A.M. Best Co. affirmed and subsequently withdrew the financial strength rating and issuer credit ratings of B+ and ?bbb-? of Bermuda-based Western General Insurance Ltd., which went into run-off last November.

Western General Insurance Ltd., was founded in Bermuda in 1980, and went into runoff last November as a result of hurricane losses.

Best has now assigned a rating of NR-4 in response to Western General management?s request to be removed from A.M. Best?s interactive rating process.