “Consolidated Net Income” shall mean, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.  

                    “Consolidated Net Worth” shall mean the Net Worth of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. 

                    “Consolidated Total Capitalization” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the sum of (i) Consolidated Total Debt and (ii) Consolidated Net Worth, without duplication.

                    “Consolidated Total Debt” shall mean, without duplication, as of any date of determination, (a) the sum of (i) all Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for borrowed money outstanding on such date, (ii) all net liabilities of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries under Financial Reinsurance Agreements, (iii) Debt Hybrid Capital and (iv) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, all calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP minus (b) the aggregate amount of cash included in the cash account on the balance sheet of the Borrower (on a stand-alone basis), to the extent held by or for the account of the Borrower and deposited with the Administrative Agent or any Lender domiciled in the United States as at such date
and to the extent that the use thereof for application to payment of Indebtedness is not prohibited by law or any contract to which the Borrower is a party. 

                    “Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated Total Capitalization Ratio” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt to (b) Consolidated Total Capitalization.

                    “Consolidated Working Capital” shall mean, at any date, the excess of (a) the sum of all amounts (other than cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts) that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries at such date over (b) the sum of all amounts that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current liabilities” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on such date, but excluding (i) the current portion of any funded Indebtedness, (ii) without duplication of clause (i) above, all Indebtedness consisting of Loans and Letter of Credit Exposure to the extent otherwise
included therein and (iii) the current portion of deferred income taxes.

                    “Continuing Director” shall mean, at any date, an individual (a) who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Borrower on the date hereof, (b) who, as at such date, has been a member of such Board of Directors for at least the 12 preceding months, (c) who has been nominated to be a member of such Board of Directors, directly or indirectly, by KKR and its Affiliates or Persons nominated by KKR and its Affiliates or (d) who has been nominated to be a member of such Board of Directors by a majority of the other Continuing Directors then in office.

                    “Converted Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean, for any period, an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is converted into a Restricted Subsidiary during such relevant period.

9

                    “Credit Documents” shall mean this Agreement, the Guaranty, the Pledge Agreement and any promissory notes issued by the Borrower hereunder.

                    “Credit Event” shall mean and include the making (but not the conversion or continuation) of a Loan and the issuance of a Letter of Credit.

                    “Credit Party” shall mean each of the Borrower and the Guarantors.

                    “Debt Hybrid Capital” shall mean, at any time, all subordinated securities, instruments or other obligations that (i) are issued directly or indirectly by the Borrower or any Subsidiary through any trust or other special purpose entity formed by them (including any loans or notes issued by the Borrower or such Subsidiary to such trust or other special purpose entity in connection therewith), (ii) are not Equity Hybrid Capital and (iii) mature no earlier than the date which is twelve (12) months after the Maturity Date. 

                    “Debt Incurrence Prepayment Event” shall mean any issuance or incurrence by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness (excluding any Indebtedness permitted to be issued or incurred under Section 10.1).

                    “Default” shall mean any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

                    “Defaulting Lender” shall mean any Lender with respect to which a Lender Default is in effect.

                    “Dividends” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.6.

                    “Documentation Agent” shall mean LaSalle Bank, National Association.

                    “Dollars” and “$” shall mean dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.

                    “Domestic Subsidiary” shall mean each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is organized under the laws of the United States, any state or territory thereof, or the District of Columbia.

                    “Drawing” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.4(b).

                    “EDGAR” shall have the meaning provided in Section 9.1(a).

                    “Electronic Settlement System” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.6(a).

10

                    “Eligible Assignee” means (i) any Lender, any Affiliate of any Lender and any Approved Fund of any Lender; and (ii) (a) a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (b) a savings and loan association or savings bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (c) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country or a political subdivision thereof; provided that (1) such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the United States or (2) such bank is organized under the laws of a country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or a political subdivision of such country; and (d) any other entity that is an “accredited investor” (as
defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act) that extends credit or buys loans as one of its businesses including insurance companies, mutual funds and lease financing companies that, in each case, have at least $2,000,000 in net assets; provided that neither (x) the Company, (y) any Person known to the assigning Lender to be a competitor of the Company nor (z) any  Person who is (I) listed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (the “SDN List”) maintained by the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”)  and/or on any other similar list  maintained by the OFAC pursuant to any authorizing statute, Executive Order or regulation; or (II) included within the term “designated national” as defined in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515, shall be an Eligible Assignee.

                    “Environmental Claims” shall mean any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigations (other than internal reports prepared by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (a) in the ordinary course of such Person’s business or (b) as required in connection with a financing transaction or an acquisition or disposition of real estate) or proceedings relating in any way to any Environmental Law or any permit issued, or any approval given, under any such Environmental Law (hereinafter, “Claims”), including, without limitation, (i) any and all Claims by governmental or regulatory authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other actions or damages pursuant to any applicable
Environmental Law and (ii) any and all Claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from Hazardous Materials or arising from alleged injury or threat of injury to health, safety or the environment.  

                    “Environmental Law” shall mean any applicable Federal, state, foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code and rule of common law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended, and any binding judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any binding judicial or administrative order, consent decree or judgment, relating to the environment, human health or safety or Hazardous Materials.

                    “Equity Hybrid Capital” shall mean, at any time, all subordinated securities, instruments or other obligations that (i) are issued directly or indirectly by the Borrower or any Subsidiary through any trust or other special purpose entity formed by them (including any loans or notes issued by the Borrower or such Subsidiary to such trust or other special purpose entity in connection therewith), (ii)(x) are accorded equity treatment by S&P, if S&P so indicated in the course of issuing a credit rating for such securities, instruments or other obligations (or for the Borrower or any such Subsidiary) or (y) do not exceed 20% of Consolidated Total Capitalization  (provided that the selection of either clause (x) or clause (y) shall be at the discretion of the Borrower) and (iii) mature no earlier than the date which is
twelve (12) months after the Maturity Date.

                    “ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.  Section references to ERISA are to ERISA as in effect at the date of this Agreement and any subsequent provisions of ERISA amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.

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                    “ERISA Affiliate” shall mean each person (as defined in Section 3(9) of ERISA) that together with the Borrower or a Subsidiary would be deemed to be a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

                    “Eurodollar Loan” shall mean any Eurodollar Term Loan or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loan.

                    “Eurodollar Rate” means, for any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum obtained by dividing (i) (A) the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period by reference to the British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in Dollars (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates) for a period equal to such Interest Period, or (B) if an interest rate is not ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the
average of the rates per annum at which deposits in Dollars are offered for such Interest Period to major banks in the London interbank market in London, England, by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period by (ii) a percentage equal to 100% minus the stated maximum rate of all reserve requirements (including any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserves) applicable on such Interest Rate Determination Date to any member bank of the Federal Reserve System in respect of “Eurocurrency Liabilities” as defined in Regulation D (or any successor category of liabilities under Regulation D).  Each determination by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this definition shall be conclusive absent manifest error. 

                    “Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loan” shall mean any Revolving Credit Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.

                    “Eurodollar Term Loan” shall mean any Term Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.

                    “Event of Default” shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.

                    “Excess Cash Flow” shall mean, for any period, an amount equal to the excess of (a) the sum, without duplication, of (i) dividends actually paid to the Borrower by Regulated Insurance Companies during such period, (ii) the portion of the aggregate amount of cash tax allocation payments made during such period by the Regulated Insurance Companies to the Borrower or its Unregulated Restricted Subsidiaries that is not treated as intercompany obligations under the applicable tax allocation agreements, (iii) consolidated net income before taxes from continuing operations of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding net 

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income (or loss) before taxes of the Regulated Insurance Companies), all determined in accordance with GAAP (“Unregulated Earnings”), (iv) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash charges to the extent deducted in arriving at such Unregulated Earnings, (v) decreases in Consolidated Working Capital of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Regulated Insurance Companies) for such period and (vi) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash loss on the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of assets by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (other than sales in the ordinary course of business) to the extent deducted in arriving at such Unregulated Earnings over (b) the sum, without duplication, of (i) cash taxes paid or payable in respect of the income of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for or during such period (excluding such taxes that are separately assessed on the income of
and paid directly by any Regulated Insurance Company), (ii) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash credits included in arriving at such Unregulated Earnings, (iii) the aggregate amount actually paid by the Borrower and the Unregulated Subsidiaries in cash during such period on account of Capital Expenditures to the extent not deducted in determining such Unregulated Earnings (excluding the principal amount of Indebtedness incurred in connection with such Capital Expenditures, whether incurred in such period or in a subsequent period), (iv) the aggregate amount of all scheduled principal payments of Indebtedness of the Borrower or the Unregulated Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any Term Loans and the principal component of payments in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations but excluding Revolving Credit Loans) made during such period (other than in respect of any revolving credit facility to the extent there is not an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder), (v)
an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash gain on the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of assets (other than sales in the ordinary course of business) by the Borrower and the Unregulated Subsidiaries during such period to the extent included in arriving at such Unregulated Earnings, (vi) increases in Consolidated Working Capital of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Regulated Insurance Subsidiaries) for such period, (vii) payments by the Borrower and the Unregulated Subsidiaries during such period in respect of long-term liabilities of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries other than Indebtedness, (viii) the amount of investments, loans and advances made during such period pursuant to Sections 10.5(a), (c), (i), (j) and (k) to the extent that such investments were financed with internally generated cash flow of the Borrower and the Unregulated Subsidiaries and/or dividends by Regulated Insurance Companies included in clause (a)(i) above, (ix) the amount of
dividends paid during such period pursuant to clause (b) of the proviso to Section 10.6, (x) the aggregate amount of expenditures actually made by the Borrower and the Unregulated Subsidiaries in cash during such period (including, without limitation, expenditures for the payment of financing fees) to the extent that such expenditures are not expensed during such period, (xi) the aggregate amount of any premium, make-whole or penalty payments actually paid in cash by the Borrower and the Unregulated Subsidiaries during such period that are required to be made in connection with any prepayment of Indebtedness and that are accounted for as extraordinary items, (xii) cash tax allocation payments made during such period by the Borrower or any Unregulated Restricted Subsidiary to any Regulated Insurance Company and (xiii) payments applied during such period in respect of reserves (to the extent not included in Consolidated Working Capital for such period) created by the Borrower or any Unregulated
Restricted Subsidiary in a period prior to such period.

                    “Existing Credit Agreement” shall mean that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2004,, among Bristol West Holdings, Inc., the lending institutions from time to time parties thereto, Credit Suisse First Boston, acting through it Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent and ING, as syndication agent.

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                    “Facility” shall mean any of the credit facilities established under this Agreement, i.e., the credit facilities providing Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans.

                    “Federal Funds Effective Rate” shall mean, for any day, the weighted average of the per annum rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

                    “Fees” shall mean all amounts payable pursuant to, or referred to in, Section 4.1.

                    “Final Date” shall mean the date on which the Revolving Credit Commitments shall have terminated, no Revolving Credit Loans shall be outstanding and the Letter of Credit Outstandings shall have been reduced to zero.

                    “Financial Reinsurance Agreement” shall mean a reinsurance agreement covering any transaction in which any Regulated Insurance Company cedes business that does not meet the conditions for reinsurance accounting as provided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 113, as the same may be revised, replaced, or supplemented from time to time.

                    “Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

                    “forward-looking statements” shall mean those statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

                    “Fronting Fee” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.1(c).

                    “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time; provided, however, that if there occurs after the date hereof any change in GAAP that affects in any respect the calculation of the Applicable ABR Margin, the Applicable Eurodollar Margin or any covenant contained in Section 10, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith amendments to the provisions of this Agreement that relate to the calculation of such margin or covenant with the intent of having the respective positions of the Lenders and the Borrower after such change in GAAP conform as nearly as possible to their respective positions as of the date of this Agreement and, until any such amendments have been agreed upon, such margins and the covenants in Section 10 shall be
calculated as if no such change in GAAP has occurred.

                    “Governmental Authority” shall mean any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government (including, without limitation, any Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority).

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                    “Granting Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 13.6.

                    “Guarantor” shall mean each Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Restricted Subsidiary (excluding any Regulated Insurance Company) and that is or becomes a party to the Guaranty. 

                    “Guaranty” shall mean and include the Guaranty, made by each Guarantor in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit A, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                    “Guaranty Obligations” shall mean, as to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase any such Indebtedness or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of any such Indebtedness or (ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such Indebtedness of the ability of the primary obligor
to make payment of such Indebtedness or (d) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term “Guaranty Obligations” shall not include (x) endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business or (y) obligations of Regulated Insurance Companies under Insurance Contracts, Reinsurance Agreements or Retrocession Agreements.  The amount of any Guaranty Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the Indebtedness in respect of which such Guaranty Obligation is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by such Person in good faith.

                    “Hazardous Materials” shall mean (a) any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive materials, friable asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric fluid containing regulated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, and radon gas; (b) any chemicals, materials or substances defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances”, “hazardous waste”, “hazardous materials”, “extremely hazardous waste”, “restricted hazardous waste”, “toxic substances”, “toxic pollutants”, “contaminants”, or “pollutants”, or words of similar import, under any applicable Environmental Law; and (c) any other chemical, material or substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by
any Governmental Authority.

                    “Hedge Agreements” shall mean interest rate swap, cap or collar agreements, interest rate future or option contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts and other similar agreements entered into by the Borrower in order to protect the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates or against other risks to which the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may be subject in the ordinary course of business.

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                    “Hybrid Capital” shall mean, at any time, all Debt Hybrid Capital and Equity Hybrid Capital.

                    “Increased Commitment Amount” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.1.

                    “Indebtedness” of any Person shall mean (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money including, without limitation, the indebtedness evidenced by the Debt Hybrid Capital, (b) the deferred purchase price of assets or services that in accordance with GAAP would be shown on the liability side of the balance sheet of such Person, (c) the face amount of all letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder, (d) all Indebtedness of a second Person secured by any Lien on any property owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed, (e) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person, (f) all net liabilities of such Person under interest rate swap, cap or collar agreements, interest rate future or option contracts, currency swap
agreements, currency future or option contracts, credit derivative contracts and other similar agreements, (g) all obligations of such Person under Financial Reinsurance Agreements and (h) without duplication, all Guaranty Obligations of such Person, provided that Indebtedness shall not include trade payables and accrued expenses, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business. 

                    “ING” shall mean ING Capital, LLC, and any successor thereto by merger, consolidation or otherwise.

                    “Insurance Business” shall mean one or more aspects of the business of selling, issuing or underwriting insurance or reinsurance.

                    “Insurance Contract” shall mean any insurance contract or policy issued by a Regulated Insurance Company but shall not include any Reinsurance Agreement or Retrocession Agreement.

                    “Interest Period” shall mean, with respect to any Term Loan or Revolving Credit Loan, the interest period applicable thereto, as determined pursuant to Section 2.9.

                    “KKR” shall mean each of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., KKR Associates, L.P., Bristol West Associates LLC and Aurora Investments II LLC.

                    “L/C Maturity Date” shall mean the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.

                    “L/C Participant” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.3(a).

                    “L/C Participation” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.3(a).

                    “Lender” shall have the meaning provided in the preamble to this Agreement.

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                    “Lender Default” shall mean (a) the failure (which has not been cured) of a Lender to make available its portion of any Borrowing or to fund its portion of any unreimbursed payment under Section 3.3 or (b) a Lender having notified the Administrative Agent and/or the Borrower that it does not intend to comply with the obligations under Section 2.1 or 3.3, in the case of either clause (a) or clause (b) above, as a result of the appointment of a receiver or conservator with respect to such Lender at the direction or request of any regulatory agency or authority.

                    “Letter of Credit” shall mean each standby letter of credit issued pursuant to Section 3.1.

                    “Letter of Credit Commitment” shall mean $15,000,000, as the same may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 3.1.

                    “Letter of Credit Exposure” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the Letter of Credit Outstandings.

                    “Letter of Credit Fee” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.1(b).

                    “Letter of Credit Issuer” shall mean ING, any of its Affiliates or any successor pursuant to Section 3.6, or any Lender acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

                    “Letter of Credit Outstandings” shall mean, at any time, the sum of, without duplication, (a) the aggregate Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of all Unpaid Drawings in respect of all Letters of Credit.

                    “Letter of Credit Request” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.2.

                    “Level I Status” shall mean, on any date, the then applicable Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated Total Capitalization Ratio is greater than 0.30:1.00.

                    “Level II Status” shall mean, on any date, the circumstance that Level I Status does not exist and the then applicable Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated Total Capitalization Ratio is greater than 0.25:1.00.

                    “Level III Status” shall mean, on any date, the circumstance that neither Level I Status nor Level II Status exists and the then applicable Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated Total Capitalization Ratio is greater than 0.15:1.00.

                    “Level IV Status” shall mean, on any date, the circumstance that neither Level I Status, Level II Status nor Level III Status exists and the then applicable Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated Total Capitalization Ratio is greater than 0.10:1.00.

                    “Level V Status” shall mean, on any date, the circumstance that the then applicable Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated Total Capitalization Ratio is less than or equal to 0.10:1.00.

                    “Lien” shall mean any mortgage, pledge, security interest, hypothecation, assignment, lien (statutory or other) or similar encumbrance (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or any lease in the nature thereof).

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                    “Loan” shall mean any Revolving Credit Loan or Term Loan made by any Lender hereunder.

                    “Management Group” shall mean, at any time, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Borrower at such time and James R. Fisher, Jeffrey J. Dailey, Simon J. Noonan, Craig E. Eisenacher, and any officers of the Borrower from time to time holding offices corresponding to those of the foregoing individuals as of the Closing Date.

                    “Margin Stock” shall have the meaning provided in Regulation U.

                    “Material Adverse Change” shall mean any material adverse change in the business, operations, property or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. 

                    “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any material adverse effect on the business, operations, property or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                    “Material Subsidiary” shall mean, at any date of determination, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (a) whose total assets at the last day of the Test Period ending on the last day of the most recent fiscal period for which Section 9.1 Financials have been delivered were equal to or greater than 5% of the consolidated total assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries at such date, (b) whose gross revenues for such Test Period were equal to or greater than 5% of the consolidated gross revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, or (c) whose Cash Flow for such Test Period was equal to or greater than 5% of the Cash Flow of Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP. 

                    “Maturity Date” shall mean the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, or, if such date is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day.

                    “Minimum Borrowing Amount” shall mean, with respect to a Borrowing of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans, $1,000,000.

                    “Minority Investment” shall mean any Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary owns capital stock or other equity interests.

                    “Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any successor by merger or consolidation to its business.

                    “NAIC” shall mean the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any successor organization thereto.

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                    “Net Cash Proceeds” shall mean, with respect to any Prepayment Event or any issuance by the Borrower of equity securities, (a) the gross cash proceeds (including payments from time to time in respect of installment obligations, if applicable) received by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such Prepayment Event or issuance, as the case may be, less (b) the sum of:

	
  
 
  	
  
          (i)          in   the case of any Prepayment Event, the amount, if any, of all taxes paid or   estimated to be payable by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries   in connection with such Prepayment Event,
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
          (ii)         in   the case of any Prepayment Event, the amount of any reasonable reserve established   in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities (other than any taxes   deducted pursuant to clause (i) above) (A) associated with the assets that   are the subject of such Prepayment Event and (B) retained by the Borrower or   any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, provided that the amount of any   subsequent reduction of such reserve (other than in connection with a payment   in respect of any such liability) shall be deemed to be Net Cash Proceeds of   such a Prepayment Event occurring on the date of such reduction,
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
          (iii)        in   the case of any Prepayment Event, the amount of any Indebtedness secured by a   Lien on the assets that are the subject of such Prepayment Event to the   extent that the instrument creating or evidencing such Indebtedness requires   that such Indebtedness be repaid upon consummation of such Prepayment Event,
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
          (iv)        in   the case of any Asset Sale Prepayment Event, the amount of any proceeds of   such Asset Sale Prepayment Event that the Borrower has reinvested (or intends   to reinvest within one year of the date of such Asset Sale Prepayment Event)   in the business (including by contribution to or retention as surplus of any   Regulated Insurance Company) of the Borrower or any of the Restricted   Subsidiaries (subject to Section 9.14), provided that any portion of such   proceeds that has not been so reinvested within such one-year period shall   (x) be deemed to be Net Cash Proceeds of an Asset Sale Prepayment Event   occurring on the last day of such one-year period and (y) be applied to the   repayment of Term Loans in accordance with Section 5.2(a), and
  
	  
	  

	
  
 
  	
  
          (v)         in   the case of any Prepayment Event or any issuance by the Borrower of equity   securities, reasonable and customary fees, commissions, expenses, issuance   costs, discounts and other costs paid by the Borrower or any of the   Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Prepayment Event or issuance,   as the case may be (other than those payable to the Borrower or any   Subsidiary of the Borrower), in each case only to the extent not already   deducted in arriving at the amount referred to in clause (a) above.
  

                    “Net Worth” shall mean, as to any Person, the sum of its capital stock (including, without limitation, Permitted Preferred Stock and Equity Hybrid Capital), capital in excess of par or stated value of shares of its capital stock, retained earnings and any other account which, in accordance with GAAP, constitutes stockholders equity, excluding any treasury stock.

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                    “Non-Consenting Lender”  shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.7(b).

                    “Non Defaulting Lender” shall mean and include each Lender other than a Defaulting Lender.

                    “Non-Excluded Taxes” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.4(a).

                    “Notice of Borrowing” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.3.

                    “Notice of Conversion or Continuation” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.6.

                    “Obligations” shall mean all monetary amounts of every type or description at any time owing to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or, in the case of Hedge Agreements, any affiliate of a Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, any other Credit Document or any Hedge Agreement.

                    “Participant” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.6(a)(ii).

                    “PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Section 4002 of ERISA, or any successor thereto.

                    “Permitted Acquisition” shall mean the acquisition, by merger or otherwise, by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of assets or capital stock or other equity interests, so long as (a) such acquisition and all transactions related thereto shall be consummated in accordance with applicable law; (b) such acquisition shall, in the case of the acquisition of capital stock or other equity interests by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, result in the issuer of such capital stock or other equity interests becoming a Restricted Domestic Subsidiary and a direct Restricted Domestic Subsidiary in the case of such an acquisition by the Borrower; (c) after giving effect to such acquisition, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (d) the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a pro forma
basis after giving effect to such acquisition (including any Indebtedness assumed or permitted to exist or incurred pursuant to Sections 10.1(i) and 10.1(j), respectively, and any related Pro Forma Adjustment), with the covenants set forth in Sections 10.8, 10.9, 10.10 and 10.11, as such covenants are recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended Test Period under such Sections as if such acquisition had occurred on the first day of such Test Period.

                    “Permitted Investments” shall mean (a) securities issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, in each case having maturities of not more than 24 months from the date of acquisition thereof; (b) securities issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than 24 months from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having an investment grade rating generally obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be

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rating such obligations, then from another nationally recognized rating service); (c) commercial paper issued by any Lender or any bank holding company owning any Lender; (d) commercial paper maturing no more than 12 months after the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-2 or P-2 from either S&P or Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating service); (e) domestic and eurodollar certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing no more than two years after the date of acquisition thereof issued by any Lender or any other bank having combined capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000 in the case of domestic banks and $100,000,000 (or the dollar equivalent thereof) in the case of foreign banks; (f) repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying
securities of the type described in clauses (a), (b) and (e) above entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (e) above or securities dealers of recognized national standing; (g) shares of investment companies that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and invest solely in one or more of the types of securities described in clauses (a) through (f) above; and (h) in the case of investments by any Restricted Foreign Subsidiary, other customarily utilized high-quality investments in the country where such Restricted Foreign Subsidiary is located.  

                    “Permitted Liens” shall mean (a) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP; (b) Liens in respect of property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business, in each case so long as such Liens arise in the ordinary course of business and do not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; (c) Liens arising from judgments or decrees in circumstances not constituting an Event of Default under Section 11.9; (d) Liens incurred or deposits made in connection with workers’
compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business; (e) ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries are located; (f) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar charges or encumbrances not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (g) any interest or title of a lessor or secured by a lessor’s interest under any lease permitted by this Agreement; (h) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods; (i) Liens on goods the purchase price of
which is financed by a documentary letter of credit issued for the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, provided that such Lien secures only the obligations of the Borrower or such Subsidiaries in respect of such letter of credit to the extent permitted under Section 10.1; (j) leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and (k) any assignment or transfer permitted by the other applicable terms of this Agreement.

