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Exhibit (a)(1)(W)
To: BUSINESS WIRE AMY LYNCH
Fax #: 312-573-0019 Ph. #: 888-292-4446
Date: October 19, 2000
Contact: Mr. Gregory M. Shepard
Chairman and President
American Union Insurance Company
Phone: (309) 827-5968
AMERICAN UNION INSURANCE COMPANY TO EXTEND TENDER OFFER TO FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17,
2000.
American Union Insurance Company, Meridian Insurance Group Acquisition
Corporation, Gregory M. Shepard, and Tracy M. Shepard have extended the
expiration of their tender offer for 50.1% of the shares of Meridian Insurance
Group, Inc. to 5:00 P.M., New York City Time, on Friday, November 17, 2000. The
offerors are in the process of responding to the Indiana Securities
Commissioner's order that they clarify and supplement certain accounting and
financing information.
On September 18, 2000, the offerors revised the cash tender offer which they
commenced on August 31, 2000, to an offer for 50.1% of the outstanding common
stock of Meridian Insurance Group, Inc., for $25 per share.
American Union Insurance Company is a Bloomington, Illinois based property and
casualty insurance company originally chartered in 1916 by L.F. Shepard as Union
Automobile Insurance Association. The present name was adopted in 1998. Today
50% of American Union's common stock is owned by Gregory M. Shepard and 50% by
Tracy M. Shepard, who are brothers. Meridian Insurance Group Acquisition
Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Union Insurance Company.
