UNITRIN INC
10-Q, 1997-11-14
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
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<PAGE>
 
                                   FORM 10-Q
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

[X]              QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
                   OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For Quarterly Period Ended       September 30, 1997
                            ----------------------------------------------------

                                      OR
                                        
[_]            TRANSITION  REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
                   OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                                        
For the Transition Period from _________________________ to ____________________

Commission file                       0-18298
number                __________________________________________________________

                                 Unitrin, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               Delaware                                    95-4255452
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (State or other jurisdiction of                    (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                    Identification No.)

One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois                      60601
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)

                                (312) 661-4600
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                Not Applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last 
                                    report)
                                        
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
 
                                     Yes   X    No ____
                                          ---   

37,538,097 shares of common stock, $0.10 par value, were outstanding as of
October 31, 1997.
<PAGE>
 
                                 UNITRIN, INC.

                                     INDEX
                                        
                                                                       Page 
                                                                    ----------
PART  I.       Financial Information.
 
Item  1.       Financial Statements.
 
               Condensed Consolidated Statements of                       1
               Income for the Nine and Three Months Ended             
               September 30, 1997 and 1996 (Unaudited).               
                                                                      
               Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of                2
               September 30, 1997  (Unaudited) and                    
               December 31, 1996.                                     
                                                                      
               Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash                  3
               Flows for the Nine Months Ended                        
               September 30, 1997 and 1996 (Unaudited).               
                                                                      
               Notes to the Condensed Consolidated                      4-7
               Financial Statements (Unaudited).                      
                                                                      
Item  2.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of                 8-11
               Results of Operations and Financial Condition.         
                                                                      
PART  II.      Other Information.                                     
                                                                      
Item 1.        Legal Proceedings.                                        12
                                                                      
Item  6.       Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.                      12-13
                                                                      
Signatures                                                               14
 
<PAGE>
 
                        UNITRIN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
                                  (Unaudited)


<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                Nine Months Ended                    Three Months Ended
                                                           ------------------------------       ------------------------------
                                                              Sept. 30,      Sept. 30,             Sept. 30,       Sept. 30,
                                                                1997           1996                  1997            1996
                                                           --------------  --------------       -------------    -------------
<S>                                                        <C>             <C>                  <C>              <C> 
Revenues:
Premiums                                                    $    924.2      $   917.2            $    307.3       $   304.1
Consumer Finance Revenues                                         95.2           89.2                  31.4            30.3
Net Investment Income                                            132.6          133.5                  43.8            44.0
Net Gains on Sales of Investments                                  3.2            1.6                   0.1             0.4
                                                           ------------    -----------          ------------     -----------
Total Revenues                                                 1,155.2        1,141.5                 382.6           378.8
                                                           ------------    -----------          ------------     -----------

Expenses:
Insurance Claims and Policyholders' Benefits                     600.2          603.3                 201.8           191.4
Insurance Expenses                                               362.6          368.4                 117.1           121.0
Consumer Finance Expenses                                         89.9           73.1                  27.3            24.9
Interest and Other Expense                                         9.3           11.7                   2.9             4.4
                                                           ------------    -----------          ------------     -----------
Total Expenses                                                 1,062.0        1,056.5                 349.1           341.7
                                                           ------------    -----------          ------------     ----------- 

Income before Income Taxes and Equity                             
  in Net Income of Investees                                      93.2           85.0                  33.5            37.1
Income Tax Expense                                                31.8           28.5                  12.3            12.7
                                                           ------------    -----------          ------------     ----------- 
Income before Equity in Net Income of Investees                   61.4           56.5                  21.2            24.4
Equity in Net Income of Investees                                 10.5           36.5                  15.8            13.7
                                                           ------------    -----------          ------------     ----------- 

Net Income                                                  $     71.9      $    93.0            $     37.0       $    38.1
                                                           ============    ===========          ============     ===========

Net Income Per Share - Note 5                               $     1.92     $     2.46           $      0.99      $     1.02 
                                                           ============    ===========          ============     ===========
</TABLE> 
 

The Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral 
part of these financial statements.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
                        UNITRIN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (Dollars in millions)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                   September 30,     December 31,
                                                                       1997             1996
                                                                   -------------     ------------
                                                                    (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                <C>               <C> 
Assets:
Investments:
Fixed Maturities at Fair Value (Amortized
  Cost: 1997 - $2,278.2; 1996 - $2,176.4)                            $  2,311.5     $  2,207.4 
Equity Securities at Fair Value                                                                
  (Cost: 1997 - $144.4; 1996 - $172.0)                                    250.0          259.7 
Investees at Cost Plus Cumulative Undistributed Earnings                                       
  (Fair Value: 1997 - $1,971.7; 1996 - $1,610.3)                          684.7          670.1 
Other                                                                     194.9          154.2 
                                                                     ----------     ---------- 
Total Investments                                                       3,441.1        3,291.4 
                                                                     ----------     ---------- 
                                                                                               
Cash                                                                       17.7           17.0 
Consumer Finance Receivables                                              573.2          608.6 
Receivables                                                               335.3          376.1 
Other Assets                                                              591.4          578.0 
                                                                     ----------     ---------- 
Total Assets                                                         $  4,958.7     $  4,871.1 
                                                                     ==========     ========== 
                                                                                               
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:                                                          
Insurance Reserves:                                                                            
Life and Health                                                      $  1,568.1     $  1,599.0 
Property and Casualty                                                     466.7          454.8 
                                                                     ----------     ---------- 
Total Insurance Reserves                                                2,034.8        2,053.8 
                                                                     ----------     ---------- 
                                                                                               
Investment Certificates                                                   605.7          589.9 
Notes Payable                                                              94.3           59.9 
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities                                    725.2          687.2 
                                                                     ----------     ---------- 
Total Liabilities                                                       3,460.0        3,390.8 
                                                                     ----------     ----------   

Shareholders' Equity:
Common Stock, $0.10 par value, 100 million Shares Authorized;
  37,529,738 and 37,340,894 Shares Outstanding at
  September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996                                  3.8            3.7
Additional Paid-in Capital                                                200.1          133.0
Retained Earnings                                                       1,204.0        1,265.8
Net Unrealized Appreciation on Securities                                  90.8           77.8
                                                                     ----------     ----------                              
Total Shareholders' Equity                                              1,498.7        1,480.3
                                                                     ----------     ----------   
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                           $  4,958.7     $  4,871.1
                                                                     ==========     ==========
</TABLE> 

The Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral 
part of these financial statements.

                                       2 
<PAGE>
 
                        UNITRIN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (Dollars in millions)
                                  (Unaudited)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                    Nine Months Ended
                                                                           ----------------------------------
                                                                              Sept. 30            Sept. 30
                                                                                1997                1996
                                                                           --------------      --------------   
<S>                                                                        <C>                 <C>
Operating Activities:
Net Income                                                                    $     71.9          $     93.0
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
 Provided by Operations:
 Change in Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs                                        13.4                11.0
 Equity in Net Income of Investees before Taxes                                    (15.7)              (55.8)
 Cash Dividends from Investee                                                        1.1                 1.1
 Amortization of Fixed Maturities                                                   17.1                18.7
 Increase in Insurance Reserves and Unearned Premiums                               19.1                17.9
 Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities                     (15.8)               19.8
 Net Gains on Sales of Investments                                                  (3.2)               (1.6)
 Provision for Loan Losses                                                          28.5                19.6
 Other, Net                                                                          9.0                10.5
                                                                           --------------      --------------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                                          125.4               134.2
                                                                           --------------      --------------

Investing Activities:
Sales and Maturities of Fixed Maturities                                           313.6               180.0
Purchases of Fixed Maturities                                                     (426.0)              (74.7)
Sales and Redemptions of Equity Securities                                          38.2                 6.7
Purchases of Equity Securities                                                     (12.2)              (74.1)
Change in Consumer Finance Receivables                                               3.2               (68.6)
Change in Short-term Investments                                                     5.7                20.9
Other, Net                                                                         (27.2)              (12.0)
                                                                           --------------      --------------
Net Cash (Used) by Investing Activities                                           (104.7)              (21.8)
                                                                           --------------      --------------

Financing Activities:
Change in Investment Certificates                                                   15.8                52.6
Universal Life and Annuity Account Payments to Reinsurer                              -                (79.6)
Other Changes in Universal Life and Annuity Accounts                                 8.5                10.1
Notes Payable Proceeds                                                             380.0               122.0
Notes Payable Payments                                                            (345.5)              (93.5)
Cash Dividens Paid                                                                 (67.3)              (62.5)
Common Stock Repurchases                                                           (20.7)              (60.6)
Other, Net                                                                           9.2                 1.8
                                                                           --------------      --------------
Net Cash (Used) by Financing Activities                                            (20.0)             (109.7)
                                                                           --------------      --------------
Increase in Cash                                                                     0.7                 2.7
Cash, Beginning of Year                                                             17.0                 9.1
                                                                           --------------      --------------
Cash, End of Period                                                           $     17.7          $     11.8
                                                                           ==============      ==============          
</TABLE> 

The Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral 
part of these financial statements.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                         UNITRIN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (UNAUDITED)


NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein have
been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") but do not include all
information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles.
In the opinion of management, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation.  The preparation of
interim financial statements relies heavily on estimates.  This factor and
certain other factors, such as the seasonal nature of some portions of the
insurance business, as well as market conditions, call for caution in drawing
specific conclusions from interim results.  The accompanying Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, filed with the Commission for the year
ended December 31, 1996.


NOTE 2 -- ACQUISITION OF THE RELIABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

On June 20, 1997, the Company and The Reliable Life Insurance Company
("Reliable") entered into a definitive agreement providing for the acquisition
of Reliable by the Company.  Each holder of Reliable Class A common stock will
be entitled to receive 2.235 shares of Unitrin common stock or, at such holder's
election, $119 in cash, provided that no less than 81% of the Reliable Class A
common stock will be exchanged for Unitrin common stock.  The acquisition
agreement provides that all outstanding Reliable Class B common shares will be
converted into Reliable Class A shares prior to closing.  Reliable will then
have approximately 1,682,400 Class A shares outstanding, which will be acquired
in the acquisition.  The transaction is intended to be a tax-free
reorganization.  The transaction is subject to approval by the Missouri
Insurance Department and Reliable's shareholders and other customary closing
conditions.  Reliable has set November 25, 1997 as the date for a special
meeting of its shareholders of record as of November 4, 1997 to vote on the
transaction.  On October 31, 1997, the Missouri Insurance Department held a
hearing to consider approval of the transaction. Under Missouri law, the
Insurance Department is required to issue its order approving or disapproving
the transaction within 30 days of the date on which the hearing record
(including post-hearing briefs) is complete.  The hearing record is expected to
be complete on or about November 12, 1997.  If approval of the transaction is
not obtained from the Insurance Department on or prior to November 30, 1997,
then either the Company or Reliable may terminate the acquisition agreement.
The acquisition will be accounted for by the purchase method and, accordingly,
the operations of Reliable will be included in the Company's financial
statements from the date of acquisition.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
NOTE 3 - INVESTMENT IN INVESTEES

Unitrin accounts for its Investments in Investees under the equity method of 
accounting using the most recent publicly-available financial reports. 
Summarized financial information for Litton Industries, Inc, ("Litton") and 
Western Atlas Inc. ("Western Atlas") is presented below.

The amounts included in Unitrin's financial statements for Litton represent 
amounts reported by Litton for periods ending two months earlier. Accordingly, 
amounts included in these financial statements represent the amounts reported 
by Litton for the nine and three month periods ending July 31, 1997 and 1996. 
Summarized financial information reported by Litton for such periods was:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                   Nine Months Ending           Three Months Ending
                                                         July 31,                     July 31
                                                ------------------------     ------------------------
     [Dollars in Millions]                         1997           1996          1997           1996
     ---------------------------------          ---------      ---------     ---------      ----------
     <S>                                        <C>            <C>           <C>            <C> 
     Revenues                                   $   3,127      $   2,776     $   1,071      $    1,032
                                                =========      =========     =========      ==========
                                                                                          
     Cost of Sales                              $   2,440      $   2,143     $     825      $      786
                                                =========      =========     =========      ==========
                                                                                          
     Income from Continuing Operations          $     122      $     114     $      44      $       42
                                                =========      =========     =========      ==========
                                                                                          
     Net Income                                 $     122      $     114     $      44      $       42 
                                                =========      =========     =========      ==========
</TABLE> 

Based on the most recently available public information, Unitrin's voting 
percentage in Litton common stock at September 30, 1997 is approximately 27.5%.

The amounts included in Unitrin's financial statements for Western Atlas 
represent amounts reported by Western Atlas for periods ending three months 
earlier. Accordingly, amounts included in these financial statements represent 
the amounts reported by Western Atlas for the nine and three month periods 
ending June 30, 1997 and 1996. Summarized financial information reported by 
Western Atlas for such periods was:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
                                                   Nine Months Ending           Three Months Ending
                                                          June 30,                      June 30,
                                                ------------------------     -------------------------
     [Dollars in Millions]                         1997           1996          1997           1996
     ---------------------------------          ---------      ---------     ---------      ----------    
     <S>                                        <C>            <C>           <C>            <C> 
     Revenues                                   $   1,857      $   1,496     $     419      $      362
                                                =========      =========     =========      ==========
     Cost of Sales                              $   1,298      $   1,032     $     287      $      247
                                                =========      =========     =========      ==========
     Income from Continuing Operations          $      85      $      68     $      17      $       18
                                                =========      =========     =========      ==========
     Net Income                                 $    (102)     $      80     $    (170)     $       30
                                                =========      =========     =========      ==========
</TABLE> 

The Company's equity in the net income of Western Atlas for the nine months 
ended September 30, 1997 also includes an after-tax charge of $31.0 million 
related to Unitrin's share of Western Atlas' charge for the write-off of 
in-process research and development activities at certain recently acquired 
Western Atlas' subsidiaries and an after-tax charge of $0.8 million for 
Unitrin's share of expenses related to the spin-off of Western Atlas' industrial
automation segment.

On October 31, 1997, Western Atlas completed the distribution of all of the 
common stock of UNOVA, Inc, ("UNOVA") to Western Atlas' shareholders in the form
of a tax-free dividend. Unitrin's voting percentage in UNOVA common stock is 
approximately 23.5% and accordingly Unitrin will account for its investment in 
UNOVA using the equity method of accounting. Unitrin's voting percentage in 
Western Atlas common stock remains at approximately 23.5%.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
NOTE 4 -- NOTES PAYABLE

On September 17, 1997, the Company entered into a $340 million unsecured
revolving credit agreement with a group of banks which expires in September 2002
and provides for fixed and floating rate advances for periods up to 180 days at
various interest rates. The agreement contains various financial covenants,
including limits on total debt to total capitalization and minimum risk-based
capital ratios for the Company's direct insurance subsidiaries. The proceeds
from advances under the agreement may be used for general corporate purposes,
including repurchases of the Company's common stock.

NOTE 5 - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

During the nine months ended September 30, 1997, the Company repurchased 395,500
shares of its common stock in open market transactions at an aggregate cost of
$20.7 million, bringing the total number of common shares repurchased since
August 1994 to 15,159,133 at a total cost of $743.1 million. Common Stock,
Additional Paid-in Capital and Retained Earnings have been reduced on a pro rata
basis for the cost of the repurchased shares.

On May 14, 1997, the Company's shareholders approved the Unitrin, Inc. 1997
Stock Option Plan (the "1997 Option Plan") covering an aggregate of 2,000,000
shares of Unitrin common stock. Under the 1997 Option Plan, options to purchase
shares of Unitrin common stock may be granted to key employees (including
employee directors) and other key persons providing services to the Company and
its subsidiaries or its affiliates ("Participants"). The Stock Option Committee
of the Board of Directors, at its discretion, may grant either incentive stock
options, non-qualified stock options, or stock appreciation rights. The Stock
Option Committee also administers the 1997 Option Plan and has sole discretion
to determine the persons to whom options are granted, the number of shares
covered by such options and the exercise price, vesting and expiration dates of
such options.  The 1997 Option Plan also provides that any option holder who
delivers previously owned shares of the Company's common stock to pay the
exercise price of an option and/or related withholding taxes shall be granted a
restorative option for the number of shares so delivered.

On May 14, 1997, the Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors granted
non-qualified stock options under the Company's 1990 Stock Option Plan and 1997
Option Plan covering 400,000 and 31,500 shares, respectively, at an exercise
price of $53.75 per common share which equaled the fair market value of such
shares on the date of grant. The options are exercisable in four annual
installments beginning six months from the date of grant and expire five years
from the date of grant. On August 6, 1997, the Stock Option Committee of the
Board of Directors revised the vesting schedule of all options then outstanding
under the Company's 1990 Stock Option Plan so that such options shall likewise
vest in four annual installments beginning six months after their respective
dates of grant.  As of September 30, 1997, options for 1,913,124 common shares
were outstanding and options covering 44,550 common shares were available for
future grant under the 1990 Stock Option Plan. As of September 30, 1997, options
for 28,500 common shares were outstanding and options covering 1,971,500 common
shares were available for future grant under the 1997 Stock Option Plan.

Under the Company's 1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the "Director
Plan"), on May 14, 1997, two of the Company's directors were eligible to receive
and did receive options to purchase 2,000 shares of the Company's common stock
at an exercise price of $53.75 per common share which equaled the fair market
value of the shares on the date of grant. As of September 30, 1997, options for
12,000 common shares were outstanding under the Director Plan.

Net Income Per Share was computed using 37,432,565 and 37,865,186 weighted
average shares for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Net Income Per Share was computed using 37,466,921 and 37,338,213
weighted average shares for the three months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Common stock equivalents of approximately 213,000 were excluded
from the computation of primary net income per share and common stock
equivalents of approximately 339,000 were excluded from the computation of fully
diluted net income per share for the nine months ended September 30, 1997
because the effect of dilution of net income per share was less than 3 percent.
Common stock equivalents of approximately 270,000 were excluded from the
computation of primary net income per share and common stock equivalents of
approximately 339,000 were excluded from the computation of fully diluted net
income per share for the three months ended September 30, 1997 because the
effect of dilution of net income per share was less than 3 percent. Common stock
equivalents of approximately 265,000 were excluded from the computation of
primary net income per share and common stock equivalents of approximately
298,000 were excluded from the computation of fully diluted net income per share
for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 because the effect of dilution of
net income per share was less than 3 percent. Common stock equivalents of
approximately 264,000 were excluded from the computation of primary net income
per share and common stock equivalents of approximately 298,000 were excluded
from the computation of fully diluted net income per share for the three months
ended September 30, 1996 because the effect of dilution of net income per share
was less than 3 percent.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
NOTE 6 - REINSURANCE

Effective May 31, 1996 and January 1, 1997, United Insurance Company of America
("United"), one of the Company's Life and Health Insurance subsidiaries, entered
into reinsurance agreements to cede certain life insurance policies to third
parties. Life insurance reserves related to these blocks of business were
approximately $82 million at September 30,  1997. At September 30, 1997 the
Company had not been relieved of its primary obligation to these policyholders.
In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 113, "Accounting and Reporting for
Reinsurance of Short Duration and Long Duration Contracts," the Company
therefore continues to include the life insurance reserves related to these
blocks of business on its balance sheet along with a corresponding amount
classified as Other Receivables.

NOTE 7 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company and its subsidiaries are defendants in various legal actions
incidental to their businesses.  Some of these actions seek substantial punitive
damages that bear no apparent relationship to the actual damages alleged.
Although no assurances can be given and no determination can be made at this
time as to the outcome of any particular legal action, the Company and its
subsidiaries believe there are meritorious defenses to these legal actions and
are defending them vigorously.  The Company believes that resolution of these
matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
position.

In connection with one action, Ronnie Dale Bleeker v. Trinity Universal
Insurance Company ("Trinity"), et al., the District Court of Hildalgo County,
Texas, on February 9, 1995 entered a judgment in the amount of $77.0 million,
including attorney's fees of $38.5 million, against Trinity, one of the
Company's subsidiaries. The case involves an accident in which Ronnie Bleeker, a
former insured of Trinity under a $40 thousand automobile insurance policy,
while driving his truck struck another truck parked alongside a road, killing
one person and injuring several others.  Suit was filed against Bleeker by the
injured parties (the "Claim Case").  In 1993, the plaintiffs in the Claim Case
were awarded damages in excess of $9 million.  In 1994, these plaintiffs, acting
as assignees of a purported claim by Bleeker against Trinity, filed suit against
Trinity (the "Bad Faith Case") alleging that negligent claim handling by Trinity
led to the large verdict against Bleeker in the Claim Case.  The Bad Faith Case
was tried in 1995 and resulted in the judgment against Trinity described above.
Trinity appealed the judgment to the Thirteenth Court of Appeals in Corpus
Christi, Texas.  On February 27, 1997, the court of appeals issued its decision
affirming in part and reversing and remanding in part the judgment of the trial
court. The result is that the judgment has been reduced to $12.8 million plus
interest, and the case has been remanded for a new trial on the plaintiffs'
claim of unconscionability. Trinity has filed an application for writ of error
in the Supreme Court of Texas. The Company continues to believe that Trinity has
a number of meritorious defenses. The Company believes that resolution of this
action will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
position.

NOTE 8 - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Significant non-cash activity related to the Company's investments in Fixed
Maturities and Equity Securities for the nine months ended September 30, 1997
were:

<TABLE> 
     <S>                                                     <C> 
     (Dollars in Millions)                                   
     Increase in Unrealized Appreciation on Securities       $  20.2 
     Effect of Income Taxes                                     (7.1) 
                                                             --------
     Increase in Net Unrealized Appreciation on Securities   $  13.1
                                                             --------
</TABLE> 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
ITEMS 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND 
         FINANCIAL CONDITION

                        UNITRIN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                             (Dollars in millions)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                            Nine Months Ended       Three Months Ended
                                       ------------------------  -----------------------
                                           Sept. 30    Sept. 30    Sept. 30   Sept. 30
                                            1997        1996        1997        1996
                                       ------------- ----------  ---------   -----------
<S>                                    <C>           <C>         <C>         <C> 
Revenues:
Property and Casualty Insurance:
  Premiums                                $  584.7   $  546.7    $  195.7      $  184.6  
  Net Investment Income                       40.9       37.2        13.5          12.3  
                                          --------   --------    --------      --------  
  Total Property and Casualty Insurance      625.6      583.9       209.2         196.9  
                                          --------   --------    --------      --------  
                                                                                         
Life and Health Insurance:                                                               
  Premiums                                   339.5      370.5       111.6         119.5  
  Net Investment Income                       89.9       93.1        29.4          30.5  
                                          --------   --------    --------      --------  
  Total Life and Health Insurance            429.4      463.6       141.0         150.0  
                                          --------   --------    --------      --------  
                                                                                         
Consumer Finance                              95.2       89.2        31.4          30.3  
                                          --------   --------    --------      --------  
Total Segment Revenues                     1,150.2    1,136.7       381.6         377.2  
                                          --------   --------    --------      --------  
                                                                                         
Net Gains on Sales of Investments              3.2        1.6         0.1           0.4  
Other                                          1.8        3.2         0.9           1.2  
                                          --------   --------    --------      --------  
                                                                                         
Total Revenues                            $1,155.2   $1,141.5    $  382.6      $  378.8  
                                          ========   ========    ========      ========  
                                                                                         
Income before Income Taxes and                                                           
  Equity in Net Income of Investees:                                                     
    Property and Casualty Insurance       $   54.6   $   44.9    $   15.4      $   22.8  
    Life and Health Insurance                 34.3       28.9        15.3          11.2  
    Consumer Finance                           9.7       20.1         5.5           6.9  
                                          --------   --------    --------      --------  
    Total Segment Operating Profit            98.6       93.9        36.2          40.9  
                                          --------   --------    --------      --------  
                                                                                         
    Net Gains on Sales of Investments          3.2        1.6         0.1           0.4  
    Net Corporate and Other Expenses          (8.6)     (10.5)       (2.8)         (4.2) 
                                          --------   --------    --------      --------  
                                                                                         
Income before Income Taxes and                                                           
  Equity in Net Income of Investees       $   93.2   $   85.0    $   33.5      $   37.1  
                                          ========   ========    ========      ========   
</TABLE> 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE

Premiums in the Property and Casualty Insurance segment increased by $11.1
million and $38.0 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 1997, compared to the same periods in 1996, due primarily to the
January 1997 acquisition of Union Automobile Indemnity Company ("Union Auto")
(see below) and due to higher volume of automobile insurance. Net Investment
Income in the Property and Casualty Insurance segment increased $1.2 million and
$3.7 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30,
1997, partially due to the acquisition of Union Auto. Operating Profit in the
Property and Casualty Insurance segment decreased by $7.4 million for the three
months ended September 30, 1997 due primarily to unfavorable loss experience in
commercial automobile insurance.  Operating Profit increased by $9.7 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 1997 due primarily to lower storm and other
weather-related damage and improved loss experience in automobile insurance.

In January 1997, the Company completed its acquisition of Union Auto for
approximately $18.6 million in Unitrin, Inc. common stock valued in accordance
with EITF No. 95-19, "Determination of the Measurement Date for the Market Price
of Securities Issued In A Purchased Business Combination." The acquisition has
been accounted for by the purchase method and, accordingly, the operations of
Union Auto are included in the Company's financial statements from the date of
acquisition. The Company anticipates that premiums in the Property and Casualty
Insurance segment will increase by approximately $35 million in 1997 as a result
of the acquisition.

LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE

Premiums in the Life and Health Insurance segment decreased by $7.9 million and
$31.0 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30,
1997, compared to the same periods in 1996. Accident and Health Insurance
premiums decreased by $2.8 million and $10.2 million, respectively, due
primarily to lower volume. Life Insurance premiums decreased by $5.1 million and
$20.8 million, respectively, due primarily to the ceding of certain life
insurance policies to third parties (see below) and lower volume. Net Investment
Income in the Life and Health Insurance segment decreased by $1.1 million and
$3.2 million, respectively, due primarily to a lower level of investments as a
result of ceding certain life insurance policies to third parties. Operating
Profit in the Life and Health Insurance segment increased by $4.1 million for
the three month period ended September 30, 1997 due primarily to lower
underwriting expenses.   Operating Profit in the Life and Health Insurance
segment increased by $5.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997
due primarily to improved mortality experience, partially offset by higher
underwriting expenses as a percentage of premium.

Effective May 31, 1996 and January 1, 1997, United Insurance Company of America
("United"), one of the Company's Life and Health Insurance subsidiaries, entered
into reinsurance agreements to cede certain life insurance policies to third
parties. Life insurance reserves related to these blocks of business were
approximately $82 million at September 30,  1997. At September 30, 1997 the
Company had not been relieved of its primary obligation to these policyholders.
In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 113, "Accounting and Reporting for
Reinsurance of Short Duration and Long Duration Contracts," the Company
therefore continues to include the life insurance reserves related to these
blocks of business on its balance sheet along with a corresponding amount
classified as Other Receivables. As a result of these reinsurance transactions,
the Company expects that Premiums and Net Investment Income recorded in the Life
and Health Insurance segment for 1997 will decrease by approximately $17 million
and $4 million, respectively, compared to the prior year reflecting the full
year impact of the transactions.

CONSUMER FINANCE

Revenues in the Consumer Finance segment increased by $1.1 million and $6.0
million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1997,
compared to the same periods in 1996, due primarily to a higher level of loans
outstanding and a higher level of investments.  Operating Profit in the Consumer
Finance segment decreased by $1.4 million and $10.4 million, respectively, due
primarily to higher provisions for loan losses.