                    “Permitted Preferred Stock” shall mean any preferred stock of the Borrower which is not subject to any mandatory redemption, put, repayment, sinking fund or similar requirement (other than customary change of control put rights, provided that such requirement states that payments in respect thereof may not be made to the extent that such payments would constitute a Default or Event of Default) prior to the sixth anniversary of the Closing Date.

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                    “Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise or any Governmental Authority.

                    “Plan” shall mean any multiemployer or single-employer plan, as defined in Section 4001 of ERISA and subject to Title IV of ERISA, that is or was within any of the preceding five plan years maintained or contributed to by (or to which there is or was an obligation to contribute or to make payments of) the Borrower, a Subsidiary or an ERISA Affiliate.

                    “Pledge Agreement” shall mean and include the Pledge Agreement entered into by the Borrower, the other pledgors party thereto and the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit B, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                    “Prepayment Event” shall mean any Asset Sale Prepayment Event or Debt Incurrence Prepayment Event.

                    “Prime Rate” shall mean the rate that ING announces from time to time as its prime lending rate, as in effect from time to time.  The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer.  ING or any other Lender may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Rate. 

                    “Pro Forma Adjustment” shall mean, for any Test Period that includes any of the four fiscal quarters first following any Permitted Acquisition, with respect to the Acquired Cash Flow of the applicable Acquired Entity or Business, the pro forma increase or decrease in such Acquired Cash Flow projected by the Borrower in good faith as a result of reasonably identifiable and supportable net cost savings or additional net costs, as the case may be, realizable during such period by combining the operations of such Acquired Entity or Business with the operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, provided that so long as such net cost savings or additional net costs will be realizable at any time during such period, it may be assumed, for purposes of projecting such pro forma increase or decrease to such Acquired Cash Flow,
that such net cost savings or additional net costs will be realizable during the entire such period, provided further that any such pro forma increase or decrease to such Acquired Cash Flow shall be without duplication for net cost savings or additional net costs actually realized during such period and already included in such Acquired Cash Flow.

                    “Pro Forma Adjustment Certificate” shall mean any certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 9.1(g) or setting forth the information described in clause (iii) to Section 9.1(d).

                    “Pro Forma Entity” shall have the meaning provided in the definition of the term “Acquired Cash Flow”.

                    “Proposed Change” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.7(b).

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                    “Refinancing” shall mean the payment in full of all outstanding Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement, the termination of the “Commitments” (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), the cancellation of all outstanding “Letters of Credit” (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) and the termination and release of all Liens on the stock or assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that secure or purport to secure the obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement or under of the “Credit Documents” (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement).  

                    “Refinancing Expense” shall mean any fees or expenses incurred or paid by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Refinancing, the entering into of the Credit Documents and the incurrence of Loans on the Closing Date.

                    “Register” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.6(d).

                     “Regulated Insurance Company” shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, that is authorized or admitted to carry on or transact Insurance Business in any jurisdiction and is regulated by the insurance department or similar regulatory authority of such jurisdiction.

                    “Regulation D” shall mean Regulation D of the Board as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof establishing reserve requirements.

                    “Regulation T” shall mean Regulation T of the Board as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

                    “Regulation U” shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

                    “Regulation X” shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

                    “Reinsurance Agreement” shall mean any agreement, contract, treaty or other arrangement whereby one or more insurers, as reinsurers, assume liabilities under insurance policies or agreements issued by another insurance or reinsurance company or companies.

                    “Reportable Event” shall mean an event described in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations thereunder.

                    “Required Lenders” shall mean, at any date, (a) Non-Defaulting Lenders having or holding a majority of the sum of (i) the Adjusted Total Revolving Credit Commitment at such date and (ii) the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans (excluding the Term Loans held by Defaulting Lenders) at such date or (b) if the Total Revolving Credit Commitment has been terminated or for the purposes of acceleration pursuant to Section 11, the holders (excluding Defaulting Lenders) of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans and Letter of Credit Exposures (excluding the Loans and Letter of Credit Exposures of Defaulting Lenders) in the aggregate at such date.

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                    “Requirement of Law” shall mean, as to any Person, the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or assets or to which such Person or any of its property or assets is subject.

                    “Restricted Domestic Subsidiary” shall mean each Restricted Subsidiary that is also a Domestic Subsidiary.

                    “Restricted Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean each Foreign Subsidiary that is also a Restricted Subsidiary.

                    “Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

                    “Retrocession Agreement” shall mean any agreement, contract, treaty or other arrangement whereby one or more insurers or reinsurers, as retrocessionaires, assume liabilities of reinsurers under a Reinsurance Agreement or other retrocessionaires under another Retrocession Agreement.

                    “Revolving Credit Commitment” shall mean, (a) with respect to each Lender that is a Lender on the date hereof, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1.1 as such Lender’s “Revolving Credit Commitment” and (b) in the case of any Lender that becomes a Lender after the date hereof, the amount specified as such Lender’s “Revolving Credit Commitment” in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender assumed a portion of the Total Revolving Credit Commitment, in each case as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.

                    “Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage” shall mean at any time, for each Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment by the Total Revolving Credit Commitment, provided that at any time when the Total Revolving Credit Commitment shall have been terminated, each Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage shall be its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage as in effect immediately prior to such termination.

                    “Revolving Credit Loan” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.1(b).

                    “Risk-Based Capital Ratio” shall mean, for any Regulated Insurance Company, the ratio (expressed as a percentage), at any time, of the Total Adjusted Capital of such Regulated Insurance Company to the Authorized Control Level of such Regulated Insurance Company.

                    “SAP” shall mean, with respect to any Regulated Insurance Company, the accounting procedures and practices prescribed or permitted by the Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority of the state in which such Regulated Insurance Company is domiciled.

                    “S&P” shall mean Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor by merger or consolidation to its business.

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                    “SEC” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

                    “Section 9.1 Financials” shall mean the GAAP financial statements delivered, or required to be delivered, pursuant to Section 9.1(a)(i) or (b)(i) together with the accompanying officer’s certificate delivered, or required to be delivered, pursuant to Section 9.1(d).

                    “Service Company” shall mean Bristol West Insurance Services of California, Inc., a California corporation, and any successor entity thereto.

                    “SNIC” shall mean Security National Insurance Company.

                    “SPC” has the meaning specified in Section 13.6.

                    “Specified Subsidiary” shall mean, at any date of determination, (a) any Material Subsidiary; and (b) any Unrestricted Subsidiary (i) whose total assets at the last day of the Test Period ending on the last day of the most recent fiscal period for which Section 9.1 Financials have been delivered were equal to or greater than 15% of the consolidated total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date or (ii) whose gross revenues for such Test Period were equal to or greater than 15% of the consolidated gross revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP.

                    “Stated Amount” of any Letter of Credit shall mean the maximum amount from time to time available to be drawn thereunder, determined without regard to whether any conditions to drawing could then be met.

                    “Status” shall mean, as to the Borrower as of any date, the existence of  Level I Status, Level II Status, Level III Status, Level IV Status or Level V Status, as the case may be, on such date.  Changes in Status shall be determined based on the Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated Total Capitalization Ratio as of the last day of each fiscal quarter and shall be effective on the date on which (a) Section 9.1 Financials are delivered to the Lenders under Section 9.1 in respect of such fiscal quarter and (b) an officer’s certificate is delivered by the Borrower to the Lenders setting forth, with respect to such Section 9.1 Financials, the then-applicable Status, and shall remain in effect until the next change to be effected pursuant to this definition, provided that (i) if the Borrower fails to deliver
Section 9.1 Financials when required under Section 9.1 or an Event of Default exists, then until such Section 9.1 Financials are so delivered and/or such Event of Default no longer exists, the Status of the Borrower for the purposes of this Agreement shall be Level I Status and (ii) notwithstanding the foregoing, for the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the day that is 180 days following the Closing Date, the Status of the Borrower for the purposes of this Agreement shall be Level III Status.

                    “Statutory Pre-Tax Earnings” shall mean, for any period, for any Regulated Insurance Company, net income determined in accordance with SAP plus (a) to the extent deducted in determining such net income and without duplication, the sum of the amounts for such period of (i) provision for taxes (including, without limitation, payments under tax sharing agreements), (ii) interest expense, (iii) depreciation expense, (iv) amortization expense, including amortization of deferred financing fees, (v) non-recurring charges, (vi) non-cash charges,

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(vii) losses on asset sales, (viii) restructuring charges, (ix) Refinancing Expenses, (x) any expenses or charges incurred in connection with any issuance of debt or equity securities, (xi) any fees and expenses related to Permitted Acquisitions and (xii) any deduction for minority interest expense, less (b) to the extent included in determining such net income and without duplication, the sum of the amounts for such period of (i) non-recurring gains, (ii) non-cash gains and (iii) gains on asset sales, all as determined on a Combined basis for the Regulated Insurance Companies in accordance with SAP, provided that (i) except as provided in clause (ii) below, there shall be excluded from the amounts determined above for any period the earnings or net income of all Unrestricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent otherwise included in such amount, except to the extent actually received in cash by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries during such
period through dividends or other distributions, and (ii) there shall be included in determining Statutory Pre-Tax Earnings for any period (x) the Acquired Cash Flow of any Acquired Entity or Business, and the Acquired Cash Flow of a Converted Restricted Subsidiary, in each case based on the actual Acquired Cash Flow of such Acquired Entity or Business or Converted Restricted Subsidiary for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) and (y) an adjustment with respect of each Acquired Entity or Business equal to the amount of the Pro Forma Adjustment with respect to such Acquired Entity or Business for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) as specified in the Pro Forma Adjustment Certificate delivered to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

                    “Subsidiary” of any Person shall mean and include (a) any corporation more than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries has more than a 50% equity interest at the time.  Unless otherwise expressly provided, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

                    “Successor Borrower” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.3(a).

                     “Surplus” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the surplus of all Regulated Insurance Companies as of such date determined on a Combined basis in accordance with SAP.

                    “Term Loans” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.1(a).

                    “Term Loan Commitment” shall mean for each Lender the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1.1 as such Lender’s “Term Loan Commitment.”

                    “Test Period” shall mean, for any date of determination, the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower then last ended.

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                    “Total Adjusted Capital” shall mean “Total Adjusted Capital” as defined by the NAIC as of December 31, 1994, as such definition has been amended from time to time, and as applied in the context of the Risk-Based Capital Guidelines promulgated by the NAIC.

                    “Total Commitment” shall mean the sum of the Total Term Loan Commitment and the Total Revolving Credit Commitment.

                    “Total Credit Exposure” shall mean, at any date, the sum of (a) the Total Revolving Credit Commitment at such date and (b) the outstanding principal amount of all Term Loans at such date.

                    “Total Revolving Credit Commitment” shall mean the sum of the Revolving Credit Commitments of all the Lenders.

                    “Total Term Loan Commitment” shall mean the sum of the Term Loan Commitments of all Lenders. 

                    “Transaction” shall mean, collectively, (a) the Refinancing and (b) the entering into of the Credit Documents and the incurrence of Loans on the Closing Date.

                    “Transferee” shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.6(f).

                     “Type” shall mean (a) as to any Term Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan or a Eurodollar Term Loan and (b) as to any Revolving Credit Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan or a Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loan.

                    “Unfunded Current Liability” of any Plan shall mean the amount, if any, by which the present value of the accrued benefits under the Plan as of the close of its most recent plan year, determined in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87 as in effect on the date hereof, based upon the actuarial assumptions that would be used by the Plan’s actuary in a termination of the Plan, exceeds the fair market value of the assets allocable thereto.

                    “Unpaid Drawing” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.4(a).

                    “Unregulated Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean any Restricted Subsidiary that is also an Unregulated Subsidiary.

                    “Unregulated Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than a Regulated Insurance Company.

                    “Unrestricted Subsidiary” shall mean (a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is formed or acquired after the Closing Date, provided that at such time (or promptly thereafter) the Borrower designates such Subsidiary an Unrestricted Subsidiary in a written notice to the Administrative Agent, (b) any Restricted Subsidiary on the Closing Date subsequently re-designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Borrower in a written notice to the Administrative Agent, provided that such re-designation shall be deemed to be an investment on the date of such re-designation in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the greater of (A) the net worth of such re-designated Restricted Subsidiary immediately prior to

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such re-designation (such net worth to be calculated without regard to any Guaranty provided by such re designated Restricted Subsidiary) and (B) the amount actually invested by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such re-designated Restricted Subsidiary between the Closing Date and the date of such re-designation and not returned to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary prior to the date of such re-designation and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of any Indebtedness owed by such re-designated Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary immediately prior to such re-designation, all calculated, except as set forth in the parenthetical to clause (i), on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, and (c) each Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that (i) at the time of any written re-designation by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a
Restricted Subsidiary, the Unrestricted Subsidiary so re-designated shall no longer constitute an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (ii) no Unrestricted Subsidiary may be re-designated as a Restricted Subsidiary if a Default or Event of Default would result from such re-designation and (iii) no Restricted Subsidiary may be re-designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if a Default or Event of Default would result from such re-designation.  On or promptly after the date of its formation, acquisition or re-designation, as applicable, each Unrestricted Subsidiary shall have entered into a tax sharing agreement containing terms that, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, provide for an appropriate allocation of tax liabilities and benefits.

                    “Voting Stock” shall mean, with respect to any Person, shares of such Person’s capital stock having the right to vote for the election of directors of such Person under ordinary circumstances. 

                    SECTION 2.          Amount and Terms of Credit.

                    2.1          Commitments.

                    (a)          Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, each Lender having a Term Loan Commitment severally agrees to make a loan or loans (each a “Term Loan” and, collectively, the “Term Loans”) to the Borrower, which Term Loans (i) shall be made on the Closing Date, (ii) may, at the option of the Borrower, be incurred and maintained as, and/or converted into, ABR Loans or Eurodollar Term Loans, provided that all  Term Loans made by each of the Lenders pursuant to the same Borrowing shall, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, consist entirely of Term Loans of the same Type, (iii) may be repaid in accordance with the provisions hereof, but once repaid, may not be reborrowed, (iv) shall not exceed for any such Lender the Term Loan Commitment of
such Lender and (v) shall not exceed in the aggregate the Total Term Loan Commitment.  On the Maturity Date, all Term Loans shall be repaid in full.

                    (b)          Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, each Lender having a Revolving Credit Commitment severally agrees to make a loan or loans (each a “Revolving Credit Loan” and, collectively, the “Revolving Credit Loans”) to the Borrower, which Revolving Credit Loans (i) shall be made at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date and prior to the Maturity Date, provided that no Revolving Credit Loans may be incurred on the Closing Date, (ii) may, at the option of the Borrower, be incurred and maintained as, and/or converted into, ABR Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans, provided that all Revolving Credit Loans made by each of the Lenders pursuant to the same Borrowing shall, unless otherwise specifically provided
herein, consist entirely of Revolving Credit Loans of the same Type, 

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(iii) may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof, (iv) shall not exceed for any such Lender at any time outstanding that aggregate principal amount which, when added to the product of (x) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage and (y) the aggregate Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time, equals the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender at such time and (v) shall not, after giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds thereof, exceed for all Lenders at any time outstanding the aggregate principal amount that, when added to the aggregate Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time, equals the Total Revolving Credit Commitment then in effect.  On the Maturity Date, all Revolving Credit Loans shall be repaid in full.

                    2.2          Minimum Amount of Each Borrowing; Maximum Number of Borrowings.  The aggregate principal amount of each Borrowing of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans shall be in a multiple of $100,000 and shall not be less than the Minimum Borrowing Amount with respect thereto.  More than one Borrowing may be incurred on any date, provided that at no time shall there be outstanding more than 12 Borrowings of Eurodollar Loans under this Agreement.  

                    2.3          Notice of Borrowing.

                    (a)          The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office (i) prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) at least three Business Days’ prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of the Borrowing of Term Loans if all or any of such Term Loans are to be Eurodollar Loans and (ii) prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) prior to 12:00 Noon. (New York time) on the date of the Borrowing of Term Loans if all such Term Loans are to be ABR Loans.  Such notice (together with each notice of a Borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 2.3(b), a “Notice of Borrowing”) shall be in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, shall be irrevocable and shall
specify (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans to be made, (ii) the date of the borrowing (which shall be a Business Day and shall be the Closing Date), (iii) whether the Term Loans shall consist of ABR Loans and/or Eurodollar Term Loans and, if the Term Loans are to include Eurodollar Term Loans, the Interest Period to be initially applicable thereto and (iv) any instructions for the remittance of funds.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly give each Lender written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each proposed Borrowing of Term Loans, of such Lender’s proportionate share thereof and of the other matters covered by the related Notice of Borrowing.

                    (b)          Whenever the Borrower desires to incur Revolving Credit Loans hereunder (other than borrowings to repay Unpaid Drawings), it shall give the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office (i) prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) at least three Business Days’ prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Borrowing of Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans and (ii) prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) at least one Business Day’s prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Borrowing of ABR Loans.  Each such Notice of Borrowing, except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 2.10, shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans to
be made pursuant to such Borrowing, (ii) the date of Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) whether the respective Borrowing shall consist of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans and, if Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans, the Interest Period to be initially applicable thereto and (iv) any instructions for the remittance of funds.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly give each Lender written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each proposed Borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans, of such Lender’s proportionate share thereof and of the other matters covered by the related Notice of Borrowing.

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                    (c)          Borrowings to reimburse Unpaid Drawings shall be made upon the notice specified in Section 3.4(c).

                    (d)          Without in any way limiting the obligation of the Borrower to confirm in writing any notice it may give hereunder by telephone, the Administrative Agent may act prior to receipt of written confirmation without liability upon the basis of such telephonic notice believed by the Administrative Agent in good faith to be from an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.  In each such case the Borrower hereby waives the right to dispute the Administrative Agent’s record of the terms of any such telephonic notice.

                    2.4          Disbursement of Funds.

                    (a)          No later than 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the date specified in each Notice of Borrowing, each Lender will make available its pro rata portion, if any, of each Borrowing requested to be made on such date in the manner provided below.

                    (b)          Each Lender shall make available all amounts it is to fund under any Borrowing in Dollars and immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office and the Administrative Agent will (except in the case of Borrowings to repay Unpaid Drawings) make available to the Borrower by depositing to the Borrower’s account as specified in the Notice of Borrowing the aggregate of the amounts so made available in Dollars and the type of funds received.  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the date of any such Borrowing that such Lender does not intend to make available to the Administrative Agent its portion of the Borrowing or Borrowings to be made on such date, the Administrative Agent may assume
that such Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative Agent on such date of Borrowing, and the Administrative Agent, in reliance upon such assumption, may (in its sole discretion and without any obligation to do so) make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender and the Administrative Agent has made available same to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount from such Lender.  If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower, and the Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover from such Lender or the Borrower, as the case may be, interest on such corresponding amount in respect of
each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower to the date such corresponding amount is recovered by the Administrative Agent, at a rate per annum equal to (i) if paid by such Lender, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or (ii) if paid by the Borrower, the then-applicable rate of interest, calculated in accordance with Section 2.8, for the respective Loans.

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                    (c)          Nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder (it being understood, however, that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to fulfill its commitments hereunder).

                    2.5          Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.

                    (a)          The Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, the then-unpaid Term Loans and Revolving Credit Loans on the Maturity Date.

                    (b)          Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to the appropriate lending office of such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such lending office of such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such lending office of such Lender from time to time under this Agreement.

                    (c)          The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section 13.6, and a subaccount for each Lender, in which Register and subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, whether such Loan is a Term Loan or a Revolving Credit Loan, the Type of each Loan made and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Agent hereunder from the Borrower and each Lender’s share thereof.

                    (d)          The entries made in the Register and accounts and subaccounts maintained pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 2.5 shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such account, such Register or such subaccount, as applicable, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loans made to the Borrower by such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

                    2.6          Conversions and Continuations.

                    (a)          The Borrower shall have the option on any Business Day to convert all or a portion equal to at least the Minimum Borrowing Amount of the outstanding principal amount of Loans pursuant to a single Facility of one Type into a Borrowing or Borrowings of another Type under such Facility or to continue the outstanding principal amount of any Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans as Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans, as the case may be, for an additional Interest Period, provided that (i) no partial conversion of Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans shall reduce the outstanding principal amount of Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to a single Borrowing to less than the Minimum
Borrowing Amount, (ii) ABR Loans may not be converted into Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans if a Default or Event of Default is in existence on the date of the conversion and the Administrative Agent has or the Required Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion

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not to permit such conversion, (iii) Eurodollar Loans may not be continued as Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans for an additional Interest Period if a Default or Event of Default is in existence on the date of the proposed continuation and the Administrative Agent has or the Required Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such continuation and (iv) Borrowings resulting from conversions pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be limited in number as provided in Section 2.2.  Each such conversion or continuation shall be effected by the Borrower by giving the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) at least three Business Days’ (or one Business Day’s notice in the case of a conversion into ABR Loans) prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) (each a “Notice of Conversion or Continuation”)
specifying the Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans to be so converted or continued, the Type of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans to be converted or continued into and, if such Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans are to be converted into or continued as Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans, the Interest Period to be initially applicable thereto.  The Administrative Agent shall give each Lender notice as promptly as practicable of any such proposed conversion or continuation affecting any of its Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans.

                    (b)          If any Default or Event of Default is in existence at the time of any proposed continuation of any Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans and the Administrative Agent has or the Required Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such continuation, such Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans shall be automatically converted on the last day of the current Interest Period into ABR Loans.  If upon the expiration of any Interest Period in respect of Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans, the Borrower has failed to elect a new Interest Period to be applicable thereto as provided in paragraph (a) above, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Borrowing of Eurodollar Term Loans
or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans, as the case may be, into a Borrowing of ABR Loans effective as of the expiration date of such current Interest Period.

                    2.7          Pro Rata Borrowings.  Each Borrowing of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans under this Agreement shall be granted by the Lenders pro rata on the basis of their then-applicable Commitments.  It is understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in its obligation to make Loans hereunder and that each Lender shall be obligated to make the Loans provided to be made by it hereunder, regardless of the failure of any other Lender to fulfill its commitments hereunder.

                    2.8          Interest.

                    (a)          The unpaid principal amount of each ABR Loan shall bear interest from the date of the Borrowing thereof until maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate per annum that shall at all times be the Applicable ABR Margin plus the ABR in effect from time to time.

                    (b)          The unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Term Loan or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loan shall bear interest from the date of the Borrowing thereof until maturity thereof (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate per annum that shall at all times be the Applicable Eurodollar Margin in effect from time to time plus the relevant Eurodollar Rate.

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                    (c)          If all or a portion of (i) the principal amount of any Loan or (ii) any interest payable thereon shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum that is (x) in the case of overdue principal, the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto plus 2% or (y) in the case of any overdue interest, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate described in Section 2.8(a) plus 2% from and including the date of such non payment to but excluding the date on which such amount is paid in full (after as well as before judgment).

                    (d)          Interest on each Loan shall accrue from and including the date of any Borrowing to but excluding the date of any repayment thereof and shall be payable (i) in respect of each ABR Loan, quarterly in arrears on the last Business day of each March, June, September and December, (ii) in respect of each Eurodollar Term Loan or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loan, on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto and, in the case of an Interest Period in excess of three months, on each date occurring at three month intervals after the first day of such Interest Period, (iii) in respect of each Loan (except, in the case of prepayments, any ABR Loan), on any prepayment (on the amount prepaid), at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) and, after such maturity, on
demand.

                    (e)          All computations of interest hereunder shall be made in accordance with Section 5.5.

                    (f)          The Administrative Agent, upon determining the interest rate for any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, shall promptly notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders thereof.  Each such determination shall, absent clearly demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.

