MERIDIAN INSURANCE GROUP INC
SC TO-T, EX-99.(A)(1)(F), 2000-08-30
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
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<PAGE>
                                                               Exhibit (a)(1)(F)

            GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
                         NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

Guidelines for Determining the Proper Identification Number to Give the Payer.--
Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e., 000-00-
0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by only one
hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to give
the payer.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------------------------------------------------------------

                                        Give the
                                        SOCIAL SECURITY
For this type of account:               Number of  ---
----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>

1.   An individual's account            The individual

2.   Two or more individuals            The actual owner of
     (joint account)                    the account or, if
                                        combined funds, any
                                        one of the
                                        individuals (1)

3.   Husband and wife  (joint           The actual owner of
     account)                           the account or, if
                                        joint funds, either
                                        person (1)

4.   Custodian account of a             The minor (2)
     minor (Uniform Gift to
     Minors Act)

5.   Adult and minor                    The adult or, if the
     (joint account)                    minor is the only
                                        contributor, the
                                        minor (1)

6.  Account in the name of              The ward, minor, or
    guardian  or                        incompetent person (3)
    committee for a
    designated ward,
    minor, or incompetent
    person

7.  a. The usual revocable              The grantor-trustee (1)
       savings trust
       account (grantor
       is also trustee)

    b. So-called trust                  The actual owner (1)
        account that is not
        a legal or valid
        trust under
        State law

8.  Sole proprietorship                 The owner (4)
    account
----------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Give the EMPLOYER
                                        IDENTIFICATION
 For this type of account:              Number of  ---
----------------------------------------------------------------
9.  A valid trust, estate, or           The legal entity (Do
    pension trust                       not furnish the
                                        identifying number of
                                        the personal
                                        representative or
                                        trustee unless the
                                        legal entity itself
                                        is not designated in
                                        the account title.) (5)

10. Corporate account                   The corporation

11. Religious, charitable, or           The organization
    educational organization
    account

12. Partnership account held in         The partnership
    the name of the business

13. Association, club or other          The organization
    tax-exempt organization

14. A broker or registered              The broker or nominee
    nominee

15. Account with the Department         The public entity
    of Agriculture in the name
    of a public entity (such as
    a State or local government,
    school district, or prison)
    that receives agricultural
    program payments

</TABLE>


(1)  List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish.
(2)  Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number.
(3)  Circle the ward's, minor's or incompetent person's name and furnish such
     person's social security number.
(4)  Show the name of the owner.
(5)  List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate or pension trust.

NOTE:  If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will
be considered to that of the first name listed.
<PAGE>

            GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
                         NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
                                     Page 2

Obtaining a Number

If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your
number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card, or Form
SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office of the
Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service and apply for a
number.

Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding on ALL payments include the
following:

    .  A corporation.
    .  A financial institution.
    .  An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), an individual
       retirement plan.
    .  The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
    .  A State, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or
       any subdivision or instrumentality thereof.
    .  A foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government, or
       any agency or instrumentality thereof.
    .  An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
    .  A registered dealer in securities or commodities registered in the U.S.
       or a possession of the U.S.
    .  A real estate investment trust.
    .  A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).
    .  An exempt charitable remainder trust, or a non-exempt trust described in
       section 4947(a)(1).
    .  An entity registered at all times under the Investment Company Act of
       1940.
    .  A foreign central bank of issue.

Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to backup
withholding include the following:

    .  Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under section 1441.
    .  Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S.
       and which have at least one nonresident partner.
    .  Payments of patronage dividends where the amount received is not paid in
       money.
    .  Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
    .  Payments made to a nominee.

Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding include the
following:

    .  Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note: You may
       be subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more and is
       paid in the course of the payer's trade or business and you have not
       provided your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer.
    .  Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends
       under section 852).
    .  Payments described in section 6049(b)(5) to non-resident aliens.
    .  Payments on tax-free government bonds under section 1451.
    .  Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
    .  Payments made to a nominee.

Exempt payees described above should file Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous
backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE "EXEMPT" ON THE FACE OF THE FORM, AND RETURN IT TO
THE PAYER. IF THE PAYMENTS ARE INTEREST, DIVIDENDS, OR PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS, ALSO
SIGN AND DATE THE FORM.

  Certain payments, other than interest, dividends and patronage dividends, that
are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup
withholding. For details, see sections 6041, 6041A(a), 6045, and 6050A.

PRIVACY ACT NOTICE.--Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend,
interest, or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers
who must report the payments to IRS. IRS uses the numbers for identification
purposes. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are
required to file tax returns. Beginning January 1, 1993, payers must generally
withhold 31% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a
payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain
penalties may also apply.

Penalties

(1)  Penalty for Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number.--If you fail
to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject
to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to
reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

(2)  Failure to Report Certain Dividend and Interest Payments.--If you fail to
include any portion of an includible payment for interest, dividends or
patronage dividends in gross income, such failure will be treated as being
due to negligence and will be subject to a penalty of 5% on any portion of
an underpayment attributable to that failure unless there is clear and
convincing evidence to the contrary.

(3)  Civil Penalty for False Information With Respect To Withholding.--If you
make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no
imposition of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.

(4)  Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information.--Falsifying certifications or
affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or
imprisonment.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE
SERVICE.


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