NET CORPORATE EXPENSE

Net Corporate and Other Expenses were $2.8 million and $8.6 million,
respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1997, compared
to $4.2 million and $10.5 million, respectively, for the same periods in 1996.
Corporate Expense is recorded net of Corporate investment income.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF INVESTEES

Equity in Net Income of Investees was income of $15.8 million and $10.5 million,
respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1997, compared
to income of $13.7 million and $36.5 million, respectively, for the same periods
in 1996.  Equity in Net Income of Investees for the nine months ended September
30, 1997 includes an after-tax charge of $31.0 million related to Unitrin's
share of Western Atlas' charge for the write-off of in-process research and
development activities at certain recently acquired Western Atlas' subsidiaries
and an after-tax charge of $0.8 million for Unitrin's share of expenses related
to the spin-off of Western Atlas' industrial automation segment.

On October 31, 1997, Western Atlas completed the distribution of all of the
common stock of  UNOVA, Inc. ("UNOVA") to Western Atlas's shareholders in the
form of a tax-free dividend. Unitrin's voting percentage in UNOVA common stock
is approximately 23.5%, and accordingly Unitrin will account for its investment
in UNOVA using the equity method of accounting. Unitrin's voting percentage in
Western Atlas common stock remains at approximately 23.5%.

OTHER ITEMS
 
During the first nine months of 1997, the Company repurchased 395,500 shares of
its common stock in open market transactions at an aggregate cost of $20.7
million. The repurchases were made with general corporate funds. At September
30, 1997, the unused commitment under the Company's amended and restated
revolving credit agreement (see Note 4) was $252 million.  In addition, for the
remainder of 1997, the Company's subsidiaries would be able to pay approximately
$53 million in dividends to the Company without prior regulatory approval.

On June 20, 1997, the Company and The Reliable Life Insurance Company
("Reliable") entered into a definitive agreement providing for the acquisition
of Reliable by the Company.  Each holder of Reliable Class A common stock will
be entitled to receive 2.235 shares of Unitrin common stock or, at such holder's
election, $119 in cash, provided that no less than 81% of the Reliable Class A
common stock will be exchanged for Unitrin common stock.  The acquisition
agreement provides that all outstanding Reliable Class B common shares will be
converted into Reliable Class A shares prior to closing.  Reliable will then
have approximately 1,682,400 Class A shares outstanding, which will be acquired
in the acquisition.  The transaction is intended to be a tax-free
reorganization.  The transaction is subject to approval by the Missouri
Insurance Department and Reliable's shareholders and other customary closing
conditions.  Reliable has set November 25, 1997 as the date for a special
meeting of its shareholders of record as of November 4, 1997 to vote on the
transaction.  On October 31, 1997, the Missouri Insurance Department held a
hearing to consider approval of the transaction. Under Missouri law, the
Insurance Department is required to issue its order approving or disapproving
the transaction within 30 days of the date on which the hearing record
(including post-hearing briefs) is complete.  The hearing record is expected to
be complete on or about November 12, 1997.  If approval of the transaction is
not obtained from the Insurance Department on or prior to November 30, 1997,
then either the Company or Reliable may terminate the acquisition agreement.
The acquisition will be accounted for by the purchase method and, accordingly,
the operations of Reliable will be included in the Company's financial
statements from the date of acquisition.

ACCOUNTING CHANGES

In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings Per
Share." Under SFAS No. 128 the dual presentation of basic and diluted Earnings
Per Share ("EPS") is required on the face of the income statement (for financial
statements issued after December 15, 1997) for all entities with complex capital
structures. In addition, SFAS No. 128 requires a reconciliation of the numerator
and denominator of the basic EPS computation to the numerator and denominator of
the diluted EPS computation. The adoption of SFAS No. 128 is not anticipated to
have a significant effect on the Company's calculation of Net Income Per Share.

In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 129, "Disclosure of Information about
Capital Structure." SFAS No. 129 establishes standards for disclosing
information about an entity's capital structure. SFAS No. 129 contains no change
in disclosure requirements for entities that were previously subject to the
requirements of Accounting Principles Board Opinions Nos. 10 and 15 and SFAS No.
47 and as such the Company does not anticipate that adoption of SFAS No. 129
will have any effect on the Company's reporting.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
ACCOUNTING CHANGES (CONTINUED)

In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income."
Under SFAS No. 130, enterprises that provide a full set of financial statements
that report financial position, results of operations and cash flows should also
include a Statement of Comprehensive Income for fiscal years beginning after
December 15,  1997, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company intends to
adopt SFAS No. 130 in 1998.

In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information." Under SFAS No. 131, public business
enterprises are required to provide disclosures about operating segments using
the "management approach" for fiscal years beginning after December 15,  1997,
with earlier adoption permitted. The Company has not yet determined what its
operating segments will be under SFAS No. 131 nor has the Company determined
when it will adopt SFAS No. 131.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information concerning pending legal proceedings is incorporated herein by
reference to Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited) in Part I of this Form 10-Q.


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
(a)    Exhibits.

       2.1   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization Among Unitrin, Inc., Unitrin
             Acquisition Corporation and The Reliable Life Insurance Company
             dated June 20, 1997, as amended. (Incorporated herein by reference
             to Appendix A to the Company's Amendment No. 3 to Form S-4 filed on
             November 6, 1997)

       3.1   Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated herein by reference to
             Exhibit 3.1 to Unitrin's Registration Statement on Form 10 dated
             February 15, 1990.)

       3.2   Amended and Restated By-Laws

       4     Rights Agreement between the Company and First Chicago Trust
             Company of New York, as rights agent, dated as of August 3, 1994
             (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company's
             Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated August 3, 1994.)

       10.1  Unitrin, Inc. 1990 Stock Option Plan as amended and restated
             (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
             Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.)

       10.2  Unitrin, Inc. 1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan
             (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's
             Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
             1995.)

       10.3  Unitrin, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan (Incorporated herein by
             reference to Exhibit A of the Company's Proxy Statement, dated
             April 9, 1997, in connection with Unitrin's annual meeting of
             shareholders.)

       10.4  Unitrin, Inc. Pension Equalization Plan (Incorporated herein by
             reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Unitrin's Annual Report on Form 10-K
             for the year ended December 31, 1994.)

       10.5  Unitrin is a party to individual severance agreements (the form of
             which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the
             Company's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K), with following
             executive officers:
             
               Jerrold V. Jerome (Chairman)
               Richard C. Vie (President and Chief Executive Officer)
               David F. Bengston (Vice President)
               James W. Burkett (Vice President)
               Thomas H. Maloney (Vice President & General Counsel)
               Eric J. Draut (Vice President, Treasurer & Chief Financial
                 Officer)
               Scott Renwick (Secretary)
 
             (Note: Each of the foregoing agreements is identical except that
             the severance compensation multiple is 2.99 for Messrs. Jerome and
             Vie and 2.0 for the other executive officers. The term of these
             agreements has been extended by action of Unitrin's board of
             directors through December 31, 1998.)

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (CONTINUED)
 
(a)    Exhibits (continued).

       10.6  Severance Compensation Plan After Change of Control (Incorporated
             herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's 1994 Annual
             Report on Form 10-K; the term of this plan has been extended by
             Unitrin's board of directors through December 31, 1998.)

       10.7  Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated September 17, 1997
             among Unitrin, Inc., the Lenders party thereto, and Nationsbank of
             Texas, N.A. as Administrative Agent.

       10.8  Tax Allocation Agreement by and among the Company and its
             Subsidiaries and Teledyne, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference
             to Amendment No. 1, dated April 5, 1990, on Form 8 to the Company's
             Registration Statement on Form 10.)

       10.9  Description of Bonus Plan for Senior Executives

         27  Financial Data Schedule

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K.
 
       No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company during the quarter ended
       September 30, 1997.



                     [This Space Left Blank Intentionally]

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                        Unitrin, Inc.


Date:  November 13, 1997                /s/ Richard C. Vie
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Richard C. Vie
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
Date: November 13, 1997                 /s/ Eric J. Draut
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Eric J. Draut
                                        Vice President, Treasurer and Chief
                                        Financial Officer
                                        (Principal Accounting Officer)

                                       14

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.2

         ..............................................................

                                 UNITRIN, INC.

                         AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

                               OCTOBER 29, 1997
         ..............................................................
<PAGE>
 
                                 UNITRIN, INC.

                                   _________  

                         AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

                                   _________
                                   
                                   ARTICLE I.
                                    OFFICES
                                    -------


     SECTION 1.  The registered office shall be in the City of Wilmington,
     ----------                                                           
County of New Castle, State of Delaware.

     SECTION 2.  The corporation may also have offices at such other places both
     ----------
within and without the State of Delaware as the board of directors may from time
to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

                                  ARTICLE II.
                            MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
                            ------------------------

     SECTION 1.  Any meeting of stockholders for any purpose may be held at such
     ----------
time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be stated in
the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.

     SECTION 2.  The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on such date
     ----------
as may be fixed by resolution of the board of directors at least ten days prior
to the date so fixed, for the purpose of electing directors and for the
transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Any
action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the corporation
must be effected at a duly constituted annual or special meeting of
stockholders.

     SECTION 3.  Written notice of the annual meeting shall be given to each
     ----------
stockholder entitled to vote thereat not less than ten nor more than sixty days
before the date of the meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or as
required from time to time by the Delaware General Corporation Law or the
corporation's certificate of incorporation. All informalities or irregularities
in any notice of meeting, or in the areas of credentials, proxies, quorums,
voting, and similar matters, will be deemed waived if no objection is made at
the meeting.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 4.  Special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes,
     ----------
unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the corporation's certificate of
incorporation, may be called only by the Chairman of the Board or by the board
of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of directors then in
office.

     SECTION 5.  Written notice of a special meeting of stockholders, stating
     ----------
the time, place and object thereof, shall be given to each stockholder entitled
to vote thereat, not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date
fixed for the meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or as required from
time to time by the Delaware General Corporation Law or the corporation's
certificate of incorporation. All informalities or irregularities in any notice
of meeting, or in the areas of credentials, proxies, quorums, voting, and
similar matters, will be deemed waived if no objection is made at the meeting.

     SECTION 6.  Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders
     ----------
shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.

     SECTION 7.  The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the
     ----------
corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of
stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the
meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of and the
number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be
open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the
meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior
to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be
held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so
specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held, and the list shall be
produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time
thereof, and subject to the inspection of any stockholder who may be present.

     SECTION 8.  The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding
     ----------
and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of
business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the certificate of
incorporation. The Chairman of the meeting or a majority of the shares so
represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time, whether or not there is a
quorum. No notice of the time and place of the adjourned meeting need be given
except as required by law. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be
present or represented any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted at the meeting as originally notified. The stockholders present at a
duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment,
notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a
quorum.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 9.  When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the
     ----------
holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or
represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting,
unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the statutes or of
the certificate of incorporation, a different vote is required in which case
such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

     SECTION 10. Each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be
     -----------
entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock
having voting power held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted on
after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

     SECTION 11. Prior to any meeting of stockholders, the board of directors
     ----------
shall designate one or more inspectors of elections or votes to be taken at the
annual meeting or any other meeting of the stockholders, or any adjournment
thereof. The inspector or inspectors may be, in the discretion of the board of
directors, officers, employees or agents of the corporation, or independent
individuals, corporations, partnerships, or other forms of organization, or any
combination thereof.

     SECTION 12. Each stockholders' meeting will be called to order and
     -----------
thereafter chaired by the Chairman of the Board if there then is one; or if not,
or if the Chairman of the Board is absent or so requests, then by the Chief
Executive Officer or the President. If all of the Chairman of the Board, the
Chief Executive Officer and the President are unavailable, then the meeting will
be called to order and chaired by such other officer of the corporation or such
stockholder as may be appointed by the board of directors. The Secretary (or in
his absence an Assistant Secretary) of the corporation will act as Secretary of
each stockholders' meeting. If neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary
is in attendance, the Chairman of the meeting may appoint any person (whether a
stockholder or not) to act as Secretary thereat. After calling the meeting to
order, the Chairman thereof may require the registration of all stockholders
attending to vote in person, and the filing of all proxies with the election
inspector or inspectors, if one or more has been appointed (or, if not, with the
Secretary of the meeting). After the announced time for such filing of proxies
has ended, no further proxies or changes, substitutions or revocations of
proxies will be accepted. The Chairman of the meeting will, among other things,
have absolute authority to determine the order of business to be conducted at
such meeting and to establish rules for, and appoint personnel to assist in,
preserving the orderly conduct of the business of the meeting (including any
informal, or question and answer, portions thereof). Any informational or other
informal session of stockholders conducted under the auspices of the corporation
after the conclusion of, or otherwise in conjunction with, any formal business
meeting of the stockholders will be chaired by the same person who chairs the
formal meeting, and the foregoing authority on his or her part will extend to
the conduct of such informal session.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 13. The board of directors may submit any contract or act for
     -----------
approval or ratification at any duly constituted meeting of the stockholders,
the notice of which either includes mention of the proposed submittal or is
waived as provided by law. If any contract or act so submitted is approved or
ratified by a majority of the votes cast thereon at such meeting, the same will
be valid and as binding upon the corporation as it would be if approved and
ratified by each and every stockholder of the corporation.

     SECTION 14. (a)  Nominations of persons for selection to the board of
     -----------
directors of the corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by
the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant
to the corporation's notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the board
of directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a
stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice provided for in this
Article II, Section 14, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied
with the notice procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 14.

                 (b)  For nominations or other business to be properly brought
before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph
(a) of this Article II, Section 14, the stockholder must have given timely
notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a
stockholder's notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal
executive offices of the corporation not less than sixty days nor more than
ninety days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual
meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual
meeting is advanced by more than thirty days or delayed by more than sixty days
from such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so
delivered not earlier than the ninetieth day prior to such annual meeting and
not later than the close of business on the later of the sixtieth day prior to
such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public
announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Such stockholder's
notice shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to
nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to
such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for
election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to
Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") (including such person's written consent to being named in the
proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (ii) as
to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting,
a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting,
the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any financial or
other interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if
any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (iii) as to the stockholder
giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the
nomination or proposal is made (1) the name and address of such stockholder, as
they appear on the corporation's books, and of such beneficial owner and (2) the
class and number of shares of the corporation which are owned beneficially and
of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                 (c)  Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of
paragraph (b) of this Article II, Section 14 to the contrary, in the event that
the number of directors to be elected to the board of directors of the
corporation is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the
nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased board of directors
made by the corporation at least seventy days prior to the first anniversary of
the preceding year's annual meeting, a stockholder's notice required by this
Article II, Section 14 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to
nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be
delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation
not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which
such public announcement is first made by the corporation.

                 (d)  Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in these Bylaws shall be eligible to serve as directors and
only such business shall be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders as
shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set
forth in these Bylaws. The presiding officer of the meeting shall have the power
and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be
brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the procedures set forth
in these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance
with these Bylaws, to declare that such defective proposed business or
nomination shall be disregarded.

                 (e)  For purposes of these Bylaws, "public announcement" shall
mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service,
Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly
filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

                 (f)  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article
II, Section 14, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements
of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the
matters set forth in this Article II, Section 14. Nothing in this Bylaw shall be
deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in
the corporation's proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                 ARTICLE III.
                                   DIRECTORS
                                   ---------

     SECTION 1.  The number of directors which shall constitute the whole board
     ----------
shall be not less than three nor more than nine. Within the limits above
specified, the number of directors shall be determined by resolution of the
board of directors or by the stockholders at the annual meeting. The directors
shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as provided
in Section 3 of this Article, and each director elected shall hold office until
his successor is elected and qualified. Directors need not be stockholders.

     SECTION 2.  The board of directors shall designate one of its members
     ----------
Chairman of the Board to serve until his resignation or removal. The Chairman of
the Board shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the board of
directors and shall have such other duties and powers as are specified in the
corporation's certificate of incorporation and these Bylaws or as may be
prescribed by the board of directors from time to time. The Chairman of the
Board may be removed only by the board of directors in accordance with a
resolution adopted by a majority of the directors then in office. The board of
directors may designate one of its members as Vice Chairman of the Board to
serve until his resignation or removal. The Vice Chairman shall have such duties
and powers as may be specified in these Bylaws or otherwise prescribed by the
board of directors from time to time.

     SECTION 3.  Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of
     ----------
Preferred Stock and the requirements of law, unless the board of directors
otherwise determines, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from
any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled only by a
majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, and the
directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election and until
their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced.

     SECTION 4.  The business of the corporation shall be managed by its board
     ----------
of directors which may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all
such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the certificate of
incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by
the stockholders.

                      MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     SECTION 5.  The board of directors of the corporation may hold meetings,
     ----------
both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware.

     SECTION 6.  Regular meetings of the board of directors may be fixed by
     ----------
resolution of the board of directors.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 7.  Special meetings of the board may be called by the Chairman of
     ----------
the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President on one day's notice to
each director, either personally or by mail or by telegram; special meetings
shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or
the President or Secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written
request of two directors.

     SECTION 8.  At all meetings of the board a majority of the directors then
     ----------
in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act
of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum
shall be the act of the board of directors except as may be otherwise
specifically provided by statute, by the certificate of incorporation or these
Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the board of
directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to
time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum
shall be present.

     SECTION 9.  Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation
     ----------
or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of
the board of directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a
meeting, if prior to such action a written consent thereto is signed by all
members of the board or of such committee as the case may be, and such written
consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee.

     SECTION 10. Unless otherwise provided by the certificate of incorporation
     -----------
or these Bylaws, members of the board of directors of the corporation, or any
committee designated by the board of directors, may participate in a meeting of
the board of directors or such committee by means of a conference telephone or
similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in
the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this
Section shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

                            COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

     SECTION 11. The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority
     -----------
of the directors then in office, designate one or more committees, each
committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the corporation, which,
to the extent provided in the resolution, shall have and may exercise the powers
of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the
corporation and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all
papers which may require it. Such committee or committees shall have such name
or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the
board of directors.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 12. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and
     -----------
report the same to the board of directors when required.

                           COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

     SECTION 13. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance
     -----------
at each meeting of the board of directors and may be paid a fixed sum for
attendance at each meeting of the board of directors or a stated salary as
director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the
corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members
of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending
committee meetings.

                                  ARTICLE IV.
                                    NOTICES
                                    -------

     SECTION 1.  Notice to directors and stockholders shall be in writing and
     ----------     
delivered personally or mailed to the directors or stockholders at their
addresses appearing on the books of the corporation. Notice by mail shall be
deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be mailed. Notice to
directors may also be given by telegram.

     SECTION 2.  Whenever any notice is required to be given under the
     ---------- 
provisions of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation or of these
Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to
said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed
equivalent thereto.

                                  ARTICLE V.
                                   OFFICERS
                                   --------

     SECTION 1.  The officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the board of
     ----------
directors and shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Vice President,
a Secretary and a Treasurer. The board of directors may also choose additional
Vice Presidents, and one or more assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers.
Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.

     SECTION 2.  The board of directors may appoint such other officers and
     ----------
agents as it shall deem necessary who shall hold their offices for such terms
and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined
from time to time by the board.

     SECTION 3.  The salaries of all officers and agents of the corporation
     ----------
shall be fixed by the board of directors. 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 4.  The officers of the corporation shall hold office until
          ----------                                                         
their successors are chosen and qualify.  Except as otherwise provided in these
Bylaws or in the certificate of incorporation, any officer elected or appointed
by the board of directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the board of directors.  Any vacancy occurring in any office of
the corporation shall be filled by the board of directors.

                            CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

          SECTION 5.  The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive
          ----------                                                          
officer of the corporation, shall have general and active management of the
business of the corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the
board of directors are carried into effect, and may execute bonds, mortgages and
other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the corporation, except
where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and
except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by
the board of directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation.  In
the absence of the Chairman of the Board or in the event of his inability or
refusal to act, or if the Board has not designated a Chairman, the Chief
Executive Officer shall perform the duties of the Chairman of the Board, and
when so acting, shall have all of the powers and be subject to all of the
restrictions upon the Chairman of the Board.

                                 THE PRESIDENT

          SECTION 6.  The President shall be the chief operating officer and,
          ----------                                                         
after the Chief Executive Officer, shall have general and active management of
the business of the corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of
the board of directors are carried into effect.  The President shall execute
bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the
corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed
and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be
expressly delegated by the board of directors to some other officer or agent of
the corporation.  In the absence of the Chief Executive Officer or in the event
of his inability or refusal to act, or if there is no Chief Executive Officer,
the President shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer, and when
so acting, shall have all of the powers and be subject to all of the
restrictions upon the Chief Executive Officer.

                              THE VICE PRESIDENT

          SECTION 7.  The Vice President, or if there shall be more than one,
          ----------                                                         
the Vice Presidents in the order determined by the board of directors, shall, in
the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and exercise the
powers of the President and shall perform such other duties and have such other
powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                    THE SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES

          SECTION 8.  The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the board of
          ----------                                                         
directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of
the meetings of the corporation and of the board of directors in a book to be
kept for the purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees
when required.  He shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of
the stockholders and special meetings of the board of directors, and shall
perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or
President, under whose supervision he shall be.  He shall keep in safe custody
the seal of the corporation and, when authorized by the board of directors,
affix the same to any instrument requiring it and, when so affixed, it shall be
attested by his signature or by the signature of an assistant secretary.

          SECTION 9.  The assistant secretary, or if there be more than one, the
          ----------                                                            
assistant secretaries in the order determined by the board of directors, shall,
in the absence or disability of the Secretary, perform the duties and exercise
the powers of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such
other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe.

                     THE TREASURER AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS

          SECTION 10.  The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate
          -----------                                                       
funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and
disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys
and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in
such depositories as may be designated by the board of directors.  The Treasurer
shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of
directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to
the President and the board of directors, at its regular meetings, or when the
board of directors so requires, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer
and of the financial condition of the corporation.  When and if required by the
board of directors, the Treasurer shall give the corporation a bond in such sum
and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the board of
directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the
restoration to the corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or
removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of
whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the
corporation.

          SECTION 11.  The assistant treasurer, or if there shall be more than
          -----------                                                         
one, the assistant treasurers in the order determined by the board of directors,
shall, in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, perform the duties and
exercise the powers of the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties and
have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time
prescribe.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VI.
                             CERTIFICATES OF STOCK
                             ---------------------

          SECTION 1.  Every holder of stock in the corporation shall be entitled
          ----------                                                            
to have a certificate signed in the name of the corporation by the Chief
Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and the Treasurer or an
assistant treasurer, or the Secretary or an assistant secretary of the
corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the corporation.

          SECTION 2.  Any or all the signatures on the certificate, including
          ----------                                                         
the signatures of the corporate officers, the transfer agent and/or the
registrar, may be a facsimile.  In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar
who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate
shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such
certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect
as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of
issue.

                               LOST CERTIFICATES

          SECTION 3.  The board of directors may direct a new certificate or
          ----------                                                        
certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates
theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost or destroyed,
upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the
certificate of stock to be lost or destroyed.  When authorizing such issue of a
new certificate or certificates, the board of directors may, in its discretion
and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such
lost or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to
advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the
corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim
that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged
to have been lost or destroyed.

                              TRANSFERS OF STOCK

          SECTION 4.  Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of
          ----------                                                            
the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by
proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be
the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled
thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

                           CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS

          SECTION 5.  For the purpose of determining the stockholders who shall
          ----------                                                           
exclusively, notwithstanding any subsequent stock transfers, be entitled to
notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof,
or entitled to receive 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
payment of any dividend or disbursement or allotment of any rights, or entitled
to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of
stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may
either fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty days
nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days
prior to any other action, or close the stock transfer books for a period which
shall not exceed sixty days nor be less than ten days before the date of such
meeting, nor for a period exceeding sixty days prior to any other action.

                            REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS

          SECTION 6.  The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the
          ----------                                                    
exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to
receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and
assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall
not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such
share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have
express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of
Delaware.

                                 ARTICLE VII.
                              GENERAL PROVISIONS
                              ------------------
                                   DIVIDENDS
                                   ---------

          SECTION 1.  Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation,
          ----------                                                      
subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, if any, may be
declared by the board of directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant
to law.  Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital
stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.

          SECTION 2.  Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out
          ----------                                                            
of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the
directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a
reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for
repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other
purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interest of the
corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the
manner in which it was created.

                                    CHECKS

          SECTION 3.  All checks or demands for money and notes of the
          ----------                                                  
corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or
persons as the board of directors may from time to time designate.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
                                  FISCAL YEAR

          SECTION 4.  The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by
          ----------
resolution of the board of directors.

                                     SEAL

          SECTION 5.  The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name
          ----------                                                          
of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words "Corporate Seal,
Delaware".  The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be
impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

                                 ARTICLE VIII.
                   DIRECTORS' LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
                   ----------------------------------------

          SECTION 1.  DIRECTORS' LIABILITY.    No director of the corporation
          ----------                                                         
shall be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary
damages for any breach of fiduciary duty by such a director as a director.
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a director shall be liable to the extent
provided by applicable law (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty
to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good
faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
(iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, or (iv) for any transaction from which such director derived an
improper personal benefit.  No amendment to or repeal of this Article shall
apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any
director of the corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such
director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.  If the Delaware General
Corporation Law is amended hereafter further to eliminate or limit the personal
liability of directors, the liability of a director of this corporation shall be
limited or eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, as amended.

          SECTION 2.  RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION.    Each person who was or is
          ----------                                                        
made a party to or is threatened to be made a party to or is involuntarily
involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (a "Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he
or she is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving
(during his or her tenure as director and/or officer) at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or
of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, whether the basis of
such Proceeding is an alleged action or inaction in an official capacity as a
director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director or
officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the
fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law (or other
applicable law), as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against all
expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, 

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in
settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection with
such Proceeding. Such director or officer shall have the right to be paid by the
corporation for expenses incurred in defending any such Proceeding in advance of
its final disposition; provided, however, that, if the Delaware General
Corporation Law (or other applicable law) requires, the payment of such expenses
in advance of the final disposition of any such Proceeding shall be made only
upon receipt by the corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of such
director or officer to repay all amounts so advanced if it should be determined
ultimately that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article
or otherwise.

          SECTION 3.  RIGHT OF CLAIMANT TO BRING SUIT.    If a claim under
          ----------                                                      
Section 2 of this Article is not paid in full by the corporation within ninety
(90) days after a written claim has been received by the corporation, the
claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to
recover the unpaid amount of the claim, together with interest thereon, and, if
successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall also be entitled to be paid
the expense of prosecuting such claim, including reasonable attorneys' fees
incurred in connection therewith.  It shall be a defense to any such action
(other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in
defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required
undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the corporation) that the
claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under
the Delaware General Corporation Law (or other applicable law) for the
corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of
proving such defense shall be on the corporation.  Neither the failure of the
corporation (or of its full board of directors, its directors who are not
parties to the Proceeding with respect to which indemnification is claimed, its
stockholders, or independent legal counsel) to have made a determination prior
to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is
proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of
conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law (or other applicable
law), nor an actual determination by any such person or persons that such
claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to
such action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable
standard of conduct.

          SECTION 4.  NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS.    The rights conferred by this
          ----------                                                            
Article shall not be exclusive of any other right which any director, officer,
representative, employee or other agent may have or hereafter acquire under the
Delaware General Corporation Law or any other statute, or any provision
contained in the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws, or any agreement,
or pursuant to a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 5.  INSURANCE AND TRUST FUND. In furtherance and not in
          ----------                                 
limitation of the powers conferred by statute:

                    (1) the corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or is serving at the request of the corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and
incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such,
whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against
such liability under the provisions of law; and

                    (2) the corporation may create a trust fund, grant a
security interest and/or use other means (including, without limitation, letters
of credit, surety bonds and/or other similar arrangements), as well as enter
into contracts providing indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law
and including as part thereof provisions with respect to any or all of the
foregoing, to ensure the payment of such amount as may become necessary to
effect indemnification as provided therein, or elsewhere.