                    2.9          Interest Periods.  At the time the Borrower gives a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion or Continuation in respect of the making of, or conversion into or continuation as, a Borrowing of Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans (in the case of the initial Interest Period applicable thereto) or prior to 12:00 Noon. (New York time) on the third Business Day prior to the expiration of an Interest Period applicable to a Borrowing of Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans, the Borrower shall have the right to elect by giving the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) the Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing, which Interest Period shall, at the option of the Borrower, be a
one, two, three, six or (if available to all the Lenders making such loans as determined by such Lenders in good faith based on prevailing market conditions) a nine or twelve month period.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above:

                    (a)          the initial Interest Period for any Borrowing of Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans shall commence on the date of such Borrowing (including the date of any conversion from a Borrowing of ABR Loans) and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in respect of such Borrowing shall commence on the day on which the next preceding Interest Period expires;

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                    (b)          if any Interest Period relating to a Borrowing of Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month or begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period;

                    (c)          if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day, provided that if any Interest Period in respect of a Eurodollar Term Loan or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loan would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day; and

                    (d)          the Borrower shall not be entitled to elect any Interest Period in respect of any Eurodollar Term Loan or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loan if such Interest Period would extend beyond the applicable Maturity Date of such Loan; 

                    2.10        Increased Costs, Illegality, etc.

                    (a)          In the event that (x) in the case of clause (i) below, the Administrative Agent or (y) in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) below, any Lender shall have reasonably determined (which determination shall, absent clearly demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto):

	
   
 	
  
             (i)          on   any date for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any Interest Period that, by   reason of any changes arising on or after the Closing Date affecting the   interbank Eurodollar market, adequate and fair means do not exist for   ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the basis provided for in the   definition of Eurodollar Rate; or
  
	
   
 	
  
 
  
	
   
 	
  
             (ii)         at   any time, that such Lender shall incur increased costs or reductions in the   amounts received or receivable hereunder with respect to any Eurodollar Loans   (other than any such increase or reduction attributable to taxes) because of   (x) any change since the date hereof in any applicable law, governmental   rule, regulation, guideline or order (or in the interpretation or   administration thereof and including the introduction of any new law or   governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order), such as, for example, but   not limited to, a change in official reserve requirements, and/or (y) other   circumstances affecting the interbank Eurodollar market or the position of   such Lender in such market; or
  
	
   
 	
   
  
	
   
 	
  
             (iii)        at   any time, that the making or continuance of any Eurodollar Loan has become   unlawful by compliance by such Lender in good faith with any law,   governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order (or would conflict with any   such governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order not having the force of   law even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful), or   has become impracticable as a result of a contingency occurring after the   date hereof that materially and adversely affects the interbank Eurodollar   market;
  

34

then, and in any such event, such Lender (or the Administrative Agent, in the case of clause (i) above) shall within a reasonable time thereafter give notice (if by telephone confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and to the Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the other Lenders).  Thereafter (x) in the case of clause (i) above, Eurodollar Term Loans and Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans shall no longer be available until such time as the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice by the Administrative Agent no longer exist (which notice the Administrative Agent agrees to give at such time when such circumstances no longer exist), and any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion given by the Borrower with respect to Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans that have not yet been incurred shall be
deemed rescinded by the Borrower, (y) in the case of clause (ii) above, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender, promptly after receipt of written demand therefor, such additional amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender in its reasonable discretion shall determine) as shall be required to compensate such Lender for such increased costs or reductions in amounts receivable hereunder (it being agreed that a written notice as to the additional amounts owed to such Lender, showing in reasonable detail the basis for the calculation thereof, submitted to the Borrower by such Lender shall, absent clearly demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) and (z) in the case of clause (iii) above, the Borrower shall take one of the actions specified in Section 2.10(b) as promptly as possible and, in any event, within the time period required by law.

                    (b)          At any time that any Eurodollar Loan is affected by the circumstances described in Section 2.10(a)(ii) or (iii), the Borrower may (and in the case of a Eurodollar Loan affected pursuant to Section 2.10(a)(iii) shall) either (i) if the affected Eurodollar Loan is then being made pursuant to a Borrowing, cancel said Borrowing by giving the Administrative Agent telephonic notice (confirmed promptly in writing) thereof on the same date that the Borrower was notified by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.10(a)(ii) or (iii) or (ii) if the affected Eurodollar Loan is then outstanding, upon at least three Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, require the affected Lender to convert each such Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loan and Eurodollar Term Loan into an ABR Loan, provided
that if more than one Lender is affected at any time, then all affected Lenders must be treated in the same manner pursuant to this Section 2.10(b).

                    (c)          If, after the date hereof, the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change therein, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority, the NAIC, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by a Lender or its parent with any request or directive made or adopted after the date hereof regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, association, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or its parent’s capital or assets as a consequence of such Lender’s commitments or obligations hereunder to a level below that
which such Lender or its parent could have achieved but for such adoption, effectiveness, change or compliance (taking into consideration such

35

Lender’s or its parent’s policies with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time, promptly after demand by such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or its parent for such reduction, it being understood and agreed, however, that a Lender shall not be entitled to such compensation as a result of such Lender’s compliance with, or pursuant to any request or directive to comply with, any such law, rule or regulation as in effect on the date hereof.  Each Lender, upon determining in good faith that any additional amounts will be payable pursuant to this Section 2.10(c), will give prompt written notice thereof to the Borrower, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis of the calculation of such additional amounts, although the failure to give any such notice shall not, subject to Section 2.13, release or
diminish any of the Borrower’s obligations to pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.10(c) upon receipt of such notice.

                    2.11          Compensation.  If (a) any payment of principal of any Eurodollar Term Loan or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loan is made by the Borrower to or for the account of a Lender other than on the last day of the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan as a result of a payment or conversion pursuant to Section 2.5, 2.6, 2.10, 5.1, 5.2 or 13.7, as a result of acceleration of the maturity of the Loans pursuant to Section 11 or for any other reason, (b)  any Borrowing of Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans is not made as a result of a withdrawn Notice of Borrowing, (c)  any ABR Loan is not converted into a Eurodollar Term Loan or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loan as a result of a withdrawn Notice of Conversion or Continuation, (d)  any Eurodollar
Loan is not continued as a Eurodollar Term Loan or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loan as a result of a withdrawn Notice of Conversion or Continuation or (e) any prepayment of principal of any Eurodollar Term Loan or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loan is not made as a result of a withdrawn notice of prepayment pursuant to Section 5.1 or 5.2, the Borrower shall, after receipt of a written request by such Lender (which request shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount), pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender any amounts required to compensate such Lender for any additional losses, costs or expenses that such Lender may reasonably incur as a result of such payment, failure to convert, failure to continue or failure to prepay, including, without limitation, any loss, cost or expense (excluding loss of anticipated profits) actually incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by any Lender to fund or maintain
such Eurodollar Loan.

                    2.12          Change of Lending Office.  Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.10(a)(ii), 2.10(a)(iii), 2.10(b), 3.5 or 5.4 with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate another lending office for any Loans affected by such event, provided that such designation is made on such terms that such Lender and its lending office suffer no economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, with the object of avoiding the consequence of the event giving rise to the operation of any such Section. Nothing in this Section 2.12 shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of the Borrower or the right of any Lender provided
in Section 2.10, 3.5 or 5.4.

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                    2.13       Notice of Certain Costs.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent any notice required by Section 2.10, 2.11, 3.5 or 5.4 is given by any Lender more than 180 days after such Lender has knowledge (or should have had knowledge) of the occurrence of the event giving rise to the additional cost, reduction in amounts, loss, tax or other additional amounts described in such Sections, such Lender shall not be entitled to compensation under Section 2.10, 2.11, 3.5 or 5.4, as the case may be, for any such amounts incurred or accruing prior to the giving of such notice to the Borrower.

                    SECTION 3.          Letters of Credit.

                    3.1          Letters of Credit.

                    (a)          Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Borrower, at any time and from time to time on or after the Closing Date and on or prior to the date that is thirty (30) days prior to the Maturity Date, may request that the Letter of Credit Issuer issue, for the account of the Borrower, a standby letter of credit or letters of credit in such form as may be approved by the Letter of Credit Issuer in its reasonable discretion.

                    (b)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Letter of Credit shall be issued the Stated Amount of which, when added to the Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time, would exceed the Letter of Credit Commitment then in effect; (ii) no Letter of Credit shall be issued the Stated Amount of which, when added to the sum of (x) the Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time and (y) the aggregate principal of all Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding, would exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment then in effect; (iii) each Letter of Credit shall have an expiration date occurring no later than one year after the date of issuance thereof unless otherwise agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer and, if renewable, may be renewed for successive periods not to
exceed one year, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer, provided that in no event shall such expiration date (after giving effect to all renewals) occur later than the L/C Maturity Date; (iv) each Letter of Credit shall be denominated in Dollars; and (v) no Letter of Credit shall be issued by the Letter of Credit Issuer after it has received a written notice from the Borrower or any Lender stating that a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing until such time as the Letter of Credit Issuer shall have received a written notice of (x) rescission of such notice from the party or parties originally delivering such notice or (y) the waiver of such Default or Event of Default in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.1.

                    (c)          Upon at least one Business Day’s prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders), the Borrower shall have the right, on any day, permanently to terminate or reduce the Letter of Credit Commitment in whole or in part, provided that, after giving effect to such termination or reduction, the Letter of Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Commitment.

                    3.2          Letter of Credit Requests.

                    (a)          Whenever the Borrower desires that a Letter of Credit be issued for its account, it shall give the Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer at least five (or such lesser number as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer) Business Days’ written notice thereof.  Each notice shall be executed by the Borrower and shall be in the form of Exhibit E (each a “Letter of Credit Request”).  Upon notice by the Letter of Credit Issuer, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of each Letter of Credit issued.

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                    (b)          The making of each Letter of Credit Request shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower that the Letter of Credit may be issued in accordance with, and will not violate the requirements of, Section 3.1(b).

                    3.3          Letter of Credit Participations.

                    (a)          Immediately upon the issuance by the Letter of Credit Issuer of any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Issuer shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to each other Lender that has a Revolving Credit Commitment (each such other Lender, in its capacity under this Section 3.3, an “L/C Participant”), and each such L/C Participant shall be deemed irrevocably and unconditionally to have purchased and received from the Letter of Credit Issuer, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation (each an “L/C Participation”), to the extent of such L/C Participant’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage, in such Letter of Credit, each substitute letter of credit, each drawing made thereunder and the obligations of the Borrower
under this Agreement with respect thereto, and any security therefor or guaranty pertaining thereto (although Letter of Credit Fees will be paid directly to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the L/C Participants as provided in Section 4.1(b) and the L/C Participants shall have no right to receive any portion of any Fronting Fees).

                    (b)          In determining whether to pay under any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Issuer shall have no obligation relative to the L/C Participants other than to confirm that any documents required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit have been delivered and that they appear to comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit.  Any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Letter of Credit Issuer under or in connection with any Letter of Credit issued by it, if taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, shall not create for the Letter of Credit Issuer any resulting liability.

                    (c)          In the event that the Letter of Credit Issuer makes any payment under any Letter of Credit issued by it and the Borrower shall not have repaid such amount in full to the Letter of Credit Issuer pursuant to Section 3.4(a), the Letter of Credit Issuer shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each L/C Participant of such failure, and each L/C Participant shall promptly and unconditionally pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer, the amount of such L/C Participant’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such unreimbursed payment in Dollars and in same day funds; provided, however, that no L/C Participant shall be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer its
Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such unreimbursed amount arising from any wrongful payment made by the Letter of Credit Issuer under a Letter of Credit as a result of acts or omissions constituting willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the Letter of Credit Issuer.  If the Letter of Credit Issuer so notifies, prior to 11:00 A.M. (New York time) on any Business Day, any L/C Participant required to fund a payment under a Letter of Credit, such L/C Participant shall make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer such L/C Participant’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the amount of such payment on such Business Day in same day funds.  

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If and to the extent such L/C Participant shall not have so made its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the amount of such payment available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer, such L/C Participant agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer, forthwith on demand, such amount, together with interest thereon for each day from such date until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer at the Federal Funds Effective Rate.  The failure of any L/C Participant to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of any payment under any Letter of Credit shall not relieve any other L/C Participant of its obligation hereunder to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer its Revolving
Credit Commitment Percentage of any payment under such Letter of Credit on the date required, as specified above, but no L/C Participant shall be responsible for the failure of any other L/C Participant to make available to the Administrative Agent such other L/C Participant’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of any such payment.

                    (d)          Whenever the Letter of Credit Issuer receives a payment in respect of an unpaid reimbursement obligation as to which the Administrative Agent has received for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer any payments from the L/C Participants pursuant to paragraph (c) above, the Letter of Credit Issuer shall pay to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to each L/C Participant that has paid its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such reimbursement obligation, in Dollars and in same day funds, an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s share (based upon the proportionate aggregate amount originally funded by such L/C Participant to the aggregate amount funded by all L/C Participants) of the principal amount of such reimbursement obligation
and interest thereon accruing after the purchase of the respective L/C Participations.

                    (e)          The obligations of the L/C Participants to make payments to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer with respect to Letters of Credit shall be irrevocable and not subject to counterclaim, set off or other defense or any other qualification or exception whatsoever and shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement under all circumstances, including, without limitation, any of the following circumstances:

	
  
 
  	
  
             (i)          any   lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other   Credit Documents;
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
             (ii)         the   existence of any claim, set off, defense or other right that the Borrower may   have at any time against a beneficiary named in a Letter of Credit, any   transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such   transferee may be acting), the Administrative Agent, the Letter of Credit   Issuer, any Lender or other Person, whether in connection with this   Agreement, any Letter of Credit, the transactions contemplated herein or any   unrelated transactions (including any underlying transaction between the   Borrower and the beneficiary named in any such Letter of Credit);
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
             (iii)        any   draft, certificate or any other document presented under any Letter of Credit   proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or   any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
             (iv)         the   surrender or impairment of any security for the performance or observance of   any of the terms of any of the Credit Documents; or
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
             (v)          the   occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
  

39

provided, however, that no L/C Participant shall be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Letter of Credit Issuer its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of any unreimbursed amount arising from any wrongful payment made by the Letter of Credit Issuer under a Letter of Credit as a result of acts or omissions constituting willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the Letter of Credit Issuer.

                    3.4          Agreement to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings.  

                    (a)          The Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse the Letter of Credit Issuer, by making payment to the Administrative Agent in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office, for any payment or disbursement made by the Letter of Credit Issuer under any Letter of Credit (each such amount so paid until reimbursed, an “Unpaid Drawing”) immediately after, and in any event on the date of, such payment, with interest on the amount so paid or disbursed by the Letter of Credit Issuer, to the extent not reimbursed prior to 5:00 P.M. (New York time) on the date of such payment or disbursement, from and including the date paid or disbursed to but excluding the date the Letter of Credit Issuer is reimbursed therefor, at a rate per annum that shall at all
times be the Applicable ABR Margin plus the ABR as in effect from time to time, provided that, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) unless the Borrower shall have notified the Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer prior to 10:00 A.M. on the date of such drawing that the Borrower intends to reimburse the Letter of Credit Issuer for the amount of such drawing with funds other than the proceeds of Loans, the Borrower shall be deemed to have given a Notice of Borrowing to the Administrative Agent requesting that the Lenders make Revolving Credit Loans (which shall initially be ABR Loans) on the date on which such drawing is honored in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing and (ii) each Lender shall, on such date, make Revolving Credit Loans in an amount equal to such Lender’s pro rata portion of such Borrowing in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4.

                    (b)          The Borrower’s obligations under this Section 3.4 to reimburse the Letter of Credit Issuer with respect to Unpaid Drawings (including, in each case, interest thereon) shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment that the Borrower or any other Person may have or have had against the Letter of Credit Issuer, the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including in its capacity as an L/C Participant), including, without limitation, any defense based upon the failure of any drawing under a Letter of Credit (each a “Drawing”) to conform to the terms of the Letter of Credit or any non-application or misapplication by the beneficiary of the proceeds of such Drawing, provided that
the Borrower shall not be obligated to reimburse the Letter of Credit Issuer for any wrongful payment made by the Letter of Credit Issuer under the Letter of Credit issued by it as a result of acts or omissions constituting willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the Letter of Credit Issuer.

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                    (c)          Each payment by the Letter of Credit Issuer under any Letter of Credit shall constitute a request by the Borrower for an ABR Revolving Credit Loan in the amount of the Unpaid Drawing in respect of such Letter of Credit.  The Letter of Credit Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, by 10:00 A.M. (New York time) on any Business Day on which the Letter of Credit Issuer intends to honor a drawing under a Letter of Credit, of (i) the Letter of Credit Issuer’s intention to honor such drawing and (ii) the amount of such drawing.  Unless otherwise instructed by the Borrower by 10:30 A.M. (New York time) on such Business Day, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of such drawing and the amount of its Revolving Credit Loan to be made in
respect thereof, and each Lender shall be irrevocably obligated to make an ABR Revolving Credit Loan to the Borrower in the amount of its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the applicable Unpaid Drawing by 12:00 noon (New York time) on such Business Day by making the amount of such Revolving Credit Loan available to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office.  Such Revolving Credit Loans shall be made without regard to the Minimum Borrowing Amount.  The Administrative Agent shall use the proceeds of such Revolving Credit Loans solely for purpose of reimbursing the Letter of Credit Issuer for the related Unpaid Drawing.

                    3.5          Increased Costs.  If after the date hereof, the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any change therein, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or actual compliance by the Letter of Credit Issuer or any L/C Participant with any request or directive made or adopted after the date hereof (whether or not having the force of law), by any such authority, central bank or comparable agency shall either (a) impose, modify or make applicable any reserve, deposit, capital adequacy or similar requirement against letters of credit issued by the Letter of Credit Issuer, or any L/C Participant’s L/C Participation
therein, or (b) impose on the Letter of Credit Issuer or any L/C Participant any other conditions affecting its obligations under this Agreement in respect of Letters of Credit or L/C Participations therein or any Letter of Credit or such L/C Participant’s L/C Participation therein; and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to the Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant of issuing, maintaining or participating in any Letter of Credit, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by the Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant hereunder (other than any such increase or reduction attributable to taxes) in respect of Letters of Credit or L/C Participations therein, then, promptly after receipt of written demand to the Borrower by the Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant, as the case may be (a copy of which notice shall be sent by the Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to the
Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant for such increased cost or reduction, it being understood and agreed, however, that the Letter of Credit Issuer or a L/C Participant shall not be entitled to such compensation as a result of such Person’s compliance with, or pursuant to any request or directive to comply with, any such law, rule or regulation as in effect on the date hereof.  A certificate submitted to the Borrower by the Letter of Credit Issuer or a L/C Participant, as the case may be (a copy of which certificate shall be sent by the Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant to the Administrative Agent), setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for the determination of such additional amount or amounts necessary to compensate the Letter of Credit Issuer or such L/C Participant as aforesaid shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower absent clearly demonstrable
error.

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                    3.6          Successor Letter of Credit Issuer.  The Letter of Credit Issuer may resign as Letter of Credit Issuer upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower.  If the Letter of Credit Issuer shall resign as Letter of Credit Issuer under this Agreement, then the Borrower shall appoint from among the Lenders with Revolving Credit Commitments a successor issuer of Letters of Credit, whereupon such successor issuer shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Letter of Credit Issuer, and the term “Letter of Credit Issuer” shall mean such successor issuer effective upon such appointment.  At the time such resignation shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay to the resigning Letter of Credit Issuer all
accrued and unpaid fees pursuant to Sections 4.1(c) and (d).  The acceptance of any appointment as the Letter of Credit Issuer hereunder by a successor Lender shall be evidenced by an agreement entered into by such successor, in a form satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and, from and after the effective date of such agreement, such successor Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of the previous Letter of Credit Issuer under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.  After the resignation of the Letter of Credit Issuer hereunder, the resigning Letter of Credit Issuer shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of a Letter of Credit Issuer under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such resignation, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.  After any retiring Letter of Credit Issuer’s resignation as Letter of Credit
Issuer, the provisions of this Agreement relating to the Letter of Credit Issuer shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it (a) while it was Letter of Credit Issuer under this Agreement or (b) at any time with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Letter of Credit Issuer.

                    SECTION 4.          Fees; Commitments.

                    4.1          Fees.  

                    (a)          The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender having a Revolving Credit Commitment (pro rata according to the respective Revolving Credit Commitments of all such Lenders), a commitment fee for each day from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the Final Date.  Such commitment fee shall be payable in arrears (i) on the last Business day of each March, June, September and December (for the three-month period (or portion thereof) ended on the such day for which no payment has been received and (ii) on the Final Date (for the period ended on such date for which no payment has been received pursuant to clause (i) above), and shall be computed for each day during such period at a rate per annum equal to the Commitment Fee Rate in
effect on such day on the Available Commitments in effect on such day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay any amounts to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Section 4.1.

                    (b)          The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders pro rata on the basis of their respective Letter of Credit Exposure, a fee in respect of each Letter of Credit (the “Letter of Credit Fee”), for the period from and including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to but not including the termination date of such Letter of Credit computed at the per annum rate for each day equal to the Applicable Eurodollar Margin for Revolving Credit Loans on the average daily Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit.  Such Letter of Credit Fees shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business day of each March, June, September and December and on the date upon which the Total Revolving Credit Commitment
terminates and the Letter of Credit Outstandings shall have been reduced to zero.

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                    (c)          The Borrower agrees to pay to the Letter of Credit Issuer a fee in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by it (the “Fronting Fee”), for the period from and including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to but not including the termination date of such Letter of Credit, computed at the rate for each day equal to 0.125% per annum on the average daily Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit.  Such Fronting Fees shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business day of each March, June, September and December and on the date upon which the Total Revolving Credit Commitment terminates and the Letter of Credit Outstandings shall have been reduced to zero.

                    (d)          The Borrower agrees to pay directly to the Letter of Credit Issuer upon each issuance of, drawing under, and/or amendment of, a Letter of Credit issued by it such amount as the Letter of Credit Issuer and the Borrower shall have agreed upon for issuances of, drawings under or amendments of, letters of credit issued by it.

                    (e)          The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, on the Closing Date, the fees in the amounts and on the dates previously agreed to in writing by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent agrees to pay to each Lender, for its own account on the Closing Date, the fees in the amounts and on the dates previously agreed to in writing by the Administrative Agent and such Lender.

                    4.2          Voluntary Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments.  Upon at least one Business Day’s prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office (following the receipt of such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of such receipt), the Borrower shall have the right, without premium or penalty, on any day, permanently to terminate or reduce the Revolving Credit Commitments in whole or in part, provided that (a) any such reduction shall apply proportionately and permanently to reduce the Revolving Credit Commitment of each of the Lenders, (b) any partial reduction pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be in the amount of at least $5,000,000 and (c) after
giving effect to such termination or reduction and to any prepayments of the Loans made on the date thereof in accordance with this Agreement, the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans and (ii) the Letter of Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment.

                    4.3          Mandatory Termination of Commitments.  

                    (a)          The Total Term Loan Commitment shall terminate at 5:00 P.M. (New York time) on the Closing Date.

                    (b)          The Total Revolving Credit Commitment shall terminate at 5:00 P.M. (New York time) on the Maturity Date.

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                    SECTION 5.          Payments.

                    5.1          Voluntary Prepayments.  The Borrower shall have the right to prepay Term Loans and Revolving Credit Loans, without premium or penalty, in whole or in part from time to time on the following terms and conditions: (a) the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of its intent to make such prepayment, the amount of such prepayment, whether such prepayment shall be applied to Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans, and (in the case of Eurodollar Term Loans and Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans) the specific Borrowing(s) pursuant to which made, which notice shall be given by the Borrower no later than 12:00 Noon (New York time) (i) at least one Business Day prior to
the date of such prepayment in the case of Term Loans and Revolving Credit Loans maintained as ABR Loans and (ii) at least three Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment in the case of Term Loans and Revolving Loans maintained as Eurodollar Loans, and shall promptly be transmitted by the Administrative Agent to each of the Lenders; (b) each partial prepayment of any Borrowing of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans shall be in a multiple of $100,000 and in an aggregate principal amount of at least $1,000,000, provided that no partial prepayment of Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to a single Borrowing shall reduce the outstanding Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount less than the Minimum Borrowing Amount for Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans; and (c) any prepayment of Eurodollar Term Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 5.1
on any day other than the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto shall be subject to compliance by the Borrower with the applicable provisions of Section 2.11.  Each prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to this Section 5.1 shall be applied to reduce the Term Loans pro rata.  At the Borrower’s election in connection with any prepayment pursuant to this Section 5.1, such prepayment shall not be applied to any Term Loan or Revolving Credit Loan of a Defaulting Lender.

                    5.2          Mandatory Prepayments.  

                    (a)          Term Loan Prepayments.  On each occasion that a Prepayment Event occurs, the Borrower shall, within five Business Days after the occurrence of such Prepayment Event, offer to prepay, in accordance with paragraph (c) below, the principal amount of Term Loans in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds from such Prepayment Event.

                    (b)          Aggregate Revolving Credit Outstandings.  If on any date the sum of the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans and the aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Outstandings (all the foregoing, collectively, the “Aggregate Revolving Credit Outstandings”) exceeds the Total Revolving Credit Commitment as then in effect, the Borrower shall forthwith repay on such date the principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans in an amount equal to such excess.  If, after giving effect to the prepayment of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, the Aggregate Revolving Credit Outstandings exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment then in effect, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent an amount in cash equal to such excess and the Administrative
Agent shall hold such payment for the benefit of the Lenders as security for the obligations of the Borrower hereunder (including, without limitation, obligations in respect of Letter of Credit Outstandings) pursuant to a cash collateral agreement to be entered into in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which shall permit certain investments in Permitted Investments satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, until the proceeds are applied to the secured obligations).

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                    (c)          Application to Term Loans.

                                  (i)          Each prepayment of Term Loans required by Section 5.2(a) shall be applied pro rata to the then unpaid Term Loans (based on the then outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans).  With respect to each such prepayment, (A) the Borrower will, not later than the date specified in Section 5.2(a) for offering to make such prepayment, give the Administrative Agent telephonic notice (promptly confirmed in writing) requesting that the Administrative Agent provide notice of such prepayment to each Term Loan Lender which is to receive a portion of such prepayment, (B) each holder of Term Loans will have the right to refuse any such prepayment of such Term Loans by giving written notice of such refusal to
the Administrative Agent within 5 Business Days after such Lender’s receipt of notice from the Administrative Agent of such prepayment (and the Borrower shall not prepay any such Term Loans until the date that is specified in the immediately following clause), (C) the Borrower will make all such prepayments not so refused upon the earlier of (x) the sixth Business Day following Lenders’ receipt of notice from the Administrative Agent described in clause (B) above and (y) such time as the Administrative Agent has received notice from each Term Loan Lender that it consents to or refuses such prepayment and (D) the Borrower may retain the amount of such refused prepayments not so applied.

                                  (ii)          With respect to each prepayment of Term Loans required by Section 5.2(a), the Borrower may designate the Types of Loans that are to be prepaid and the specific Borrowing(s) pursuant to which made, provided that (A) Eurodollar Term Loans of Term Loans may be designated for prepayment pursuant to this Section 5.2 only on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto unless all Eurodollar Term Loans with Interest Periods ending on such date of required prepayment and all ABR Term Loans have been paid in full; and (B) if any prepayment of Eurodollar Term Loans made pursuant to a single Borrowing shall reduce the outstanding Term Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount less than
the Minimum Borrowing Amount for Eurodollar Term Loans, such Borrowing shall immediately be converted into ABR Loans.  In the absence of a designation by the Borrower as described in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall, subject to the above, make such designation in its reasonable discretion with a view, but no obligation, to minimize breakage costs owing under Section 2.11.

                    (d)          Application to Revolving Credit Loans.  With respect to each prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans required by Section 5.2(b), the Borrower may designate the Types of Loans that are to be prepaid and the specific Borrowing(s) pursuant to which made, provided that (i) Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans may be designated for prepayment pursuant to this Section 5.2 only on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto unless all Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans with Interest Periods ending on such date of required prepayment and all ABR Loans have been paid in full; (ii) if any prepayment of Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to a single Borrowing shall reduce the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount less than
the Minimum Borrowing Amount for Eurodollar Revolving Credit Loans, such Borrowing shall immediately be converted into ABR Loans; (iii) each prepayment of any Loans made pursuant to a Borrowing shall be applied pro rata among such Loans; and (iv) notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding clause (iii), no prepayment made pursuant to Section 5.2(b) of Revolving Credit Loans shall be applied to the Revolving Credit Loans of any Defaulting Lender.  In the absence of a designation by the Borrower as described in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall, subject to the above, make such designation in its reasonable discretion with a view, but no obligation, to minimize breakage costs owing under Section 2.11.

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                    (e)          Eurodollar Interest Periods.  In lieu of making any payment pursuant to this Section 5.2 in respect of any Term Loan that is a Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower at its option may deposit with the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the amount of the Eurodollar Loan to be prepaid and such Eurodollar Loan shall be repaid on the last day of the Interest Period therefor in the required amount.  Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent in a corporate time deposit account established on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, earning interest at the then-customary rate for accounts of such type. 
Such deposit shall constitute cash collateral for the Obligations, provided that the Borrower may at any time direct that such deposit be applied to make the applicable payment on such Term Loan required pursuant to this Section 5.2.  

                    (f)          Minimum Amount. No prepayment shall be required pursuant to Section 5.2(a) unless and until the amount at any time of Net Cash Proceeds from Prepayment Events required to be applied at or prior to such time pursuant to such Section and not yet applied at or prior to such time to prepay Term Loans pursuant to such Section exceeds $5,000,000 in the aggregate.

                    (g)          Regulatory Approval.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above in this Section 5.2, to the extent that (i) funds for any prepayment otherwise required to be made pursuant to the terms of Section 5.2(a) (as a result of an Asset Sale Prepayment Event) are only available to the Borrower through dividend payments to the Borrower from one or more Regulated Insurance Companies, (ii) such dividend payments cannot be made at such time within the ordinary dividend-paying capacity of such Regulated Insurance Company or Companies and, accordingly, require specific affirmative regulatory approval for the payment of extraordinary dividends and (iii) after due written application or request, such approval for the payment of extraordinary dividends is not obtained by such
Regulated Insurance Company, upon certification by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly deliver a copy of such certification to the Lenders) to such effect (together with, in the case of an application or request for regulatory approval, copies of all documents submitted, and all written responses received, in connection therewith), the Borrower shall not, to such extent, be required to make such prepayment for so long as such dividend payments may not, for such reasons, be made.

                    5.3          Method and Place of Payment.  

                    (a)          Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all payments under this Agreement shall be made, without set-off, counterclaim or deduction of any kind, to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders entitled thereto or the Letter of Credit Issuer, as the case may be, not later than 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the date when due and shall be made in immediately available funds and in lawful money of the United States of America at the Administrative Agent’s Office, it being understood that written or facsimile notice by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent to make a payment from the funds in the Borrower’s account at the Administrative Agent’s Office shall constitute the making of such payment to the extent of such funds held in such
account.  The Administrative Agent will thereafter cause to be distributed on the same day (if payment was actually received by the Administrative Agent prior to 2:00 P.M. (New York time) on such day) like funds relating to the payment of principal or interest or Fees ratably to the Lenders entitled thereto.

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                    (b)          Any payments under this Agreement that are made later than 2:00 P.M. (New York time) shall be deemed, unless the Administrative Agent otherwise elects, to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day.  Whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be moved to the immediately preceding Business Day.

                    5.4          Net Payments.  

                    (a)          All payments made by the Borrower under this Agreement shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any current or future income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority, excluding (i) net income taxes and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of net income taxes) imposed on the Administrative Agent or any Lender and (ii) any taxes imposed on the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of a current or former connection between the Administrative Agent or such Lender and the jurisdiction of the Governmental Authority imposing such tax or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or
therein (other than any such connection arising solely from the Administrative Agent or such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received payment under, or enforced, this Agreement).  If any such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings (“Non-Excluded Taxes”) are required to be withheld from any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder, the amounts so payable to the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall be increased to the extent necessary to yield to the Administrative Agent or such Lender (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes) interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this Agreement; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be required to increase any such amounts payable to any Lender that is not organized under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof or the District of
Columbia if such Lender fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (b) of this Section 5.4.  Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes are payable by the Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower shall send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of such Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt received by the Borrower showing payment thereof.  If the Borrower fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority or fails to remit to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence, the Borrower shall indemnify, and within ten (10) days of demand thereof, pay, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the full amount of any taxes, interest, costs or penalties that may become payable by the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of any such failure.  The agreements in this Section 5.4(a) shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the
payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

                    (b)          Each Lender that is not incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof or the District of Columbia shall:

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             (i)          deliver   to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two copies of either United   States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Form W-8ECI or, in the case of   Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. Federal withholding tax under   Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio   interest”, a Form W-8BEN, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors   thereto (and, if such Non-U.S. Lender delivers a Form W-8BEN, a certificate   representing that such Non-U.S. Lender is not a bank for purposes of Section   881(c) of the Code, is not a 10-percent shareholder (within the meaning of   Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code) of the Borrower and is not a controlled   foreign corporation related to the Borrower (within the meaning of Section   864(d)(4) of the Code)), properly completed
and duly executed by such   Non-U.S. Lender claiming complete exemption from, or reduced rate of, U.S.   Federal withholding tax on payments by the Borrower under this Agreement;
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
             (ii)         deliver   to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two further copies of any such   form or certification on or before the date that any such form or   certification expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any   event requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it   to the Borrower; and
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
             (iii)        obtain   such extensions of time for filing and complete such forms or certifications   as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent;
  

unless in any such case any change in treaty, law or regulation has occurred prior to the date on which any such delivery would otherwise be required that renders any such form inapplicable or would prevent such Lender from duly completing and delivering any such form with respect to it and such Lender so advises the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.  Each Person that shall become a Participant pursuant to Section 13.6 or a Lender pursuant to Section 13.6 shall, upon the effectiveness of the related transfer, be required to provide all the forms and statements required pursuant to this Section 5.4(b), provided that in the case of a Participant such Participant shall furnish all such required forms and statements to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased.

                    (c)          The Borrower shall not be required to indemnify any Non-U.S. Lender, or to pay any additional amounts to any Non-U.S. Lender, in respect of U.S. Federal withholding tax pursuant to paragraph (a) above to the extent that (i) the obligation to withhold amounts with respect to U.S. Federal withholding tax existed on the date such Non-U.S. Lender became a party to this Agreement (or, in the case of a Non-U.S. Participant, on the date such Participant became a Participant hereunder); provided, however, that this clause (i) shall not apply to the extent that (x) the indemnity payments or additional amounts any Lender (or Participant) would be entitled to receive (without regard to this clause (i)) do not exceed the indemnity payment or additional amounts that the person making
the assignment, participation or transfer to such Lender (or Participant) would have been entitled to receive in the absence of such assignment, participation or transfer, or (y) such assignment, participation or transfer had been requested by the Borrower, (ii) the obligation to pay such additional amounts would not have arisen but for a failure by such Non-U.S. Lender or Non-U.S. Participant to comply with the provisions of paragraph (b) above or (iii) any of the representations or certifications made by a Non-U.S. Lender or Non-U.S. Participant pursuant to paragraph (b) above are incorrect at the time a payment hereunder is made, other than by reason of any change in treaty, law or regulation having effect after the date such representations or certifications were made.

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                    (d)          If the Borrower determines in good faith that a reasonable basis exists for contesting any taxes for which indemnification has been demanded hereunder, the relevant Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, shall cooperate with the Borrower in challenging such taxes at the Borrower’s expense if so requested by the Borrower.  If any Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, receives a refund of a tax for which a payment has been made by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, which refund in the good faith judgment of such Lender or Administrative Agent, as the case may be, is attributable to such payment made by the Borrower, then the Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall reimburse the Borrower for such amount as the Lender or
Administrative Agent, as the case may be, determines to be the proportion of the refund as will leave it, after such reimbursement, in no better or worse position than it would have been in if the payment had not been required.  A Lender or Administrative Agent shall claim any refund that it determines is available to it, unless it concludes in its reasonable discretion that it would be adversely affected by making such a claim.  Neither the Lender nor the Administrative Agent shall be obliged to disclose any information regarding its tax affairs or computations to the Borrower in connection with this paragraph (d) or any other provision of this Section 5.4. 

                    (e)          Each Lender represents and agrees that, on the date hereof and at all times during the term of this Agreement, it is not and will not be a conduit entity participating in a conduit financing arrangement (as defined in Section 7701(1) of the Code and the regulations thereunder) with respect to the Borrowings hereunder unless the Borrower has consented to such arrangement prior thereto.

                    5.5          Computations of Interest and Fees.  

                    (a)          Interest on Eurodollar Loans and, except as provided in the next succeeding sentence, ABR Loans shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed.  Interest on ABR Loans in respect of which the rate of interest is calculated on the basis of the Prime Rate and interest on overdue interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed.

                    (b)          Fees and Letter of Credit Outstandings shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed.

                    SECTION 6.          Conditions Precedent to Initial Borrowing.

                    The initial Borrowing under this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on or prior to the Closing Date:

                    6.1          Credit Documents.  The Administrative Agent shall have received (a) this Agreement, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower and each Lender, (b) the Guaranty, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of each Guarantor, (c) the Pledge Agreement, executed and delivered by each pledgor party thereto and (d) all certificates, notes and instruments representing securities pledged under the Pledge Agreement, accompanied by instruments of transfer and undated stock powers, as applicable, endorsed in blank.

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                    6.2          Closing Certificate.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of each Credit Party, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit H, with appropriate insertions, executed by the President or any Vice President and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of such Credit Party, and attaching the documents referred to in Sections 6.3 and 6.4.

                    6.3          Corporate Proceedings of Each Credit Party.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of the resolutions, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of the Board of Directors of each Credit Party (or a duly authorized committee thereof) authorizing (a) the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents to which it is a party and (b) in the case of the Borrower, the extensions of credit contemplated hereunder.

                    6.4          Corporate Documents.  The Administrative Agent shall have received true and complete copies of the certificate of incorporation and by laws of each Credit Party.

                    6.5          No Material Adverse Change.  There shall have been no material adverse change in the business, assets, operations, properties, or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) since December 31, 2005.

                    6.6          Fees.  The Administrative Agent and Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers shall have received the fees referred to in Section 4.1(e) to be received on the Closing Date.

                    6.7          Refinancing.  The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence and documentation (including payoff letters) satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Refinancing will occur simultaneously with the funding of the Term Loans on the Closing Date, in a manner and pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

                    6.8          Other Indebtedness.  After giving effect to the Transaction and the other transactions contemplated hereby, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall have outstanding no Indebtedness other than (a) the extensions of credit under this Agreement and (b) Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.1, other than under clauses (i), (j), (k) and (m) thereof.

                    6.9          Closing Date Balance Sheet.  The Lenders shall have received a pro forma consolidated closing balance sheet of the Borrower giving effect to the Transaction, the financing therefor and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, dated as of March 31, 2006.  

                    6.10         Solvency Certificate.  The Lenders shall have received a certificate from the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower or other executive officer of the Borrower with the responsibility for financial matters, in the form of Exhibit I, as to the solvency of the Borrower and of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transaction, the making of the initial Loans and the consummation of the other transactions contemplated hereby.

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                    6.11         Required Approvals.  All requisite material Governmental Authorities and third parties shall have approved or consented to the Transaction and the other transactions contemplated hereby to the extent required, all applicable appeal periods shall have expired and there shall be no governmental or judicial action, actual or threatened, that has or could have a reasonable likelihood of restraining, preventing or imposing materially burdensome conditions on the Transaction, the financing therefor or the other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

                    6.12         Legal Opinions.  The Administrative Agent shall have received, with a counterpart for each Lender, the executed legal opinions of (a) Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, special New York counsel to the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1, (b) Sonnenschein, Nath and Rosenthal LLP, California counsel to the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2, (c) Long, Burner, Parks and DeLargy, Texas counsel to the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-3, (d) Alexis Oster, Esq., Senior Vice President-General Counsel to the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4, (e) George O’Brien, Esq., Senior Vice President-Chief Legal Officer to the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-5, and (f) Richard W. Probert, Securities and
Corporate Attorney of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibits F-6 and F-7, and the Borrower hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such legal opinions.

                    SECTION 7.          Conditions Precedent to All Credit Events.  The agreement of each Lender to make any Loan requested to be made by it on any date (including, without limitation, its initial Loan) and the obligation of the Letter of Credit Issuer to issue Letters of Credit on any date is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

                    7.1          No Default; Representations and Warranties.  At the time of each Credit Event and also after giving effect thereto (a) there shall exist no Default or Event of Default and (b) all representations and warranties made by any Credit Party contained herein or in the other Credit Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the date of such Credit Event (except where such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).

                    7.2          Notice of Borrowing; Letter of Credit Request.  

                    (a)          Prior to the making of each Term Loan and each Revolving Credit Loan (other than any Revolving Credit Loan made pursuant to Section 3.4(a)), the Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing (whether in writing or by telephone) meeting the requirements of Section 2.3.

                    (b)          Prior to the issuance of each Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit Issuer shall have received a Letter of Credit Request meeting the requirements of Section 3.2(a).

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The acceptance of the benefits of each Credit Event shall constitute a representation and warranty by each Credit Party to each of the Lenders that all the applicable conditions specified above (including, with respect to the initial Borrowing, those under Section 6) exist as of that time.  

                    SECTION 8.          Representations, Warranties and Agreements.  In order to induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement, to make the Loans and issue or participate in Letters of Credit as provided for herein, the Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to, and agreements with, the Lenders, all of which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit:

                    8.1          Corporate Status.  The Borrower and each Material Subsidiary (a) is a duly organized and validly existing corporation or other entity in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to own its property and assets and to transact the business in which it is engaged and (b) has duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions where it is required to be so qualified, except where the failure to be so qualified could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                    8.2          Corporate Power and Authority.  Each Credit Party has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of the Credit Documents to which it is a party and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents to which it is a party.  Each Credit Party has duly executed and delivered each Credit Document to which it is a party and each such Credit Document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity.

                    8.3          No Violation.  Neither the execution, delivery and performance by any Credit Party of the Credit Documents to which it is a party nor compliance with the terms and provisions thereof nor the consummation of the Transaction and the other transactions contemplated therein will (a) contravene any applicable provision of any law, statute, rule, regulation, order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental instrumentality, (b)  result in any breach of any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the property or assets of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to, the terms of any material
indenture, loan agreement, lease agreement, mortgage, deed of trust or other material agreement or instrument to which the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound or (c) violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation or By Laws of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

                    8.4          Litigation.  There are no actions, suits or proceedings (including, without limitation, Environmental Claims) pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  

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                    8.5          Margin Regulations.  Neither the making of any Loan hereunder nor the use of the proceeds thereof will violate the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board.

                    8.6          Governmental Approvals.  No order, consent, approval, license, authorization, or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, any Governmental Authority is required to authorize or is required in connection with (a) the execution, delivery and performance of any Credit Document or (b) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Credit Document, except as to any of the foregoing if the failure to obtain or make any such order, consent, approval, license, authorization, or validation, filing, recording, registration, or exemption could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                    8.7          Investment Company Act.  The Borrower is not an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

                    8.8          True and Complete Disclosure.  

                    (a)          All factual information and data (taken as a whole) heretofore or contemporaneously furnished by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective authorized representatives in writing to the Administrative Agent and/or any Lender on or before the Closing Date (including, without limitation, all information contained in the Credit Documents and all information filed or furnished by the Borrower with the SEC, including, without limitation, annual, quarterly and current reports, and proxy statements) for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated herein was true and complete in all material respects on the date as of which such information or data is dated or certified and was not incomplete by omitting to state any material fact
necessary to make such information and data (taken as a whole) not misleading at such time in light of the circumstances under which such information or data was furnished, it being understood and agreed that for purposes of this Section 8.8(a), such factual information and data shall not include forward-looking statements, projections and pro forma financial information.

                    (b)          The forward-looking statements, projections and pro forma financial information contained in the information and data referred to in paragraph (a) above were based on good faith estimates and assumptions believed by such Persons to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by the Lenders that such forward-looking statements, projections and pro forma financial information as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such forward-looking statements, projections and pro forma financial information may differ from the projected results.

                    8.9          Financial Condition; Financial Statements.  

                    (a)          (i) The consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at December 31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal year ended as of such date, which statements have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent certified public accountants, who delivered an unqualified opinion with respect thereto, and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at March 31, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations,

53

stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended as of such date, in each case present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at the respective dates of said statements and the results of operations for the respective periods covered thereby.  All such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied except to the extent provided in the notes to said financial statements and, in the case of said financial statements referred to in clause (ii), subject to normal year-end audit adjustments. 

                    (b)          The Annual Statement of Coast and its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, BWCIC and BWIC) at December 31, 2005, which Annual Statement has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent certified public accountants, who delivered an unqualified opinion with respect thereto, presents fairly in all material respects the financial position of Coast and its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, BWCIC and BWIC) at the date of said statement and the results of operations for the fiscal year covered thereby.  Such financial statement has been prepared in accordance with SAP consistently applied except to the extent provided in the notes to said financial statement.

                    (c)          The Annual Statement of SNIC and its Subsidiaries at December 31, 2005, which Annual Statement has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent certified public accountants, who delivered an unqualified opinion with respect thereto, presents fairly in all material respects the financial position of SNIC and its Subsidiaries at the date of said statement and the results of operations for the fiscal year covered thereby.  Such financial statement has been prepared in accordance with SAP consistently applied except to the extent provided in the notes to said financial statement.

                    (d)          There has been no Material Adverse Change since December 31, 2005 other than solely as a result of changes in general economic conditions.

                    8.10        Tax Returns and Payments.  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has filed all federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns, domestic and foreign, required to be filed by it and has paid all material taxes and assessments payable by it that have become due, other than those not yet delinquent or contested in good faith.  The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have paid, or have provided adequate reserves (in the good faith judgment of the management of the Borrower) in accordance with GAAP for the payment of, all material federal, state and foreign income taxes applicable for all prior fiscal years and for the current fiscal year to the Closing Date.

                    8.11        Compliance with ERISA.  Each Plan is in compliance with ERISA, the Code and any applicable Requirement of Law; no Reportable Event has occurred (or is reasonably likely to occur) with respect to any Plan; no Plan is insolvent or in reorganization (or is reasonably likely to be insolvent or in reorganization), and no written notice of any such insolvency or reorganization has been given to the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate; no Plan (other than a multiemployer plan) has an accumulated or waived funding deficiency (or is reasonably likely to have such a deficiency); neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred (or is reasonably likely to incur) any liability to or on account of a Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i),
502(l), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or Section 4971 or 4975 of the Code or has been notified in writing that 

54

it will incur any liability under any of the foregoing Sections with respect to any Plan; no proceedings have been instituted (or are reasonably likely to be instituted) to terminate or to reorganize any Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, and no written notice of any such proceedings has been given to the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate; and no lien imposed under the Code or ERISA on the assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate exists (or is reasonably likely to exist) nor has the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate been notified in writing that such a lien will be imposed on the assets of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate on account of any Plan, except to the extent that a breach of any of the foregoing representations, warranties or agreements in this Section 8.11 would not result, individually or in the aggregate, in an amount of liability that would be reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.  No Plan (other than a multiemployer plan) has an Unfunded Current Liability that would, individually or when taken together with any other liabilities referenced in this Section 8.11, be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.  With respect to Plans that are multiemployer plans (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA), the representations and warranties in this Section 8.11, other than any made with respect to (a) liability under Section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or (b) liability for termination or reorganization of such Plans under ERISA, are made to the best knowledge of the Borrower.

                    8.12        Subsidiaries.  

                    (a)          Schedule 8.12 lists each Subsidiary of the Borrower (and the direct and indirect ownership interest of the Borrower therein), in each case existing on the Closing Date.  Each Material Subsidiary as of the Closing Date has been so designated on Schedule 8.12.

                    (b)          As of the Closing Date, there are no restrictions on any Regulated Insurance Company which prohibit or otherwise restrict the ability of any Regulated Insurance Company to (i) pay dividends or make other distributions or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (ii) make loans or advances to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (iii) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or (iv) guarantee the Obligations, other than prohibitions or restrictions existing under or by reason of (A) this Agreement or the other Credit Documents, (B) Requirements of Law, (C) customary non-assignment provisions entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices and (D) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the
ordinary course of business, so long as such obligations are permitted under this Agreement.

                    8.13        Intellectual Property, etc.  The Borrower and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries have obtained all patents, trademarks, servicemarks, trade names, copyrights, licenses and other rights, free from burdensome restrictions, that are necessary for the operation of their respective businesses as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted, except where the failure to obtain any such rights could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                    8.14        Environmental Laws.  