          SECTION 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS OF THE
          ----------                                                
CORPORATION.  The corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by
the board of directors, grant rights to indemnification, including the right to
be paid by the corporation the expenses incurred in defending any Proceeding in
advance of its final disposition, to any employee or agent of the corporation to
the fullest extent permitted by law.

          SECTION 7.  AMENDMENT.    This Article VIII is also contained in
          ----------                                                      
Articles NINE and TEN of the corporation's certificate of incorporation, and
accordingly, may be altered, amended or repealed only to the extent and at the
time said Articles NINE and TEN are altered, amended or repealed.  Any repeal or
modification of this Article VIII shall not change the rights of an officer or
director to indemnification with respect to any act or omission occurring prior
to such repeal or modification.

                                  ARTICLE IX.
                                  AMENDMENTS
                                  ----------

          SECTION 1.  The board of directors may adopt, amend or repeal these
          ----------                                                         
Bylaws.  Any adoption, amendment or repeal of these Bylaws by the board of
directors shall require the approval of a majority of the directors then in
office.  The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal these
Bylaws.  In addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock
of this corporation required by law or by the certificate of incorporation, the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of
all of the then-outstanding shares of voting stock voting together as a single
class, shall be required to adopt, amend or repeal any provision of these
Bylaws.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
                                 CERTIFICATION
                                 -------------

          I hereby certify that I am the duly elected, qualified and acting
Secretary of Unitrin, Inc., and that the foregoing Amended and Restated By-laws
were adopted as the By-laws of the corporation by the Board of Directors of the
corporation at a meeting duly held on October 29, 1997.


Dated:   November 7, 1997



                              ________________________________
                              Scott Renwick
                              Secretary

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
ARTICLE  I.    OFFICES                                                         1
                                                                               
ARTICLE II.    MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS                                        1
                                                                               
ARTICLE III.   DIRECTORS                                                       6
               MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS                              6
               COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS                                         7
               COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS                                       8
                                                                               
ARTICLE IV.    NOTICES                                                         8
                                                                               
ARTICLE V.     OFFICERS                                                        8
               CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER                                         9
               THE PRESIDENT                                                   9
               THE VICE PRESIDENT                                              9
               THE SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES                        10
               THE TREASURER AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS                         10
                                                                               
ARTICLE VI.    CERTIFICATES OF STOCK                                          11
               LOST CERTIFICATES                                              11
               TRANSFERS OF STOCK                                             11
               CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS                                      11
               REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS                                        12
                                                                               
ARTICLE VII.   GENERAL PROVISIONS                                             12
               DIVIDENDS                                                      12
               CHECKS                                                         12
               FISCAL YEAR                                                    13
               SEAL                                                           13
 
ARTICLE VIII.  DIRECTOR'S LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION                       13
               DIRECTOR'S LIABILITY                                           13
               RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION                                       13
               RIGHT OF CLAIMANT TO BRING SUIT                                14
               NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS                                      14
               INSURANCE AND TRUST FUND                                       15
               INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS OF THE CORPORATION     15
               AMENDMENT                                                      15
                                                                               
ARTICLE IX.    AMENDMENTS                                                     15
</TABLE>

                                     -17-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.7

________________________________________________________________________________



                     AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                     among

                                 UNITRIN, INC.

                           THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO,

                                      and

                          NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.,
                            as Administrative Agent



                               September 17, 1997


________________________________________________________________________________
<PAGE>
 
                     AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                     among

                                 UNITRIN, INC.

                           THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO,

                                      and

                          NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.,
                            as Administrative Agent

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Index                                                      Page
                                        -----                                                      ----
<S>                                                                                                <C>
ARTICLE 1.  DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS.

     1.1     Definitions...........................................................................   1
             -----------
     1.2     Accounting Terms and Determinations...................................................  15
             -----------------------------------

ARTICLE 2.   LOANS.

      2.1    The Loans.............................................................................  15
             ---------
      2.2    Manner of Borrowing and Disbursement..................................................  16
             ------------------------------------
      2.3    Interest..............................................................................  23
             --------
      2.4    Fees..................................................................................  25
             ----
      2.5    Reduction of Commitment...............................................................  26
             -----------------------
      2.6    Prepayment............................................................................  26
             ----------
      2.7    Repayment.............................................................................  26
             ---------
      2.8    Notes; Loan Accounts..................................................................  27
             --------------------
      2.9    Manner of Payment.....................................................................  27
             -----------------
     2.10    Reimbursement.........................................................................  29
             -------------
     2.11    Application of Payments...............................................................  29
             -----------------------
     2.12    Capital Adequacy......................................................................  30
             ----------------
     2.13    Commitment Increase...................................................................  31
             -------------------

ARTICLE 3.   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

     3.1     Conditions Precedent to Initial Advance...............................................  31
             ---------------------------------------
     3.2     Conditions Precedent to Each Advance..................................................  32
             ------------------------------------
 </TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                 <C>
ARTICLE 4.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

     4.1     Representations and Warranties........................................................  33
             ------------------------------
     4.2     Survival of Representations and Warranties, etc.......................................  36
             -----------------------------------------------

ARTICLE 5.   GENERAL COVENANTS.

     5.1     Preservation of Existence and Similar Matters.........................................  36
             ---------------------------------------------
     5.2     Compliance with Applicable Law........................................................  37
             ------------------------------
     5.3     Maintenance of Properties.............................................................  37
             -------------------------
     5.4     Accounting Methods and Financial Records..............................................  37
             ----------------------------------------
     5.5     Payment of Taxes and Claims...........................................................  37
             ---------------------------
     5.6     Visits and Inspections................................................................  37
             ----------------------
     5.7     Use of Proceeds.......................................................................  38
             ---------------
     5.8     Further Assurances....................................................................  38
             ------------------

ARTICLE 6.   INFORMATION COVENANTS.

     6.1     Quarterly Financial Statements of the Borrower........................................  38
             ----------------------------------------------
     6.2     Annual Financial Statements of the Borrower...........................................  38
             -------------------------------------------
     6.3     Additional Reporting Requirements.....................................................  39
             ---------------------------------
     6.4     Performance Certificates..............................................................  39
             ------------------------
     6.5     Copies of Other Reports...............................................................  39
             -----------------------
     6.6     Notice of Litigation and Other Matters................................................  40
             --------------------------------------

 ARTICLE 7.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

     7.1     Restricted Payments and Purchases.....................................................  41
             ---------------------------------
     7.2     Limitations on Indebtedness of Subsidiaries of Borrower...............................  41
             -------------------------------------------------------
     7.3     Limitation on Liens...................................................................  41
             -------------------
     7.4     Amendment and Waiver..................................................................  41
             --------------------
     7.5     Liquidation; Merger; Disposition of Assets............................................  42
             ------------------------------------------
     7.6     Borrower's Maximum Leverage...........................................................  42
             ---------------------------
     7.7     Risk-Based Capital Ratio..............................................................  42
             ------------------------
     7.8     Affiliate Transactions................................................................  42
             ----------------------
     7.9     Other Indebtedness....................................................................  42
             ------------------
     7.10    Restrictions on Upstream Dividends by Subsidiaries....................................  43
             --------------------------------------------------
     7.11    Business of the Borrower..............................................................  43
             ------------------------

ARTICLE 8.   DEFAULT.

     8.1     Events of Default.....................................................................  43
             -----------------
     8.2     Remedies..............................................................................  45
             --------
 </TABLE>

                                     -ii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                  <C>
ARTICLE 9.   THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.

     9.1     Appointment and Authorization.........................................................  46
             -----------------------------
     9.2     Delegation of Duties..................................................................  46
             --------------------
     9.3     Interest Holders......................................................................  46
             ----------------
     9.4     Consultation with Counsel.............................................................  47
             -------------------------
     9.5     Documents.............................................................................  47
             ---------
     9.6     Administrative Agent and Affiliates...................................................  47
             -----------------------------------
     9.7     Responsibility of the Administrative Agent............................................  47
             ------------------------------------------
     9.8     Action by Administrative Agent........................................................  47
             ------------------------------
     9.9     Notice of Default or Event of Default.................................................  48
             -------------------------------------
     9.10    Responsibility Disclaimed.............................................................  48
             -------------------------
     9.11    INDEMNIFICATION.......................................................................  49
             ---------------
     9.12    Credit Decision.......................................................................  49
             ---------------
     9.13    Successor Administrative Agent........................................................  49
             ------------------------------
     9.14    Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.........................................  50
             ---------------------------------------------

ARTICLE 10.  CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECTING FIXED RATE
ADVANCES AND BID RATE ADVANCES.

     10.1    Fixed Rate Basis Determination Inadequate or Unfair...................................51
             ---------------------------------------------------
     10.2    Illegality............................................................................51
             ----------
     10.3    Increased Costs.......................................................................52
             ---------------
     10.4    Effect On Other Advances..............................................................53
             ------------------------

ARTICLE 11.  MISCELLANEOUS.

     11.1    Notices...............................................................................  53
             -------
     11.2    Expenses..............................................................................  54
             --------
     11.3    Waivers...............................................................................  55
             -------
     11.4    Set-Off...............................................................................  55
             -------
     11.5    Assignment............................................................................  56
             ----------
     11.6    Counterparts..........................................................................  58
             ------------
     11.7    Governing Law.........................................................................  58
             -------------
     11.8    Severability..........................................................................  58
             ------------
     11.9    Headings..............................................................................  58
             --------
     11.10   Interest..............................................................................  58
             --------
     11.11   Entire Agreement......................................................................  59
             ----------------
     11.12   Amendment and Waiver..................................................................  59
             --------------------
     11.13   Other Relationships...................................................................  60
             -------------------
     11.14   Third Party Beneficiaries.............................................................  60
             -------------------------
     11.15   Maintenance of Confidentiality........................................................  60
             ------------------------------
     11.16   Exceptions to Covenants...............................................................  61
             -----------------------
 </TABLE>

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                 <C> 
ARTICLE 12.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
 
     12.1    Waiver of Jury Trial..................................................................  61
             --------------------
 </TABLE>

                                     -iv-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULES


Schedule 1  Subsidiaries



                                    EXHIBITS


Exhibit A Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Exhibit B Form of Revolving Credit Note
Exhibit C Form of Request for Revolving Credit Advance
Exhibit D Form of Borrower Loan Certificate
Exhibit E Form of Opinion of In-House Counsel
Exhibit F Form of Bid Rate Note
Exhibit G Form of Swing Line Note
Exhibit H Form of Bid Rate Advance Request
Exhibit I Form of Invitation to Bid
Exhibit J Form of Confirmation of Bid
Exhibit K Form of Notice of Acceptance of Bid
Exhibit L Form of Commitment Increase Request

                                      -v-
<PAGE>
 
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


     THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT is dated as of September 17, 1997, among UNITRIN,
INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the Lenders from time to time
                                   --------                                 
party hereto, and NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A., as administrative agent for the
Lenders.


                                   BACKGROUND

     The Lenders have been requested to provide the Borrower funds required to
(a) refinance certain debt of the Borrower pursuant to that certain Credit
Agreement, dated as of January 24, 1995, among the Borrower, the lenders party
thereto, and NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), as amended (the "Existing Credit
                                                             ---------------
Agreement"), and (b) finance the general corporate requirements of the Borrower.
- ---------                      
The Lenders have agreed to provide such financing, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth below.

     In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein,
and other good and valuable consideration hereby acknowledged, the parties agree
that the Existing Credit Agreement is amended, restated and superseded as
follows:


ARTICLE 1.  DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS.

     1.1  Definitions.  For the purposes of this Agreement:
          -----------                                      

     "Absolute Bid Rate" shall mean an absolute fixed rate of interest per
      -----------------                                                   
annum.

     "Absolute Bid Rate Advances" shall mean a Bid Rate Advance that bears
      --------------------------                                          
interest at an Absolute Bid Rate.

     "Administrative Agent" shall mean NationsBank of Texas, N.A., acting as
      --------------------                                                  
Administrative Agent for the Lenders, or such successor administrative agent
appointed pursuant to Section 9.13 hereof.
                      ------------        

     "Administrative Agent's Office" shall mean the office of the Administrative
      -----------------------------                                             
Agent located at the address set forth in Section 11.1 hereof, or such other
                                          ------------                      
office as may be designated pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.1 hereof.
                                                          ------------        

     "Advance" or "Advances" shall mean amounts advanced by the Lenders to the
      -------      --------                                                   
Borrower pursuant to Article 2 hereof on the occasion of any borrowing.
                     ---------                                         

     "Affiliate" shall mean any Person (other than a Person whose sole
      ---------                                                       
relationship with any designated Person is as an employee or director) directly
or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the any
designated Person. For purposes of this definition,
<PAGE>
 
"control" when used with respect to any Person includes, without
limitation, (a) the direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than thirty
percent (30%) of the voting securities or voting equity or partnership
interests, of such Person (but shall not include Investees) or (b) the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person,
whether by contract or otherwise, and the terms "controlling" and "controlled"
shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

     "Agreement" shall mean this Agreement, as amended, modified, supplemented
      ---------                                                               
or restated from time to time.

     "Agreement Date" shall mean the date of this Agreement.
      --------------                                        

     "Applicable Law" shall mean (a) in respect to any Person, all provisions of
      --------------                                                            
constitutions, statutes, rules, regulations and orders of governmental bodies or
regulatory agencies applicable to such Person and its properties, including,
without limiting the foregoing, all orders and decrees of all courts and
arbitrators binding on such Person in proceedings or actions to which the Person
in question is a party, and (b) in respect of contracts relating to interest or
finance charges that are made or performed in the State of Texas, "Applicable
Law" shall mean the laws of the United States of America, including without
limitation 12 USC (S)(S) 85 and 86, as amended from time to time, and any other
statute of the United States of America now or at any time hereafter prescribing
the maximum rates of interest on loans and extensions of credit, and the laws of
the State of Texas, including, without limitation, Article 5069-1.04, Title 79,
Revised Civil Statutes of Texas, 1925, as amended ("Art. 1.04"), and any other
statute of the State of Texas; provided that the parties hereto agree that the
provisions of Chapter 15, Title 79, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas, 1925, as
amended, shall not apply to Advances, this Agreement, the Notes or any other
Loan Documents.

     "Applicable Margin" shall mean the interest rate margin applicable to LIBOR
      -----------------                                                         
Advances and CD Rate Advances, as the case may be, in each case determined in
accordance with Section 2.3(h) hereof.
                --------------        

     "Assessment Rate" shall mean, for any Interest Period for a CD Rate
      ---------------                                                   
Advance, the current annual assessment rate (rounded upward to the nearest one
hundredth of one percent (1/100%)) payable by insured banks to the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (or any successor) for insuring time deposits made
in dollars at offices of banks in the United States as determined by the
Administrative Agent on the first day of such Interest Period.

     "Assignment and Assumption Agreement" shall mean that certain form of
      -----------------------------------                                 
Assignment and Assumption Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit A
                                                                 ---------
attached hereto, pursuant to which each Lender may, as further provided in
                                                                          
Section 11.5 hereof, sell a portion of its Loans or Commitment.
- ------------                                                   

     "Authorized Signatory" shall mean, with respect to any Person, such senior
      --------------------                                                     
personnel of such Person as may be duly authorized and designated in writing by
such Person to execute 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
documents, agreements, and instruments on behalf of such Person.

     "Base Rate" shall mean, as of any date, a simple interest rate per annum
      ---------                                                              
equal to the greater of (i) the Prime Rate, or (ii) the sum of (1) the Federal
Funds Rate, plus (2) one-half of one percent (1/2%).  The Base Rate shall be
            ----                                                            
adjusted automatically as of the opening of business on the effective date of
each change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate, as the case may be.

     "Base Rate Advance" shall mean a Revolving Credit Advance which the
      -----------------                                                 
Borrower requests to be made and to bear interest at the Base Rate or which is
reborrowed as a Revolving Credit Advance bearing interest at the Base Rate, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2 hereof, and which shall be in a
                                  -----------                                
principal amount of at least $5,000,000 and in an integral multiple of
$1,000,000, except for a Base Rate Advance which is in an amount equal to the
unused amount of the Commitment, which Revolving Credit Advance may be in such
amount.

     "Bid Rate Advance" shall mean an Advance made pursuant to Section 2.1(c)
      ----------------                                         --------------
hereof.

     "Bid Rate Advance Request" shall mean any certificate signed by an
      ------------------------                                         
Authorized Signatory of the Borrower requesting Bid Rate Advances hereunder,
which certificate shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit H hereto.
                                                        ---------        

     "Bid Rate Notes" shall mean those certain promissory notes issued to each
      --------------                                                          
of the Lenders by the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit F attached
                                                             ---------         
hereto, and any other promissory note issued by the Borrower to evidence Bid
Rate Advances, and any extensions, renewals or amendments to, or any replacement
of, the foregoing.

     "Borrower" shall mean Unitrin, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
      --------                                                   

     "Business Day" shall mean a day on which banks are not authorized or
      ------------                                                       
required to be closed and foreign exchange markets are open for the transaction
of business required for this Agreement in each of London, England, Atlanta,
Georgia, and Chicago, Illinois, as relevant to the determination to be made or
the action to be taken.

     "Capitalized Lease Obligation" shall mean that portion of any obligation of
      ----------------------------                                              
a Person as lessee under a lease which at the time would be required to be
capitalized on the balance sheet of such lessee in accordance with GAAP.

     "CD Rate" shall mean, for any Interest Period, the interest rate per annum
      -------                                                                  
determined by the Administrative Agent to be the average of the prevailing rate
bids at 10:00 a.m. (Dallas time) or as soon thereafter as practicable, on the
Business Day on which the relevant Interest Period commences, by two or more
certificate of deposit dealers of recognized standing for the purchase at face
value from NationsBank of its certificates of deposit having a maturity
comparable to the duration of the Interest Period and in an amount substantially
equal to its share of the amount

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
requested by the Borrower.

     "CD Rate Advance" shall mean a Revolving Credit Advance which the Borrower
      ---------------                                                          
requests to be made and to bear interest at the CD Rate or which is reborrowed
as a Revolving Credit Advance bearing interest at the CD Rate, in accordance
with the provisions of Section 2.2 hereof, and which shall be in a principal
                       -----------                                          
amount of at least $5,000,000 and in an integral multiple of $1,000,000, except
for a CD Rate Advance which is in an amount equal to the unused amount of the
Commitment, which Revolving Credit Advance may be in such amount.

     "CD Rate Basis" shall mean a simple per annum interest rate equal to the
      -------------                                                          
sum of (a) the quotient (rounded upwards to the nearest one one-hundredth
(1/100th) of one percent) of (i) the CD Rate divided by (ii) one minus the
Domestic Reserve Percentage, stated as a decimal, (b) the Assessment Rate, plus
                                                                           ----
(c) the Applicable Margin.  The CD Rate Basis shall apply to Interest Periods of
thirty (30), sixty (60), ninety (90), and one hundred eighty (180) days and,
once determined, shall remain unchanged during the applicable Interest Period,
except for changes to reflect adjustments in the Domestic Reserve Percentage.
Interest on CD Rate Advances shall also be subject to adjustment as provided in
                                                                               
Section 2.3(h) hereof.
- --------------        

     "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
      ----                                                                    
to time.

     "Commitment" shall mean the several obligations of the Lenders to advance
      ----------                                                              
the aggregate sum of up to $340,000,000 to the Borrower prior to the Maturity
Date pursuant to the terms hereof, as such obligations may be reduced from time
to time pursuant to the terms hereof, or as such obligations may be increased
pursuant to Section 2.13 hereof.
            ------------        

     "Commitment Increase" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      -------------------                                             -------
2.13 hereof.
- ----        

     "Commitment Increase Request" shall mean any certificate signed by an
      ---------------------------                                         
Authorized Signatory of the Borrower requesting a Commitment Increase, which
certificate shall be in substantially in the form of Exhibit L hereto.
                                                     ---------        

     "Commitment Ratio" shall mean, with respect to any Lender, the percentage
      ----------------                                                        
equivalent of the ratio which such Lender's portion of the Commitment set forth
on the signature pages hereof bears to the aggregate amount of the Commitment
(as each may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 2.13 or 11.5
                                                       ------------    ----
hereof or as otherwise provided in this Agreement); and

     "Commitment Ratios" shall mean the Commitment Ratios of all of the Lenders
      -----------------                                                        
with respect to the Commitment.

     "Company Action Level-RBC" shall mean the designation given by either the
      ------------------------                                                
National Association of Insurance Commissioners or the state department of
insurance of the state of domicile of the insurance company in question of a
level or range of levels of Risk-Based Capital Ratios as the Risk-Based Capital
Ratio or Ratios, as applicable, of an insurance company which permit a state
insurance department or commission (or other governmental entity) to require
such

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
insurance company (or which otherwise cause such insurance company to be
required) to file a financial plan identifying problem conditions or a proposal
of corrective or remedial actions with any state insurance department or
commission (or other governmental entity) pursuant to rules, regulations or
guidelines adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any
applicable state department of insurance. In the event there is no such
designation given by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any
applicable state department of insurance pursuant to such rules, regulations or
guidelines, "Company Action Level-RBC" shall be deemed to mean any level or
             -------------------------
range of levels of Risk-Based Capital Ratios of an insurance company which
permit a state insurance department or commission (or other governmental entity)
to take any corrective or remedial actions with respect to such insurance
company pursuant to such rules, regulations or guidelines.

     "Confirmation of Bid" shall mean any certificate executed by a duly
      -------------------                                               
authorized officer of a Lender confirming the terms of its Bid Rate Advance,
which certificate shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit J hereto.
                                                        ---------        

     "Consolidated Net Worth" shall mean, at any date of determination, the sum
      ----------------------                                                   
of (a) the consolidated shareholders' equity of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (excluding treasury shares), determined as of such date in
accordance with GAAP, plus or minus, as the case may be, (b) the fair market
value of investments in Investees in excess of the carrying value therefor
determined as of such date (as reduced by an amount equal to the product of (i)
such excess value and (ii) the applicable federal income tax rate in effect on
such date of determination).

     "Default" shall mean any Event of Default, and any of the events specified
      -------                                                                  
in Section 8.1 regardless of whether there shall have occurred any passage of
   -----------                                                               
time or giving of notice (or both) that would be necessary in order to
constitute such event an Event of Default.

     "Default Rate" shall mean a simple per annum interest rate equal to two
      ------------                                                          
percent (2%) above the rate of interest per annum otherwise required to be paid
on the Loans then outstanding.

     "Domestic Reserve Percentage" shall mean, for any day, the percentage which
      ---------------------------                                               
is in effect on such day, as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the actual reserve requirement
(including, without limitation, any basic, supplemental, emergency or marginal
reserves) for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System with deposits
exceeding $5 billion United States dollars in respect of non-personal time
deposits in dollars in the United States having a maturity comparable to the
duration of the Interest Period and in an amount of $250,000 or more.  The CD
Rate Basis shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of
any change in the Domestic Reserve Percentage.

     "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
      -----                                                                    
in effect on the Agreement Date and as such Act may be amended thereafter from
time to time.

     "ERISA Affiliate" shall mean any corporation or trade or business which is
      ---------------                                                          
a member of the same controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of
Section 414(b) of the Code) as 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
the Borrower, or is under common control (within the meaning of Section 414(c)
of the Code) with the Borrower.

     "Event of Default" shall mean any of the events specified in Section 8.1
      ----------------                                            -----------
hereof, provided that any requirement for notice or lapse of time, or both, has
been satisfied.

     "Facility Fees" shall mean the facility fees payable to the Lenders in
      -------------                                                        
respect of the Commitment pursuant to Section 2.4(a) hereof.
                                      --------------        

     "Federal Funds Rate" shall mean, as of any date, the weighted average of
      ------------------                                                     
the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with the members of the
Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published for such
day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day)
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published
for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day
on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal
funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.

     "Fixed Rate Advances" shall mean LIBOR Advances and CD Rate Advances.
      -------------------                                                 

     "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles consistently
      ----                                                                  
applied, as in effect from time to time in the United States.  The parties
hereto agree that upon any changes to GAAP which impact the Borrower's ability
to comply with the provisions hereof (either positively or negatively), the
parties will negotiate in good faith such amendments to this Agreement as may be
appropriate.

     "Guaranty", as applied to any Person, shall mean any direct or indirect
      --------                                                              
liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person with respect to any
obligation of any other Person, including, without limitation, (a) the
endorsement, co-making, discounting with recourse or sale with recourse by such
Person of the obligation of any other Person, which is required to be reflected
as a liability or contingency in such Person's financial statements in
accordance with GAAP or otherwise appears as such in such financial statements,
(b) any requirement (by contract or any other arrangement) that such Person
maintain the net worth, working capital or earnings (or similar financial
performance or condition) of any other Person, and (c) all reimbursement
obligations with respect to outstanding letters of credit.

     "Highest Lawful Rate" shall mean at the particular time in question the
      -------------------                                                   
maximum rate of interest which, under Applicable Law, the Lenders are then
permitted to charge on the Obligations.  If the maximum rate of interest which,
under Applicable Law, the Lenders are permitted to charge on the Obligations
shall change after the date hereof, the Highest Lawful Rate shall be
automatically increased or decreased, as the case may be, from time to time as
of the effective time of each change in the Highest Lawful Rate without notice
to the Borrower.

     "Indebtedness" shall mean, with respect to any Person, without duplication,
      ------------                                                              
the obligations of such Person of the types described in clauses (a) through (f)
in the definition of 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
Total Debt.

     "Interest Period" shall mean, (a) in connection with any Base Rate Advance,
      ---------------                                                           
the period beginning on the date such Advance is made or converted from an
Advance of a different type and ending on the last day of the calendar quarter
in which such Advance is made; provided, however, that if a Base Rate Advance is
                               --------  -------                                
made on the last day of any calendar quarter, it shall have an Interest Period
ending on, and its Payment Date shall be, the last day of the following calendar
quarter; (b) in connection with any Fixed Rate Advance, the term of such Advance
selected by the Borrower or otherwise determined in accordance with this
Agreement, (c) in connection with any Swing Line Advance, the term of such
Advance, not to exceed seven (7) days, selected by the Borrower in accordance
with this Agreement, (d) in the case of any Absolute Bid Rate Advance, the term
of such Advance, not less than seven (7) calendar days nor more than 180 days
thereafter, selected by the Borrower in accordance with this Agreement, and (e)
in connection with any LIBOR Bid Rate Advance, the term of such Advance and
ending one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months thereafter, as selected by
the Borrower in accordance with this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
however, (i) any applicable Interest Period which would otherwise end on a day
which is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business
Day unless, with respect to LIBOR Advances and LIBOR Bid Rate Advances only,
such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest
Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day; (ii) with respect to LIBOR
Advances and LIBOR Bid Rate Advances only, any applicable Interest Period which
begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the
calendar month during which such Interest Period is to end shall (subject to
clause (i) above) end on the last day of such calendar month; and (iii) no
Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.  Interest shall be due
and payable with respect to any Advance as provided in Section 2.3 hereof.
                                                       -----------        

     "Interest Rate Basis" shall mean the Base Rate, the CD Rate Basis or the
      -------------------                                                    
LIBOR Basis, as appropriate.

     "Investees" shall mean, collectively, Litton Industries, Inc., Western
      ---------                                                            
Atlas Inc., and Curtiss-Wright Corporation and any other Person described on the
consolidated financial statements of the Borrower as an "Investee."