                    (a)          Other than instances of noncompliance that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Environmental Laws in all jurisdictions in which the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries are currently doing business (including, without limitation, having obtained all material permits required under Environmental Laws) and (ii) the Borrower will comply and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply with all such Environmental Laws (including, without limitation, all permits required under Environmental Laws). 

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                    (b)          Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has treated, stored, transported or disposed of Hazardous Materials at or from any currently or formerly owned Real Estate (as defined in Section 9.1(f)) or facility relating to its business in a manner that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                    8.15        Properties.  The Borrower and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries have good title to or leasehold interest in all properties that are necessary for the operation of their respective businesses as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted, free and clear of all Liens (other than any Liens permitted by this Agreement) and except where the failure to have such good title could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                    SECTION 9.          Affirmative Covenants.  The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that on the Closing Date and thereafter, for so long as this Agreement is in effect and until the Commitments and each Letter of Credit have terminated and the Loans and Unpaid Drawings, together with interest, Fees and all other Obligations incurred hereunder, are paid in full:

                    9.1          Information Covenants.  The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the Lenders:

                    (a)          Annual Financial Statements.  

	
  
 
  	
  
             (i)          As   soon as available and in any event within 90 days (or, if the Borrower   obtains an extension from the SEC to any 90-day filing requirement for filing   its Form 10-K with the SEC by filing a Form 12b-25, 120 days) after the close   of each fiscal year of the Borrower, (1) the consolidated balance sheet of   the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in each case as at the end of such fiscal   year and the related consolidated statement of operations, stockholders’   equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth comparative   consolidated figures for the preceding fiscal year, and certified (in the   case of the foregoing consolidated statements) by independent certified   public accountants of recognized national standing whose opinion shall not be   qualified as to the scope of audit or as to the status of the
Borrower or any   of the Material Subsidiaries as a going concern, together in any event with a   certificate of such accounting firm stating that in the course of its regular   audit of the business of the Borrower and the Material Subsidiaries, which   audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,   such accounting firm has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of   Default relating to Sections 10.8, 10.9, 10.10 and 10.11 that has occurred   and is continuing or, if in the opinion of such accounting firm such a   Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to   the nature thereof, provided that such certificate shall not be required if   such accounting firm no longer provides such types of certificate for reasons   other than such Default or Event of Default and (2) management’s discussion   and analysis of the most important operational and financial developments   during such fiscal year.  To the   extent that the
financial statements required to be delivered to the Lenders   pursuant to this Section 9.1(a) are filed electronically with the SEC through   its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”),   such financial statements shall be deemed to be delivered to the Lenders for   purposes of this Section 9.1(a).
  

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             (ii)         As
soon as available and in any event within 60 days (or, in the case of any
audited statements and risk-based capital reports required to be delivered
pursuant to this clause (ii), 180 days) after the close of each fiscal year of
each Regulated Insurance Company, the Annual Statement of such Regulated
Insurance Company (prepared in accordance with SAP) for such fiscal year and as
filed with the Insurance Department of the state in which such Regulated
Insurance Company is domiciled (together with any certifications or statements
of such Regulated Insurance Company relating to such Annual Statement and any
audited statements and risk-based capital reports, in each case which are
required by such Insurance Department).
 

                    (b)        Quarterly Financial Statements.  

	  
	              (i)          As
soon as available and in any event within 60 days after the close of each of the
first three quarterly accounting periods in each fiscal year of the Borrower,
the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in each
case as at the end of such quarterly period and the related consolidated
statement of operations and stockholders’ equity for such quarterly
accounting period and for the elapsed portion of the fiscal year ended with the
last day of such quarterly period, and the related consolidated statement of
cash flows for the elapsed portion of the fiscal year ended with the last day of
such quarterly period, and setting forth comparative consolidated figures for
the related periods in the prior fiscal year or, in the case of such
consolidated balance sheet, for the last day of the prior fiscal year, all of which shall be certified by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year end audit adjustments.  To the extent that the financial statements required to be delivered to the Lenders pursuant to this Section 9.1(b) are filed electronically with the SEC through EDGAR, such financial statements shall be deemed to be delivered to the Lenders for purposes of this Section 9.1(b)

	 
	 

	 
	              (ii)         As soon as available and in any event within 60 days after the close of each of the first three quarterly accounting periods in each fiscal year of each Regulated Insurance Company, quarterly financial statements of such Regulated Insurance Company (prepared in accordance with SAP) for such quarterly accounting period as filed with the Insurance Department of the state in which such Regulated Insurance Company is domiciled (together with any certifications or statements of such Regulated Insurance Company relating to such quarterly financial statements which are required by such Insurance Department).

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                    (c)          Budgets.  Within 60 days after the commencement of each fiscal year of the Borrower, budgets of the Borrower in reasonable detail (including a customary balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement) for the fiscal year as customarily prepared by management of the Borrower for its internal use, setting forth the principal assumptions upon which such budgets are based.

                    (d)          Officer’s Certificates.  At the time of the delivery of the financial statements provided for in Sections 9.1(a) and (b), a certificate, in the form of Exhibit K, of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower to the effect that no Default or Event of Default exists or, if any Default or Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and extent thereof, which certificate shall set forth (i) the calculations, in reasonable detail including supporting calculations, required to establish whether the Borrower and its Subsidiaries were in compliance with the provisions of Sections 10.8, 10.9, 10.10, 10.11 and 10.12 as at the end of such fiscal year or period, as the case may be, (ii) a specification of any change in the identity of the Restricted Subsidiaries or Unrestricted
Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year  or period, as the case may be, from the Restricted Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries, respectively, provided to the Lenders on the Closing Date or the most recent fiscal year or period, as the case may be, (iii) the then applicable Status, and (iv) the amount of any Pro Forma Adjustment not previously set forth in a Pro Forma Adjustment Certificate or any change in the amount of a Pro Forma Adjustment set forth in any Pro Forma Adjustment Certificate previously provided and, in either case, in reasonable detail, the calculations and basis therefor; and at the time of the delivery of the financial statements provided for in Section 9.1(a), a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth in reasonable detail the Available Amount as at the end of the fiscal year to which such financial statements relate.

                    (e)          Notice of Default or Litigation.  Promptly after an Authorized Officer of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries obtains knowledge thereof, notice of (i) the occurrence of any event that constitutes a Default or Event of Default, which notice shall specify the nature thereof, the period of existence thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto, and (ii) any litigation or governmental proceeding pending against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                    (f)          Environmental Matters.  The Borrower will promptly advise the Lenders in writing after obtaining knowledge of any one or more of the following environmental matters, unless such environmental matters would not, individually or when aggregated with all other such matters, be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect:

	
  
 
  	
  
             (i)          Any   pending or threatened Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any of its   Subsidiaries or any Real Estate (as defined below);
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
             (ii)         Any   condition or occurrence on any Real Estate that (x) results in noncompliance   by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with any applicable Environmental   Law or (y) could reasonably be anticipated to form the basis of an   Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any   Real Estate;
  

58

	  
	              (iii)        Any condition or occurrence on any Real Estate that could reasonably be anticipated to cause such Real Estate to be subject to any restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, use or transferability of such Real Estate under any Environmental Law; and

	  
	  

	  
	              (iv)        The taking of any removal or remedial action in response to the actual or alleged presence of any Hazardous Material on any Real Estate.

All such notices shall describe in reasonable detail the nature of the claim, investigation, condition, occurrence or removal or remedial action and the Borrower’s response thereto.  The term “Real Estate” shall mean land, buildings and improvements owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, but excluding all operating fixtures and equipment, whether or not incorporated into improvements.

                    (g)          Pro Forma Adjustment Certificate.  Not later than the consummation of the acquisition of any Acquired Entity or Business by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary for which there shall be a Pro Forma Adjustment, a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth the amount of such Pro Forma Adjustment and, in reasonable detail, the calculations and basis therefor.

                    (h)          Reserve Adequacy Report.  As promptly as reasonably practicable following the request of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, a report prepared by an independent actuarial consulting firm of recognized professional standing reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders reviewing the adequacy of reserves of each Regulated Insurance Company determined in accordance with SAP, which firm shall be provided access to or copies of all reserve analyses and valuations relating to the insurance business of each Regulated Insurance Company in the possession of or available to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries; provided that no request may be made pursuant to this clause (h) unless there shall have occurred and be continuing an
Event of Default under Section 11.1 or an Event of Default under Section 11.3(a) (to the extent resulting from a breach of the requirements of Section 10.8, 10.9, 10.10 or 10.11).

                    (i)          Other Regulatory Statements and Reports.  Promptly (i) after receipt thereof, copies of all regular and periodic reports of examinations  (including, without limitation, triennial examinations and annual risk adjusted capital reports) of any Regulated Insurance Company, delivered to such Person  by any Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority, insurance commission or similar regulatory authority, (ii) after receipt thereof, written notice of any assertion by any Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority or any governmental agency or agencies substituted therefor, as to a violation of any Requirement of Law by any Regulated Insurance Company which is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) after receipt thereof, a copy of any notice of termination,
cancellation or recapture of any Reinsurance Agreement or Retrocession Agreement to which a Regulated Insurance Company is a party to the extent such termination or cancellation is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect and (iv) after receipt thereof, copies of any notice of actual suspension, termination or revocation of any material license of any Regulated Insurance Company by any Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority, including any request by an Applicable Insurance Regulatory Authority which commits a Regulated Insurance Company to take or refrain from taking any action or which otherwise affects the authority of such Regulated Insurance Company to conduct its business.

59

                    (j)          Other Information.  Promptly upon filing thereof, copies of any filings on Form 10-K, 10 Q or 8-K or registration statements with, and reports to, the SEC by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than amendments to any registration statement (to the extent such registration statement, in the form it becomes effective, is delivered to the Lenders), exhibits to any registration statement and any registration statements on Form S 8) and copies of all financial statements, proxy statements, notices and reports that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall send to the holders of any publicly issued debt or equity of the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries in their capacity as such holders (in each case to the extent not theretofore delivered to the Lenders
pursuant to this Agreement) and, with reasonable promptness, such other information (financial or otherwise) as the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of any Lender may reasonably request in writing from time to time.    To the extent that the filings required to be delivered to the Lenders pursuant to this Section 9.1(j) are filed electronically with the SEC through its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”), such financial statements shall be deemed to be delivered to the Lenders for purposes of this Section 9.1(j).

                    9.2          Books, Records and Inspections.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Specified Subsidiaries to, permit officers and designated representatives of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders to visit and inspect any of the properties or assets of the Borrower and any such Specified Subsidiary in whomsoever’s possession to the extent that it is within the Borrower’s or such Specified Subsidiary’s control to permit such inspection, and to examine the books of account of the Borrower and any such Specified Subsidiary and discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrower and of any such Specified Subsidiary with, and be advised as to the same by, its and their officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and intervals
and to such reasonable extent as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may desire.

                    9.3          Maintenance of Insurance.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Material Subsidiaries to, at all times maintain in full force and effect, with insurance companies that the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of the management of the Borrower) are financially sound and responsible at the time the relevant coverage is placed or renewed, insurance in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (and with such risk retentions) as are usually insured against in the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar business; and will furnish to the Lenders, upon written request from the Administrative Agent, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so carried.

                    9.4          Payment of Taxes.  The Borrower will pay and discharge, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay and discharge, all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits, or upon any properties belonging to it, prior to the date on which material penalties attach thereto, and all lawful material claims that, if unpaid, could reasonably be expected to become a material Lien upon any properties of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, provided that neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim that is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings if it has maintained adequate reserves (in the good faith
judgment of the management of the Borrower) with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP.  

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                    9.5          Consolidated Corporate Franchises.  The Borrower will do, and will cause each Material Subsidiary to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, corporate rights and authority, except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may consummate any transaction permitted under Section 10.3 or 10.4.

                    9.6          Compliance with Statutes, etc.  The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders, except to the extent the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                    9.7          ERISA.  Promptly after the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know of the occurrence of any of the following events that, individually or in the aggregate (including in the aggregate such events previously disclosed or exempt from disclosure hereunder, to the extent the liability therefor remains outstanding), would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower will deliver to each of the Lenders a certificate of an Authorized Officer or any other senior officer of the Borrower setting forth details as to such occurrence and the action, if any, that the Borrower, such Subsidiary or such ERISA Affiliate is required or proposes to take, together with any notices (required, proposed or otherwise) given to or filed
with or by the Borrower, such Subsidiary, such ERISA Affiliate, the PBGC, a Plan participant (other than notices relating to an individual participant’s benefits) or the Plan administrator with respect thereto: that a Reportable Event has occurred; that an accumulated funding deficiency has been incurred or an application is to be made to the Secretary of the Treasury for a waiver or modification of the minimum funding standard (including any required installment payments) or an extension of any amortization period under Section 412 of the Code with respect to a Plan; that a Plan having an Unfunded Current Liability has been or is to be terminated, reorganized, partitioned or declared insolvent under Title IV of ERISA (including the giving of written notice thereof); that a Plan has an Unfunded Current Liability that has or will result in a lien under ERISA or the Code; that proceedings will be or have been instituted to terminate a Plan having an Unfunded Current Liability (including the giving
of written notice thereof); that a proceeding has been instituted against the Borrower, a Subsidiary or an ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section 515 of ERISA to collect a delinquent contribution to a Plan; that the PBGC has notified the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of its intention to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; that the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate has failed to make a required installment or other payment pursuant to Section 412 of the Code with respect to a Plan; or that the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or will incur (or has been notified in writing that it will incur) any liability (including any contingent or secondary liability) to or on account of a Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or Section 4971 or 4975 of the Code.

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                    9.8          Good Repair.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, ensure that its properties and equipment used or useful in its business in whomsoever’s possession they may be to the extent that it is within the Borrower’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s control to cause same, are kept in good repair, working order and condition, normal wear and tear excepted, and that from time to time there are made in such properties and equipment all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements, extensions, additions, betterments and improvements thereto, to the extent and in the manner customary for companies in similar businesses and consistent with third party leases, except in each case to the extent the failure to do so could not be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                    9.9          Transactions with Affiliates.  The Borrower will conduct, and cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to conduct, all transactions with any of its Affiliates (other than the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) on terms that are substantially as favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary as it would obtain in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate, provided that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to (a) the payment of customary annual fees to KKR and its Affiliates for management, consulting and financial services rendered to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and investment banking fees paid to KKR and its Affiliates for services rendered to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with
divestitures, acquisitions, financings and other transactions, (b) customary fees paid to members of the Board of Directors of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (c) transactions permitted by Section 10.6 and (d) transactions described on Schedule 9.9. 

                    9.10         End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters.  The Borrower will, for financial reporting purposes, cause (a) each of its, and each of its Subsidiaries’, fiscal years to end on December 31 of each year and (b) each of its, and each of its Subsidiaries’, fiscal quarters to end on dates consistent with such fiscal year end; provided, however, that the Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, change the financial reporting convention specified above to any other financial reporting convention reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in which case the Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are necessary in order to reflect such
change in financial reporting.

                    9.11         Additional Guarantors.  The Borrower will cause (a) any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Regulated Insurance Company) formed or otherwise purchased or acquired after the date hereof and (b) any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary on the date hereof but subsequently becomes a Domestic Subsidiary (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Regulated Insurance Company), in each case to execute a supplement to the Guaranty, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in order to become a Guarantor.

                    9.12         Pledges of Additional Stock and Evidence of Indebtedness.  The Borrower will pledge, and, in the case of clause (c), will cause each direct Domestic Subsidiary to pledge, to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, (a) all the capital stock of each direct Domestic Subsidiary (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary), all of the non-Voting Stock (if any) of each direct Foreign Subsidiary (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary), and 65% of all the Voting Stock of each direct Foreign Subsidiary (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary), in each case, formed or otherwise purchased or acquired after the date hereof, in each case pursuant to a supplement to the Pledge Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (b) all
the capital stock of any direct Domestic Subsidiary (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary), all of the non-Voting Stock (if any) of each direct Foreign Subsidiary 

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(other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary), and 65% of all the Voting Stock of each direct Foreign Subsidiary (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary), in each case that is not a direct Subsidiary on the date hereof but subsequently becomes a direct Subsidiary, in each case pursuant to a supplement to the Pledge Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (c) all evidences of Indebtedness in excess of $5,000,000, in the aggregate, received by the Borrower or any of the direct Domestic Subsidiaries (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) in connection with any disposition of assets pursuant to Section 10.4(b), in each case pursuant to a supplement to the Pledge Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                    9.13          Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds of the Term Loans will be used by the Borrower solely (a) to consummate the Refinancing, (b) to pay the Refinancing Expenses and (c) following the completion of (a) and (b) above, for general corporate purposes.  Proceeds of Revolving Credit Loans may be used by the Borrower solely for working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes (including Permitted Acquisitions), and Letters of Credit will be used by the Borrower for general corporate purposes.  

                    9.14          Changes in Business.  The Borrower will, and will cause its Material Subsidiaries to, taken as a whole, engage primarily in (a) the lines of business carried on by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, (b) any other insurance or insurance related business and/or (c) businesses or activities incidental or related thereto.

                    9.15          Maintenance of License and Permits.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain all permits, licenses and consents as may be required for the conduct of its business by any state, federal or local government agency or instrumentality except where failure to maintain the same could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                    SECTION 10.          Negative Covenants.  The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that on the Closing Date and thereafter, for so long as this Agreement is in effect and until the Commitments and each Letter of Credit have terminated and the Loans and Unpaid Drawings, together with interest, Fees and all other Obligations incurred hereunder, are paid in full:

                    10.1        Limitation on Indebtedness.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

                    (a)          Indebtedness arising under the Credit Documents;

                    (b)          Indebtedness of (i) the Borrower to any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower and (ii) any Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower; 

                    (c)          Indebtedness in respect of any bankers’ acceptance, letter of credit, warehouse receipt or similar facilities entered into in the ordinary course of business;

                    (d)          except as provided in clauses (i) and (j) below, Guaranty Obligations incurred by (i) Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness of the Borrower or other Restricted Subsidiaries that is permitted to be incurred under this Agreement and (ii) the Borrower in respect of Indebtedness of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is permitted to be incurred under this Agreement;

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                    (e)          Guaranty Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations of suppliers, customers, lessors and licensees;

                    (f)          (i) Indebtedness (including Indebtedness arising under Capital Leases) incurred within 270 days of the acquisition, construction or improvement of fixed or capital assets to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of such fixed or capital assets or otherwise incurred in respect of Capital Expenditures permitted by Section 10.12, (ii) Indebtedness arising under Capital Leases, other than Capital Leases in effect on the date hereof and Capital Leases entered into pursuant to subclauses (i) above, provided that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this subclause (ii) shall not exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding, and (iii) any refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of any Indebtedness specified in subclause (i) or (ii) above,
provided that the principal amount thereof is not increased above the principal amount thereof outstanding immediately prior to such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension;

                    (g)          Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 10.1 and any refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension thereof, provided that (i) the principal amount thereof is not increased above the principal amount thereof outstanding immediately prior to such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension, except to the extent otherwise permitted hereunder, and (ii) the direct and contingent obligors with respect to such Indebtedness are not changed;

                    (h)          Indebtedness in respect of Hedge Agreements;

                    (i)          Indebtedness of a Person or Indebtedness attaching to assets of a Person that, in either case, becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or Indebtedness attaching to assets that are acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case after the Closing Date as the result of a Permitted Acquisition, provided that (w) such Indebtedness existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time such assets were acquired and, in each case, was not created in anticipation thereof, (x) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed in any respect by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any such Person that so becomes a Restricted Subsidiary), (y)(A) the Borrower pledges the capital stock of such Person to the Administrative Agent to the extent
required under Section 9.12, (B) such Person executes a supplement to the Guaranty to the extent required under Section 9.11 and (C) if any such Indebtedness is secured, (1) the Guaranty referred to in the preceding subclause (B) is equally and ratably secured or (2) in the case of assets acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder or such Restricted Subsidiary’s Guaranty, as the case may be, are equally and ratably secured and (z) the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness and all Indebtedness incurred under clause (j) below, when taken together, does not exceed $40,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding, (ii) any refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of any Indebtedness specified in subclause (i) above, provided that, except to the extent otherwise permitted hereunder, (x) the principal amount of any such Indebtedness is not increased above the principal amount thereof outstanding immediately prior to such refinancing,
refunding, renewal or extension and (y) the direct and contingent obligors with respect to such Indebtedness are not changed;

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                    (j)          Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance a Permitted Acquisition, provided that (x) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed in any respect by any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Person acquired (the “Acquired Person”) as a result of such Permitted Acquisition or the Restricted Subsidiary so incurring such Indebtedness) or, in the case of Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary, by the Borrower, (y)(A) the Borrower pledges the capital stock of such Acquired Person to the Administrative Agent to the extent required under Section 9.12, (B) such Acquired Person executes a supplement to the Guaranty to the extent required under Section 9.11 and (C) if a guaranty by such Acquired Person of any such Indebtedness is secured by
assets of such Acquired Person, the Guaranty referred to in the preceding subclause (B) is equally and ratably secured and (z) (A) the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness and all Indebtedness assumed or permitted to exist under clause (i) above, when taken together, does not exceed $40,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding, and (B) the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness incurred by any Restricted Subsidiary and all Indebtedness incurred under clause (k) below, when taken together, does not exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding, and (ii) any refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of any Indebtedness specified in subclause (i) above, provided that (x) the principal amount of any such Indebtedness is not increased above the principal amount thereof outstanding immediately prior to such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and (y) the direct and contingent obligors with respect to such Indebtedness are not changed, except to the extent otherwise
permitted hereunder;

                    (k)          (i)
additional Indebtedness of Borrower’s Restricted Subsidiaries; provided
that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (k)
and all Indebtedness incurred by any Restricted Subsidiary under clause (j)
above, when taken together, shall not exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate at any
time outstanding and (ii) any refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of
any Indebtedness specified in subclause (k)(i) above;

                    (l)           Indebtedness
arising under the issuance of Debt Hybrid Capital and Indebtedness underlying
Equity Hybrid Capital on or after the Closing Date in the aggregate principal
amount not to exceed $100,000,000, provided no new Debt Hybrid Capital may be
incurred pursuant to this Section 10.1 (l) unless the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries are in compliance with Sections 10.8 through 10.11 after giving
effect to such Indebtedness; and

                    (m)         additional
Indebtedness of the Borrower that is (i) not otherwise permitted to be incurred
by clauses (a)-(k) above and (ii) not guaranteed by any of the Borrower’s
Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, that the amount of payments scheduled
to be made on or prior to the Maturity Date in connection with such
Indebtedness, together with the amount of optional or voluntary prepayments,
redemptions, repurchases, retirements or defeasances of Indebtedness made in
compliance with Section 10.7, shall not exceed $25,000,000 in the
aggregate.

                    10.2        Limitation
on Liens.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the
Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien
upon any property or assets of any kind (real or personal, tangible or
intangible) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, except:

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                    (a)          Liens arising under the Credit Documents;

                    (b)          Permitted Liens;

                    (c)          Liens securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 10.1(f), provided that such Liens attach at all times only to the assets so financed;

                    (d)          Liens existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 10.2;

                    (e)          Liens existing on the assets of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or existing on assets acquired, pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition to the extent the Liens on such assets secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.1(i), provided that such Liens attach at all times only to the same assets that such Liens attached to, and secure only the same Indebtedness that such Liens secured, immediately prior to such Permitted Acquisition; 

                    (f)          the replacement, extension or renewal of any Lien permitted by clauses (a) through (e) above upon or in the same assets theretofore subject to such Lien or the replacement, extension or renewal (without increase in the amount or change in any direct or contingent obligor) of the Indebtedness secured thereby; and

                    (g)         additional Liens so long as the aggregate principal amount of the obligations so secured does not exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding.