     "Invitation to Bid" shall mean any certificate executed by the
      -----------------                                            
Administrative Agent notifying each Lender of the Borrower's Bid Rate Advance
Request, which certificate shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit I
                                                                 ---------
hereto.

     "known to" or "to the knowledge of" shall mean known by or reasonably
      --------      -------------------                                   
should have been known by the executive officers of the Person.

     "Lenders" shall mean the financial institutions signatory hereto, together
      -------                                                                  
with any assignees thereof pursuant to Section 11.5(b) hereof; and "Lender"
                                       ---------------              ------ 
shall mean any of the foregoing Lenders.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     "LIBOR Advance" shall mean an Advance which the Borrower requests to be
      -------------                                                         
made and to bear interest at the LIBOR Rate or which is reborrowed as an Advance
bearing interest at the LIBOR Rate in accordance with the provisions of Section
                                                                        -------
2.2 hereof, and which shall be in a principal amount of at least $5,000,000 and
- ---                                                                            
in an integral multiple of $1,000,000, except for a LIBOR Advance which is in an
amount equal to the unused amount of the Commitment, which Advance may be in
such amount.

     "LIBOR Basis" shall mean a simple per annum interest rate equal to the sum
      -----------                                                              
of (a) the quotient of (i) the LIBOR Rate divided by (ii) one minus the LIBOR
Reserve Percentage, stated as a decimal, plus (b) the Applicable Margin for
LIBOR Advances.  The LIBOR Basis shall be rounded upward to the nearest one-
sixteenth of one percent (1/16%) and shall apply to Interest Periods of one (1),
two (2), three (3), and six (6) months, and, once determined, shall be subject
to Article 10 hereof and shall remain unchanged during the applicable Interest
   ----------                                                                 
Period, except for changes to reflect adjustments in the LIBOR Reserve
Percentage and the Applicable Margin.

     "LIBOR Bid Rate" shall mean a rate per annum equal to the sum of (a) the
      --------------                                                         
quotient of (i) the LIBOR Rate for the term in question divided by (ii) one
minus the LIBOR Reserve Percentage, stated as a decimal, plus or minus (b) the
Margin.

     "LIBOR Bid Rate Advance" shall mean a Bid Rate Advance that bears interest
      ----------------------                                                   
at the LIBOR Bid Rate.

     "LIBOR Rate" shall mean, for any Interest Period, (a) if the Request for
      ----------                                                             
Revolving Credit Advance (whether in writing or by telephone) for such borrowing
is received by the Administrative Agent three (3) or more Business Days prior to
the commencement of such Interest Period, the interest rate per annum equal to
the offered rate for deposits in United States dollars (rounded to four decimal
places) in amounts comparable to the principal amount of, and for a length of
time comparable to the Interest Period for, the LIBOR Advance to be made by the
Lenders, which interest rate appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m.
(London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest
Period; provided, however, that (i) if more than one such offered rate appears
        --------  -------                                                     
on Telerate Page 3750, the LIBOR Rate shall be the arithmetic average (rounded
to four decimal places) of such offered rates, or (ii) if no such offered rates
appear on such page, the LIBOR Rate shall be the interest rate per annum
(rounded to four decimal places) at which United States dollar deposits are
offered to the Administrative Agent in the London interbank borrowing market at
approximately 11:00 a.m. (Dallas time) on the date two (2) Business Days prior
to the first day of such Interest Period in an amount comparable to the
principal amount of, and for a length of time comparable to the Interest Period
for, the LIBOR Advance to be made by the Lenders, and (b) if the Request for
Revolving Credit Advance (whether in writing or by telephone) for such borrowing
is received two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest
Period, the interest rate per annum (rounded to four decimal places) at which
United States dollar deposits are offered to the Administrative Agent in the
London interbank borrowing market at approximately 10:00 a.m. (Dallas time) on
the date two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period in
an amount comparable to the principal amount of, and for a length of time
comparable to the Interest Period

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
for, the LIBOR Advance to be made by the Lenders, it being expressly understood
that the Administrative Agent may not actually purchase any such time deposits
and obtain such funds.

     "LIBOR Reserve Percentage" shall mean the percentage which is in effect
      ------------------------                                              
from time to time under Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, as such regulation may be amended from time to time, as the
actual reserve requirement applicable with respect to Eurocurrency Liabilities
(as that term is defined in Regulation D), to the extent that any Lender has any
Eurocurrency Liabilities subject to such reserve requirement at that time. The
LIBOR Basis for any LIBOR Advance shall be adjusted as of the effective date of
any change in the LIBOR Reserve Percentage.

     "Lien" shall mean, with respect to any property, any mortgage, lien,
      ----                                                               
pledge, conditional assignment, charge, security interest, title retention
agreement, levy, execution, seizure, attachment, garnishment, or other
encumbrance of any kind in respect of such property, whether or not choate,
vested, or perfected. For purposes of this Agreement, the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any asset which it has
acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any
conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement
relating to such asset.

     "Loan Documents" shall mean, without limitation, this Agreement, the Notes,
      --------------                                                            
that certain side agreement between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent
relating to agency fees payable from time to time, all Requests for Revolving
Credit Advance and any other document or agreement executed or delivered from
time to time by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection herewith.

     "Loans" shall mean, collectively, the amounts advanced by the Lenders to
      -----                                                                  
the Borrower under this Agreement, not to exceed the aggregate amount of the
Commitment, and evidenced by the Notes.

     "Majority Lenders" shall mean, at any time, Lenders the total of whose
      ----------------                                                     
Commitment Ratios equals or exceeds 66.6667% (excluding from such calculation
the Commitment Ratios of any Lenders who fail to fund Advances as provided in
                                                                             
Section 2.2(h) hereof); provided, however, if the Commitment has terminated,
- --------------          --------  -------                                   
"Majority Lenders" shall mean Lenders holding at least 66.6667% of the then
- -----------------                                                          
aggregate unpaid principal amount of Advances.

     "Margin" shall mean, as to any LIBOR Bid Rate Advance, the margin
      ------                                                          
(expressed as a percentage rate per annum in the form of a decimal to no more
than four decimal places) to be added or subtracted from the LIBOR Rate to
determine the interest rate applicable to such Advance.

     "Margin Stock" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.1(o)
      ------------                                             --------------
hereof.

     "Materially Adverse Effect" shall mean any materially adverse effect upon
      -------------------------                                               
the business, assets, liabilities, or financial condition of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
upon the ability of the Borrower to perform the Obligations.

     "Maturity Date" shall mean September 1, 2002, or such earlier date as
      -------------                                                       
payment of the Loans shall be due (whether by acceleration or otherwise).

     "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean a multiemployer plan defined as such in
      ------------------                                                    
Section 3(37) of ERISA to which contributions have been made by the Borrower,
any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate and which is covered by Title IV
of ERISA.

     "NationsBank" shall mean NationsBank of Texas, N.A.
      -----------                                       

     "Necessary Authorizations" shall mean all authorizations, consents,
      ------------------------                                          
permits, approvals, licenses, and exemptions from, and all filings and
registrations with, and all reports to, any governmental or other regulatory
authority whether federal, state, or local, and all agencies thereof, necessary
for the conduct of the businesses and the ownership (or lease) of the properties
and assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

     "Net Proceeds" shall mean, with respect to any sale, lease, transfer or
      ------------                                                          
other disposition of assets by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the
aggregate amount of cash received by such Person for such assets (including,
without limitation, any payments received for non-competition covenants,
consulting or management fees in connection with such sale, and any portion of
the amount received evidenced by a promissory note or other evidence of
Indebtedness issued by the purchaser), net of (i) amounts reserved, if any, for
taxes payable with respect to any such sale (after application of any available
losses, credits or other offsets), (ii) the amount, if any, required to be
reserved in accordance with GAAP, and so reserved, in connection with any
contingent obligation of the seller/transferee in such transaction to pay or
expend any amount under the terms of the documentation relating to such
transaction, (iii) reasonable and customary transaction costs properly
attributable to such transaction and payable by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries (other than to an Affiliate) in connection with such sale, lease,
transfer or other disposition of assets, including, without limitation,
commissions, and (iv) until actually received by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, any amount the payment of which has been deferred (whether held in
escrow, hold back, set aside for reserves or similar arrangement) and not
received at the closing of such transaction, or evidenced by a promissory note
or other evidence of Indebtedness issued by a purchaser or non-compete agreement
or covenant or otherwise for which compensation is paid over time.  Upon receipt
by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of (A) amounts referred to in item
(iv) of the preceding sentence, or (B) if there shall occur any reduction in the
reserves referred to in items (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence resulting in
a payment to the Borrower, such amounts shall then be deemed to be "Net
                                                                    ---
Proceeds".

     "Notes" shall mean, collectively, the Revolving Credit Notes, the Bid Rate
      -----                                                                    
Notes and the Swing Line Note.

     "Notice of Acceptance of Bid" shall mean any certificate signed by an
      ---------------------------                                         
Authorized Signatory of the Borrower accepting bids for Bid Rate Advances, which
certificate shall be in 

                                     -10-
<PAGE>
 
substantially the form of Exhibit K hereto.
                          ---------        

     "Obligations" shall mean (a) all payment and performance obligations of the
      -----------                                                               
Borrower to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents, as they may be amended from time to time, or as a
result of making the Loans, and (b) the obligation to pay an amount equal to the
amount of any and all damages which the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, or
any of them, may suffer by reason of a breach by the Borrower of any obligation,
covenant, or undertaking with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan
Document.

     "Payment Date" shall mean the last day of each Interest Period.
      ------------                                                  

     "Permitted Liens" shall mean, as applied to any Person:
      ---------------                                       

          (a)  Any Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
     given to secure the Obligations;

          (b)  (i) Liens on real estate for real estate taxes not yet delinquent
     and (ii) Liens for taxes, assessments, judgments, governmental charges or
     levies, or claims the non-payment of which is being diligently contested in
     good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have
     been set aside on such Person's books, but only so long as no foreclosure,
     distraint, sale, or similar proceedings have been commenced with respect
     thereto and remain unstayed for a period of thirty (30) days after their
     commencement;

          (c)  Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, laborers, and
     materialmen incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet
     due or being diligently contested in good faith, if such reserve or
     appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been
     made therefor;

          (d)  Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection
     with worker's compensation and unemployment insurance;

          (e)  Restrictions on the transfer of assets imposed by any federal,
     state or local statute, regulation or ordinance applicable to such Person;

          (f)  Easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, and other similar
     encumbrances on the use of real property which do not interfere with the
     ordinary conduct of the business of such Person, or Liens incidental to the
     conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its
     properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness or other
     extensions of credit and which do not in the aggregate materially detract
     from the value of such properties or materially impair their use in the
     operation of the business of such Person;
     
                                     -11-
<PAGE>
 
          (g)  Liens securing Indebtedness of Subsidiaries of the Borrower in an
     aggregate principal amount permitted pursuant to Section 7.2(b) hereof;
                                                      --------------        

          (h)  Judgment Liens against assets of the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries arising in connection with court proceedings which do not
     exceed $75,000,000 in the aggregate when added to all Liens permitted under
     clause (g) of this definition;

          (i)  Liens securing Indebtedness of the Borrower to the extent that
     such Indebtedness is ratably secured with the Obligations and rank pari
                                                                        ----
     passu at all times with the Obligations;
     -----                                   

          (j)  Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Borrower in an aggregate
     amount outstanding from time to time not to exceed $25,000,000; and

          (k)  Other Liens solely on Margin Stock.

     "Person" shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited
      ------                                                                   
liability company, a trust, or an unincorporated organization, or a government
or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

     "Plan" shall mean an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section
      ----                                                                   
3(3) of ERISA or any other plan maintained for employees of any Person or any
affiliate of such Person.

     "Prime Rate" shall mean, at any time, the rate of interest per annum
      ----------                                                         
publicly announced from time to time by NationsBank as its "prime rate" in
effect at its principal office in Dallas, Texas; each change in the Prime Rate
shall be effective on the date such change is publicly announced as effective.
The Prime Rate is not necessarily the lowest rate of interest charged to
borrowers of NationsBank or its affiliates.

     "Reportable Event" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4043(b) of
      ----------------                                                        
ERISA.

     "Request for Revolving Credit Advance" shall mean any certificate signed by
      ------------------------------------                                      
an Authorized Signatory of the Borrower requesting a Revolving Credit Advance
hereunder which will increase the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit
Advances outstanding, which certificate shall be denominated a "Request for
                                                                -----------
Revolving Credit Advance," and shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit C
- ------------------------                                             ---------
attached hereto.  Each Request for Revolving Credit Advance shall, among other
things, (a) specify the date of the Advance, which shall be a Business Day, the
amount of the Advance, the type of Advance, and, with respect to Fixed Rate
Advances, the Interest Period selected by the Borrower, (b) state that there
shall not exist, on the date of the requested Advance and after giving effect
thereto, a Default or an Event of Default, and (c) set forth the calculations
after giving effect to the requested Advance for Sections 2.3(h), 2.4 and 7.6
                                                 ---------------  ---     ---
hereof.

     "Restricted Payment" shall mean any direct or indirect distribution,
      ------------------                                                 
dividend or other 

                                     -12-
<PAGE>
 
payment to any Person on account of any capital stock of, general or limited
partnership interest (whether common or preferred) in, or other equity
securities of, the Borrower or in connection with any tax sharing agreement
(other than tax sharing agreements having the Borrower or one of its
Subsidiaries as the tax paying entity under such agreement and that certain tax
indemnity agreement between the Borrower and Teledyne, Inc.).

     "Restricted Purchase" shall mean any payment on account of the purchase,
      -------------------                                                    
redemption or other acquisition or retirement of any capital stock of, general
or limited partnership interest in, or other securities of, the Borrower.

     "Revolving Credit Advances" shall mean an Advance made pursuant to Section
      -------------------------                                         -------
2.1(a) hereof.
- ------        

     "Revolving Credit Notes" shall mean those certain promissory notes in the
      ----------------------                                                  
aggregate original principal amount of $350,000,000, one issued to each of the
Lenders by the Borrower, each one substantially in the form of Exhibit B
                                                               ---------
attached hereto, any other promissory notes issued by the Borrower to evidence
Revolving Credit Advances, and any extensions, renewals or amendments to, or any
replacements of, the foregoing.

     "Risk-Based Capital Ratio" shall mean the risk-based capital ratio of any
      ------------------------                                                
applicable Person adopted from time to time by the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners or by the state department of insurance of the state of
domicile of the insurance company in question.  In the event that there is a
conflict between the risk-based capital ratio formulae adopted by the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners and any applicable state department of
insurance, the formula adopted by such state department of insurance shall be
the applicable formula for purposes of this Agreement.

     "SAP" shall mean, with respect to any insurance company, statutory
      ---                                                              
accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners and, as applicable, the state department of insurance of
the state of domicile of such insurance company for the preparation of financial
statements and reports by insurance companies of the same type as such insurance
company.

     "Subsidiary" shall mean, as applied to any Person, (a) any corporation of
      ----------                                                              
which fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding stock (other than
directors' qualifying shares) having ordinary voting power to elect a majority
of its board of directors, regardless of the existence at the time of a right of
the holders of any class or classes of securities of such corporation to
exercise such voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency, or any
partnership of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding partnership
interests is at the time owned by such Person, or by one or more Subsidiaries of
such Person, or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, and
(b) any other entity which is controlled by such Person, or by one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person, or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of
such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.

                                     -13-
<PAGE>
 
     "Swing Line Advance" shall mean an Advance made pursuant to Section 2.1(b)
      ------------------                                         --------------
hereof.

     "Swing Line Facility" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1(b)
      -------------------                                      --------------
hereof.

     "Swing Line Lender" shall mean NationsBank and any successor thereto
      -----------------                                                  
appointed pursuant to Section 9.13 hereof.
                      ------------        

     "Swing Line Note" shall mean that certain promissory note in the principal
      ---------------                                                          
amount of $10,000,000, issued by the Borrower to the Swing Line Lender,
substantially in the form of Exhibit G attached hereto, and any other promissory
                             ---------                                          
note issued by the Borrower to evidence Swing Line Advances, and any extensions,
renewals or amendments to, or any replacements of, the foregoing.

     "Swing Line Rate" shall mean, with respect to any Swing Line Advance, the
      ---------------                                                         
fixed interest rate per annum charged thereon by the Swing Line Lender and based
upon the Swing Line Lender's cost of funds, but in no event shall the Swing Line
Rate in effect on any date exceed the LIBOR Basis that would otherwise be in
effect on such date for LIBOR Advances.

     "Total Capitalization" shall mean as of any date, the sum of (a) the
      --------------------                                               
Borrower's Consolidated Net Worth and (b) without duplication, Total Debt.

     "Total Debt" shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
      ----------                                                               
on a consolidated basis, (a) indebtedness created, issued or incurred by any
such Person for borrowed money (whether by loan or the issuance and sale of debt
securities), but excluding customer deposits, investment accounts and
certificates, insurance reserves and passbook accounts; (b) obligations of any
such Person to pay the deferred purchase or acquisition price of property or
services, other than trade accounts payable (other than for borrowed money)
arising, and accrued expenses incurred, in the ordinary course of business; (c)
indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on the property of any such Person,
whether or not the respective indebtedness so secured has been assumed by any
such Person; (d) obligations of any such Person in respect of letters of credit
or similar instruments issued or accepted by banks and other financial
institutions for the account of any such Person; (e) Capitalized Lease
Obligations of any such Person; and (f) indebtedness of others of the types
described in clauses (a), (b), (d) and (e) of this definition of Total Debt,
which is guaranteed by any such Person, all as determined in accordance with
GAAP.

     "Trinity" shall mean Trinity Universal Insurance Company, a Texas
      -------                                                         
corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

     "United Insurance" shall mean United Insurance Company of America, an
      ----------------                                                    
Illinois corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

     Each definition of an agreement in this Article 1 shall include such
                                             ---------                   
agreement as modified, amended, or supplemented from time to time with the prior
written consent of the 

                                     -14-
<PAGE>
 
Majority Lenders, except as provided in Section 11.12 hereof, and except where
                                        -------------
the context otherwise requires, definitions imparting the singular shall include
the plural and vice versa. Except where otherwise specifically restricted,
reference to a party to a Loan Document includes that party and its successors
and assigns. All terms used herein which are defined in Article 9 of the Uniform
Commercial Code in effect in the State of Texas on the date hereof and which are
not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings herein as set forth
therein.

     1.2  Accounting Terms and Determinations.
          ----------------------------------- 

     (a)  Except with respect to Consolidated Net Worth or as otherwise
expressly provided herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be
interpreted, and all financial statements and certificates and reports as to
financial matters required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders hereunder shall (unless otherwise disclosed to the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders in writing at the time of delivery thereof in the manner
described in subsection (b) below) be prepared in accordance with GAAP or SAP,
as the case may be, as in effect from time to time.

     (b)  To the extent not reflected in the annual or quarterly financial
statements delivered pursuant to Sections 6.1, 6.2 or 6.3 hereof, the Borrower
                                 ------------  ---    ---                     
shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders at the same time as
the delivery of such financial statements under Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 hereof
                                                ------------  ---     ---       
a description in reasonable detail of any material variation between the
application of accounting principles and practices employed in the preparation
of such statement and the application of accounting principles and practices
employed in the preparation of the next preceding annual or quarterly financial
statements and reasonable estimates of the difference between such statements
arising as a consequence thereof.


ARTICLE 2. LOANS.

     2.1   The Loans.
           --------- 

     (a)   Revolving Credit Advances. The Lenders agree, severally in accordance
           -------------------------  
with their respective Commitment Ratios, and not jointly, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of this Agreement, to lend and re-lend Revolving
Credit Advances to the Borrower, on or prior to the Maturity Date, in amounts
which in the aggregate at any one time outstanding do not exceed the Commitment.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, at no time shall the sum of the
aggregate amount of outstanding (i) Revolving Credit Advances plus (ii) Swing
Line Advances, plus (iii) Bid Rate Advances exceed the Commitment as then in
effect.

     (b)   Swing Line Advances. The Swing Line Lender agrees, upon the terms and
           -------------------  
conditions of this Agreement, to lend and re-lend Swing Line Advances to the
Borrower, on or prior to the Maturity Date, in an aggregate amount that does not
exceed the lesser of (i) $10,000,000 and (ii) the remainder of (A) the
Commitment minus (B) the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of
(i) Revolving Credit Advances and (ii) Bid Rate 

                                     -15-
<PAGE>
 
Advances (the "Swing Line Facility"). Each Swing Line Advance shall be in an
               -------------------
amount not less than $100,000 or an integral multiple thereof and shall be for a
term of no more than seven calendar days.

     (c)   Bid Rate Advances.  Each Lender may, in its sole discretion and upon
           -----------------                                                   
the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, make Bid Rate Advances to
the Borrower, on or prior to the Maturity Date such that the aggregate Bid Rate
Advances outstanding is not in excess of the difference between (i) the
Commitment minus (ii) the sum of (A) the aggregate principal amount of all
Revolving Credit Advances outstanding plus (B) the aggregate principal amount of
all Swing Line Advances outstanding.  Bid Rate Advances may either bear interest
at the Absolute Bid Rate or the LIBOR Bid Rate.  Each Absolute Bid Rate Advance
shall be for a term of not less than seven (7) calendar days and not more than
180 days.  Each LIBOR Bid Rate Advance shall be for a term of one (1), two (2),
three (3) or six (6) months.  Each borrowing of Bid Rate Advances shall be in an
aggregate principal amount which is at least $5,000,000 and which is an integral
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and each Bid Rate Advance by a Lender
shall be in a principal amount which is at least $1,000,000 and which is an
integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.  No Lender shall have any
obligation to make Bid Rate Advances, and the Borrower shall have no obligation
to accept any offer for Bid Rate Advances.

     (d)   Use of Proceeds. The Lenders, and the Borrower agree that the 
           ---------------        
proceeds of the Loans may be used for any general corporate purposes of the
Borrower.

     2.2   Manner of Borrowing and Disbursement.
           ------------------------------------ 

     (a)   Choice of Interest Rate, etc.  Any Revolving Credit Advance shall, at
           -----------------------------                                        
the option of the Borrower, be made as a Base Rate Advance, a LIBOR Advance or a
CD Rate Advance.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, and without in any way limiting
the rights of the Lenders to refuse to make any Revolving Credit Advance
hereunder at any time any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Borrower may in no event select a Fixed Rate Advance if, at the
time of such selection, a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing.  Fixed Rate Advances shall in all cases be subject to Article 10
                                                                  ----------
hereof.  Any notice given to the Administrative Agent in connection with a
requested Revolving Credit Advance hereunder shall be given to the
Administrative Agent prior to 10:00 a.m. (Dallas time) in order for such
Business Day to count toward the minimum number of Business Days required.

                                     -16-
<PAGE>
 
     (b)   Base Rate Advances.
           ------------------ 

           (i)  Initial Advances.  The Borrower shall give the Administrative
                ----------------                                             
     Agent in the case of Base Rate Advances at least one (1) Business Day's
     irrevocable prior written notice in the form of a Request for Revolving
     Credit Advance, or notice by telephone or telecopy followed immediately by
     a Request for Revolving Credit Advance; provided, however, that the failure
     by the Borrower to confirm any notice by telephone or telecopy with a
     Request for Revolving Credit Advance shall not invalidate any notice so
     given.  Upon receipt of such notice from the Borrower, the Administrative
     Agent shall promptly notify each Lender by telephone or telecopy of the
     contents thereof.

          (ii)  Repayments and Reborrowings.  The Borrower may repay or prepay a
                ---------------------------                                     
     Base Rate Advance without regard to its Payment Date, subject, however, to
     Section 2.6 hereof, and (a) upon at least one (1) Business Days'
     -----------                                                     
     irrevocable prior written notice, reborrow all or a portion of the
     principal amount thereof as one or more Base Rate Advances, (b) upon at
     least two (2) Business Days' irrevocable prior written notice, reborrow all
     or a portion of the principal thereof as one or more LIBOR Advances, (c)
     upon at least two (2) Business Days' irrevocable prior written notice,
     reborrow all or a portion of the principal thereof as one or more CD Rate
     Advances, or (d) not reborrow all or any portion of such Base Rate Advance.
     On the date indicated by the Borrower, such Base Rate Advance shall be so
     repaid and, as applicable, reborrowed.  The failure by the Borrower to give
     timely notice under this Section prior to any Payment Date for a Base Rate
                              -------                                          
     Advance shall be deemed to be a Request for Revolving Credit Advance for a
     Base Rate Advance on such date unless such Advance is repaid on such date.

     (c)  LIBOR Advances.
          -------------- 

          (i)  Initial Advances.  The Borrower shall give the Administrative
               ----------------                                             
     Agent in the case of LIBOR Advances at least two (2) Business Days'
     irrevocable prior written notice in the form of a Request for Revolving
     Credit Advance, or notice by telephone or telecopy followed immediately by
     a Request for Revolving Credit Advance; provided, however, that the failure
                                             --------  -------                  
     of the Borrower to confirm any notice by telephone or telecopy with a
     Request for Revolving Credit Advance shall not invalidate any notice so
     given.  The Administrative Agent, whose determination shall be conclusive,
     shall determine the available LIBOR Basis and shall notify the Borrower of
     such LIBOR Basis.  The Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative
     Agent by telecopy or by telephone, and shall immediately confirm any such
     telephonic notice in writing, of its selection of a LIBOR Basis and
     Interest Period for such Advance; provided, however, that a failure by the
                                       --------  -------                       
     Borrower to confirm any such telephonic notice in writing shall not
     invalidate any notice so given.  Upon receipt of such notice from the
     Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender by
     telephone or telecopy of the contents thereof.

          (ii)  Repayments and Reborrowings.  (A) At least two (2) Business Days
                ---------------------------                                     
     prior to the Payment Date for each LIBOR Advance, the Borrower shall give
     the 

                                     -17-
<PAGE>
 
     Administrative Agent written notice specifying whether all or a portion
     of such LIBOR Advance outstanding on the Payment Date is to be repaid and
     then reborrowed in whole or in part as a LIBOR Advance, (B) at least one
     (1) Business Day prior to the Payment Date for each LIBOR Advance, the
     Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice specifying
     whether all or a portion of such LIBOR Advance is to be repaid and then
     reborrowed in whole or in part as a Base Rate Advance, or (C) at least two
     (2) Business Days prior to the Payment Date for each LIBOR Advance, the
     Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice specifying
     whether all or a portion of such LIBOR Advance is to be repaid and then
     reborrowed in whole or in part as a CD Rate Advance.  Upon such Payment
     Date such LIBOR Advance will, subject to the provisions hereof, be so
     repaid and, as applicable, reborrowed.

     (d)  CD Rate Advances.
          ---------------- 

          (i)  Initial Advances.  The Borrower shall give the Administrative
               ----------------                                             
     Agent in the case of CD Rate Advances at least two (2) Business Days'
     irrevocable written notice in the form of a Request for Revolving Credit
     Advance, or notice by telephone or telecopy followed immediately by a
     Request for Revolving Credit Advance; provided, however, that the failure
                                           --------  -------                  
     of the Borrower to confirm any notice by telephone or telecopy with a
     Request for Revolving Credit Advance shall not invalidate any notice so
     given.  The Administrative Agent, whose determination shall be conclusive,
     shall determine the available CD Rate Basis and shall notify the Borrower
     of such CD Rate Basis.  The Borrower shall promptly notify the
     Administrative Agent by telecopy or by telephone, and shall immediately
     confirm any such telephonic notice in writing, of its selection of a CD
     Rate Basis and Interest Period for such Advance; provided, however, that a
                                                      --------  -------        
     failure by the Borrower to confirm any such telephonic notice in writing
     shall not invalidate any notice so given.  Upon receipt of such notice from
     the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender by
     telephone or telecopy of the contents thereof.

          (ii) Repayments and Reborrowings.  (A) At least two (2) Business Days
               ---------------------------                                     
     prior to the Payment Date for each CD Rate Advance, the Borrower shall give
     the Administrative Agent written notice specifying whether all or a portion
     of such CD Rate Advance outstanding on the Payment Date is to be repaid and
     then reborrowed in whole or in part as a CD Rate Advance, (B) at least one
     (1) Business Day prior to the Payment Date for each CD Rate Advance, the
     Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice specifying
     whether all or a portion of such CD Rate Advance is to be repaid and then
     reborrowed in whole or in part as a Base Rate Advance, or (C) at least two
     (2) Business Days prior to the Payment Date for each CD Rate Advance, the
     Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice specifying
     whether all or a portion of such CD Rate Advance is to be repaid and then
     reborrowed in whole or in part as a LIBOR Advance.  Upon such Payment Date
     such CD Rate Advance will, subject to the provisions hereof, be so repaid
     and, as applicable, reborrowed.

     (e)  Swing Line Advances.  The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent
          -------------------                                                   
and the 

                                     -18-
<PAGE>
 
Swing Line Lender irrevocable telephonic notice of its intention to
borrow or reborrow a Swing Line Advance prior to 12:00 p.m. (Dallas time) on the
date of any proposed Swing Line Advance; provided, however, (i) the Borrower
shall deliver written notice at least once a week confirming the telephonic
notices given by the Borrower with respect to Swing Line Advances during the
immediately preceding week and (ii) that the Borrower's failure to confirm any
telephonic notice in writing shall not invalidate any notice so given.  Such
notice of borrowing shall specify the requested funding date, which shall be a
Business Day, and the amount of the proposed Swing Line Advance.  Upon receipt
of such notice of borrowing, the Swing Line Lender shall promptly notify the
Borrower of the Swing Line Rate applicable to such proposed Swing Line Advance.

     (f)  Bid Rate Advances.  With respect to each borrowing consisting of Bid
          -----------------                                                   
Rate Advances, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent prior to 10:00
a.m. (Dallas time), (i) in the case of LIBOR Bid Rate Advances, at least four
Business Days prior to the proposed date of borrowing and (ii) in the case of
Absolute Bid Rate Advances, at least three Business Days prior to the proposed
date of borrowing, written notice of its intention to borrow Bid Rate Advances
pursuant to a Bid Rate Advance.  Such Bid Rate Advance Request shall specify (i)
the requested date of borrowing, which shall be a Business Day, (ii) the
aggregate amount of the proposed borrowing of Bid Rate Advances (which shall be
at least $5,000,000 and which is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof), (iii) the Interest Period with respect thereto, provided that such
Interest Period shall not extend past the Maturity Date, and (iv) whether the
Bid Rate Advances requested are Absolute Bid Rate Advances or LIBOR Bid Rate
Advances.  Bid Rate Advance Requests that do not conform substantially to the
format of Exhibit H may be rejected by the Administrative Agent, and the
          ---------                                                     
Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrower of such rejection.
The Borrower shall pay a $1,000 non-refundable, administrative fee for the
account of the Administrative Agent for each notice of proposed borrowing
consisting of Bid Rate Advances.  Such fee shall be paid to the Administrative
Agent on the date of delivery of the Borrower's notice of intention to borrow
Bid Rate Advances, and shall not be refunded notwithstanding that the proposed
borrowing is canceled by Borrower or no Lender offers to make a Bid Rate
Advance.

          (i)  Upon the receipt by the Administrative Agent of a Bid Rate
     Advance Request that conforms with the requirements herein, the
     Administrative Agent shall, by telecopy in the form of the Invitation to
     Bid, invite each Lender to bid, on the terms and conditions of this
     Agreement, to make Bid Rate Advances pursuant to the Bid Rate Advance
     Request.

          (ii) Each Lender shall, if, in its sole discretion, it elects to do
     so, irrevocably offer to make one or more Bid Rate Advances to the Borrower
     as part of such proposed borrowing at a rate or rates of interest specified
     by such Lender in its sole discretion, by delivering a Confirmation of Bid
     to the Administrative Agent before 10:00 a.m. (Dallas time), (A) three
     Business Days prior to the proposed date of borrowing, in the case of a
     request for LIBOR Bid Rate Advances, and (B) two Business Days prior to the
     proposed date of borrowing, in the case of a request for Absolute Bid Rate
     Advances, (1) setting

                                     -19-
<PAGE>
 
     forth (a) the minimum amount (which shall be $1,000,000 or an integral
     multiple in excess thereof) and maximum amount of each Bid Rate Advance
     which such Lender would be willing to make as part of the proposed
     borrowing (which amounts may exceed such Lender's Commitment Ratio) and (b)
     the Absolute Bid Rate or Margin therefor, as applicable, and (2) confirming
     the Interest Period therefor. Confirmation of Bids that do not conform
     substantially to Exhibit J may be rejected by the Administrative Agent, and
                      ---------
     the Administrative Agent shall notify the applicable Lender of such
     rejection as soon as practicable. If any Lender shall fail to respond to
     the Administrative Agent by such time, such Lender shall be deemed to have
     elected not to make an offer. Any Confirmation of Bid submitted by a Lender
     pursuant to this Section 2.2(f)(ii) is irrevocable.
                      ------------------   


          (iii) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower of
     the number of Confirmation of Bids, the interest rate(s) and Interest
     Period(s) applicable thereto, the maximum principal amount bid at each
     interest rate for each Interest Period, and the identity of each Lender
     submitting a Confirmation of Bid.

          (iv)  Not later than 12:00 noon (Dallas time) (A) three Business Days
     prior to the proposed date of borrowing in the case of LIBOR Bid Rate
     Advances and (B) two Business Days prior to the proposed date of the
     proposed borrowing in the case of Absolute Bid Rate Advances, the Borrower
     shall, in turn, either

                (A) cancel such proposed borrowing by giving the Administrative
          Agent notice to that effect, or

                (B) accept one or more of the offers made by any Lender or
          Lenders pursuant to clause (ii) above, in its sole discretion, by
          giving notice to the Administrative Agent of the amount of each Bid
          Rate Advance (which amount shall be equal to or greater than the
          minimum amount, and equal to or less than the maximum amount, for
          which notification was given to the Borrower by any Lender for such
          Bid Rate Advance pursuant to clause (ii) above) to be made by each
          Lender as part of such borrowing, and reject any remaining offers made
          by Lenders pursuant to clause (ii) above by giving the Administrative
          Agent notice to that effect; provided, however, that if offers are
          made by two or more such Lenders with the same LIBOR Bid Rates or
          Absolute Bid Rates for a greater aggregate principal amount than the
          amount for which such offers are accepted for the related term, the
          principal amount of Bid Rate Advances accepted shall be allocated by
          the Borrower among such Lenders as nearly as possible (in multiples
          not less than $1,000,000) in proportion to the aggregate principal
          amount of such offers, and (3) the aggregate principal amount of
          offers accepted by the Borrower shall not exceed the maximum amount
          contained in the related Bid Rate Advance Request.

          (v)  The Administrative Agent shall promptly give telephonic notice to
     each bidding Lender if any of its offers have been accepted (and if so, in
     what amount, at what 

                                     -20-
<PAGE>
 
     interest rate and for what Interest Period), and each successful Lender
     will thereupon become bound, subject to the other applicable conditions
     hereof, to make each Bid Rate Advance for which its offer has been
     accepted.

          (vi)   After completing the notifications referred to in clause (v)
     above, the Administrative Agent shall notify each bidding Lender (A) the
     aggregate amount of Bid Rate Advances made in connection with such proposed
     borrowing, (B) the maturities thereof, and (C) the lowest and highest
     interest rates at which Bid Rate Advances were made for each maturity.

          (vii)  If the Administrative Agent shall at any time elect to submit a
     bid for a Bid Rate Advance in its capacity as a Lender, it shall submit
     such bid directly to the Borrower one-half hour earlier than the latest
     time at which other Lenders are required to submit their bid to the
     Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2(f)(ii) hereof.
                                      ----------------        
          (viii) If the Borrower accepts one or more offers made by any Lender
     or Lenders pursuant to clause (iv)(B) above, each such Lender shall, unless
     any applicable condition specified in Article 3 hereof has not been
                                           ---------                    
     satisfied, not later than 12:00 noon (Dallas time) on the date of a Bid
     Rate Advance hereunder, make available to the Administrative Agent the
     principal amount of each Bid Rate Advance in immediately available funds,
     to be disbursed by the Administrative Agent by wire transfer pursuant to
     instructions of the Borrower.

     (g)  Notification of Lenders.  Upon receipt of a Request for Revolving
          -----------------------                                          
Credit Advance or a written notice under this Section 2.2 with respect to a
                                              -----------                  
Revolving Credit Advance from the Borrower with respect to a reborrowing of any
then outstanding Revolving Credit Advance on the Payment Date for such Advance,
the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender by telephone or
telecopy of the contents thereof and the amount of such Lender's portion of the
applicable Advance.  Each Lender shall, not later than 10:30 a.m. (Dallas time)
on the date specified in such notice, make available to the Administrative Agent
at the Administrative Agent's Office, or at such account as the Administrative
Agent shall designate, the amount of its portion of the applicable Revolving
Credit Advance in immediately available funds.

     (h)  Disbursement of Revolving Credit Advances.  Prior to 2:00 p.m. (Dallas
          -----------------------------------------                             
time) on the date of a Revolving Credit Advance hereunder, the Administrative
Agent shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this
                                                                            
Section 2.2 and in Article 3 hereof, disburse the amounts made available to the
- -----------        ---------                                                   
Administrative Agent by the Lenders in like funds by transferring the amounts so
made available by wire transfer pursuant to the instructions of the Borrower.
Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior
to the date of any Revolving Credit Advance that such Lender will not make
available to the Administrative Agent such Lender's ratable portion of such
Advance, and so long as notice has been given as provided in Section 2.2(g)
                                                             --------------
hereof, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such
portion available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Advance and
the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion and in reliance upon such
assumption, make available to the 

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent such Lender
shall not have so made such ratable portion available to the Administrative
Agent, such Lender agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on
demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day
from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such
amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate. If such
Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such
amount so repaid shall constitute such Lender's portion of the applicable
Advance for purposes of this Agreement. If such Lender does not repay such
corresponding amount immediately upon the Administrative Agent's demand
therefor, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower, and the Borrower
shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent,
together with all interest accrued thereon at the Interest Rate Basis that would
have applied to such Advance had such Lender funded its portion thereof. The
failure of any Lender to fund its portion of any Revolving Credit Advance shall
not relieve any other Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to fund its
respective portion of such Advance on the date of such borrowing, but no Lender
shall be responsible for any such failure of any other Lender. In the event
that, at any time when the Borrower is not in Default, a Lender for any reason
(other than the failure of the Borrower to satisfy the conditions herein to a
Revolving Credit Advance or the Administrative Agent's failure to give notice of
such Advance as required hereunder) fails or refuses to fund its portion of a
Revolving Credit Advance at a time when the Majority Lenders have funded their
respective portions of such Advance, then, until such time as such Lender has
funded its portion of such Advance, or all other Lenders have received payment
in full (whether by repayment or prepayment) of the principal and interest due
in respect of such Advance, such non-funding Lender shall (i) have no right to
vote regarding any issue on which voting is required or advisable under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, and (ii) shall be entitled to receive no
payments of principal, interest or fees from the Borrower in respect of such
Loans which such Lender failed to make or any Facility Fee.

     (i)  Disbursement of Swing Line Advances.  Prior to 3:00 p.m. (Dallas time)
          -----------------------------------                                   
on the date of a Swing Line Advance hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall,
subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this Section 2.2 and
                                                                -----------    
in Article 3 hereof, disburse the amounts made available to the Administrative
   ---------                                                                  
Agent by the Swing Line Lender in like funds by transferring the amounts so made
available by wire transfer pursuant to the instructions of the Borrower.
Forthwith upon demand by the Swing Line Lender at any time after a Default or
Event of Default, and in any event upon the making of the direction specified in
Section 8.2 hereof to authorize the Administrative Agent to declare the Loans
- -----------                                                                  
due and payable pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.2 hereof, each Lender,
                                              -----------                     
including the Swing Line Lender, notwithstanding the failure of the Borrower at
such time to satisfy each condition specified in Article 3 hereof, shall make by
                                                 ---------                      
12:00 noon (Dallas time) on the first Business Day following receipt by such
Lender of notice from the Swing Line Lender, a Revolving Credit Advance which is
a Base Rate Advance in an amount equal to the product of (i) the Commitment
Ratio of such Lender times (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of
the Swing Line Advances. The proceeds of such Revolving Credit Advances shall be
applied by the Administrative Agent to repay the outstanding Swing Line
Advances.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
     2.3  Interest.
          -------- 

     (a)  On Base Rate Advances.  Interest on each Base Rate Advance shall be
          ---------------------                                              
computed on the basis of a year of 365/366 days for the actual number of days
elapsed and shall be payable at the Base Rate for such Advance (but not in
excess of the Highest Lawful Rate) quarterly in arrears on the applicable
Payment Date. Any Base Rate Advances and accrued interest thereon outstanding on
the Maturity Date shall also be due and payable on the Maturity Date.

     (b)  On LIBOR Advances.  Interest on each LIBOR Advance shall be computed
          -----------------    
on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed and shall
be payable at the LIBOR Basis for such Advance (but not in excess of the Highest
Lawful Rate) in arrears on the applicable Payment Date, and, in addition, if the
Interest Period for a LIBOR Advance exceeds three (3) months, interest on such
LIBOR Advance shall also be due and payable in arrears on the three-month
anniversary of the beginning of such Interest Period. Any LIBOR Advances and
accrued interest thereon outstanding on the Maturity Date shall also be due and
payable on the Maturity Date.

     (c)  On CD Rate Advances.  Interest on each CD Rate Advance shall be
          -------------------                                            
computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed
and shall be payable at the CD Rate Basis for such Advance (but not in excess of
the Highest Lawful Rate) in arrears on the applicable Payment Date, and, in
addition, if the Interest Period for a CD Rate Advance exceeds ninety (90) days,
interest on such CD Rate Advance shall also be due and payable in arrears on the
ninetieth day from the beginning of such Interest Period.  Any CD Rate Advances
and accrued interest thereon outstanding on the Maturity Date shall also be due
and payable on the Maturity Date.

     (d)  On Swing Line Advances.  Interest on each Swing Line Advance shall be
          ----------------------                                               
computed on the basis of a year of 365/366 days for the actual number of days
elapsed and shall be payable at the Swing Line Rate for such Advance in arrears
on the Applicable Payment Date that it is due.  Any Swing Line Advances and
accrued interest thereon outstanding on the Maturity Date shall also be due and
payable on the Maturity Date.

     (e)  Bid Rate Advances.  Interest on each Absolute Bid Rate Advance shall
          ----------------- 
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed
and shall be payable at the Absolute Bid Rate offered by the Lender making such
Advance (but not in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate) in arrears on the
applicable Payment Date, and, in addition, if the Interest Period for an
Absolute Bid Rate Advance exceeds ninety (90) days, interest on such Absolute
Bid Rate Advance shall also be due and payable in arrears the ninetieth day from
the beginning of such Interest Period. Any Absolute Bid Rate Advances and
accrued interest thereon outstanding on the Maturity Date shall also be due and
payable on the Maturity Date. Interest on each LIBOR Bid Rate Advance shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed
and shall be payable at the LIBOR Bid Rate offered by the Lender making such
Advance (but not in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate) in arrears on the
applicable Payment Date, and, in addition, if the Interest Period for a LIBOR
Bid Rate Advance exceeds 

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
three (3) months, interest on such LIBOR Bid Rate Advance shall also be due and
payable in arrears on the three-month anniversary of the beginning of such
Interest Period. Any LIBOR Bid Rate Advances and accrued interest thereon
outstanding on the Maturity Date shall also be due and payable on the Maturity
Date.

     (f)  If No Notice of Selection of Interest Rate Basis.  If the Borrower
          ------------------------------------------------                  
fails to give the Administrative Agent timely notice of its selection of a LIBOR
Basis or a CD Rate Basis, or if for any reason (other than as a result of the
gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent) a
determination of a LIBOR Basis or a CD Rate Basis for any Revolving Credit
Advance is not timely concluded, the Base Rate shall apply to such Advance, and
if the Borrower shall fail to elect to reborrow any Advance then outstanding
prior to the last Payment Date applicable thereto in accordance with the
provisions of Section 2.2(c)(ii) or 2.2(d)(ii) hereof, the Base Rate shall apply
              ------------------    ----------                                  
to such Advance commencing on such Payment Date if such Advance is not repaid on
such Payment Date.

     (g)  Upon Default.  Immediately upon the (i) occurrence and during the
          ------------                                                     
continuance of an Event of Default set forth in Sections 8.1(b) or 8.1(c) (as it
                                                ---------------    ------       
pertains to Sections 7.1 and 7.6 only) or (ii) the failure of the Borrower to
            ------------     ---                                             
timely deliver the financial statements required by Sections 6.1, 6.2 or 6.3
                                                    ------------  ---    ---
hereof, interest on the outstanding principal balance of the Loans shall bear
interest at the Default Rate.  Such interest shall be payable on demand by the
Majority Lenders and shall accrue until the earlier of (A) waiver or cure of the
applicable Event of Default; (B) agreement of the Majority Lenders to rescind
the charging of interest at the Default Rate, or (C) payment in full of the
Obligations.

     (h)  Applicable Margin.  The Applicable Margins shall be subject to
          -----------------                                             
reduction or increase, as applicable, and as set forth below based upon the
percentage that the Borrower's Total Debt bears to the Borrower's Total
Capitalization.  The adjustment provided for in this Section 2.3(h) shall be
                                                     --------------         
effective (i) quarterly, based upon such percentage as of the last day of the
immediately preceding fiscal quarter of the Borrower as set forth in the
financial statements of the Borrower delivered pursuant to Sections 6.1 and 6.2
                                                           ------------     ---
hereof, as the case may be, (A) with respect to any increase in the Applicable
Margin, commencing as of the second (2nd) Business Day after the day on which
financial statements are required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent
pursuant to Section 6.1 or 6.2 hereof, as the case may be, and (B) with respect
            -----------    ---                                                 
to a decrease in the Applicable Margin, commencing as of the later of (1) the
second (2nd) Business Day after which such financial statements are required to
be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Sections 6.1 or 6.2 hereof,
                                                     ------------    ---        
as the case may be, and (2) the date on which such financial statements are
actually delivered to the Administrative Agent, and (ii) on the date of each
Revolving Credit Advance hereunder based upon (A) the Borrower's Total Debt
after giving effect to such Advance and (B) the Borrower's Total Capitalization
after giving effect to such Advance and the use of the proceeds thereof as of
the last day of the calendar month immediately preceding such Advance. The
Applicable Margins shall be as follows:

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     Total Debt as a percentage of           LIBOR Advance           CD Rate Advance  
         Total Capitalization                Applicable Margin       Applicable Margin
         --------------------                -----------------       -----------------
<S>                                          <C>                     <C>             
Less than or equal to 20%                          .170%                   .270%     
Greater than 20%, but less than or equal to        .215%                   .315%     
 30%                                                                                 
Greater than 30%, but less than or equal to        .250%                   .350%     
 40%                                                                                 
Greater than 40%                                   .350%                   .450%      
</TABLE>

     2.4  Fees.
          -----

     (a)  Facility Fees.  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Lenders, in
          -------------                                                
accordance with their respective Commitment Ratios, a facility fee (the
"Facility Fee") with respect to the Commitment, for each day from the Agreement
- -------------                                                                  
Date through the payment and performance, in full, of all Obligations and the
termination of the Commitment, at the rates set forth below based upon the
percentage that the Borrower's Total Debt bears to the Borrower's Total
Capitalization.  The Facility Fee shall be adjusted (i) quarterly, based upon
the Borrower's Total Debt and Total Capitalization as of the last day of the
immediately preceding fiscal quarter of the Borrower based upon the financial
statements of the Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 or 6.2 hereof, as
                                                 -----------    ---           
the case may be, and (ii) on the date of each Advance hereunder based upon (A)
the Borrower's Total Debt after giving effect to such Advance, and (B) the
Borrower's Total Capitalization, after giving effect to such Advance and the use
of the proceeds thereof as of the last day of the calendar month immediately
preceding the date of such Advance.  The Facility Fee shall be an amount
obtained by applying the following rates to the full amount of the Commitment as
in effect from time to time (and without giving effect to any reduction in
availability thereunder caused by Advances outstanding thereunder):  (1) if the
Borrower's Total Debt is less than or equal to 20% of its Total Capitalization,
 .080% per annum, (2) if the Borrower's Total Debt is greater than 20%, but less
than or equal to 30% of its Total Capitalization, .110% per annum, (3) if the
Borrower's Total Debt is greater than 30% but less than or equal to 40% of its
Total Capitalization, .125% per annum, and (4) if the Borrower's Total Debt is
greater than 40% of its Total Capitalization, .150% per annum.  Such fees shall
be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days
elapsed, shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each calendar
quarter, commencing on September 30, 1997, and on the Maturity Date, and shall
be fully earned when due and non-refundable when paid.

     (b)  Agency Fee.  The Borrower agrees to pay the Administrative Agent for
          ----------                                                          
its services as agent for the Lenders hereunder an administrative agent's fee
payable as and to the extent set forth in a fee letter agreement dated the
Agreement Date between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

     2.5  Reduction of Commitment.  The Borrower shall have the right, at any
          -----------------------                                            
time and from time to time after the Agreement Date and prior to the Maturity
Date, upon at least two (2) Business Days prior written notice to the
Administrative Agent, without any premium or penalty whatsoever, to cancel or
reduce permanently all or a portion of the Commitment on a pro rata 

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
basis among the Lenders in accordance with the Commitment Ratios, provided that
                                                                  --------
any partial reduction shall be made in an amount not less than $5,000,000 and in
integral multiples of $1,000,000, or such lesser amount of the Commitment then
in effect. As of the date of cancellation or reduction set forth in such notice,
the Commitment shall be permanently reduced to the amount stated in the
Borrower's notice for all purposes herein, and the Borrower shall pay to the
Administrative Agent for the Lenders the amount necessary to reduce the
principal amount of the Loans then outstanding to not more than the amount of
the Commitment as so reduced, together with accrued interest on the amount so
prepaid and Facility Fees accrued through the date of the reduction with respect
to the amount reduced, and shall reimburse the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders for any loss or out-of-pocket expense incurred by any of them in
connection with such payment as set forth in Section 2.10.
                                             ------------ 

     2.6  Prepayment.  The principal amount of any Base Rate Advance and Swing
          ----------                                                          
Line Advance may be prepaid in full or in part at any time, without premiums or
penalty whatsoever and without regard to the Payment Date for such Advance, upon
written notice to the Administrative Agent two (2) Business Days prior to the
date of such prepayment.  Fixed Rate Advances may be prepaid prior to the
applicable Payment Date, upon two (2) Business Days prior written notice to the
Administrative Agent, provided that the Borrower shall reimburse the Lenders and
the Administrative Agent, on demand, for any loss or out-of-pocket expense
incurred by the Lenders or the Administrative Agent in connection with such
prepayment, as set forth in Section 2.10 hereof. Each notice of prepayment shall
                            ------------
be irrevocable, and all amounts prepaid on the Loans shall be applied first to
interest and fees and other amounts due and payable hereunder as of such date,
and then to principal. Partial prepayments shall be in a principal amount of not
less than $5,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000. Upon receipt of
any notice of prepayment, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each
Lender of the contents thereof by telephone or telecopy and of such Lender's
portion of the prepayment. The Borrower may not prepay any Bid Rate Advances
before the last day of its Interest Period, unless the Borrower shall reimburse
the Lender making such Bid Rate Advance, on demand, for any loss or out-of-
pocket expenses incurred by such Lender in connection with such prepayment, as
set forth in Section 2.10 hereof.
             ------------        

     2.7  Repayment.
          --------- 

     (a)  If, at any time, the amount of the Loans then outstanding shall exceed
the Commitment, the Borrower shall make a repayment of the principal amount of
the Loans outstanding in an amount equal to such excess.

     (b)  On the Business Day following the sale by (i) the Borrower of Trinity
or United Insurance or (ii) the sale by Trinity or United Insurance of all or
substantially all of such Person's assets in one or a series of related
transactions (other than the sale by any of the foregoing solely of Investees
and/or Margin Stock), the Borrower shall make a repayment of the Loans
outstanding by an amount equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the Net Proceeds
of such sale.  In addition to the foregoing, the Commitment shall be permanently
reduced by an amount equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the Net Proceeds of
any such sale.

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
     (c)  In addition to the foregoing, a final payment of all Obligations then
outstanding shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date.

     2.8  Notes; Loan Accounts.
          -------------------- 

     (a)  The Loans shall be repayable in accordance with the terms and
provisions set forth herein, and shall be evidenced by the Notes. One each of
the Revolving Credit Notes shall be payable to the order of each Lender in
accordance with the respective Commitment Ratio of such Lender. The Revolving
Credit Notes shall be issued by the Borrower to the Lenders and shall be duly
executed and delivered by Authorized Signatories. One each of the Bid Rate Notes
shall be payable to the order of each Lender and shall be duly executed and
delivered by the Authorized Signatories. The Swing Line Note shall be payable to
the order of the Swing Line Lender in the principal amount of $10,000,000 and
shall be duly executed and delivered by Authorized Signatories.

     (b)  Each Lender may open and maintain on its books in the name of the
Borrower one or more loan accounts with respect to the Loans and interest
thereon.  Each Lender which opens such loan account or accounts shall debit the
applicable loan account for the principal amount of each Advance made by it and
accrued interest thereon, and shall credit such loan account for each payment on
account of principal of or interest on the Loans.  The records of each Lender
with respect to the loan accounts maintained by it shall be prima facie evidence
of the Loans and accrued interest thereon, but the failure to maintain such
records shall not impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Indebtedness
hereunder.

     (c)  Each Revolving Credit Advance from the Lenders under this Agreement
shall be made pro rata on the basis of their respective Commitment Ratios.  No
Lender shall be relieved of its obligations to make Revolving Credit Advances
according to its respective Commitment Ratio notwithstanding the fact that at
any time the aggregate principal amount of all Bid Rate Advances and Revolving
Credit Advances made by such Lender would exceed its Commitment Ratio of the
Commitment.

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
     2.9  Manner of Payment.
          ----------------- 

     (a)  Each payment (including any prepayment) by the Borrower on account of
the principal of or interest on the Loans, fees, and any other amount owed to
the Lenders or the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or the Notes shall
be made on the date specified for payment under this Agreement or the Notes to
the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent's Office, for the account
of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in lawful money
of the United States of America in immediately available funds. Any payment
received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. (Dallas time) shall be
deemed received on the next Business Day for purposes of interest accrual. In
the case of a payment for the account of a Lender, the Administrative Agent will
promptly thereafter distribute the amount so received in like funds to such
Lender. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives a payment for the
account of a Lender prior to 2:00 p.m. (Dallas time) on any Business Day and
fails to distribute the amount so received on such Business Day (unless such
distribution is not required pursuant to Section 2.2(g) hereof), the
                                         --------------      
Administrative Agent agrees to pay to such Lender interest on such amount at the
Federal Funds Rate until such amount is distributed to the Lender. If the
Administrative Agent shall not have received any payment from the Borrower as
and when due, the Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders
accordingly.

     (b)  If any payment under this Agreement or any of the Notes shall be
specified to be made upon a day which is not a Business Day, it shall be made on
the next succeeding day which is a Business Day, and such extension of time
shall in such case be included in computing interest (subject to the limitations
in the definition of "Interest Period") and fees, if any, in connection with
such payment.