                    10.3       Limitation on Fundamental Changes.  Except as expressly permitted by Section 10.4 or 10.5, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any merger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, all or substantially all its business units, assets or other properties, except that:

                    (a)          any Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than any Restricted Insurance Subsidiary, the Service Company, or any Material Subsidiary) or any other Person may be merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower, provided that (i) the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such merger or consolidation (if other than the Borrower) shall be a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof (the Borrower or such Person, as the case may be, being herein referred to as the “Successor Borrower”), (ii) the Successor Borrower (if other than the Borrower) shall expressly assume all the obligations of the Borrower under this
Agreement and the other Credit Documents pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (iii) no Default or Event of Default would result from the consummation of such merger or consolidation, (iv) the Successor Borrower shall be in compliance, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such merger or consolidation, with the covenants set forth in Sections 10.8, 10.9, 10.10 and 10.11, as such covenants are recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended Test Period under such Section as if such merger or consolidation had occurred on the first day of such Test Period, (v) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation, shall have by a supplement to the Guaranty confirmed that its Guaranty shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and (vi) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating
that such merger or consolidation and such supplement to this Agreement or any Guaranty comply with this Agreement, provided further that if the foregoing are satisfied, the Successor Borrower (if other than the Borrower) will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Borrower under this Agreement;

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                    (b)          any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any other Person may be merged or consolidated with or into any one or more Subsidiaries of the Borrower so long as the stock of the surviving Subsidiary is pledged to the extent required under Section 9.12, provided that (i) in the case of any merger or consolidation involving one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, (A) a Restricted Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving corporation or (B) the Borrower shall take all steps necessary to cause the Person formed by or surviving any such merger or consolidation (if other than a Restricted Subsidiary) to become a Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) in the case of any merger or consolidation involving one or more Guarantors, a Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving corporation or the Person
formed by or surviving any such merger or consolidation (if other than a Guarantor) shall execute a supplement to the Guaranty in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in order to become a Guarantor, (iii) no Default or Event of Default would result from the consummation of such merger or consolidation, (iv) the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such merger or consolidation, with the covenants set forth in Sections 10.8, 10.9, 10.10 and 10.11, as such covenants are recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended Test Period under such Section as if such merger or consolidation had occurred on the first day of such Test Period, and (v) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an Officers’ Certificate stating that such merger or consolidation and such supplement to any Guaranty comply with this Agreement;

                    (c)          any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower, a Guarantor or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower; and

                    (d)          any Guarantor may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower, any Guarantor, any wholly-owned Regulated Insurance Company or any other Regulated Insurance Company (to the extent that the equity interests of such Regulated Insurance Company which are owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower are pledged to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders).

                    10.4        Limitation on Sale of Assets.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, (i) convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its property, business or assets (including, without limitation, receivables and leasehold interests), whether now owned or hereafter acquired (other than any such sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition resulting from any casualty or condemnation, of any assets of the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries) or (ii) sell any shares owned by it of any Restricted Subsidiary’s capital stock to any Person other than the Borrower or a Guarantor, except that:

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                    (a)          the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of used or surplus equipment, vehicles and other assets in the ordinary course of business;

                    (b)          the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of other assets for fair value, provided that (i) the aggregate amount of such sales, transfers and disposals by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole pursuant to this clause (b) shall not exceed in the aggregate $50,000,000 during the term of this Agreement, (ii) any consideration received by the Borrower or any Guarantor in connection with such sales, transfers and other dispositions of assets pursuant to this clause (b) that is in the form of Indebtedness shall be pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.12, (iii) with respect to any such sale, transfer or disposition (or series of related sales, transfers or dispositions) in an aggregate amount in
excess of $5,000,000, the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such sale, transfer or disposition, with the covenants set forth in Sections 10.8, 10.9, 10.10 and 10.11, as such covenants are recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended Test Period under such Sections as if such sale, transfer or disposition had occurred on the first day of such Test Period, and (iv) after giving effect to any such sale, transfer or disposition, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

                    (c)          the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may make sales of assets to the Borrower or to any Restricted Subsidiary, provided that any such sales to Foreign Subsidiaries must be for fair value;

                    (d)          any Restricted Subsidiary may effect any transaction permitted by Section 10.3, 10.5 or 10.6;

                    (e)          in addition to selling or transferring accounts receivable pursuant to the other provisions hereof, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may sell or discount without recourse accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the compromise or collection thereof;

                    (f)          any Regulated Insurance Company may (x) enter into any Insurance Contract, Reinsurance Agreement or Retrocession Agreement in the ordinary course of business in accordance with its normal underwriting, indemnity and retention policies, provided that any counterparty to any such Reinsurance Agreement or Retrocession Agreement shall have an A.M. Best financial strength rating of A- (or equivalent rating level if A.M. Best changes its ratings methodology or designations) or better, unless such counterparty’s obligations under such Reinsurance Agreement or Retrocession Agreement are collateralized by irrevocable letters of credit and/or a trust or similar arrangement containing cash and/or marketable securities with an average quality rating of A (or its equivalent) or better
of which the applicable Regulated Insurance Company is the beneficiary, and (y) dispose of any assets in its investment portfolio; and

                    (g)          issuance of the Hybrid Capital permitted by Section 10.13.

                    10.5        Limitation on Investments.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any advance, loan, extensions of credit or capital contribution to, or purchase any stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities of or any assets of, or make any other investment in, any Person, except:

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                    (a)          extensions of trade credit and asset purchases in the ordinary course of business;

                    (b)          (i) Permitted Investments by the Borrower and Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Regulated Insurance Companies) and (ii) investments by Regulated Insurance Companies to the extent permitted under applicable Requirements of Law;

                    (c)          loans and advances to officers, directors and employees of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) to finance the purchase of capital stock of the Borrower from the Borrower and (ii) for additional purposes not contemplated by subclause (i) above in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding with respect to this clause (ii) not exceeding $3,000,000;

                    (d)          investments existing on the date hereof and any extensions, renewals or reinvestments thereof, so long as the aggregate amount of all investments pursuant to this clause (d) is not increased at any time above the amount of such investments existing on the date hereof;

                    (e)          investments in Hedge Agreements permitted by Section 10.1(h);

                    (f)          investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers arising in the ordinary course of business;

                    (g)          investments to the extent that payment for such investments is made with capital stock of the Borrower;

                    (h)          investments constituting non-cash proceeds of sales, transfers and other dispositions of assets to the extent permitted by Section 10.4;

                    (i)          investments in any Guarantor, in any wholly-owned Regulated Insurance Company or in any other Regulated Insurance Company (to the extent that the equity interests of such Regulated Insurance Company which are owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower are pledged to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders);

                    (j)          investments constituting Permitted Acquisitions;

                    (k)          loans and advances permitted under Section 10.1(b); 

                    (l)          investments consisting of the establishment of Subsidiaries necessary to issue Hybrid Capital permitted by Section 10.13; and

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                    (m)          additional investments (including investments in Minority Investments and Unrestricted Subsidiaries) in an aggregate amount at the time of such investment not in excess of the sum of (i) $25,000,000 (minus the portion, if any, of such $25,000,000 previously applied to make investments pursuant to this clause (m) and not returned by means of redemption, capital distribution or other return of capital to the Borrower at or prior to such time) and (ii) the Available Amount at such time; provided, that (i) the aggregate amount invested in Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to this clause (m) with the portion (if any) of the Available Amount added thereto pursuant to clause (a)(iii) and/or (a)(iv) of the definition thereof as a result of a preferred capital contribution or a
preferred equity issuance shall not exceed $20,000,000 and (ii) the aggregate amount invested pursuant to this clause (m) with the Available Amount (when added to the amount of the Available Amount used to make Capital Expenditures pursuant to Section 10.12) shall not exceed $50,000,000.

                    10.6          Limitation on Dividends.  The Borrower will not declare or pay any dividends (other than dividends payable solely in its capital stock or rights, warrants or options to purchase its capital stock) or return any capital to its stockholders or make any other distribution, payment or delivery of property or cash to its stockholders as such, or redeem, retire, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, for consideration, any shares of any class of its capital stock or the capital stock (the Hybrid Capital being deemed to be capital stock for the purpose of this Section 10.6) of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower now or hereafter outstanding (or any warrants for or options or stock appreciation rights in respect of any of such shares), or set aside any
funds for any of the foregoing purposes, or permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration (other than in connection with an investment permitted by Section 10.5) any shares of any class of the capital stock of the Borrower, now or hereafter outstanding (or any options or warrants or stock appreciation rights issued by such Person with respect to its capital stock) (all of the foregoing “Dividends”), provided that, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would exist after giving effect thereto, (a) the Borrower may pay regularly scheduled dividends on Permitted Preferred Stock, (b) the Borrower may redeem in whole or in part any capital stock of the Borrower for another class of capital stock or rights to acquire capital stock of the Borrower or with proceeds from substantially concurrent equity contributions or issuances of new shares of capital stock, provided that such other class of capital stock contains
terms and provisions at least as advantageous to the Lenders as those contained in the capital stock redeemed thereby, (c) the Borrower may repurchase shares of its capital stock (and/or options or warrants in respect thereof) held by its officers, directors and employees so long as such repurchase is pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of, management and/or employee stock plans, stock subscription agreements or shareholder agreements, (d) the Borrower may make investments permitted by Section 10.5, (e) the Borrower may pay regularly accruing cash interest or dividends on the Hybrid Capital and (f) the Borrower may repurchase or redeem shares of its capital stock, or declare and pay dividends on its capital stock, to the extent not otherwise permitted by clauses (a)-(e) of this proviso so long as the Available Commitment is greater than or equal to $2,500,000.  

                    10.7          Limitations on Debt Payments and Amendments.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make or cause or permit to be made any optional or voluntary prepayment, redemption, repurchase, retirement or defeasance (legal or economic) of, or take any action having a similar effect to any of the foregoing with respect to, (in each case in full or in part) any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 10.1(m) that would otherwise become due and payable after the Maturity Date, provided that any optional or voluntary prepayments, redemptions, repurchases, retirements or defeasances otherwise prohibited by this Section 10.7 may be made in an amount, together with the amount of scheduled payments to be made pursuant to the proviso
in Section 10.1(m), not to exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate.  

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                    10.8          Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated Total Capitalization Ratio.  The Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated Total Capitalization Ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter to be greater than 0.35:1.00 at any time prior to the Maturity Date under this Agreement.

                    10.9          Cash Flow to Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio.  The Borrower will not permit the Cash Flow to Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio for any Test Period ending on the last day of a calendar quarter ending prior to the Maturity Date under this Agreement to be less than 3.00:1.00.

                    10.10        Consolidated Net Worth.  The Borrower will not permit Consolidated Net Worth as of the last day of any fiscal quarter ending prior to the Maturity Date under this Agreement to be less than $260,000,000.

                    10.11        Minimum Risk-Based Capital Ratio.  The Borrower will not permit the Risk-Based Capital Ratio for any Regulated Insurance Company determined on an individual basis calculated as of the last day of any fiscal year to be less than 250%, provided that if any such Person fails to maintain such Risk-Based Capital Ratio as of the last day of any fiscal year the Borrower shall nevertheless be deemed to be in compliance with this Section 10.11, and no Default or Event of Default shall exist, so long as (i) the Combined Risk-Based Capital Ratio for all Regulated Insurance Companies as of the last day of such fiscal year is at least 275% and (ii) the Risk-Based Capital Ratio of each Regulated Insurance Company determined on an individual basis as of the last day of such
fiscal year is at least 210%.

                    10.12        Capital Expenditures.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any Capital Expenditures (other than Permitted Acquisitions that constitute Capital Expenditures) in any fiscal year, in excess of an amount equal to $10,000,000 plus the Available Amount at the time of the making of any such Capital Expenditures, provided that, for each fiscal year after 2005, an amount equal to the excess of $10,000,000 over the amount of Capital Expenditures made in the immediately preceding fiscal year may be carried forward and utilized in such fiscal year.  In no event shall the aggregate amount used to make Capital Expenditures with the Available Amount pursuant to this Section 10.12 (when added to the amount of the Available
Amount used to make investments pursuant to Section 10.5(m)) exceed $50,000,000.

                    10.13        Limitation on Hybrid Capital.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, permit the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Hybrid Capital to exceed $100,000,000.

                    SECTION 11.          Events of Default.  Upon the occurrence of any of the following specified events (each an “Event of Default”):

                    11.1          Payments.  The Borrower shall (a) default in the payment when due of any principal of the Loans or (b) default, and such default shall continue for five or more days, in the payment when due of any interest on the Loans or any Fees or any Unpaid Drawings or of any other amounts owing hereunder or under any other Credit Document; or

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                    11.2          Representations,
etc. Any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed made by any
Credit Party herein or in the Guaranty, the Pledge Agreement or any certificate
delivered or required to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove to
be untrue in any material respect on the date as of which made or deemed made;
or

                    11.3          Covenants.  Any Credit Party shall (a) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 9.1(e) or Section 10 or (b) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in Section 11.1 or 11.2 or clause (a) of this Section 11.3) contained in this Agreement, the Guaranty or the Pledge Agreement and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 30 days after receipt of written notice by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; or

                    11.4          Default Under Other Agreements.  (a)  The Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall (i) default in any payment with respect to any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) in excess of $7,000,000 in the aggregate, for the Borrower and such Subsidiaries, beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created or (ii) default in the observance or performance of any agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or (except in the case of Indebtedness consisting of any Hedge Agreement) any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause,
or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, any such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; (b) default in the payment of any interest due on the Hybrid Capital with an aggregate principal amount in excess of $7,000,000 (provided that a deferral of interest in accordance with terms of the Hybrid Capital shall not be deemed to be a default (so long as no other default under such securities has occurred and is continuing)); or (c) without limiting the provisions of clause (a) above, any such Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness consisting of any Hedge Agreement) shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment or as a mandatory prepayment, prior to the stated maturity thereof; or

                    11.5          Bankruptcy, etc.  The Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary shall commence a voluntary case concerning itself under Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto (the “Bankruptcy Code”); or an involuntary case is commenced against the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary and the petition is not controverted within 10 days after commencement of the case; or an involuntary case is commenced against the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary and the petition is not dismissed within 60 days after commencement of the case; or a custodian (as defined in the Bankruptcy Code) is appointed for, or takes charge of, all or substantially all of the property of the Borrower or any Specified
Subsidiary; or the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary commences (including by way of applying for or consenting to the appointment of, or taking of possession by, a rehabilitation, receiver, custodian, trustee, conservator or liquidation (collectively, a “conservator”) of itself or all or any substantial portion of its property) any other 

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proceeding under any reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency, liquidation, rehabilitation, conservatorship or similar law of any jurisdiction whether now or hereafter in effect relating to the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary; or there is commenced against the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary any such proceeding that remains undismissed for a period of 60 days; or the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt; or any order of relief or other order approving any such case or proceeding is entered; or the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary suffers any appointment of any conservator or the like for it or any substantial part of its property, which appointment shall continue undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 days; or the Borrower or any Specified Subsidiary makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any corporate action is taken by the Borrower or
any Specified Subsidiary for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or

                    11.6          ERISA.  (a)  Any Plan shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding standard required for any plan year or part thereof or a waiver of such standard or extension of any amortization period is sought or granted under Section 412 of the Code; any Plan is or shall have been terminated or is the subject of termination proceedings under ERISA (including the giving of written notice thereof); an event shall have occurred or a condition shall exist in either case entitling the PBGC to terminate any Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan (including the giving of written notice thereof); any Plan shall have an accumulated funding deficiency (whether or not waived); the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or is likely to incur a liability to
or on account of a Plan under Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or Section 4971 or 4975 of the Code (including the giving of written notice thereof); (b) there could result from any event or events set forth in clause (a) of this Section 11.6 the imposition of a lien, the granting of a security interest, or a liability, or the reasonable likelihood of incurring a lien, security interest or liability; and (c) such lien, security interest or liability will or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; or 

                    11.7          Guaranty.  The Guaranty or any material provision thereof shall cease to be in full force or effect or any Guarantor thereunder or any Credit Party shall deny or disaffirm in writing such Guarantor’s obligations under the Guaranty; or

                    11.8          Pledge Agreement.  The Pledge Agreement or any material provision thereof shall cease to be in full force or effect (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof or as a result of acts or omissions of the Administrative Agent or any Lender) or any Pledgor thereunder or any Credit Party shall deny or disaffirm in writing such Pledgor’s obligations under the Pledge Agreement; or

                    11.9          Judgments.  One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries involving a liability of $7,000,000 or more in the aggregate for all such judgments and decrees for the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent not paid or fully covered by insurance or reinsurance provided by a carrier not disputing coverage) and any such judgments or decrees shall not have been satisfied, vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or

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                    11.10          Change of Control.  A Change of Control shall occur; then, and in any such event, and at any time thereafter, if any Event of Default shall then be continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, upon the written request of the Required Lenders, by written notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the following actions, without prejudice to the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to enforce its claims against the Borrower, except as otherwise specifically provided for in this Agreement (provided that, if an Event of Default specified in Section 11.5 shall occur with respect to the Borrower, the result that would occur upon the giving of written notice by the Administrative Agent as specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iv) below shall occur automatically
without the giving of any such notice):  (i) declare the Total Revolving Credit Commitment terminated, whereupon the Revolving Credit Commitments, if any, of each Lender shall forthwith terminate immediately and any Fees theretofore accrued shall forthwith become due and payable without any other notice of any kind; (ii) declare the principal of and any accrued interest in respect of all Loans and all Obligations owing hereunder and thereunder to be, whereupon the same shall become, forthwith due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; (iii) terminate any Letter of Credit that may be terminated in accordance with its terms; and/or (iv) direct the Borrower to pay (and the Borrower agrees that upon receipt of such notice, or upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 11.5 with respect to the Borrower, it will pay) to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office such
additional amounts of cash, to be held as security for the Borrower’s reimbursement obligations for Drawings that may subsequently occur thereunder, equal to the aggregate Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit issued and then outstanding.

                    SECTION 12.          The Administrative Agent.

                    12.1          Appointment. 
Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent
as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents,
and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such
capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this
Agreement and the other Credit Documents and to exercise such powers and perform
such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms
of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, together with such other
powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  Notwithstanding any provision
to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not
have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities,
duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Credit Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.  The Documentation Agent shall not have any obligations, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement.

                    12.2          Delegation of Duties.  The Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents by or through agents or attorneys in fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.  The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys in fact selected by it with reasonable care.

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                    12.3          Exculpatory Provisions.  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys in fact or Affiliates shall be (a) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document (except for its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by the Borrower or any Guarantor or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Credit Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection
with, this Agreement or any other Credit Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or for any failure of the Borrower or any Guarantor to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.  The Administrative Agent shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Borrower.

                    12.4          Reliance by Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including, without limitation, counsel to the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the Lender specified in the Register with respect to any amount owing hereunder as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written
notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Credit Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders, and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.

                    12.5          Notice of Default.  The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”.  In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders, provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the
Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders (except to the extent that this Agreement requires that such action be taken only with the approval of the Required Lenders or each of the Lenders, as applicable).

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                    12.6          Non Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.  Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys in fact or Affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Administrative Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any Guarantor, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent to any Lender.  Each Lender represents to the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into
the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and any Guarantor and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement.  Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and any Guarantor.  Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any
credit or other information concerning the business, assets, operations, properties, financial condition, prospects or creditworthiness of the Borrower or any Guarantor that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys in fact or Affiliates.

                    12.7          Indemnification.  The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), ratably according to their respective portions of the Total Credit Exposure in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with their respective portions of the Total Credit Exposure in effect immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that
may at any time (including, without limitation, at any time following the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in any way relating to or arising out of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing, provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The agreements in this Section 12.7 shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

                    12.8          Administrative Agent in Its Individual Capacity.  The Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower and any Guarantor as though the Administrative Agent were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Credit Documents.  With respect to the Loans made by it, the Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity.

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                    12.9          Successor Agent.  The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon 20 days’ prior written notice to the Lenders and the Borrower.  If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which successor agent shall be approved by the Borrower (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent’s rights, powers and duties
as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans.  After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 12 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

                    SECTION 13.          Miscellaneous.

                    13.1          Amendments and Waivers.  Neither this Agreement nor any other Credit Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 13.1. The Required Lenders may, or, with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, (a) enter into with the relevant Credit Party or Credit Parties written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other Credit Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or the other Credit Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Borrower hereunder or thereunder or (b) waive, on such terms and conditions as the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as
the case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however, that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall directly (i) forgive any portion of any Loan or extend the final scheduled maturity date of any Loan (including, without limitation, the Maturity Date) or reduce the stated rate, or forgive any portion, or extend the date for the payment, of any interest or fee payable hereunder (other than as a result of waiving the applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates) or extend the final expiration date of any Lender’s Commitment or extend the final expiration date of any Letter of Credit beyond the L/C Maturity Date or increase the aggregate amount of the Commitments of any Lender, except to the extent specifically permitted under the applicable Credit Document, release all or substantially all the
Collateral under the Pledge Agreement or release all or substantially all of the Guarantors under the Guaranty, in each case without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, or (ii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 13.1, or reduce the percentages specified in the definition of the term “Required Lenders”, or consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of its rights and obligations under any Credit Document to which it is a party (except as permitted pursuant to Section 10.3(a)),

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in each case without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, or (iii) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 12 without the written consent of the then-current Administrative Agent, or (iv) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 3 without the written consent of the Letter of Credit Issuer, or (v) change any Revolving Credit Commitment to any Term Loan Commitment without the prior written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, or (vi) amend Section 13.6(c) without the written consent of each SPC then holding an option to provide all or any part of any Loan pursuant to such Section 13.6(c) and provided further, that at any time that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Lender may be increased to finance a Permitted Acquisition, with the consent of such Lender, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (which
consent, in the case of the Administrative Agent, shall not be unreasonably withheld) and without the consent of the Required Lenders, so long as (i) the Increased Commitment Amount (as defined below) at such time, when added to the amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Sections 10.1(i) and (j) and outstanding at such time, does not exceed the limits set forth therein, (ii) the Borrower shall pledge the Capital Stock of any person acquired pursuant thereto to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders to the extent required under Section 9.12 and (iii) to the extent determined by the Administrative Agent to be necessary to ensure pro rata borrowings commencing with the initial borrowing after giving effect to such increase, the Borrower shall prepay any Eurodollar Loans outstanding immediately prior to such initial borrowing; as used herein, the “Increased Commitment Amount” means, at any time, aggregate amount of all increases pursuant to this proviso made at or
prior to such time less the aggregate amount of all voluntary reductions of the Revolving Credit Commitments made prior to such time.  Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of the affected Lenders and shall be binding upon the Borrower, such Lenders, the Administrative Agent and all future holders of the affected Loans.  In the case of any waiver, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing, it being understood that no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

                    13.2          Notices.  All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by facsimile or electronic transmission), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered, or three days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of facsimile or electronic notice, when received; provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent or the Lenders pursuant to Sections 2.3, 2.6, 2.9, 4.2 and 5.1 shall not be effective until received.  For the purposes hereof, the address of each party hereto shall be as set forth under such party’s name on Schedule 13.2 or (i) as to the Company and the
Administrative Agent, such other address as shall be designated by such Person in a written notice delivered to the other parties hereto and (ii) as to each other party, such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice delivered to the Administrative Agent.  

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                    13.3          No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.  No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Credit Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

                    13.4          Survival of Representations and Warranties.  All representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Credit Documents and in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans hereunder.

                    13.5          Payment of Expenses and Taxes.  The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable out of pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation and execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel to the Administrative Agent, (b) to pay or reimburse each Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable and documented costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement, the other Credit Documents and any such other documents, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel to each Lender and of counsel to the Administrative Agent, (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold harmless each Lender and the Administrative Agent from, any and all recording and filing fees and any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, stamp, excise and other similar taxes, if any, that may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution and delivery of, or consummation or administration of any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment, supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, this Agreement, the other Credit Documents and any such other documents, and (d) to pay, indemnify, and hold harmless each Lender and the Administrative Agent and their respective directors, officers,
employees, trustees and agents from and against any and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel, with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, the other Credit Documents and any such other documents, including, without limitation, any of the foregoing relating to the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any Environmental Law applicable to the operations of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Properties (all the foregoing in this clause (d), collectively, the “indemnified liabilities”), provided that the Borrower shall have no obligation hereunder to the Administrative Agent or any Lender nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees, trustees and agents
with respect to indemnified liabilities arising from (i) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified, to the extent determined in the final, nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) disputes among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and/or their transferees.  The agreements in this Section 13.5 shall survive repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

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                    13.6          Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments. 