     (c)  The Borrower agrees to pay principal, interest, fees, and all other
amounts due hereunder or under the Notes without set-off or counterclaim or any
deduction whatsoever and free and clear of all taxes, levies and withholdings,
excluding net income taxes, franchise taxes or taxes that are based on gross
receipts imposed on each Lender by the United States of America and the
jurisdiction under which such Lender is organized or in which it has its
applicable lending office or any political subdivision thereof.  If the Borrower
shall hereafter be required by law to deduct any taxes from or in respect of any
sum payable hereunder or under any Note to any Lender or the Administrative
Agent, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as may be necessary so that after
making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional
sums payable under this Section 2.9(c)), such Lender or the Administrative Agent
                        --------------                                          
(as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received
had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions
and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant
taxation authority or other authority in accordance with Applicable Law.

     (d)  At the election of the Borrower, amounts to be applied, pursuant to
Section 2.7(b) hereof, to prepayment of any Fixed Rate Advance shall be remitted
- --------------                                                                  
into a specifically designated interest bearing "Deposit Account" and shall not
be applied to such prepayment until the end of the Interest Period ending after
the date such payment would otherwise be required, so as to 

                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
avoid incurrence of costs of the type described in Section 2.10 hereof which
                                                   ------------
might otherwise be incurred upon prepayment. In the event the aggregate amount
to be prepaid by reason of Section 2.7(b) hereof exceeds the amount of principal
                           --------------       
to be prepaid at the end of the first such Interest Period to terminate after
the relevant date of reduction, the excess shall remain in such specifically
designated Deposit Account until the end of the next Interest Period, and so on,
until the full amount required to be repaid under Section 2.7(b) hereof has been
                                                  --------------                
applied to the Loans.  As used herein, the aforesaid "Deposit Account" shall be
an account maintained with the Administrative Agent as collateral for the
Obligations (and the Borrower hereby grants a security interest therein to the
Administrative Agent for the Lenders), and the Borrower hereby authorizes the
Administrative Agent to apply at any time, without further authorization from
the Borrower, the balance of said Deposit Account (together with any interest
accrued thereon) to the prepayments required hereunder or otherwise to the
Obligations upon any Event of Default.

     2.10 Reimbursement.
          ------------- 

     (a)  Whenever any Lender shall sustain or incur any losses or out-of-pocket
expenses in connection with (i) failure by the Borrower to borrow any Fixed Rate
Advance or Bid Rate Advance after having given notice of its intention to borrow
in accordance with Section 2.2 hereof, as applicable, (whether by reason of the
                   -----------                                                 
election of the Borrower not to proceed or the non-fulfillment of any of the
conditions set forth in Article 3), (ii) prepayment of any Fixed Rate Advance or
                        ---------                                               
Bid Rate Advance in whole or in part (including a prepayment pursuant to
Sections 10.2 and 10.3(b) hereof), or (iii) an assignment of any Lender's
- -------------     -------                                                
portion of a Fixed Rate Advance in connection with a Commitment Increase
pursuant to Section 2.13 hereof, the Borrower agrees to pay to such Lender, upon
            ------------                                                        
such Lender's demand, an amount sufficient to compensate such Lender for all
such losses and documented out-of-pocket expenses.  Such Lender's good faith
determination of the amount of such losses, absent manifest error, shall be
binding and conclusive.  Any Lender seeking reimbursement under this Section
                                                                     -------
2.10(a) shall provide a certificate to the Borrower setting forth in reasonable
- -------                                                                        
detail the amount to be paid to it by the Borrower hereunder and calculations
therefor, together with documentation substantiating the out-of-pocket expenses.

     (b)  Losses subject to reimbursement hereunder shall include, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, expenses incurred by any Lender or any
participant of such Lender permitted hereunder in connection with the re-
employment of funds prepaid, repaid, not borrowed, or paid, as the ease may be.

     2.11 Application of Payments.  If some but less than all amounts due from
          -----------------------                                             
the Borrower are received from the Borrower, payments made to the Administrative
Agent or the Lenders, or any of them, or otherwise received by the
Administrative Agent or the Lenders, or any of them, shall be distributed as
follows:  First, to the costs and expenses, if any, incurred by the
          -----                                                    
Administrative Agent or the Lenders, or any of them, to the extent permitted by
Section 11.2 hereof in the collection of such amounts under this Agreement or
- ------------                                                                 
any of the other Loan Documents; Second, pro rata among the Lenders based on the
                                 ------                                         
outstanding principal amount of the Loans outstanding hereunder immediately
prior to such payment, to any unpaid interest which 

                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
may have accrued on the Loans; Third, pro rata among the Lenders based on the
                               -----
outstanding principal amount of the Loans outstanding hereunder immediately
prior to such payment, to any unpaid principal of the Loans; Fourth, pro rata
                                                             ------ 
among the Administrative Agent and the Lenders based on the total amount of fees
then due and payable, to any fees then due and payable to the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders under this Agreement or any Loan Document; Fifth, to any
                                                                 -----
other Obligations not otherwise referred to in this Section 2.11 until all such
                                                    ------------    
Obligations are paid in full; Sixth, to damages incurred by the Administrative
                              -----
Agent and the Lenders, or any of them, by reason of any breach hereof or of any
other Loan Documents; and Seventh, upon satisfaction in full of all Obligations
                          -------
to the Borrower or as otherwise required by law. Except as otherwise provided by
the terms and provisions of this Agreement, if any Lender shall obtain any
payment (whether involuntary or otherwise) on account of the Revolving Credit
Advances (or Bid Rate Advances, as the case may be) made by it in excess of its
ratable share of the Revolving Credit Advances (or Bid Rate Advances, as the
case may be) then outstanding and such Lender's share of any expenses, fees and
other items due and payable to it hereunder, such Lender shall forthwith
purchase from the other Lenders a participation in the Revolving Credit Advances
(or Bid Rate Advances, as the case may be) made by such other Lenders as shall
be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment ratably
with each of them; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess
                   --------  -------
payment is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, such purchase from
each Lender shall be rescinded and such Lender shall repay to the purchasing
Lender the purchase price to the extent of such recovery. The Borrower agrees
that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to
this Section may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its
     -------
rights of payment, including, without limitation, the right of set-off, with
respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct
creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation so long as the
Borrower's Obligations are not increased.

     2.12 Capital Adequacy.  In the event that any Lender shall have determined
          ----------------                                                     
that the adoption of any law, rule, regulation or guideline regarding capital
adequacy, or any change therein or in the interpretation or application thereof,
in each case occurring after the Agreement Date, or compliance by any Lender
with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having
the force of law) from any central bank or governmental authority, including,
without limitation, the issuance of any final rule, regulation or guideline
(other than any such request or directive relating to compliance with
regulations, directives, etc., applicable and/or otherwise in effect on the
Agreement Date), does or shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on
such Lender's (or a corporation controlling such Lender) capital as a
consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender
(or corporation) could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance
(taking into consideration such Lender's policies with respect to capital
adequacy) by an amount reasonably deemed by such Lender to be material, then
from time to time, ten (10) days after submission by such Lender to the Borrower
(with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor,
together with a certificate (which shall be conclusive absent manifest error),
setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations evidencing such requested
additional amount, and the law, rule, regulation or guideline with respect
thereto and certifying that such request is consistent with such Lender's
treatment of other similar customers having similar provisions generally in
their agreements with

                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
such Lender and that such request is being made on the basis of a reasonable
allocation of the costs resulting from such law, rule, regulation or guideline,
the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will
compensate such Lender for such reduction.


     2.13 Commitment Increase.  Provided that no Default or Event of Default has
          -------------------                                                   
occurred and is continuing or would result from any Commitment Increase (as
herein defined), the Borrower may, from time to time on any Business Day,
increase the Commitment up to an aggregate principal amount not in excess of
$680,000,000 by delivering a Commitment Increase Request at least ten (10)
Business Days before the desired effective date of such increase (the
"Commitment Increase") identifying (i) each additional financial institution
- --------------------                                                        
which has agreed to become a Lender hereunder and the amount of such additional
Lender's portion of the Commitment (which additional Lender shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) and (ii) each existing Lender which
has agreed to increase its portion of the Commitment and the amount of such
Lender's additional portion of the Commitment, together with certified corporate
resolutions of the Borrower authorizing the Commitment Increase. The effective
date of each Commitment Increase shall be agreed upon by the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent and on such effective date each new Lender (and each
existing Lender, if any, which has increased its portion of the Commitment)
shall, by assignments from existing Lenders (which shall be deemed to occur
automatically on such effective date), acquire a portion of the Revolving Credit
Advances of the existing Lenders in such amounts (and the Lenders shall, through
the Administrative Agent, make such additional adjustments among themselves as
shall be necessary) so that after giving effect to such assignments and
adjustments, the Lenders shall hold the outstanding Revolving Credit Advances in
accordance with their respective Commitment Ratios as adjusted by the Commitment
Increase. Upon the effectiveness thereof, the Lenders' Commitment Ratios shall
be adjusted to reflect the then existing Commitment. The Borrower agrees to pay
any fees or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and any processing
fees) of the Administrative Agent relating to any Commitment Increase.


ARTICLE 3.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

     3.1    Conditions Precedent to Initial Advance. The obligation of the
            --------------------------------------- 
Lenders to undertake the Commitment and to make the initial Advance hereunder is
subject to the prior fulfillment of each of the following conditions:

     (a)    The Administrative Agent or the Lenders, as appropriate, shall have
received each of the following, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders:

            (i) the loan certificate of the Borrower, including a certificate of
     incumbency with respect to the signature of each Authorized Signatory of
     the Borrower, which loan certificate shall be in substantially the form of
     Exhibit D attached hereto, together with the following attachments: (A) a
     copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation of the Borrower,
     certified by the Delaware Secretary of State and a copy of the by-laws of
     the Borrower certified by an Authorized Signatory of the Borrower, (B) good
     standing

                                      -31-
<PAGE>
 
     certificates for the Borrower, issued by the Secretary of State for the
     States of Delaware and all other jurisdictions in which the Borrower is
     required to qualify to do business as a result of the character of its
     properties or the nature of its business, and (C) a copy of the corporate
     resolutions of the Borrower authorizing the borrowing hereunder and the
     execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and
     the other Loan Documents in accordance with their respective terms and of
     any other documents contemplated hereunder and thereunder and the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;

          (ii)  duly executed Notes;

          (iii) opinion of Scott Renwick, Esq. (in-house counsel) to the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries addressed to each Lender and the
     Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto;
                                                        ---------        

          (iv)  duly executed Request for Revolving Credit Advance for the
     initial Advance of the Loans; and

          (v)   all such other documents as the Administrative Agent or any
     Lender may reasonably request, certified by an appropriate governmental
     official or an Authorized Signatory if so requested.

     (b) All of the representations and warranties of the Borrower under this
Agreement shall be true and correct, both before and after giving effect to the
application of the proceeds of the initial Advance.

     (c) Between December 31, 1996, and the date of the initial Advance
hereunder, there has occurred no event which could reasonably be expected to
have a Materially Adverse Effect.

     (d) Simultaneously with the initial Advance, all obligations of the
Borrower under the Existing Credit Agreement will be paid in full, whereupon the
Existing Credit Agreement shall terminate, and the Borrower shall have no
further obligations and liabilities thereunder except those that expressly
survive termination thereof.

     3.2  Conditions Precedent to Each Advance.  The obligation of the Lenders
          ------------------------------------                                
to make each Advance, including the initial Advance hereunder, is subject to the
fulfillment of each of the following conditions immediately prior to or
contemporaneously with such Advance:

     (a) All of the representations and warranties of the Borrower under this
Agreement, which, pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof, are made at and as of the time
                              -----------                                       
of such Advance, shall be true and correct at such time, both before and after
giving effect to the application of the proceeds of the Advance, and the
Administrative Agent shall have received a Request for Revolving Credit Advance
or other request for an Advance required hereunder, as appropriate, to that
effect dated the date of such Advance;

                                      -32-
<PAGE>
 
     (b) The incumbency of the Authorized Signatories shall be as stated in the
certificate of incumbency contained in the certificate of the Borrower delivered
pursuant to Section 3.1(a) hereof or as subsequently modified and reflected in a
            --------------          
certificate of incumbency delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders;

     (c) There shall not exist, on the date of the making of the Advance and
after giving effect thereto, a Default or an Event of Default hereunder and,
with respect to Advances which, if funded, would increase the aggregate amount
of the Loans outstanding hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall have received
a Request for Revolving Credit Advance or other request for an Advance required
hereunder, as appropriate, so stating; and

     (d) The Borrower has provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
all such other documents as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may
reasonably request.

     Notwithstanding the above, the obligation of each Lender to make a
Revolving Credit Advance pursuant to Section 2.2(i) hereof shall be absolute and
                                     --------------                             
unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without
limitation, (i) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or (ii) the
failure of the Borrower to satisfy any condition set forth in this Article 3.
                                                                   --------- 

ARTICLE 4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

     4.1  Representations and Warranties.  The Borrower hereby agrees,
          ------------------------------                              
represents, and warrants that:

     (a) Organization; Power; Qualification.  Each of the Borrower and its
         ----------------------------------                               
Subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good
standing under the laws of their respective states of incorporation, has the
power and authority, corporate and otherwise, to own or lease and operate its
properties and to carry on its business as now being and hereafter proposed to
be conducted, and is duly qualified and is in good standing as a foreign
corporation, and authorized to do business, in each jurisdiction in which the
character of its properties or the nature of its business requires such
qualification or authorization and where the failure to so qualify would have a
Materially Adverse Effect.

     (b) Authorization: Enforceability.  The Borrower has the corporate power,
         -----------------------------                                        
and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize it to execute,
deliver, and perform this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to
which it is a party in accordance with the terms thereof and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by the Borrower, and is, and the Notes, when issued for
value received will be, and each of the other Loan Documents to which the
Borrower is a party is, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower,
enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, subject to the
following qualifications: (i) the discretion

                                      -33-
<PAGE>
 
of any court in awarding equitable remedies, and (ii) bankruptcy, insolvency,
liquidation, reorganization, moratorium, reconstruction, and other similar laws
or legal or equitable principles affecting enforcement of creditors' rights
generally.

     (c) Subsidiaries.  Set forth on Schedule 1 is a complete and correct list,
         ------------                ----------                                
as of the Agreement Date, of all Subsidiaries of the Borrower and a corporate
structure chart reflecting the ownership of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
The Borrower owns, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), all
outstanding shares of its direct Subsidiaries and all such shares are validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

     (d) Compliance with Laws, etc., of Agreement, Other Loan Documents, and
         -------------------------------------------------------------------
Contemplated Transactions.  The execution, delivery, and performance of this
- -------------------------                                                   
Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents in accordance with the terms and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and
will not (i) violate any Applicable Law, or (ii) conflict with; result in a
breach of, or constitute a default under the certificate or articles of
incorporation or by-laws of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or under any
material indenture, agreement, or other instrument to which the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be
bound.

     (e) Necessary Authorizations.  The Borrower has secured all material
         ------------------------                                        
Necessary Authorizations, and all such Necessary Authorizations are in full
force and effect.  The Borrower is not required to obtain any additional
Necessary Authorizations in connection with the execution, delivery, and
performance, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, and the borrowing hereunder.

     (f) Title to Properties.  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has
         -------------------                                                
marketable and legal title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all of their
respective material tangible properties and assets, subject only to Permitted
Liens.

     (g) Taxes.  All federal, all material state, and all other material tax
         -----                                                              
returns of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries required by law to be filed
have been duly filed (except as such returns have been extended in accordance
with Applicable Law), and all federal, state, and other taxes, assessments, and
other governmental charges or levies upon the Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries and any of their respective properties, income, profits, and
assets, which are due and payable as shown on such returns, have been paid,
except any such payment of which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as
applicable, is diligently contesting in good faith by proper proceedings and
against which adequate reserves are being maintained, and as to which no Lien
other than a Permitted Lien has attached.  The charges, accruals, and reserves
on the books of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries in respect of taxes
are, in the reasonable judgement of the Borrower, adequate.

     (h) Financial Statements.  The Borrower has furnished, or caused to be
         --------------------                                              
furnished, to the Lenders financial statements for the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis which present fairly the financial position
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated

                                      -34-
<PAGE>
 
basis as at December 31, 1996, and the results of operations for the periods
then ended, assuming that the Borrower owned the Subsidiaries of the Borrower
existing as of the Agreement Date as of December 31, 1996. Except as disclosed
in such financial statements, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries
had any material liabilities, contingent or otherwise, and there are no material
unrealized or anticipated losses of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
which would be required to be shown on such financial statements.

     (i) No Material Adverse Change.  Since December 31, 1996, there has
         --------------------------                                     
occurred no event which has had or which could reasonably be expected to have a
Materially Adverse Effect.

     (j) Guaranties.  The Borrower has not made guaranties of the indebtedness
         ----------                                                           
of any Person, except where the Obligations of the Borrower thereunder are pari
passu with the Obligations.

     (k) Litigation.  There is no litigation, legal or administrative
         ----------                                                  
proceeding, investigation, or other action of any nature pending or, to the
knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries which upon adjudication could reasonably be expected to have
a Materially Adverse Effect.

     (l) ERISA.  The Borrower and the ERISA Affiliates have fulfilled their
         -----                                                             
respective obligations under the minimum funding standards of Section 302 of
ERISA and Section 412 of the Code with respect to each Plan and are in
compliance in all material respects with the presently applicable provisions of
ERISA and the Code, and have not incurred any liability to the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation or any Plan (other than to pay premiums or make
contributions in the ordinary course of business) and have not been required to
give security as a result of any Plan amendment (as contemplated by Section
401(a)(29) of the Code).  Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is or
ever has been a participant in or obligated to make any payment to a
Multiemployer Plan.  The Borrower and each of its ERISA Affiliates have complied
in all material respects with all requirements of Sections 601 through 608 of
ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code.

     (m) Compliance with Law.  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in
         -------------------                                                  
material compliance with all Applicable Laws and with all of the provisions of
its certificate or articles of incorporation and by-laws or partnership
agreement, as the case may be, except for any non-compliance which could not
reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

     (n) Accuracy and Completeness of Information.  To the best knowledge of the
         ----------------------------------------                               
Borrower after due inquiry, all information, reports, and other papers and data
relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries furnished to the Lenders
were, at the time the same were so furnished, complete and correct in all
material respects to the extent necessary to give the Lenders a true and
accurate knowledge of the subject matter.  No fact is currently known to the
Borrower which has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Materially
Adverse Effect and which has not been disclosed in writing to the Agent and the
Lenders.

                                      -35-
<PAGE>
 
     (o) Compliance with Regulations G, T, U, and X.  Neither the Borrower nor
         ------------------------------------------                           
any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally in or has as one of its important
activities the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying any "margin security" or "margin stock" as defined in Regulations G, T,
U, and X (12 C.F.R. Parts 221 and 224) of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (herein called "Margin Stock").
                                                           ------------    
Neither the Borrower nor any bank acting on its behalf has taken or will take
any action which might cause this Agreement or the Notes to violate Regulation
G, T, U, or X, or any other regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System with respect to Margin Stock, in each case as now in effect or as
the same may hereafter be in effect.  If so requested by the Administrative
Agent or any Lender, the Borrower will furnish the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders with (i) a statement or statements in conformity with the requirements
of Federal Reserve Forms G-3 and/or U-1 referred to in Regulations G and U of
said Board of Governors and (ii) other documents evidencing its compliance with
the margin regulations.  Neither the making of the Loans nor the use of proceeds
thereof will violate, or be inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation G,
T, U, or X of said Board of Governors.

     (p)  Broker's or Finder's Commissions.  No broker's or finder's fee or
          --------------------------------                                 
commission will be payable with respect to the issuance of the Notes.

     (q)  Investment Company Act.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its
          ----------------------                                      
Subsidiaries is required to register under the provisions of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, and neither the entering into or performance by
the Borrower of this Agreement nor the issuance of the Notes violates any
provision of such Act or requires any consent, approval, or authorization of, or
registration with, any governmental or public body or authority pursuant to any
of the provisions of such Act.

     4.2  Survival of Representations and Warranties, etc.  All representations
          ------------------------------------------------                     
and warranties made under this Agreement shall be deemed to be made, and shall
be true and correct, at and as of the Agreement Date and the date of each
Advance hereunder, except to the extent previously fulfilled in accordance with
the terms hereof and to the extent subsequently inapplicable.  All
representations and warranties made under this Agreement shall survive, and not
be waived by, the execution hereof by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent,
any investigation or inquiry by any Lender or the Administrative Agent, or the
making of any Advance under this Agreement unless such Lender had actual
knowledge with respect thereto on the Agreement Date or the date of any Advance
hereunder.

ARTICLE 5.   GENERAL COVENANTS.

     So long as any of the Obligations is outstanding and unpaid or the Borrower
shall have the right to borrow hereunder (whether or not the conditions to
borrowing have been or can be fulfilled), and unless the Majority Lenders shall
otherwise consent in writing:

     5.1  Preservation of Existence and Similar Matters.  The Borrower will, and
          ---------------------------------------------                         
will cause

                                      -36-
<PAGE>
 
each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) preserve and maintain their respective
existence, and all material rights, franchises, licenses, and privileges for the
conduct of their respective businesses, which if not preserved or maintained,
could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect, and (ii)
qualify and remain qualified and authorized to do business in each jurisdiction
in which the character of their respective properties or the nature of their
respective businesses requires such qualification or authorization, except where
the failure to so qualify would not have a Materially Adverse Effect.

     5.2  Compliance with Applicable Law.  The Borrower will comply, and will
          ------------------------------                                     
cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, with the requirements of all material
Applicable Laws, except for non-compliance which could not reasonably be
expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

     5.3  Maintenance of Properties.  The Borrower will maintain, and will cause
          -------------------------                                             
each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, or cause to be maintained in the ordinary
course of business in good repair, working order, and condition, ordinary wear
and tear excepted, all properties used or useful in their respective businesses
(whether owned or held under lease), and from time to time to make or cause to
be made all needed and appropriate repairs, renewals, replacements, additions,
betterments, and improvements thereto.

     5.4  Accounting Methods and Financial Records.  The Borrower will maintain,
          ----------------------------------------                              
and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, a system of accounting
established and administered in accordance with GAAP, and will keep and cause
each of its Subsidiaries to keep adequate records and books of account in which
complete entries will be made in accordance with such accounting principles and
reflecting all transactions required to be reflected by such accounting
principles.

     5.5  Payment of Taxes and Claims.  The Borrower will pay and discharge when
          ---------------------------                                           
due, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay and discharge when due, all
taxes, assessments, and governmental charges or levies imposed upon them or upon
their respective incomes or profits or upon any properties belonging to them
prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, and all lawful claims for
labor, materials, and supplies which, if unpaid, might become a Lien or charge
upon any of their respective properties; except that, no such tax, assessment,
charge, levy, or claim need be paid which is being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves shall have been set
aside on the appropriate books, but only so long as such tax, assessment,
charge, levy, or claim does not become a Lien or charge other than a Permitted
Lien and no foreclosure, distraint, sale, or similar proceedings shall have been
commenced with respect to such item and remain unstayed for a period of thirty
(30) days after such commencement.  The Borrower shall timely file (subject to
extensions permitted by Applicable Law), and will cause each of its Subsidiaries
to timely file (subject to extensions permitted by Applicable Law), all
information returns required by federal, state, or local tax authorities.

     5.6  Visits and Inspections.  The Borrower will permit, and will cause each
          ----------------------                                                
of its Subsidiaries to permit, representatives of the Administrative Agent and
each Lender to, upon

                                      -37-
<PAGE>
 
reasonable prior notice, (a) visit and inspect the properties of the Borrower
and each of its Subsidiaries during normal business hours, (b) inspect and make
extracts from and copies of their respective books and records, and (c) discuss
with their respective principal officers the businesses, assets, liabilities,
financial positions, results of operations, and business prospects relating to
the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries.

     5.7  Use of Proceeds.  The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans
          ---------------                                                  
solely as set forth in Section 2.1(d) hereof.
                       --------------        

     5.8  Further Assurances.  The Borrower will promptly cure, or use its best
          ------------------                                                   
efforts to cause to be cured, defects in the creation and issuance of the Notes
and the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
resulting from any act or failure to act by the Borrower or any employee or
officer thereof.


ARTICLE 6.  INFORMATION COVENANTS.

     So long as any of the Obligations is outstanding and unpaid or the Borrower
has a right to borrow hereunder (whether or not the conditions to borrowing have
been or can be fulfilled) and unless the Majority Lenders shall otherwise
consent in writing, the Borrower will furnish or cause to be furnished to each
Lender and to the Administrative Agent at their respective offices:

     6.1  Quarterly Financial Statements of the Borrower.  As soon as available
          ----------------------------------------------                       
and in any event within sixty (60) days after the end of each of the first three
(3) fiscal quarters of the Borrower, (i) the condensed consolidated statements
(in substantially the condensed form of those provided on or prior to the
Agreement Date) of income and changes in financial position (or of cash flow, as
the case may be) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period and for
the period from the beginning of the respective fiscal year to the end of such
quarter, and (ii) the related condensed consolidated balance sheet as at the end
of such quarter, setting forth in each case with respect to clauses (i) and (ii)
immediately above in comparative form results of the preceding fiscal year end,
which financial statements shall fairly present the consolidated financial
condition and results of operations, as the case may be, of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, as at the end of, and for, such quarter
(subject to normal year-end audit adjustments).

     6.2  Annual Financial Statements of the Borrower.  As soon as available and
          -------------------------------------------                           
in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal
year of the Borrower, the consolidated statements of income and changes in
financial position (or of cash flow and shareholders' equity, as the case may
be) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such year, and the related
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of
such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding
figures for the preceding fiscal year, accompanied by an opinion of KPMG Peat
Marwick or another "Big Six" accounting firm, or such other certified public
accountants of recognized standing which are reasonably satisfactory to the
Majority Lenders, which opinion shall state that such financial statements
fairly

                                      -38-
<PAGE>
 
present the consolidated financial condition and results of operations, as the
case may be, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in accordance with GAAP, as
at the end of, and for, such year.

     6.3  Additional Reporting Requirements.
          --------------------------------- 

     (a)  Annual SAP Statements.  As soon as available and in any event within
          ---------------------                                               
ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of each of Trinity and United
Insurance, a copy of the Annual Statement of such Person, prepared in accordance
with SAP, which such Person has filed with the applicable state department of
insurance pursuant to state insurance law.

     (b)  Quarterly SAP Statements. As soon as available and in any event within
          ------------------------                                           
sixty (60) days after the end of each of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of
each of Trinity and United Insurance the quarterly unaudited financial statement
of such Person prepared in accordance with SAP.

     (c)  Annual Management Discussion.  Promptly after the preparation thereof,
          ----------------------------                                          
copies of all management discussions and analysis reports or similar reports
howsoever designated or described prepared by the Borrower with respect to its
Subsidiaries which are insurance companies and filed with any governmental
authority, agency or department.

     6.4  Performance Certificates.  At the time the financial statements are
          ------------------------                                           
furnished pursuant to Section 6.1 or 6.2 hereof, a certificate of the chief
                      -----------    ---                                   
financial officer or treasurer of the Borrower in form and substance
satisfactory to the Majority Lenders:

     (a)  Stating that, to the best of his or her knowledge, no Default or Event
of Default has occurred as at the end of such quarter or year, as the case may
be, or, if a Default or an Event of Default has occurred, disclosing each such
Default or Event of Default and its nature, when it occurred, whether it is
continuing, and the steps being taken by the Borrower with respect to such
Default or Event of Default; and

     (b)  Setting forth in reasonable detail the computations necessary to
determine whether or not the Borrower was in compliance with Section 7.6 hereof,
                                                             -----------        
and whether or not any Event of Default has occurred under Section 8.1(m)
                                                           --------------
hereof, as of the end of the applicable fiscal quarter or year.

     6.5  Copies of Other Reports.
          ----------------------- 

     (a)  Promptly after the sending thereof, copies of all periodic reports,
proxies and prospectuses which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries sends to
any holder of its Indebtedness or its securities or files with the Securities
and Exchange Commission or any national securities exchange.

     (b)  Promptly after the preparation of the same, copies of all material
reports or financial information filed by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries with any governmental

                                      -39-
<PAGE>
 
agency, department, bureau, division or other governmental authority or
regulatory body, or other reports with respect to the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries which, in any such case, evidence facts or contain information
which could have a Materially Adverse Effect.

     (c) Not less than once during each fiscal year of the Borrower in which the
Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate is a member of, or
is obligated to contribute to, any Multiemployer Plan, (i) a statement, in form
and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, prepared by the actuary
for each Multiemployer Plan to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or
any ERISA Affiliate is a party, setting forth the liabilities (under Section
4201 of ERISA) of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and each ERISA Affiliate, as
appropriate, in the event of a "complete" or "partial withdrawal" (as those
terms are defined in Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) or (ii) if such statement
is not available to the Borrower, a copy of Internal Revenue Service Form 5500
and supporting schedules.

     (d) From time to time and promptly upon each request, such data, internally
generated reports, certificates, statements, documents, or further information
regarding the business, assets, liabilities, financial position, results of
operations, or business prospects of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as
the Administrative Agent, for itself or upon request of any Lender, may
reasonably request.

     6.6  Notice of Litigation and Other Matters.  Prompt notice of the
          --------------------------------------                       
following events as to which the Borrower has received notice or otherwise
become aware thereof:

     (a) The occurrence of any Default or the occurrence or non-occurrence of
any event or the existence of a condition which has had or could reasonably be
expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect with respect to the Borrower or any
of Trinity or United;

     (b) The occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect to any Plan as to
which the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has not by regulation waived the
requirement of Section 4043(a) of ERISA that it be notified within thirty (30)
days of the occurrence of such event (provided that the Borrower shall give the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders notice of any failure to meet the minimum
funding standards of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, regardless
of the issuance of any waivers in accordance with Section 412(d) of the Code);

     (c) The filing under Section 4041 of ERISA of a notice of intent to
terminate any Plan or the termination of any Plan other than, in either case, a
standard termination under Section 4041(b) of ERISA;

     (d) The institution by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation of
proceedings under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the
appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan;

     (e) The occurrence or non-occurrence of any event or the existence of any
condition

                                      -40-
<PAGE>
 
which constitutes, or which with the passage of time or giving of notice, or
both, would constitute, a default by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries
under any material agreement (other than any of the Loan Documents) to which
such Person is party or by which its properties may be bound or affected, which
default could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect; and

     (f)  (i) The commencement of all proceedings and investigations by or
before any governmental body and all actions and proceedings in any court or
before any arbitrator against the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, which
could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect or result in an
Event of Default hereunder, and (ii) any material development with respect
thereto.


ARTICLE 7.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

     So long as any of the Obligations is outstanding and unpaid or the Borrower
has a right to borrow hereunder (whether or not the conditions to borrowing have
been or can be fulfilled) and unless the Majority Lenders shall otherwise give
their prior consent in writing:

     7.1  Restricted Payments and Purchases.  The Borrower shall not directly or
          ---------------------------------                                     
indirectly, declare or make any Restricted Payment or Restricted Purchase,
except that the Borrower may declare and make Restricted Payments and make
Restricted Purchases, in each case, so long as no Default then exists or would
be caused thereby.

     7.2  Limitations on Indebtedness of Subsidiaries of Borrower.  The Borrower
          -------------------------------------------------------               
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, assume, incur or otherwise
become or remain obligated in respect of, or permit to be outstanding, any
Indebtedness except:

     (a)  Indebtedness in favor of the Borrower; and

     (b)  any other Indebtedness in an amount not to exceed $75,000,000 in the
aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time.

     7.3  Limitation on Liens.  The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any
          -------------------                                                   
of its Subsidiaries to, create, assume, incur, or permit to exist or to be
created, assumed, incurred or permitted to exist, directly or indirectly, any
Lien on any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, except for Permitted Liens.

     7.4  Amendment and Waiver.  The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit
          --------------------                                               
any of the Subsidiaries to, enter into any material amendment of, or agree to or
accept any waiver of the provisions of its certificate or articles of
incorporation or by-laws or certificate of partnership or partnership agreement,
as the case may be, which amendment or waiver could reasonably be expected to
have a Materially Adverse Effect.

                                      -41-
<PAGE>
 
     7.5  Liquidation; Merger; Disposition of Assets.  The Borrower shall not at
          ------------------------------------------                            
any time (i) liquidate or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or
dissolution) or otherwise wind up, (ii) sell, lease, abandon, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any assets or business other than (A) sales of obsolete
equipment, inventory or other assets in the ordinary course of business or
publicly traded investment securities or other marketable securities, or (B) in
compliance with Section 2.7(b) hereof, the sale of Trinity or United Insurance,
                --------------                                                 
or (iii) enter into any merger or consolidation.

     7.6  Borrower's Maximum Leverage.  The Borrower shall not at any time
          ---------------------------                                     
permit (a) the Total Debt (after giving effect to any Advances outstanding
hereunder) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis to be
greater than (b)(i) forty percent (40%) of (ii) Total Capitalization of the
Borrower as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar month, for any
consecutive forty-five (45) day period, such period commencing on the date that
the existence of such ratio in excess of that permitted hereunder became known
to the Borrower.

     7.7  Risk-Based Capital Ratio.  Trinity or United Insurance shall not at
          ------------------------                                           
any time fail to have a Risk Based Capital Ratio which is at least twenty-five
percent (25%) higher than the highest Risk Based Capital Ratio within the
category of Company Action Level (or any successor designation) as prescribed by
rules, regulations or guidelines adopted by the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners or the state department of insurance of the state of
domicile of Trinity or United Insurance, as applicable, and such failure shall
continue and not be cured within forty-five (45) days from the date such failure
became known to Trinity or United Insurance, as applicable.

     7.8  Affiliate Transactions.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any
          ----------------------                                                
of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:  (a) make any investment in an
Affiliate; (b) transfer, sell, lease, assign or otherwise dispose of any assets
to an Affiliate; (c) merge into or consolidate with or purchase or acquire
assets from an Affiliate; or (d) enter into any other transaction directly or
indirectly with or for the benefit of an Affiliate (including, without
limitation, guarantees and assumptions of obligations of an Affiliate); provided
                                                                        --------
that (1) any Affiliate who is an individual may serve as a director, officer or
- ----                                                                           
employee of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and receive reasonable
compensation for his or her services in such capacity; (2) the Borrower and its
direct and indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries may do any of the foregoing with
the Borrower and any of its direct and indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries, as
the case may be; (3) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may enter into a tax
sharing agreement; and (4) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may engage in any
transaction with an Affiliate which transaction is on terms no less advantageous
to such Affiliate than would be the case if such transaction had been effected
with a non-Affiliate, including, without limitation, those agreements set forth
on Schedule 2 attached hereto.
   ----------                 

     7.9  Other Indebtedness.  All Obligations of the Borrower under this
          ------------------                                             
Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall rank at least pari passu with all
other Indebtedness (other than Capitalized Lease Obligations) of the Borrower.

                                      -42-
<PAGE>
 
     7.10 Restrictions on Upstream Dividends by Subsidiaries.  The Borrower
          --------------------------------------------------               
shall not permit to exist at any time any consensual restriction limiting the
ability (whether by covenant, event of default, subordination or otherwise) of
any Subsidiary of the Borrower to (a) make Restricted Payments to or Restricted
Purchases from the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (b) pay any obligation owed to
the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, (c) make any loans or advances
to or investments in the Borrower or in any Subsidiary of the Borrower, (d)
transfer any of its property or assets (other than property or assets subject to
Permitted Liens) to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, or (e)
create any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon its property or assets
whether now owned or hereafter acquired or upon any income or profits therefrom,
except for restrictions which could not reasonably be expected to impair the
Borrower's ability to perform the Obligations.

     7.11 Business of the Borrower.  The Borrower will not have, and will not
          ------------------------                                           
permit any of its Subsidiaries to have, as its primary business a business other
than (i) the business of providing life and health insurance, property/casualty
insurance and/or finance services, or (ii) the business of owning the stock of
companies engaged primarily in any of the businesses indicated in clause (i)
                                                                  ----------
above.


ARTICLE 8.  DEFAULT.

     8.1  Events of Default.  Each of the following shall constitute an Event of
          -----------------                                                     
Default, whatever the reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or
involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment or
order of any court or any order, rule, or regulation of any governmental or non-
governmental body:

     (a)  Any representation or warranty made under this Agreement shall prove
incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to have been
made pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof; or
                 -----------           

     (b)  The Borrower shall default (i) in the payment of any interest and fees
payable hereunder or under the Notes, or any of them, or under the other Loan
Documents and such Default shall not have been cured by payment of such overdue
amounts in full within three (3) Business Days from the date such payment became
due, or (ii) in the payment of any principal under the Notes, or any of them; or

     (c)  The Borrower shall default in the performance or observance of any
agreement or covenant contained in Sections 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7 or
                                   ------------  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---   
7.9 hereof; or
- ---           

     (d)  The Borrower shall default in the performance or observance of any
other agreement or covenant contained in this Agreement not specifically
referred to elsewhere in this Section 8.1, and such default shall not be cured
                              -----------                                     
within a period of forty-five (45) days from the date on which such default
became known to the Borrower; or

                                      -43-
<PAGE>
 
     (e)  There shall occur any default in the performance or observance of any
agreement or covenant or breach of any representation or warranty contained in
any of the Loan Documents (other than this Agreement or as otherwise provided in
Section 8.1 of this Agreement), which shall not be cured within the applicable
- -----------                                                                   
cure period, if any, provided for in such Loan Document; or

     (f)  Any Person shall own directly or indirectly, on a combined basis with
any Affiliates of such Person, forty percent (40%) or more of the existing
voting stock of the Borrower; or

     (g)  There shall be entered a decree or order for relief in respect of any
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries under Title 11 of the United States Code,
as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other applicable federal or
state bankruptcy law or other similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator,
assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, or similar official of any of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or of any substantial part of its
respective properties, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of the affairs
of any of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, or an involuntary petition shall be
filed against any of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and (i) such petition
shall not be diligently contested, or (ii) any such petition shall continue
undismissed for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days; or

     (h)  The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall file a petition, answer,
or consent seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now
constituted or hereafter amended, or any other applicable federal or state
bankruptcy law or other similar law, or any of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
shall consent to the institution of proceedings thereunder or to the filing of
any such petition or to the appointment or taking of possession of a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, or other similar
official of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or of any substantial part
of its respective properties, or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall
fail generally to pay its respective debts as they become due, or the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action in furtherance of any such
action; or

     (i)  A final judgment shall be entered by any court against the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries for the payment of money which exceeds $60,000,000 or a
warrant of attachment or execution or similar process shall be issued or levied
against property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which, together with
all other such property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries subject to other
such process, exceeds in value $60,000,000 in the aggregate, and if, within
thirty (30) days after the entry, issue, or levy thereof, such judgment,
warrant, or process shall not have been paid or discharged or stayed pending
appeal, or if, after the expiration of any such stay, such judgment, warrant, or
process shall not have been paid or discharged; or

     (j)  There shall be at any time any "accumulated funding deficiency," as
defined in ERISA or in Section 412 of the Code, with respect to any Plan
maintained by any of the Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates, or to which the
Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates has any liabilities, or any trust
created thereunder; or a trustee shall be appointed by a United States District
Court to administer any such Plan; or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
shall

                                      -44-
<PAGE>
 
institute proceedings To terminate any such Plan; or any of the Borrower and its
ERISA Affiliates shall incur any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation in connection with the termination of any such Plan; or any Plan or
trust created under any Plan of any of the Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates
shall engage in a non-exempt "prohibited transaction" (as such term is defined
in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) which would subject any
such Plan, any trust created thereunder, any trustee or administrator thereof,
or any party dealing with any such Plan or trust to (i) a tax or penalty on
"prohibited transactions" imposed by Section 502 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Code, or (ii) costs or expenses of correcting such "prohibited transactions,"
which in either case ((i) or (ii)) could reasonably be likely to have a
Materially Adverse Effect; or any of the Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates shall
enter into or become obligated to contribute to a Multiemployer Plan and as a
result thereof has any liability or potential liability (under Section 4201 of
ERISA) relating to any actual or potential "complete" or "partial withdrawal"
(as those terms are defined in Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) with respect to
any such Multiemployer Plans, which liability or potential liability exceeds
$60,000,000 in the aggregate at any time; the Borrower or any of its ERISA
Affiliates shall have assessed against it any material tax liability as a result
of a violation of the provisions of Section 4980B of the Code; or the Borrower
or any of the ERISA Affiliates shall amend a Plan so as to require the provision
of security within the meaning of Section 401(a)(29) of the Code; or

     (k)  There shall occur any default or event (which permits the holder(s)
thereof to accelerate such Indebtedness or cause such Indebtedness to be
prepaid, repurchased or redeemed) under any other indenture, agreement, or
instrument evidencing Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in
an aggregate principal amount greater than or equal to $60,000,000; or

     (l)  All or any material portion of any Loan Document shall at any time and
for any reason be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction in a suit with
respect to such Loan Document to be null and void, or a proceeding shall be
commenced by the Borrower, or by any governmental authority having jurisdiction
over the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, seeking to establish the
invalidity or unenforceability thereof (exclusive of questions of interpretation
of any provision thereof), or the Borrower shall deny that it has any liability
or obligation for the payment of principal or interest purported to be created
under any Loan Document; or

     (m)  Any applicable superintendent of insurance (or comparable Person)
shall have taken possession of the business or property of either Trinity or
United Insurance under any applicable state insurance law for the purposes of
rehabilitation, dissolution or liquidation thereof or such Person shall have
appointed a receiver, trustee, custodian, liquidator, conservator, sequestrator
or similar official for either Trinity or United Insurance or for all or any
substantial part of the property or assets of Trinity or United Insurance.

     8.2  Remedies.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and shall be
          --------                                                          
continuing:

     (a)  With the exception of an Event of Default specified in Sections 8.1(g)
                                                                 ---------------
or (h) or (m) hereof with respect to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, at
   ---    ---                                                                  
the direction of the

                                      -45-
<PAGE>
 
Majority Lenders, shall (i) terminate the Commitment and/or (ii) declare the
principal of and interest on the Loans and the Notes and all other obligations
to be forthwith due and payable without presentment, demand, protest, or notice
of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything in this
Agreement or in the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding, or both.

     (b)  Upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default specified
in Sections 8.1(g) or (h) or (m) hereof with respect to the Borrower, such
   ---------------    ---    ---                                          
principal, interest, and other obligations shall thereupon and concurrently
therewith become due and payable, and the Commitment shall forthwith terminate,
all without any action by the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Majority
Lenders or the holders of the Notes, or any of them, and without presentment,
demand, protest, or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived,
anything in this Agreement or in the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding.

     (c)  The Administrative Agent, with the concurrence of the Majority
Lenders, shall exercise all of the post-default rights granted to it and to them
under the Loan Documents or under Applicable Law.

     (d)  The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
hereunder shall be cumulative, and not exclusive.


ARTICLE 9.  THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.

     9.1  Appointment and Authorization.  Each Lender hereby irrevocably
          -----------------------------                                 
appoints and authorizes, and hereby agrees that it will require any transferee
of any of its interest in its Loans and in its Notes irrevocably to appoint and
authorize, the Administrative Agent to take such actions as its administrative
agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers hereunder as are delegated by
the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto.  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers,
employees, or agents shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken
by it or them hereunder or in connection herewith (including as a result of its
or their own ordinary or mere negligence), except for its or their own gross
negligence or willful misconduct.

     9.2  Delegation of Duties.  The Administrative Agent may execute any of its
          --------------------                                                  
duties under the Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys selected by it
using reasonable care and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all
matters pertaining to such duties.  The Administrative Agent shall not be
responsible to any Lender for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or
attorneys selected by it with reasonable care.

     9.3  Interest Holders.  The Administrative Agent may treat each Lender, or
          ----------------                                                     
the Person designated in the last notice filed with the Administrative Agent
under this Section 9.3, as the holder of all of the interests of such Lender in
           -----------                                                         
its Loans and in its Notes until written notice of transfer, signed by such
Lender (or the Person designated in the last notice filed with the
Administrative Agent) and by the Person designated in such written notice of
transfer, in form

                                      -46-
<PAGE>
 
and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, shall have been filed
with the Administrative Agent.

     9.4  Consultation with Counsel.  The Administrative Agent may consult with
          -------------------------                                            
legal counsel selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or
suffered by it in good faith in reliance thereon.

     9.5  Documents.  The Administrative Agent shall be under no duty to
          ---------                                                     
examine, inquire into, or pass upon the validity, effectiveness, or genuineness
of this Agreement, any Note, any other Loan Document, or any instrument,
document, or communication furnished pursuant hereto or in connection herewith,
and the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to assume that they are valid,
effective, and genuine, have been signed or sent by the proper parties, and are
what they purport to be.

     9.6  Administrative Agent and Affiliates.  With respect to the Commitment
          -----------------------------------                                 
and the Loans, the Lender which is the same as the Administrative Agent shall
have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender, and the
Administrative Agent and its affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to,
and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Affiliates
of, or Persons doing business with, the Borrower, as if it were not affiliated
with the Administrative Agent and without any obligation to account therefor.

     9.7  Responsibility of the Administrative Agent.  The duties and
          ------------------------------------------                 
obligations of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement are only those
expressly set forth in this Agreement.  The Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to assume that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing unless it has actual knowledge, or has been notified by the Borrower,
of such fact, or has been notified by a Lender that such Lender considers that a
Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and such Lender
shall specify in detail the nature thereof in writing.  The Administrative Agent
shall not be liable hereunder for any action taken or omitted to be taken except
for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The Administrative Agent
shall provide each Lender with copies of such documents received from the
Borrower as such Lender may reasonably request and such other documents as are
expressly required to be provided by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders
hereunder.  The Administrative Agent shall have no fiduciary relationship in
respect of any Lender by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

                                      -47-
<PAGE>
 
     9.8  Action by Administrative Agent.
          ------------------------------ 

     (a)  Except for action requiring the approval of the Majority Lenders or
all Lenders, as the case may be, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to
use its discretion with respect to exercising or refraining from exercising any
rights which may be vested in it by, and with respect to taking or refraining
from taking any action or actions which it may be able to take under or in
respect of , this Agreement, unless the Administrative Agent shall have been
instructed by the Majority Lenders or all Lenders, as the case may be, to
exercise or refrain from exercising such rights or to take or refrain from
taking such action, provided that the Administrative Agent shall not exercise
any rights under Section 8.2(a) of this Agreement without the request of the
                 --------------                                             
Majority Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall incur no liability under or in
respect of this Agreement with respect to anything which it may do or refrain
from doing in the reasonable exercise of its judgment or which may seem to it to
be necessary or desirable in the circumstances (including any negligent action
of the Administrative Agent), except for its gross negligence or willful
misconduct.

     (b)  The Administrative Agent shall not be liable to the Lenders or to any
Lender in acting or refraining from acting under this Agreement in accordance
with the instructions of the Majority Lenders, and any action taken or failure
to act pursuant to such instructions shall be binding on all Lenders.

     9.9  Notice of Default or Event of Default.  In the event that the
          -------------------------------------                        
Administrative Agent or any Lender shall acquire actual knowledge, or shall have
been notified in writing, of any Default or Event of Default, the Administrative
Agent or such Lender shall promptly notify the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall take such action and assert such
rights under this Agreement as the Majority Lenders shall request in writing,
and the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any liability by reason of
its acting pursuant to any such request in the absence of gross negligence or
willful misconduct on the part of the Administrative Agent in carrying out such
request.  If the Majority Lenders shall fail to request the Administrative Agent
to take action or to assert rights under this Agreement in respect of any
Default or Event of Default within ten (10) days after their receipt of the
notice of any Default or Event of Default from the Administrative Agent, or
shall request inconsistent action with respect to such Default or Event of
Default, the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, take such
action and assert such rights (other than rights under Article 8 hereof) as it
                                                       ---------              
deems in its discretion to be advisable for the protection of the Lenders,
except that, if the Majority Lenders have instructed the Administrative Agent
not to take such action or assert such right, in no event shall the
Administrative Agent act contrary to such instructions, and, further, in no
event shall the Administrative Agent take any action or assert any rights which
by the express terms hereof requires the consent or direction of all of the
Lenders without first obtaining the consent or direction of all such Lenders.

     9.10 Responsibility Disclaimed.  The Administrative Agent shall be under no
          -------------------------                                             
liability or responsibility whatsoever as Administrative Agent:

                                      -48-
<PAGE>
 
     (a)  To the Borrower or any other Person as a consequence of any failure or
delay in performance by or any breach by, any Lender or Lenders of any of its or
their obligations under this Agreement;

     (b)  To any Lender or Lenders or any other Person, as a consequence of any
failure or delay in performance by, or any breach by, the Borrower or any other
obligor of any of its obligations under this Agreement or the Notes or any other
Loan Document; or

     (c)  To any Lender or Lenders for any statements, representations, or
warranties in this Agreement, or any other document contemplated by this
Agreement or any information provided pursuant to this Agreement, any other Loan
Document, or any other document contemplated by this Agreement, or for the
validity, effectiveness, enforceability, or sufficiency of this Agreement, the
Notes, any other Loan Document, or any other document contemplated by this
Agreement.

     9.11 INDEMNIFICATION.  THE BORROWER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVE
          ---------------                                                      
AGENT AND THE LENDERS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AGENTS,
EMPLOYEES AND COUNSEL (EACH AN "INDEMNIFIED PERSON") FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND
ALL LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES, DEFICIENCIES, JUDGMENTS OR REASONABLE
DOCUMENTED EXPENSES INCURRED BY ANY OF THEM ARISING OUT OF OR BY REASON OF ANY
LITIGATION, INVESTIGATIONS, CLAIMS OR PROCEEDINGS, PENDING OR THREATENED, WHICH
ARISE OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, AMOUNTS PAID IN SETTLEMENT, COURT COSTS AND THE REASONABLE
DOCUMENTED FEES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF COUNSEL INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY
SUCH LITIGATION, INVESTIGATION, CLAIM OR PROCEEDING (INCLUDING ANY SUCH LOSSES,
CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR EXPENSES RESULTING FROM THE ORDINARY OR MERE
NEGLIGENCE OF THE INDEMNIFIED PERSON IN QUESTION, BUT EXCLUDING ANY SUCH LOSSES,
CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR EXPENSES RESULTING FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR
WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE INDEMNIFIED PERSON IN QUESTION).  THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SECTION 9.11 SHALL SURVIVE THE TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.
     ------------                                                 

     9.12 Credit Decision.  Each Lender represents and warrants to each other
          ---------------                                                    
and to the Administrative Agent that:

     (a)  In making its decision to enter into this Agreement and to make
Advances it has independently taken whatever steps it considers necessary to
evaluate the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower and the Borrower's
Subsidiaries and that it has made an independent credit judgment, and that it
has not relied upon information provided by the Administrative Agent; and

                                      -49-
<PAGE>
 
     (b)  So long as any portion of the Loans and Commitment remains
outstanding, it will continue to make its own independent evaluation of the
financial condition and affairs of the Borrower and the Borrower's Subsidiaries.

     9.13 Successor Administrative Agent.  Subject to the appointment and
          ------------------------------                                 
acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent (which shall be any Lender or a
commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any
political subdivision thereof which has a combined capital and reserves in
excess of $250,000,000) as provided below, the Administrative Agent may resign
at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower and
may be removed at any time for cause by the Majority Lenders. Upon any such
resignation or removal, the Majority Lenders shall have the right to appoint a
successor Administrative Agent, which appointment, so long as no Event of
Default then exists, shall be subject to the approval of the Borrower (which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). If no successor Administrative
Agent shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders, and shall have
accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring
Administrative Agent's giving of notice of resignation or the Majority Lenders'
removal of the retiring Administrative Agent, then the retiring Administrative
Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent,
which appointment, so long as no Event of Default then exists, shall be subject
to the approval of the Borrower (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld), and which shall be any Lender or a commercial bank organized under
the laws of the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof
which has combined capital and reserves in excess of $250,000,000. Upon the
acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor
Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges, duties,
and obligations of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring
Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations
hereunder.  After any retiring Administrative Agent's resignation or removal
hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Article 9.13 shall
                                                          ------------
continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to
be taken by it while it was acting as the Administrative Agent. If the
Administrative Agent resigning or being removed is also the Swing Line Lender,
such resignation or removal shall constitute resignation or removal of the Swing
Line Lender and the successor Administrative Agent shall also serve as the Swing
Line Lender.

     9.14 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.  The Administrative
          ---------------------------------------------                     
Agent may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be
necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Administrative Agent
(including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements
and advances of the Administrative Agent, its agents, financial advisors and
counsel) and the Lenders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the
Borrower or any of the Borrower's Subsidiaries, or any of their respective
creditors or property, and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive
and distribute any monies, securities or other property payable or deliverable
on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceedings is hereby
authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and,
in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such
payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount
due to the Administrative Agent for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of

                                      -50-
<PAGE>
 
the Administrative Agent, its agents, financial advisors and counsel, and any
other amounts due the Administrative Agent under
                                                                              
Section 11.2 hereof.  Nothing contained in this Agreement or the Loan Documents
- ------------                                                                   
shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to
or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any
holder thereof, or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of
the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

ARTICLE 10. CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECTING FIXED RATE ADVANCES AND BID RATE
                                      ADVANCES.

     10.1   Fixed Rate Basis Determination Inadequate or Unfair. Notwithstanding
            ---------------------------------------------------     
anything contained herein which may be construed to the contrary, if with
respect to any proposed Fixed Rate Advance for any Interest Period, the
Administrative Agent determines after consultation with the Lenders that
deposits in dollars (in the applicable amount) are not being offered to each of
the Lenders in the relevant market for such Interest Period, the Administrative
Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders,
whereupon until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the
circumstances giving rise to such situation no longer exist, the obligations of
the Lenders to make such type of Fixed Rate Advances shall be suspended.

     10.2   Illegality.  If, after (x) the date of this Agreement in the case of
            ----------                                                          
Fixed Rate Advances or (y) the date of a related offer, in the case of Bid Rate
Advances, any applicable law, rule, or regulation, or any change therein, or any
interpretation or change in interpretation or administration thereof by any
governmental authority, central bank, or comparable agency charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender with any
request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such
authority, central bank, or comparable agency, shall make it unlawful or
impossible for any Lender to make, maintain, or fund its Fixed Rate Advances or
Bid Rate Advances, such Lender shall so notify the Administrative Agent, and the
Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the other Lenders
and the Borrower.  Before giving any notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant
to this Section 10.2, such Lender shall designate a different lending office if
        ------------                                                           
such designation will avoid the need for giving such notice and will not, in the
reasonable judgment of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.
Upon receipt of such notice, notwithstanding anything contained in Article 2
                                                                   ---------
hereof, the Borrower shall repay in full the then outstanding principal amount
of each affected Fixed Rate Advance or Bid Rate Advance of such Lender, together
with accrued interest thereon, either (a) on the last day of the then current
Interest Period applicable to such affected Fixed Rate Advance or Bid Rate
Advance if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain and fund such affected
Fixed Rate Advance or Bid Rate Advance to such day or (b) immediately if such
Lender may not lawfully continue to fund and maintain such affected Fixed Rate
Advance or Bid Rate Advance to such day.  Concurrently with repaying each
affected Fixed Rate Advance of such Lender, notwithstanding anything contained
in Article 2 hereof, the Borrower may borrow a Base Rate Advance or the other
   ---------                                                                 
type of Fixed Rate Advance from such Lender, and such Lender shall make such
Advance in an amount such that the 

                                      -51-
<PAGE>
 
outstanding principal amount of the applicable Note held by such Lender shall
equal the outstanding principal amount of such Note immediately prior to such
repayment.