	
  
 
  	
  
                (a)  (i)     This Agreement shall be binding upon   and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative   Agent and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower   may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this   Agreement without the prior written consent of each Lender (except as   permitted pursuant to Section 10.3(a)).    No sale, assignment or transfer or participation of any Letter of   Credit or any participation therein may be made separately from a sale,   assignment, transfer or participation of a corresponding interest in the   Revolving Loan Commitment and the Revolving Loans of the Lender effecting   such sale, assignment, transfer or participation.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
                (ii)          Any   Lender may, in the ordinary course of its business and in accordance with   applicable law, at any time sell to one or more Persons (other than a natural   Person) (“Participants”) participating interests in any Loan owing to   such Lender, any Commitment of such Lender or any other interest of such   Lender hereunder and under the other Credit Documents (including to loan   derivative counterparties in respect of swaps or similar arrangements having   the practical or economic effect thereof).    In the event of any such sale by a Lender of a participating interest   to a Participant, such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement to the other   parties to this Agreement shall remain unchanged, such Lender shall remain   solely responsible to the other parties hereto for
the performance thereof,   such Lender shall remain the holder of any such Loan for all purposes under   this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and the Borrower and the   Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such   Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this   Agreement and the other Credit Documents.    In no event shall any Participant under any such participation have   any right to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision   of any Credit Document, or any consent to any departure by any Credit Party   therefrom, except to the extent that such amendment, waiver or consent would   directly forgive any principal of any Loan or reduce the stated rate, or   forgive any portion, or postpone the date for the payment, of any interest or   fee payable hereunder (other than as a result of waiving the applicability of   any post-default increase in interest rates), or increase the aggregate   amount of the
Commitments of any Lender, or postpone the date of the final   scheduled maturity of any Loan or release all or substantially all the   Collateral under the Pledge Agreement or release all or substantially all of   the Guarantors under the Guaranty, in each case to the extent subject to such   participation, and any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such   participation is sold or transferred shall expressly provide for the   provisions of this sentence.  The   Borrower agrees that if amounts outstanding under this Agreement are due or   unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon   the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant shall, to the maximum   extent permitted by applicable law, be deemed to have the right of setoff in   respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement   to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were
  

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owing   directly to it as a Lender under this Agreement, provided that, in   purchasing such participating interest, such Participant shall be deemed to   have agreed to share with the Lenders the proceeds thereof as provided in   Section 13.8 as fully as if it were a Lender hereunder.  The Borrower also agrees that each   Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.10 and 2.11 with   respect to its participation in the Commitments and the Loans outstanding   from time to time as if it were a Lender, provided that no Participant   shall be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to any such Section   than the transferor Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of   the amount of the participation transferred by such transferor Lender to such   Participant had no such transfer occurred.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
                (iii)          Any   Lender may, in the ordinary course of its business and in accordance with   applicable law, at any time and from time to time assign to any Eligible   Assignee that is a Lender or any Affiliate or any Approved Fund thereof (with   the consent of the Borrower if any increased costs would result therefrom)   or, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (which in   each case shall not be unreasonably withheld, it being understood that,   without limitation, the Borrower shall have the right to withhold its consent   to any assignment if, in order for such assignment to comply with applicable   law, the Borrower would be required to obtain the consent of, or make any   filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority), to an Eligible   Assignee (other than any Lender or
Affiliate or Approved Fund thereof) that   is regularly engaged in making, purchasing or investing in loans or   securities or financial institution (an “Assignee”) all or any part of its   rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents   pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, substantially in the form   of Exhibit G (the “Assignment and Assumption”), executed (either manually   in the case of delivery per clause (x) below, or electronically in the case   of delivery per clause (y) below) by such Assignee, such assigning Lender   (and, in the case of an Assignee that is not then a Lender, an Affiliate or   an Approved Fund thereof, by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) and   either (x) manually delivered to the Administrative Agent for its acceptance   and recording in the Register or (y) electronically delivered to the   Administrative Agent via an electronic settlement system acceptable to the   Administrative Agent (the
“Electronic Settlement System”), provided   that, (i) except in the case of an assignment of all of a Lender’s interests   under this Agreement and except for assignments to any Lender or any   Affiliate or Approved Fund thereof, unless otherwise agreed to by the   Borrower and the Administrative Agent, no such assignment to an Assignee   (other than any Lender, any Affiliate or any Approved Fund thereof) shall be   in an aggregate principal amount of less than $1,000,000, (ii) each partial   assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the   assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect   to the Loan or Commitment so assigned and (iii) any assignment of Revolving   Credit Loans or a Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder shall require the   prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Letter of Credit   Issuer.
  

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Upon such   execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after the effective date   determined pursuant to such Assignment and Assumption (and upon delivery of   such other information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent   including, without limitation, such forms, certificates or other evidence, if   any, with respect to United States federal income tax withholding matters and   with respect to such information requested under the Patriot Act as such   assignee may otherwise be required to deliver pursuant to Section 5.4(b)) (x)   the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent provided   in such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a   Lender hereunder with a Commitment as set forth therein and (y) the assigning   Lender thereunder shall, to the extent provided in such Assignment and   Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in   the case of an Assignment and
Assumption covering all or the remaining   portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement,   such assigning Lender shall cease to be a party hereto); provided that   notwithstanding anything contained in any of the Credit Documents to the   contrary, if such Lender is a Letter of Credit Issuer such Lender shall   continue to have all rights and obligations of a Letter of Credit Issuer   until the cancellation or expiration of any Letters of Credit issued by it   and the reimbursement of any amounts drawn thereunder.  The assigning Lender shall, upon the   effectiveness of such assignment or as promptly thereafter as practicable,   surrender any promissory notes it holds that represent Loans to the   Administrative Agent for cancellation, and thereupon new promissory notes, if   so requested by the Assignee, substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1 or   D-2, as the case may be, evidencing the Term Loans and Revolving Credit   Loans, respectively, owing to such
Assignee. Notwithstanding any provision of   this Agreement to the contrary, the consent of the Borrower shall not be   required for any assignment that occurs at any time when any of the events   described in Section 11.1 or Section 11.5 shall have occurred and be   continuing with respect to the Borrower.
  

                    (b)          Nothing herein shall prohibit any Lender from pledging or assigning all or any portion of its Loans to any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with applicable law provided, that (i) no Lender shall be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder  as a result of any such assignment or pledge and (ii) in no event shall any assignee or pledge be considered to be a “Lender” or entitled to require the assigning Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder.  In order to facilitate such pledge or assignment, the Borrower hereby agrees that, upon request of any Lender at any time and from time to time after the Borrower has made its initial borrowing hereunder, the Borrower shall provide to such Lender, at the Borrower’s own expense, a promissory note,
substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1 or D-2, as the case may be, evidencing the Term Loans and Revolving Credit Loans, respectively, owing to such Lender.  

                    (c)          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (a “SPC”), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the option to provide to the Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to make any Loan and (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof.

82

The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender.  Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender).  In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia.  In addition, notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this 13.6 any SPC may (i) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender or to any Eligible Assignees (consented to by the Borrower and Administrative Agent) providing liquidity and/or credit support to or for the account of such SPC to support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC.  

                    (d)          The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Borrower, shall maintain at the address of the Administrative Agent referred to in Section 13.2 a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register (the “Register”) for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender from time to time.  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as the owner of a Loan or other obligation hereunder as the owner thereof for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, notwithstanding any notice to the
contrary.  Any assignment of any Loan or other obligation hereunder shall be effective only upon appropriate entries with respect thereto being made in the Register.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.  

                    (e)          Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee (and, in the case of an Assignee that is not then a Lender, an Affiliate or an Approved Fund thereof, by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) together with payment to the Administrative Agent of a registration and processing fee of $3,500, the Administrative Agent shall (i) promptly accept such Assignment and Assumption and (ii) on the effective date determined pursuant thereto record the information contained therein in the Register and give notice of such acceptance and recordation to the Lenders and the Borrower; provided however, that no such fee shall be payable if the Assignment and Assumption is delivered via the Electronic Settlement System; and provided
further that, in the case of contemporaneous assignments by a Lender to more than one fund managed by the same investment advisor (and, to the extent such Lender is a fund, which funds are not managed by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor), only a single $3,500 such fee shall be payable for all such contemporaneous assignments.

83

                    (f)          Subject to Section 13.16, the Borrower authorizes each Lender to disclose to any Participant or Assignee (each, a “Transferee”) and any prospective Transferee any and all financial information in such Lender’s possession concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates that has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or which has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with such Lender’s credit evaluation of the Borrower and its Affiliates prior to becoming a party to this Agreement, provided that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall provide to any Transferee or prospective Transferee any of the Confidential Information unless such person shall have
previously executed a Confidentiality Agreement in the form of Exhibit J.

                    13.7        Replacements of Lenders under Certain Circumstances.  

                    (a)          The Borrower shall be permitted to replace any Lender that (a) requests reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.10, 2.12, 3.5 or 5.4, (b) is affected in the manner described in Section 2.10(a)(iii) and as a result thereof any of the actions described in such Section is required to be taken or (c) becomes a Defaulting Lender, with a replacement bank or other financial institution, provided that (i) such replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (ii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement, (iii) the Borrower shall repay (or the replacement bank or institution shall purchase, at par) all Loans and other amounts (other than any disputed amounts), pursuant to Section 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 3.5 or 5.4, as
the case may be) owing to such replaced Lender prior to the date of replacement, (iv) the replacement bank or institution, if not already a Lender, and the terms and conditions of such replacement, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (v) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.6 (provided that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein) and (vi) any such replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have against the replaced Lender.

                    (b)          If, in connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination pursuant to Section 13.1 (a “Proposed Change”) requiring the consent of all affected Lenders, the consent of sixty-seven percent (67%) of the Lenders is obtained, but the consent of other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is not obtained as described in this clause (b) being referred to as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), then, so long as the Administrative Agent is not a Non-Consenting Lender, at the Borrower’s request the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, or a Person or Persons reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, shall have the right with the Administrative Agent’s consent (but shall have
no obligation) to purchase from all such Non-Consenting Lenders, and such Non-Consenting Lenders agree that they shall, upon the Administrative Agent’s request, sell and assign to the Administrative Agent or such Person, all of the Loans and Commitments of such Non-Consenting Lenders for an amount equal to the principal balance of all Loans held by the Non-Consenting Lenders, all accrued interest and fees with respect thereto through the date of sale and all other amounts then owed the Affected Lender hereunder, such purchase and sale to be consummated pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.  Any such required sale and assignment shall be treated as a payment for purposes of Section 2.11 and the Borrower shall be liable for any amounts payable thereunder as a result of such sale and assignment.                    

84

                    13.8          Adjustments; Set off.  

                    (a)            If any Lender (a “Benefited Lender”) shall at any time receive any payment of all or part of its Loans, or interest thereon, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set off, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 11.5, or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of such other Lender’s Loans, or interest thereon, such Benefited Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating interest in such portion of each such other Lender’s Loans, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, or the proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause such
Benefited Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral or proceeds ratably with each of the Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefited Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

                    (b)            After
the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, in addition to
any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, each Lender shall have
the right, without prior notice to the Borrower, any such notice being expressly
waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any
amount becoming due and payable by the Borrower hereunder (whether at the stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) to set off and appropriate and apply
against such amount any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand,
provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or
claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender or
any branch or agency thereof to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower.  Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such set off and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set off and application.

                    13.9          Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.  A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

                    13.10        Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

                    13.11        Integration.  This Agreement and the other Credit Documents represent the agreement of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any Lender relative to subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Credit Documents.

85

                    13.12      GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK).

                    13.13      Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers.  The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

                    (a)          submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the non exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York and appellate courts from any thereof;

                    (b)          consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

                    (c)          agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to the Borrower at its address set forth on Schedule 13.2 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

                    (d)          agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

                    (e)          waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 13.13 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

                    13.14      Acknowledgments.  The Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

                    (a)          it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents;

                    (b)          neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to the Borrower arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, and the relationship between Administrative Agent and Lenders, on one hand, and the Borrower, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

                    (c)          no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Credit Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Borrower and the Lenders.

86

                    13.15          WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL.  THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

                    13.16          Confidentiality.  The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall hold all non-public information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with such Lender’s evaluation of whether to become a Lender hereunder or obtained by such Lender or the Administrative Agent pursuant to the requirements of this Agreement (“Confidential Information”), in accordance with its customary procedure for handling confidential information of this nature and (in the case of a Lender that is a bank) in accordance with safe and sound banking practices and in any event may make disclosure as required or requested by any governmental agency or representative thereof or pursuant to legal process or to such Lender’s or the Administrative Agent’s
attorneys, professional advisors or independent auditors or Affiliates or Approved Funds, provided that unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall (a) notify the Borrower of any request by any governmental agency or representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with an examination of the financial condition of such Lender by such governmental agency) for disclosure of any such non public information prior to disclosure of such information, (b) cooperate in a reasonable manner with any efforts by the Borrower to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to otherwise protect its interests with respect thereto (all such cooperation at the Borrower’s expense), except to the extent that the Lender determines in good faith that such cooperation would have a material adverse effect on such Lender and, provided further that in no event shall any Lender or the Administrative Agent be
obligated or required to return any materials furnished by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower.  Each Lender and the Administrative Agent agrees that it will not provide to prospective Transferees or to prospective direct or indirect contractual counterparties in swap agreements to be entered into in connection with Loans made hereunder any of the Confidential Information unless such Person shall have previously executed a Confidentiality Agreement in the form of Exhibit J. 

                    13.17          USA Patriot Act.  Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower in accordance with the Act.  The Borrower shall promptly provide such information upon request by any Lender.  In connection therewith, each Lender hereby agrees that the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 13.16 shall apply to any non-public information provided to it by the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Section 13.17.

*     *     *     *     *

87

                    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

	
  
 
  	
  
BRISTOL WEST HOLDINGS, INC.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
By:
  	
  
/s/ Jeffrey   J. Dailey
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  

  
	
  
 
  	
  
Name:
  	
  
Jeffrey J.   Dailey
  
	
  
 
  	
  
Title:
  	
  
Chief   Executive Officer
  

	
  
 
  	
  
ING CAPITAL LLC, as Administrative 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
Agent and   Lender
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
By:
  	
  
/s/ Mark R.   Newsome
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  

  
	
  
 
  	
  
Name:
  	
  
Mark R.   Newsome
  
	
  
 
  	
  
Title:
  	
  
Director
  

	
   
  	
  
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Lender
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
By:
  	
  
/s/ Thomas   A. Kiepura 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  

  
	
  
 
  	
  
Name:
  	
  
Thomas A.   Kiepura
  
	
  
 
  	
  
Title:
  	
  
Vice   President
  

	
   
  	
  
LaSalle Bank, National Association, as   Lender
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
By:
  	
  
/s/ Andrew   C. Haak
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  

  
	
  
 
  	
  
Name:
  	
  
Andrew C.   Haak
  
	
  
 
  	
  
Title:
  	
  
Senior Vice   President
  

	
   
  	
  
Regions Bank, as Lender
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
By:
  	
  
/s/ Mercedes   Valdez
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  

  
	
  
 
  	
  
Name:
  	
  
Mercedes   Valdez
  
	
  
 
  	
  
Title:
  	
  
Vice President
  

	
   
  	
  
Bank of Communications Co., Ltd., New York Branch,   as Lender
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
By:
  	
  
/s/ Shelley   He
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  

  
	
  
 
  	
  
Name:
  	
  
Shelley He
  
	
  
 
  	
  
Title:
  	
  
Deputy   General Manager
  

	
   
  	
  
General Electric Capital Corporation, as   Lender
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
By:
  	
  
/s/ Amanda   J. van Heyst 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  

  
	
  
 
  	
  
Name:
  	
  
Amanda J.   van Heyst
  
	
  
 
  	
  
Title:
  	
  
Duly   Authorized Signatory
  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  
Page
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
  

  
	
  
SECTION 1.
  	
  
Definitions
  	
  
1
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
   
 
	
  
SECTION 2.
  	
  
Amount and   Terms of Credit
  	
  
28
  
	
  
2.1
  	
  
Commitments
  	
  
28
  
	
  2.2
  	
  
Minimum   Amount of Each Borrowing; Maximum Number of Borrowings
  	
  
29
  
	
  
2.3
  	
  
Notice of   Borrowing
  	
  
29
  
	
  
2.4
  	
  
Disbursement   of Funds
  	
  
30
  
	
  
2.5
  	
  
Repayment of   Loans; Evidence of Debt
  	
  
31
  
	
  
2.6
  	
  
Conversions   and Continuations
  	
  
31
  
	
  
2.7
  	
  
Pro Rata   Borrowings
  	
  
32
  
	
  
2.8
  	
  
Interest
  	
  
32
  
	
  2.9
  	
  
Interest   Periods
  	
  
33
  
	
  
2.10
  	
  
Increased   Costs, Illegality, etc.
  	
  
34
  
	
  
2.11
  	
  
Compensation
  	
  
36
  
	
  
2.12
  	
  
Change of   Lending Office
  	
  
36
  
	
  
2.13
  	
  
Notice of   Certain Costs
  	
  
36
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
   
 
	
  
SECTION 3.
  	
  
Letters of   Credit
  	
  
37
  
	
  3.1
  	
  
Letters of   Credit
  	
  
37
  
	
  
3.2
  	
  
Letter of   Credit Requests
  	
  
37
  
	
  
3.3
  	
  
Letter of   Credit Participations
  	
  
38
  
	
  
3.4
  	
  
Agreement to   Repay Letter of Credit Drawings
  	
  
40
  
	
  
3.5
  	
  
Increased   Costs
  	
  
41
  
	
  
3.6
  	
  
Successor   Letter of Credit Issuer
  	
  
42
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
   
 
	
  SECTION 4.
  	
  
Fees;   Commitments
  	
  
42
  
	
  
4.1
  	
  
Fees
  	
  
42
  
	
  
4.2
  	
  
Voluntary   Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments
  	
  
43
  
	
  
4.3
  	
  
Mandatory   Termination of Commitments
  	
  
43
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
   
 
	
  
SECTION 5.
  	
  
Payments
  	
  
44
  
	
  
5.1
  	
  
Voluntary   Prepayments
  	
  
44
  
	
  5.2
  	
  
Mandatory   Prepayments
  	
  
44
  
	
  
5.3
  	
  
Method and   Place of Payment
  	
  
46
  
	
  
5.4
  	
  
Net Payments
  	
  
47
  
	
  
5.5
  	
  
Computations   of Interest and Fees
  	
  
49
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
   
 
	
  
SECTION 6.
  	
  
Conditions   Precedent to Initial Borrowing.
  	
  
49
  
	
  
6.1
  	
  
Credit   Documents
  	
  
49
  
	
  6.2
  	
  
Closing   Certificate
  	
  
50
  
	
  
6.3
  	
  
Corporate   Proceedings of Each Credit Party
  	
  
50
  

i

	
  
6.5
  	
  
No Material   Adverse Change
  	
  
50
  
	
  
6.6
  	
  
Fees
  	
  
50
  
	
  
6.7
  	
  
Refinancing
  	
  
50
  
	
  6.8
  	
  
Other   Indebtedness
  	
  
50
  
	
  
6.9
  	
  
Closing Date   Balance Sheet
  	
  
50
  
	
  
6.10
  	
  
Solvency   Certificate
  	
  
50
  
	
  
6.11
  	
  
Required   Approvals
  	
  
51
  
	
  
6.12
  	
  
Legal   Opinions
  	
  
51
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
   
 
	
  
SECTION 7.
  	
  
Conditions   Precedent to All Credit Events
  	
  
51
  
	
  7.1
  	
  
No Default;   Representations and Warranties
  	
  
51
  
	
  
7.2
  	
  
Notice of   Borrowing; Letter of Credit Request
  	
  
51
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
   
 
	
  
SECTION 8.
  	
  
Representations,   Warranties and Agreements
  	
  
52
  
	
  
8.1
  	
  
Corporate   Status
  	
  
52
  
	
  
8.2
  	
  
Corporate   Power and Authority
  	
  
52
  
	
  
8.3
  	
  
No Violation
  	
  
52
  
	
  8.4
  	
  
Litigation
  	
  
52
  
	
  
8.5
  	
  
Margin   Regulations
  	
  
53
  
	
  
8.6
  	
  
Governmental   Approvals
  	
  
53
  
	
  
8.7
  	
  
Investment   Company Act
  	
  
53
  
	
  
8.8
  	
  
True and   Complete Disclosure
  	
  
53
  
	
  
8.9
  	
  
Financial   Condition; Financial Statements
  	
  
53
  
	
  
8.10
  	
  
Tax Returns   and Payments
  	
  
54
  
	
  8.11
  	
  
Compliance   with ERISA
  	
  
54
  
	
  
8.12
  	
  
Subsidiaries
  	
  
55
  
	
  
8.13
  	
  
Intellectual   Property, etc.
  	
  
55
  
	
  
8.14
  	
  
Environmental   Laws
  	
  
55
  
	
  
8.15
  	
  
Properties
  	
  
56
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
   
 
	
  
SECTION 9.
  	
  
Affirmative   Covenants
  	
  
56
  
	
  9.1
  	
  
Information   Covenants
  	
  
56
  
	
  
9.2
  	
  
Books,   Records and Inspections
  	
  
60
  
	
  
9.3
  	
  
Maintenance   of Insurance
  	
  
60
  
	
  
9.4
  	
  
Payment of   Taxes
  	
  
60
  
	
  
9.5
  	
  
Consolidated   Corporate Franchises
  	
  
61
  
	
  
9.6
  	
  
Compliance   with Statutes, etc.
  	
  
61
  
	
  
9.7
  	
  
ERISA
  	
  
61
  
	
  9.8
  	
  
Good Repair
  	
  
61
  
	
  
9.9
  	
  
Transactions   with Affiliates
  	
  
62
  
	
  
9.10
  	
  
End of   Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters
  	
  
62
  
	
  
9.11
  	
  
Additional   Guarantors
  	
  
62
  
	
  
9.12
  	
  
Pledges of   Additional Stock and Evidence of Indebtedness
  	
  
62
  
	
  
9.13
  	
  
Use of Proceeds
  	
  
63
  
	
  
9.14
  	
  
Changes in   Business
  	
  
63
  
	
  9.15
  	
  
Maintenance   of License and Permits
  	
  
63
  

ii

	
  
SECTION 10.
  	
  
Negative   Covenants
  	
  
63
  
	
  
10.1
  	
  
Limitation   on Indebtedness
  	
  
63
  
	
  
10.2
  	
  
Limitation   on Liens
  	
  
65
  
	
  
10.3
  	
  
Limitation   on Fundamental Changes
  	
  
66
  
	
  
10.4
  	
  
Limitation   on Sale of Assets
  	
  
67
  
	
  10.5
  	
  
Limitation   on Investments
  	
  
68
  
	
  
10.6
  	
  
Limitation   on Dividends
  	
  
70
  
	
  
10.7
  	
  
Limitations   on Debt Payments and Amendments
  	
  
70
  
	
  
10.8
  	
  
Consolidated   Total Debt to Consolidated Total Capitalization Ratio
  	
  
71
  
	
  
10.9
  	
  
Cash Flow to   Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio
  	
  
71
  
	
  
10.10
  	
  
Consolidated   Net Worth
  	
  
71
  
	
  
10.11
  	
  
Minimum   Risk-Based Capital Ratio
  	
  
71
  
	
  10.12
  	
  
Capital   Expenditures
  	
  
71
  
	
  
10.13
  	
  
Limitation   on Hybrid Capital.  The Borrower will   not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, permit the aggregate   outstanding principal amount of Hybrid Capital to exceed $100,000,000.
  	
  
71
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
   
 
	
  
SECTION 11.
  	
  
Events of   Default
  	
  
71
  
	
  
11.1
  	
  
Payments
  	
  
71
  
	
  
11.2
  	
  
Representations,   etc.
  	
  
72
  
	
  
11.3
  	
  
Covenants
  	
  
72
  
	
  11.4
  	
  
Default   Under Other Agreements
  	
  
72
  
	
  
11.5
  	
  
Bankruptcy,   etc.
  	
  
72
  
	
  
11.6
  	
  
ERISA
  	
  
73
  
	
  
11.7
  	
  
Guaranty
  	
  
73
  
	
  
11.8
  	
  
Pledge   Agreement
  	
  
73
  
	
  
11.9
  	
  
Judgments
  	
  
73
  
	
  
11.10
  	
  
Change of   Control
  	
  
73
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  	
   
 
	
  
SECTION 12.
  	
  
The   Administrative Agent
  	
  
74
  
	
  
12.1
  	
  
Appointment
  	
  
74
  
	
  
12.2
  	
  
Delegation   of Duties
  	
  
74
  
	
  
12.3
  	
  
Exculpatory   Provisions
  	
  
74
  
	
  
12.4
  	
  
Reliance by   Administrative Agent
  	
  
75
  
	
  
12.5
  	
  
Notice of   Default
  	
  
75
  
	
  12.6
  	
  
Non Reliance   on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders
  	
  
76
  
	
  
12.7
  	
  
Indemnification
  	
  
76
  
	
  
12.8
  	
  
Administrative   Agent in Its Individual Capacity
  	
  
76
  
	
  
12.9
  	
  
Successor   Agent
  	
  
77
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  	
   
 
	
  
SECTION 13.
  	
  
Miscellaneous
  	
  
77
  
	
  
13.1
  	
  
Amendments   and Waivers
  	
  
77
  
	
  13.2
  	
  
Notices
  	
  
78
  
	
  
13.3
  	
  
No Waiver;   Cumulative Remedies
  	
  
78
  
	
  
13.4
  	
  
Survival of   Representations and Warranties
  	
  
79
  
	
  
13.5
  	
  
Payment of   Expenses and Taxes
  	
  
79
  
	
  
13.6
  	
  
Successors   and Assigns; Participations and Assignments
  	
  
80
  

iii

	
  13.8
  	
  
Adjustments;   Set off
  	
  
85
  
	
  
13.9
  	
  
Counterparts
  	
  
85
  
	
  
13.10
  	
  
Severability
  	
  
85
  
	
  
13.11
  	
  
Integration
  	
  
85
  
	
  
13.12
  	
  
GOVERNING LAW
  	
  
86
  
	
  
13.13
  	
  
Submission   to Jurisdiction; Waivers
  	
  
86
  
	
  
13.14
  	
  
Acknowledgments
  	
  
86
  
	
  13.15
  	
  
WAIVERS OF   JURY TRIAL
  	
  
87
  
	
  
13.16
  	
  
Confidentiality
  	
  
87
  
	
  
13.17
  	
  
USA Patriot   Act
  	
  
87
  

	 SCHEDULES
	  

	  
	  

	
  
Schedule 1.1
  	
  
Commitments   of Lenders
  
	
  
Schedule   8.12
  	
  
Subsidiaries
  
	
  
Schedule 9.9
  	
  
Affiliate   Transactions
  
	
  
Schedule   10.1
  	
  
Other   Indebtedness
  
	
  Schedule   10.2
  	
  
Other Liens
  
	
  
Schedule   13.2
  	
  
Notice   Addresses
  

	
  
EXHIBITS
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
Exhibit A
  	
  
Form of   Guaranty
  
	
  
Exhibit B
  	
  
Form of   Pledge Agreement
  
	
  
Exhibit C
  	
  
Form of   Notice of Borrowing
  
	
  
Exhibit D-1
  	
  
Form of   Promissory Note (Term Loans)
  
	
  
Exhibit D-2
  	
  
Form of   Promissory Note (Revolving Credit Loans)
  
	
  Exhibit E
  	
  
Form of   Letter of Credit Request
  
	
  
Exhibit F-1
  	
  
Form of   Legal Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
  
	
  
Exhibit F-2
  	
  
Form of   Legal Opinion of Sonnenschein, Nath and Rosenthal LLP (California)
  
	
  
Exhibit F-3
  	
  
Form of   Legal Opinion of Long, Burner, Parks and DeLargy (Texas)
  
	
  
Exhibit F-4
  	
  
Form of   Legal Opinion of Alexis Oster, Esq.
  
	
  
Exhibit F-5
  	
  
Form of   Legal Opinion of George O’Brien, Esq.
  
	
  
Exhibit F-6
  	
  
Form of   Legal Opinion of Richard W. Probert, Esq.
  
	
  
Exhibit F-7
  	
  
Form of   Legal Opinion of Richard W. Probert, Esq.
  
	
  
Exhibit G
  	
  
Form of   Assignment and Assumption
  
	
  Exhibit H
  	
  Form of   Closing Certificate
  
	
  Exhibit I
  	
  Form of   Solvency Certificate
  
	
  Exhibit J
  	
  Form of   Confidentiality Agreement
  
	
  Exhibit K
  	
  Form of   Compliance Certificate
  

ivEXHIBIT 10.22

ABAXIS, INC.
 EXECUTIVE CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN

INTRODUCTION

The Board of Directors of Abaxis, Inc. recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations, there exists the possibility of a Change of Control of the Company. This possibility and the potential uncertainty it creates may result in the loss or distraction of executives of the Company to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders.

The Board considers the avoidance of such loss and distraction to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Board also believes that when a Change of Control is perceived as imminent, or is occurring, the Board should be free from concern that executives might be distracted by the personal uncertainties and risks created by the perception of an imminent or occurring Change of Control.

Further, the Board believes that it is consistent with the employment practices and policies of the Company and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to treat its executives whose employment terminates in connection with or following a Change of Control fairly.

Accordingly, the Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to assure the Company of the continued employment and dedication to duty of its executives and to seek to ensure the availability of their continued service, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control.

Therefore, in order to fulfill the above purposes, the following plan is hereby adopted.

ARTICLE I
 ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN

As of the Effective Date, the Company hereby establishes a separation compensation plan known as the Abaxis, Inc. Executive Change of Control Severance Plan, as set forth in this document.

ARTICLE II
 DEFINITIONS

As used herein the following words and phrases shall have the following respective meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(a) Affiliate. Any entity which controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company.

(b) Annual Salary. The Participant’s regular annual base salary immediately prior to his or her termination of employment, including compensation converted to other benefits under a flexible pay arrangement maintained by the Company or any Affiliate or deferred pursuant to a written plan or agreement with the Company or any Affiliate, but excluding overtime pay, allowances, premium pay, compensation paid or payable under any bonus or incentive plan of the Company or any Affiliate or any similar payment.

(c) Board. The Board of Directors of Abaxis, Inc.

(d) Cause. With respect to any Participant, (i) the willful engaging in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise or (ii) the conviction of any felony or conviction of a misdemeanor which impairs the Participant’s ability substantially to perform the Participant’s duties with the Company. For purposes of this subsection, no act, or failure to act, on the Participant’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that Participant’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.

(e) Change of Control. The occurrence of any of the following events:

	
  
 
  	
  
(i) The   acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section   13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the   “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of   Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either (x)   the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding   Company Common Stock”) or (y) the    combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the   Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the   “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for   purposes of this subsection (i), the following acquisitions shall not   constitute a Change of Control: (A) any acquisition directly from the   Company, (B) any acquisition by the Company, (C) any acquisition by any   employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the   Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (D) any acquisition   by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (A),   (B) and (C) of paragraph (iii) below; or
  

2

	
  
 
  	
  
(ii)   Individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the   “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of   the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director   subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election   by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority   of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as   though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding,   for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office   occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect   to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened   solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than   the Board; or
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
(iii)   Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other   disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or an   acquisition of assets of another corporation (a “Business Combination”), in   each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially   all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners,   respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company   Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially   own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then   outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then   outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of   directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such   Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a   result of such transaction owns
the Company or all or substantially all of   the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in   substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to   such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and   Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no person   (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any   employee benefit plan (or related trust) beneficially owns, directly or   indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of   common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or   the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such   corporation, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the   Business Combination and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board   of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were   members of the Incumbent Board at the time
of the execution of the initial   agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business   Combination; or
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
(iv)   Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a plan of complete liquidation   of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of   all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
Notwithstanding   the foregoing, to the extent necessary to satisfy the requirements of   Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code, any Change of Control that does   constitute a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or a   change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company   within the meaning of Section 409A shall not constitute a Change of Control.
  

3

(f) Code. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and all applicable guidance promulgated thereunder.

(g) Committee. The Compensation Committee of the Board.

(h) Company. Abaxis, Inc. and any successor thereto.

(i) Date of Termination. The date on which a Participant ceases to be an Employee of the Company and its Affiliates; provided, however, that a Participant will not be treated as ceasing to be an Employee of the Company and its Affiliates unless such Participant has experienced a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.  

(j) Disability. A condition such that the Employee has terminated employment with the Company and/or all participating Employers with a qualifying disability and has immediately began receiving benefits from a long-term disability plan of the Company or any participating Employer.  

(k) Effective Date.  July 25, 2006.  

(l) Employee. Any full-time, regular-benefit, non-bargaining employee of an Employer.

(m) Employer. The Company or any Subsidiary which participates in the Plan pursuant to Article VI hereof or, under the circumstances set forth in the third sentence of Section 3.1 hereof, any Subsidiary or Affiliate described in such sentence.

(n) ERISA. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

(o) Good Reason. With respect to any Participant, without such Participant’s written consent, (i) the assignment to the Participant of any duties inconsistent in any respect with the Participant’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities immediately before the Change of Control, or any other action by the Company which results in a significant diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company or the Employer promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Participant; (ii) any reduction in the Participant’s Annual Salary, or annual target bonus opportunity, or any material reduction in other compensation or employee benefits, as in effect during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change of Control (or as such
amounts may be increased from time to time), other than as a result of an isolated and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Participant; or (iii) the Company or the Employer requiring the Participant to relocate his or her principal place of business to a location which is more than fifty (50) miles from his or her previous principal place of business.  For purposes of the Plan, any good faith determination of “Good Reason” made by the Participant shall be conclusive.

4

(p) Participant. An individual who is designated as such by the Board pursuant to Section 3.1.

(q) Plan. The Abaxis, Inc. Executive Change of Control Severance Plan. 

(r) Section 409A.  Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all applicable guidance promulgated thereunder.  

(s) Separation Benefits. The benefits described in Section 5.2 that are provided to qualifying Participants under the Plan.  

(t) Specified Employee.  This term shall have the same meaning as is ascribed to such term under Section 409A.  

(u) Subsidiary. Any corporation in which the Company, directly or indirectly, holds a majority of the voting power of such corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock.

(v) Target Annual Bonus Amount. The annual bonus that the Participant would have received for the year in which his or her Date of Termination occurs, if the target goals had been achieved.

ARTICLE III
 ELIGIBILITY

3.1 Participation. Each of the individuals listed on Appendix A hereto shall be a Participant in the Plan. Appendix A may be amended by a majority vote of the Board from time to time to add or delete individuals as Participants. If a Participant’s employment is transferred from an Employer to a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company which is not a participating Employer under the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will continue to apply to such Participant while employed by such Subsidiary or Affiliate.

3.2 Duration of Participation. A Participant shall only cease to be a Participant in the Plan as a result of an amendment or termination of the Plan complying with Article VII of the Plan, or when he ceases to be an Employee of any Employer, unless, at the time he ceases to be an Employee, such Participant is entitled to payment of a Separation Benefit as provided in the Plan or there has been an event or occurrence constituting Good Reason that would enable the Participant to terminate his employment and receive a Separation Benefit. A Participant entitled to payment of a Separation Benefit or any other amounts under the Plan shall remain a Participant in the Plan until the full amount of the Separation Benefit and any other amounts payable under the Plan have been paid to the Participant.

5

ARTICLE IV
 CHANGE OF CONTROL BENEFITS

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the vesting and exercisability of one hundred percent (100%) of any unvested options or other unvested equity-based instruments granted to the Participant by the Company under the Abaxis, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan and any other equity programs sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate shall immediately become vested and exercisable.  The terms of this Article IV shall amend and supersede the terms of any other agreement or instrument relating to the treatment of such outstanding options and other unvested equity-based instruments upon or following a Change of Control.

ARTICLE V
 SEPARATION BENEFITS

5.1 Terminations of Employment Which Give Rise to Separation Benefits Under This Plan. A Participant shall be entitled to Separation Benefits as set forth in Section 5.2 below if, at any time following a Change of Control and prior to eighteen months following the Change of Control, the Participant’s Employment is terminated (i) by the Company for any reason other than Cause, death, or Disability or (ii) by the Participant within 90 days after the Participant has knowledge of the occurrence of Good Reason.  Payment of any benefit contained in this Article V shall not be made unless the Participant executes a release as described in Section 5.5.

5.2 Separation Benefits.

(a) If a Participant’s employment is terminated in circumstances entitling such Participant to Separation Benefits pursuant to Section 5.1, the Company shall provide to such Participant Separation Benefits as set out below.  

	
  
 
  	
  
(i) The   Separation Benefits amount will be determined by the Participant’s Annual   Salary and Target Bonus level.
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
(ii)  After the Date of Termination and receipt   of the release described in Section 5.5, a lump sum cash payment as set forth   in subsection (b) below shall be made to the Participant.  Additionally, the Company shall provide to   the Participant the continued benefits as set forth in subsection (c) below,   and the redemption of stock options and other equity based instruments set   forth in subsection (d) below.  For   purposes of determining the benefits set forth in subsections (b) and (c), if   the termination of the Participant’s employment is for Good Reason based upon   a reduction of the Participant’s Annual Salary, opportunity to earn annual   bonuses, or other compensation or employee benefits, such reduction shall be   ignored.  Timing of the payments will   be subject to the provisions of Section 5.6.
  

6

(b) The cash lump sum referred to in Section 5.2 (a) shall be the aggregate of the following amounts:

	
  
 
  	
  
(i) For all   Participants, the sum of (A) the Participant’s Annual Salary accrued through   the Date of Termination, and (B) any compensation previously deferred by the   Participant (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any   accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid and in   full satisfaction of the rights of the Participant thereto;
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
(ii) For all   Participants, an amount equal to the product of two (2) times the sum of (a)   the Participant’s Annual Salary and (b) the Participant’s Target Annual Bonus   Amount.
  

(c) During the twenty four (24) month period following the Participant’s Date of Termination, the Participant and his or her family shall be provided with medical, dental, disability and life insurance benefits as if the Participant’s employment had not been terminated; provided, that such benefits and the cost to the Participant shall be no less favorable than under the programs in which the Participant participated during the 120-day period immediately prior to the Change of Control; provided, however, that if the Participant becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility. The Company shall pay the cost of the benefit providers directly.  To the extent any benefits described in this Section 5.2(c)
cannot be provided pursuant to the appropriate plan or program maintained for Employees, the Company shall provide such benefits outside such plan or program at no additional cost (including, without limitation, tax cost) to the Participant.

(d)  Any unvested options or other unvested equity-based instruments which were accelerated pursuant to Article IV of the Plan that have not been exercised as of the Participant’s Date of Termination shall be redeemed by the company in an amount equal to the difference between the share price established in the Change of Control transaction and the exercise price (if any) of the instrument.  The proceeds will be paid in a lump sum cash payment to the Participant.  

5.3 Other Benefits Payable. To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide (or cause to be paid or provided) to a Participant entitled to the Separation Benefits, any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided to the Participant or which the Participant is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its Affiliates, but excluding any severance pay or pay in lieu of notice required to be paid to such Participant under applicable law or any other severance pay plan or policy of the Company or any Employer.  

7

5.4 Certain Additional Payments by the Company.

(a) Anything in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding and except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company or its Affiliates to or for the benefit of a Participant (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Plan or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 5.4(a)) (a “Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Participant with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties (but not any federal, state, or local income or employment taxes) are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Participant shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (an “Excise Tax Reimbursement Payment”) equal to the amount of the Excise
Tax.  

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Excise Tax Reimbursement Payment made under this Plan shall not be eligible for any reimbursement, gross-up or other payment by the Company or its Affiliates.  

(b) All determinations required to be made under this Section 5.4, including whether and when a Excise Tax Reimbursement Payment is required and the amount of such Excise Tax Reimbursement Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made, at the Company’s sole discretion, either by the Company’s outside independent public accounting firm or by the Committee’s independent compensation consulting firm (collectively referred to as the “Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Participant within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Participant that there has been a Payment, or at such other time as is reasonably requested by the Company. All fees and expenses of the Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Excise Tax Reimbursement Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 5.4, shall be paid by the Company to the Participant as
soon as administratively practicable after the receipt by the Company of the Firm’s written determination. Any determination by the Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Participant.  

5.5 Release.  The Participant, to be eligible to receive any benefit under this Article V, must execute a complete and general release of any and all of his potential claims (other than for vested benefits described in this Plan or any other vested benefits with the Company and/or its affiliates) against the Company, any of its affiliated companies, and their respective successors and any officers, employees, agents, directors, attorneys, insurers, underwriters, and assigns of the Company, its affiliates and/or successors, is an express condition of the Participants right to receive payments, vesting, and benefits hereunder. The Executive shall be required to execute a Waiver and Release Agreement which documents the release required under this Section 5.5, the form of which shall be provided to the Participant by the Company.

8

5.6 Timing of Payments.  

(a) Payments pursuant to Sections 5.2(b), 5.2(d) and 5.3 will be made within ten (10) business days of the receipt of the release described in Section 5.5 and the Date of Termination, subject to Section 5.6(c) hereof.  

(b) Payments pursuant to Sections 5.2(c), and 5.4 will be made by the Company in its normal course of business, subject to Section 5.6(c) hereof.  

(c) Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan to the contrary, if a Participant is a Specified Employee, no distribution subject to the special Specified Employee distribution rules under Section 409A shall be made to such Participant until no earlier than six months and one day after such Participant’s Date of Termination.  

ARTICLE VI
 PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS

Any Subsidiary of the Company may become a participating Employer in the Plan following approval by the Company. The provisions of the Plan shall be fully applicable to the Employees of any such Subsidiary who are Participants pursuant to Section 3.1.

ARTICLE VII
 SUCCESSOR TO COMPANY

This Plan shall bind any successor of the Company, its assets or its businesses (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise), in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be obligated under this Plan if no succession had taken place.  In the case of any transaction in which a successor would not by the foregoing provision or by operation of law be bound by this Plan, the Company shall require such successor expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Company’s obligations under this Plan, in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. The term “Company,” as used in this Plan, shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor or assignee to the business or assets which by reason hereof becomes bound by this Plan.

9

ARTICLE VIII
 DURATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

8.1 Duration. This Plan shall continue in full force and effect until the earlier of termination by the Board pursuant to Section 8.2, below or the time at which all Participants who become entitled to any payments hereunder shall have received such payments in full.

8.2 Amendment or Termination. The Board may amend or terminate this Plan at any time in any manner that it deems appropriate. Any amendment or termination of this Plan by the Board shall be made by action of the Board in accordance with the Company’s charter and by-laws and applicable law. 

8.3 Section 409A Compliance.  The Company intends for this Plan either to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A or to be exempt from the application of Section 409A, and this Plan shall be construed and interpreted accordingly.  Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan to the contrary, if this Plan either fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A or is not exempt from the application of Section 409A, then the Board shall, in its sole discretion and without the consent of any Participant, either amend or clarify this Plan in any manner as the Board deems necessary or appropriate so that this Plan either satisfies the requirements of Section 409A or is exempt from the application of Section 409A.

10

ARTICLE IX
 MISCELLANEOUS

9.1 Full Settlement. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for under this Plan and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against a Participant or others. In no event shall a Participant be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Participant under any of the provisions of this Plan and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Participant obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which a Participant may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Participant or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Plan or any guarantee of performance
thereof (including as a result of any contest by the Participant about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Plan), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.

9.2 Employment Status. This Plan does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Participant or the Participant’s Employer any obligation for the Participant to remain an Employee or change the status of the Participant’s employment or the policies of the Company and its affiliates regarding termination of employment.

9.3 Confidential Information. Each Participant shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Participant during the Participant’s employment by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the Participant or representatives of the Participant in violation of this Plan). After termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company, the Participant shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 9.3 constitute a
basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable under this Plan.

9.4 Unfunded Plan Status. This Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees, within the meaning of Section 401 of ERISA. All payments pursuant to the Plan shall be made from the general funds of the Company and no special or separate fund shall be established or other segregation of assets made to assure payment. No Participant or other person shall have under any circumstances any interest in any particular property or assets of the Company as a result of participating in the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may (but shall not be obligated to) create one or more grantor trusts, the assets of which are subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors, to assist it in accumulating funds to pay its obligations under the Plan.

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9.5 Validity and Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Plan, which shall remain in full force and effect, and any prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

9.6 Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of the Plan shall in all respects be governed by the laws of California, without reference to principles of conflict of law, except to the extent pre-empted by Federal law.

9.7 Notices.  Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid.  In the case of a Participant, mailed notices shall be addressed to him or her at the home address which he or she most recently communicated to the Company in writing.  In the case of the Company, mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices shall be directed to the attention of its Secretary.

9.8 Taxes.  The Company shall make provision for the reporting and withholding of any federal, state and local taxes that may be required to be reported and withheld with respect to the payment of benefits pursuant to the terms of this agreement and shall pay amounts withheld to the appropriate taxing authorities or determine that such amounts have been reported, withheld and paid by the Company. 

9.9 Participant’s Successors. Without the written consent of the Company, Participant shall not assign or transfer any right or obligation under this Agreement to any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of this Plan and all rights of Participant hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Participant’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

9.10 Arbitration.

(a) Any dispute or controversy arising out of, relating to, or in connection with this Plan, or the interpretation, validity, construction, performance, breach, or termination thereof, shall be settled by binding arbitration to be held in Alameda County, California, in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then in effect of the American Arbitration Association (the “Rules”). The arbitrator may grant injunctions or other relief in such dispute or controversy. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final, conclusive and binding on the parties to the arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s decision in any court having jurisdiction.

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(b) The arbitrator(s) shall apply California law to the merits of any dispute or claim, without reference to conflicts of law rules. The arbitration proceedings shall be governed by federal arbitration law and by the Rules, without reference to state arbitration law. Participant hereby consents to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in California for any action or proceeding arising from or relating to this Agreement or relating to any arbitration in which the parties are participants.

(c) The Company and Participant shall each pay one-half of the costs and expenses of such arbitration, and each shall separately pay its counsel fees and expenses.

(d) Participant understands that nothing in this Section modifies Participant’s at-will employment status. Either Participant or the Company can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause.

(e) PARTICIPANT HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THIS SECTION, WHICH DISCUSSES ARBITRATION.  PARTICIPANT UNDERSTANDS THAT SUBMITTING ANY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE INTERPRETATION, VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION, PERFORMANCE, BREACH OR TERMINATION THEREOF TO BINDING ARBITRATION, CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF PARTICPANT’S RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND RELATES TO THE RESOLUTION OF ALL DISPUTES RELATING TO ALL ASPECTS OF THE EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS:

	
  
 
  	
  
(i) ANY AND   ALL CLAIMS FOR WRONGFUL DISCHARGE OF EMPLOYMENT; BREACH OF CONTRACT, BOTH   EXPRESS AND IMPLIED; BREACH OF THE COVENANT OF GOOD FAITH AND FAIR DEALING,   BOTH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL   DISTRESS; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL MISREPRESENTATION; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL   INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACT OR PROSPECTIVE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE; AND DEFAMATION.
  
	
  
 
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
(ii) ANY AND   ALL CLAIMS FOR VIOLATION OF ANY FEDERAL STATE OR MUNICIPAL STATUTE,   INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, THE   CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1991, THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967,   THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT,   THE CALIFORNIA FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING ACT, AND LABOR CODE SECTION 201,   et seq;
  
	
   
  	
  
 
  
	
  
 
  	
  
(iii) ANY   AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF ANY OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO   EMPLOYMENT OR EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION.
  

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APPENDIX A

ABAXIS, INC
 EXECUTIVE CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN

Participants
 (As of July 18, 2006)

	
  
PARTICIPANT   NAME
  	
   
 	
  
TITLE
  
	
  

  	
   
 	
  

  
	
  
Clinton H.   Severson
  	
   
 	
  
Chairman,   President and Chief Executive Officer
  
	
  
Alberto R.   Santa Ines
  	
   
 	
  
Chief   Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance
  
	
  Robert B.   Milder
  	
   
 	
  Chief   Operations Officer
  
	
  Vladimir E. Ostoich, Ph. D.
  	
   
 	
  Vice   President of Government Affairs and Vice President of Marketing for the   Pacific Rim
  
	
  Kenneth P. Aron, Ph. D.
  	
   
 	
  Vice   President of Research and Development
  
	
  Christopher   Bernard
  	
   
 	
  Vice   President of Marketing and Sales, Medical Market
  
	
  Martin   Mulroy
  	
   
 	
  Vice   President of Marketing and Sales, Veterinary Market
  

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