     10.3 Increased Costs.
          --------------- 

     (a)  If, after (x) the date hereof in the case of Fixed Rate Advances or
(y) the date of a related offer, in the case of Bid Rate Advances, the adoption
of any applicable law, rule, or regulation, or any change therein, or any
interpretation or change in interpretation or administration thereof by any
governmental authority, central bank, or comparable agency charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof or compliance by any Lender with any
request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such
authority, central bank, or comparable agency:
               
          (i)  Shall subject any Lender to any tax, duty, or other charge with
     respect to its obligation to make Fixed Rate Advances, or its Fixed Rate
     Advances or Bid Rate Advances, or shall change the basis of taxation of
     payments to any Lender of the principal of or interest on its Fixed Rate
     Advances or Bid Rate Advances or in respect of any other amounts due under
     this Agreement in respect of its Fixed Rate Advances or Bid Rate Advances
     or its obligation to make Fixed Rate Advances (except for changes in the
     rate of tax on the overall net income of such Lender imposed by the
     jurisdiction in which such Lender's principal executive office is located);
     or

          (ii) Shall impose, modify, or deem applicable any reserve (including,
     without limitation, any imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal
     Reserve System, but excluding any included in an applicable LIBOR Reserve
     Percentage), special deposit, capital adequacy, assessment, or other
     requirement or condition against assets of, deposits with or for the
     account of, or commitments or credit extended by any Lender, or shall
     impose on any Lender or the London interbank borrowing market any other
     condition affecting its obligation to make Fixed Rate Advances or its Fixed
     Rate Advances or Bid Rate Advances,

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of
making or maintaining any Fixed Rate Advance or Bid Rate Advance, or to reduce
the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender under this Agreement
or under its Notes with respect thereto, by an amount deemed by such Lender to
be material, then, on the earlier of demand by such Lender or the Maturity Date,
the Borrower agrees to pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as
will compensate such Lender for such increased costs.  Each Lender will promptly
notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of any event of which it has
knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle such Lender to
compensation pursuant to this Section 10.3 and will designate a different
                              ------------                               
lending office if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount
of, such compensation and will not, in the sole judgment of such Lender, be
otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.

     (b)  A certificate of any Lender claiming compensation under this Section
                                                                       -------
10.3 and 
- ----

                                      -52-
<PAGE>
 
setting forth in reasonable detail the additional amount or amounts to be paid
to it hereunder and calculations therefor shall be conclusive in the absence of
manifest error. In determining such amount, such Lender may use any reasonable
averaging and attribution methods. If any Lender demands compensation under this
Section 10.3, the Borrower may at any time, upon at least three (3) Business
- ------------
Days prior notice to such Lender, prepay in full the then outstanding affected
Fixed Rate Advance or Bid Rate Advance of such Lender, together with accrued
interest thereon to the date of prepayment, along with any reimbursement
required under Section 2.10 hereof. Concurrently with prepaying such Fixed Rate
               ------------
Advance, the Borrower may borrow a Base Rate Advance, or a Fixed Rate Advance
not so affected, from such Lender, and such Lender shall make such Advance in an
amount such that the outstanding principal amount of the Notes held by such
Lender shall equal the outstanding principal amount of such Notes immediately
prior to such prepayment.

     10.4   Effect On Other Advances.  If notice has been given pursuant to
            ------------------------                                       
Section 10.1, 10.2 or 10.3 hereof suspending the obligation of any Lender to
- ------------  ----    ----                                                  
make Fixed Rate Advances, or requiring Fixed Rate Advances of any Lender to be
repaid or prepaid, then, unless and until such Lender notifies the Borrower that
the circumstances giving rise to such repayment no longer apply, all Advances
which would otherwise be made by such Lender as Fixed Rate Advances shall, at
the option of the Borrower, be made instead as Base Rate Advances.


ARTICLE 11. MISCELLANEOUS.

     11.1   Notices.
            ------- 

     (a)   All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been given upon receipt thereof as such
receipt shall be evidenced by (i) if sent by certified mail, return receipt
requested, post-prepaid, the date as of which such return receipt is signed by
or on behalf of the addressee; (ii) if sent by courier, the date as of which
such courier's receipt for delivery is signed by or on behalf of the addressee;
(iii) if sent by transmission or telecopy, upon confirmation of the dispatch
thereof to the number for the addressee; and (iv) if sent by any other means,
upon the actual receipt by the addressee. All notices and other communications
under this Agreement shall be given to the parties hereto at the following
addresses:
                    
           (i)  If to the Borrower, to it at:  
                Unitrin, Inc.                  
                One East Wacker Drive          
                Chicago, Illinois  60601       
                Attn:  Eric Draut              
                Telecopy No.:  (312) 467-6210   

                                     -53-
<PAGE>
 
                with a copy to:             
                                            
                Scott Renwick, Esq.         
                Unitrin, Inc.               
                One East Wacker             
                Drive                       
                Chicago, Illinois  60601    
                Telecopy No.:(312) 467-6210  

          (ii)  If to the Administrative Agent, to it at:

                NationsBank of Texas, N.A.   
                901 Main Street              
                66th Floor                   
                Dallas, Texas 75202          
                Attn: Jim V. Miller          
                Telecopy No.:(214) 508-0604   
                 
                with a copy to:

                Donohoe, Jameson & Carroll, P.C.  
                3400 Renaissance Tower            
                1201 Elm Street                   
                Dallas, Texas 75270-2120          
                Attn:  James R. Littlejohn, Esq.  
                Telecopy No.:  (214) 744-0231         

          (iii) If to the Lenders, to them at the addresses noted on the
                signature pages hereto.

                Copies shall be provided to persons other than parties hereto
                only in the case of notices under Article 8 hereof.
                                                  ---------        

     (b)  Any party hereto may change the address to which notices shall be
directed under this Section 11.1 by giving ten (10) days' written notice of such
                    ------------                                                
change to the other parties.

     11.2 Expenses.  The Borrower agrees to promptly pay:
          --------                                       

     (a)  All reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the
Administrative Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation and
execution of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the making of the
initial Advance hereunder, including, but not limited to, the reasonable and
documented fees and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent
whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated;

                                      -54-
<PAGE>
 
     (b)  All reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the
Administrative Agent in connection with the administration of the transactions
contemplated in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and all reasonable
and documented out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection
with the preparation, negotiation, execution, and delivery of any waiver,
amendment, or consent by the Lenders relating to this Agreement or the other
Loan Documents, including, but not limited to, the reasonable and documented
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent; and

     (c)  All reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the
Administrative Agent and each Lender in connection with any restructuring,
refinancing, or "work out" of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
and of obtaining performance under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents,
and all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of collection
if default is made in the payment of the Notes, which in each case shall include
reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel and of any
experts, agents or consultants for the Administrative Agent and each of the
Lenders.

     11.3 Waivers.  The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the
          -------                                                              
Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be cumulative
and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they (or any of them) would
otherwise have.  No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Majority
Lenders, or the Lenders, or any of them, in exercising any right shall operate
as a waiver of such right.  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders expressly
reserve the right to require strict compliance with the terms of this Agreement
in connection with any funding of a request for an Advance.  In the event the
Lenders decide to fund a request for an Advance at a time when the Borrower is
not in strict compliance with the terms of this Agreement, such decision by the
Lenders shall not be deemed to constitute an undertaking by the Lenders to fund
any further requests for Advances or preclude the Lenders from exercising any
rights available to the Lenders under the Loan Documents or at law or in equity.
Any waiver or indulgence granted by the Lenders or by the Majority Lenders shall
not constitute a modification of this Agreement, except to the extent expressly
provided in such waiver or indulgence, or constitute a course of dealing by the
Lenders at variance with the terms of the Agreement such as to require further
notice by the Lenders of the Lenders' intent to require strict adherence to the
terms of the Agreement in the future.

     11.4 Set-Off.  In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under
          -------                                                           
Applicable Law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default and during the continuation thereof, the
Lenders and any subsequent holder or holders of the Notes are hereby authorized
by the Borrower at any time or from time to time, without notice to the Borrower
or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set-
off and to appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time
or demand, including, but not limited to, Indebtedness evidenced by certificates
of deposit, in each case whether matured or unmatured) and any other
Indebtedness at any time held or owing by any of the Lenders or such holder to
or for the credit or the account of the Borrower (exclusive of securities held
by any Lender in custody or trust), against and on account of the obligations
and liabilities of the Borrower, to the Lenders or such holder, or any of them,
under this Agreement, the Notes, and

                                      -55-
<PAGE>
 
any other Loan Document, including, but not limited to, all claims of any nature
or description arising out of or connected with this Agreement, the Notes, or
any other Loan Document, irrespective of whether the Lenders or the holder of
the Notes shall have made any demand hereunder.  Any sums obtained by any Lender
or by any subsequent holder of the Notes shall be subject to the application of
payments provisions of Article 2 hereof.  Upon direction by the Administrative
                       ---------                                              
Agent, with the consent of the Majority Lenders, after the occurrence and during
the continuance of an Event of Default each Lender holding deposits of the
Borrower shall exercise its set-off rights as so directed.

     11.5 Assignment.
          ---------- 

     (a)  The Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights or
obligations hereunder or under the Notes without the prior written consent of
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

     (b)  Each Lender may at any time enter into assignment agreements or
participations with one or more other banks or other Persons pursuant to which
such Lender may assign or participate its interest under this Agreement and the
Notes and the other Loan Documents, including, its interest in any particular
Advance or portion thereof, as follows:

          (i)  Each Lender may sell assignments or participations of up to one
     hundred percent (100%) of its interest hereunder to (A) one or more U.S.
     affiliates of such Lender (so long as such Lender remains the only "Lender"
     for purposes of determining "Majority Lenders" and for reporting
     requirements hereunder), and (B) any Federal Reserve Bank as collateral
     security pursuant to Regulation A of the Board of Governors of the Federal
     Reserve System and any Operating Circular issued by such Federal Reserve
     Bank, without restriction.

          (ii) All other assignments and participations shall be subject to the
     following additional terms and conditions:

               (A)  No Lender shall assign its interests in the Commitment or
          enter into a participation without the prior consent of the
          Administrative Agent and the Borrower, which consents shall not be
          unreasonably withheld (provided, however, no prior consent of the
          Borrower shall be required for an assignment or participation made
          during any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is
          continuing).

               (B)  Assignments (including any assignment of any Advance or
          portion thereof) may be made with all voting rights, and shall be made
          pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in
          the form attached hereto as Exhibit A attached hereto.  No assignment
                                      ---------                                
          shall be in an amount less than $5,000,000 or such lesser amount as
          shall be agreed to by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
          Assignments effected in accordance herewith shall relieve

                                      -56-
<PAGE>
 
          the assigning Lender of all obligations with respect to the portion of
          the Loans so assigned and shall confer on the assignee all rights of
          the assigning Lender with respect to such portion of the Loans.

               (C)  The aggregate principal amount of the Commitment held by a
          participant shall not be less than $5,000,000 as of the date on which
          any participation is granted by a Lender.

               (D)  Participants shall have the same rights and benefits as the
          assigning Lender under Sections 2.10 and 2.12 and Articles 6 and 10
                                 -------------     ----     ----------     --
          hereof.

               (E)  No participation agreement shall confer any rights under
          this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to any purchaser thereof,
          or relieve the selling Lender from its obligations under this
          Agreement; provided, however, that a participation agreement may
          confer on the participant the right to approve or disapprove (w)
          decreases in the interest rates applicable to the Loans, (x) any
          forgiveness of principal or interest, (y) any extension of the
          Maturity Date or any scheduled date for the payment of principal, or
          (z) any release of any collateral or guaranty with respect to the
          Obligations.

               (F)  Any Person purchasing a participation or an assignment of
          the Loans from a Lender shall be required to represent and warrant
          that its purchase shall not constitute a "prohibited transaction" (as
          defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code).

               (G)  No assignment, participation or other transfer of any rights
          hereunder or under the Notes shall be effected that would result in
          any interest requiring registration under the Securities Act of 1933,
          as amended, or qualification under any state securities law.

               (H)  If applicable, the assigning Lender shall, and shall cause
          each of its assignees and participants to provide to the
          Administrative Agent on or prior to the Agreement Date or effective
          date of any assignment, as the case may be, an appropriate Internal
          Revenue Service form as required by Applicable Law supporting the
          assignee's or participant's position that no withholding by the
          Borrower for U.S. income tax payable by the Lenders and their
          assignees and participants in respect of amounts received by it
          hereunder is required.  For purposes of this Agreement, an appropriate
          Internal Revenue Service form shall mean Form 1001 (Ownership
          Exemption or Reduced Rate Certificate of the U.S. Department of
          Treasury), or Form 4224 (Exemption from Withholding of Tax on Income
          Effectively Connected with the Conduct of a Trade or Business in the
          United States), or any successor or related forms adopted by the
          relevant U.S. taxing authorities.

                                      -57-
<PAGE>
 
     (c)  The Borrower hereby agrees that any holder of a participation in, and
any assignee or transferee of, all or any portion of any amount owed by the
Borrower under this Agreement and the Notes may exercise any and all rights of
banker's lien, set-off (exclusive, however, of any securities held in trust or
custody), or counterclaim with respect to any and all amounts owed by the
Borrower to such assignee, transferee, or holder as fully as if such assignee,
transferee, or holder had made the Loans in the amount of the obligation in
which it holds a participation or which is assigned or transferred to it.

     (d)  Except as specifically set forth in this Section, nothing in this
                                                   -------                 
Agreement or the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or
shall confer on any Person other than the respective parties hereto and thereto
and their successors and assignees permitted hereunder and thereunder any
benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy, other claim under this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

     (e)  Each Lender who sells or assigns a portion of its Loans, Commitment or
Notes, including, without limitation, to another Lender, but excluding
assignments made pursuant to Section 11.5(b)(i) hereof, shall pay to the
                             ------------------                         
Administrative Agent an assignment fee of $3,500 for each such assignment on or
before the effective date of such assignment.  The Borrower shall not be liable
for any expenses or costs (including attorneys' fees) of any Lender in
connection with any assignment hereunder.

     11.6 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
          ------------                                                  
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
separate counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

     11.7 Governing Law.  This Agreement and the Notes shall be construed in
          -------------                                                     
accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard
to its conflicts of law principles, and the United States of America.

     11.8 Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or
          ------------                                                         
unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof in that
jurisdiction or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in
any other jurisdiction.

     11.9 Headings.  Headings used in this Agreement are for convenience only
          --------                                                           
and shall not be used in connection with the interpretation of any provision
hereof.

                                      -58-
<PAGE>
 
     11.10 Interest.
           -------- 

     (a)   It is not the intention of any parties to this Agreement to make an
agreement in violation of the laws of any applicable jurisdiction relating to
usury. Regardless of any provision in any Loan Documents, no Lender shall ever
be entitled to receive, collect or apply, as interest on the Obligations, any
amount in excess of the amount that could be received if interest was charged at
the Highest Lawful Rate. If any Lender or participant ever receives, collects or
applies, as interest, any such excess, such amount which would be excessive
interest shall be deemed a partial repayment of principal and treated hereunder
as such; and if principal is paid in full, any remaining excess shall be paid to
the Borrower. In determining whether or not the interest paid or payable, under
any specific contingency, exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, the Borrower and the
Lenders shall, to the maximum extent permitted under Applicable Law, (a)
characterize any non-principal payment as an expense, fee or premium rather than
as interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effect thereof, and (c)
amortize, prorate, allocate and spread in equal parts, the total amount of
interest throughout the entire contemplated term of the Obligations so that the
interest rate is uniform throughout the entire term of the Obligations;
provided, however, that if the Obligations are paid and performed in full prior
to the end of the full contemplated term thereof, and if the interest received
for the actual period of existence thereof exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, the
Lenders shall refund to the Borrower the amount of such excess or credit the
amount of such excess against the total principal amount of the Obligations
owing, and, in such event, the Lenders shall not be subject to any penalties
provided by any laws for contracting for, charging or receiving interest in
excess of the Highest Lawful Rate. This Section 11.10(a) shall control every
                                        ----------------                    
other provision of all agreements pertaining to the transactions contemplated by
or contained in the Loan Documents.

     (b)   Notwithstanding the use by the Lenders of the Prime Rate, the Federal
Funds Rate, the CD Rate and the LIBOR Rate as reference rates for the
determination of interest on the Loans, the Lenders shall be under no obligation
to obtain funds from any particular source in order to charge interest to the
Borrower at interest rates tied to such reference rates.

     11.11 Entire Agreement.  THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER
           ----------------                                                  
LOAN DOCUMENTS, REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES REGARDING THE
SUBJECT MATTER HEREIN AND THEREIN AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF
PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO.
THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.  The Borrower
represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders that
it has read the provisions of this Section 11.11 and discussed the provisions of
                                   -------------                                
this Section 11.11 and the rest of this Agreement with counsel for the Borrower,
     -------------                                                              
and the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent and each
of the Lenders are expressly relying upon such representations and warranties of
the Borrower (as well as the other representations and warranties of the
Borrower set forth in Section 4.1 hereof) in entering into this Agreement.
                      -----------                                         

                                      -59-
<PAGE>
 
     11.12  Amendment and Waiver.  Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof
            --------------------                                             
may be amended orally, nor may any provision hereof be waived orally but only by
an instrument in writing signed by the Majority Lenders and, in the case of an
amendment, also by the Borrower, except that in the event of (a) any decrease
(other than pro rata as contemplated by Section 2.5 hereof) or any increase in
                                        -----------                           
the amount of the Commitment (except that any increase in the Commitment up to
$700,000,000 pursuant to in Section 2.13 hereof shall not require the consent of
                            ------------                                        
any Lender), (b) any change in the timing of, or reduction of the amount of,
payments of principal, interest, and fees due hereunder, (c) any release or
impairment of collateral or any guaranty of the Obligations issued in favor of
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, (d) any waiver of any Event of Default
arising from the failure by the Borrower to pay any sum due hereunder, or (e)
any amendment of this Section 11.12 or of the definition of Majority Lenders or
                      -------------                                            
any provision specifying the number of Lenders required to take action
hereunder, any amendment or waiver may be made only by an instrument in writing
signed by each of the Lenders and, in the case of an amendment, also by the
Borrower. Furthermore, any amendment or waiver that would alter the rights,
duties or obligations of the Administrative Agent or the Swing Line Lender shall
not be made without the consent of the Administrative Agent or the Swing Line
Lender, as applicable.

     11.13  Other Relationships.  No relationship created hereunder or under any
            -------------------                                                 
other Loan Document shall in any way affect the ability of the Administrative
Agent and each Lender to enter into or maintain business relationships with the
Borrower, or any of its Affiliates, in addition to the relationships
specifically contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

     11.14  Third Party Beneficiaries.  Except as expressly provided herein,
            -------------------------                                       
nothing contained herein, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall confer
on any Person other than the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders,
and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any benefit or any legal
or equitable right, remedy or other claim hereunder.

     11.15  Maintenance of Confidentiality.  The Lenders and the Administrative
            ------------------------------                                     
Agent shall hold all non-public, proprietary or confidential information
obtained pursuant to or in accordance with the transactions contemplated by the
Loan Documents (the "Confidential Information") strictly in confidence and shall
not disclose any such Confidential Information; provided, however, that the
Lenders and the Administrative Agent may disclose Confidential Information (i)
to their respective examiners, outside auditors or accountants, counsel, and
other professional advisors in connection with the transactions contemplated
under the Loan Documents, (ii) as may be required by law, rule or regulation,
(iii) to any proposed syndicate member or any proposed assignee or participant
in connection with the contemplated transfer in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement, provided that any such Person shall execute a confidentiality
agreement containing the provisions substantially identical to this Section
                                                                    -------
11.15, (iv) any other Lender or any affiliate of any Lender, or any other
- -----                                                                    
officer, director, employee, agent or advisor of any Lender or affiliate of any
Lender, provided that any affiliate of any Lender shall keep such information
confidential pursuant to the terms hereof, (v) upon the order of any court or
administrative agency, (vi) upon request or demand by any regulatory agency or
authority, 

                                      -60-
<PAGE>
 
(vii) in connection with any litigation to which the Lenders or the
Administrative Agent or any of their affiliates is a party, and (viii) to the
extent necessary in connection with the exercise of any remedy under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided, however, that unless
specifically prohibited by Applicable Law or court order, each Lender shall,
prior to disclosure thereof, notify the Borrower of any request for disclosure
of any such non-public information (i) by any governmental agency or
representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with an
examination of such Lender's financial condition by such governmental agency) or
(ii) pursuant to legal process.

     11.16  Exceptions to Covenants.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its
            -----------------------                                      
Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be permitted to take any action or fail to take
any action which is permitted as an exception to any of the covenants contained
herein or which is within the permissible limits of any of the covenants
contained herein if such action or omission would result in the breach of any
other covenant contained herein.


ARTICLE 12. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

     12.1   Waiver of Jury Trial.  THE BORROWER AND EACH OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE
            --------------------                                              
AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN
ANY COURT AND IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY TYPE IN WHICH THE BORROWER, ANY
OF THE LENDERS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS
OR ASSIGNS IS A PARTY, AS TO ALL MATTERS AND THINGS ARISING DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OF THE NOTES OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS
AND THE RELATIONS AMONG THE PARTIES LISTED IN THIS SECTION 12.1.
                                                   ------------ 

================================================================================
            THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
================================================================================

                                      -61-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement or
caused it to be executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day
and year first above written.


BORROWER:                     UNITRIN, INC., a Delaware corporation


                                 By:     ______________________________________
                                         Name:_________________________________
                                         Title:________________________________

                                      -62-
<PAGE>
 
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:         NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.


                              By:   ______________________________________
                                    Name:_________________________________
                                    Title:________________________________


LENDERS:                      NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.


                              By:   ______________________________________
                                    Name:_________________________________
                                    Title:________________________________

                              Portion of Commitment:           $75,000,000

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    901 Main Street
                                    66th Floor
                                    Dallas, Texas 75202
                                    Attn:  Jim V. Miller
                                    Telecopy No.:  (214) 508-0604

                                      -63-
<PAGE>
 
                              THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO


                              By:   _______________________________________
                                    Name:__________________________________
                                    Title:_________________________________

                              Portion of Commitment:            $25,000,000

                                    Address for Notices

                                    One First National Plaza
                                    Chicago, Illinois  60670-0085
                                    Attn:  Mr. Thomas W. Doddridge
                                    Telecopy No.:  (312) 732-4033

                                      -64-
<PAGE>
 
                              WELLS FARGO


                              By:   _______________________________________
                                    Name:__________________________________
                                    Title:_________________________________

                              Portion of Commitment:            $35,000,000

                                    Address for Notices

                                    420 Montgomery
                                    San Francisco, California 94104
                                    Attn:  Mr. Garrett Baker
                                    Telecopy No.:  (415) 975-7302

                                      -65-
<PAGE>
 
                              UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.


                              By:   _______________________________________
                                    Name:__________________________________
                                    Title:_________________________________

                              Portion of Commitment:            $40,000,000

                                    Address for Notices

                                    550 South Hope Street, 3rd Floor
                                    Los Angeles, California 90071
                                    Attn:  Mr. James T. Fothergill
                                    Telecopy No.:  (213) 243-3552

                                      -66-
<PAGE>
 
                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                              By:   _________________________________________
                                    Name:____________________________________
                                    Title:___________________________________

                              Portion of Commitment:              $40,000,000

                                    Address for Notices

                                    One Wall Street
                                    New York, New York 10286
                                    Attn:  Mr. Benjamin L. Balkind
                                    Telecopy No.:  (212) 809-9520

                                      -67-
<PAGE>
 
                              BANK OF MONTREAL


                              By:   ______________________________________
                                    Name:_________________________________
                                    Title:________________________________

                              Portion of Commitment:           $30,000,000

                                    Address for Notices

                                    115 South LaSalle Street, 12th Floor
                                    Chicago, Illinois 60603
                                    Attn:  Mr. Robert C. Meyer
                                    Telecopy No.:  (312) 750-4352

                                      -68-
<PAGE>
 
                              FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK


                              By:   ______________________________________
                                    Name:_________________________________
                                    Title:________________________________

                              Portion of Commitment:           $35,000,000

                                    Address for Notices

                                    301 South College Street, DC-5
                                    Charlotte North Carolina 28288-0735
                                    Attn:  Mr. Robert C. "Butch" Mayer, Jr.
                                    Telecopy No.:  (704) 383-7611

                                      -69-
<PAGE>
 
                              THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY


                              By:   ________________________________________
                                    Name:___________________________________
                                    Title:__________________________________

                              Portion of Commitment:             $30,000,000

                                    Address for Notices

                                    50 South LaSalle Street
                                    Chicago, Illinois 60675
                                    Attn:  Ms. Marcia P. Saper
                                    Telecopy No.:  (312) 557-2673

                                      -70-
<PAGE>
 
                              BANK OF AMERICA NT&SA


                              By:   ________________________________________
                                    Name:___________________________________
                                    Title:__________________________________

                              Portion of Commitment:             $25,000,000

                                    Address for Notices

                                    201 South LaSalle Street
                                    Chicago, Illinois 60697
                                    Attn:  Ms. Janet M. Roy
                                    Telecopy No.:  (312) 987-0889

                                      -71-
<PAGE>
 
                              UMB BANK N.A.


                              By:   __________________________________________
                                    Terry Dierks
                                    Senior Vice President

                              Portion of Commitment:                $5,000,000

                                    Address for Notices

                                    1010 Grand Avenue
                                    Kansas City, Missouri 64106
                                    Attn:  Mr. Terry Dierks
                                    Telecopy No.:  (816) 860-4838

                                      -72-
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE 1
                                  ----------

                          UNITRIN, INC. SUBSIDIARIES
                           AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Jurisdiction of        Percentage                                      
                  Name                           Organization          Ownership                Parent                 
                  ----                           ------------          ---------                ------                 
<S>                                              <C>                   <C>                <C>                          
United Insurance Company of America                Illinois               100%            Unitrin, Inc.                
Trinity Universal Insurance Company                  Texas                100%            Unitrin, Inc.                
Fireside Securities Corporation                   California              100%            Unitrin, Inc.                
Unitrin Services Company                           Illinois               100%            Unitrin, Inc.                
Union Automobile Indemnity Company                 Illinois               100%            Unitrin, Inc.                
The Pyramid Life Insurance Company                  Kansas                100%            United Insurance Company of  
                                                                                          America                      
Union National Life Insurance Company              Louisiana              100%            United Insurance Company of  
                                                                                          America                      
Union National Fire Insurance Company              Louisiana              100%            Union National Life Insurance       
                                                                                          Company                             
United Casualty Insurance Company of America     Pennsylvania             100%            United Insurance Company of         
                                                                                          America                             
United Lloyd's Corporation                           Texas                100%            United Casualty Insurance Company   
                                                                                          of America                          
United Lloyd's Insurance Company                     Texas             See Note 1                                             
Financial Indemnity Company                       California              100%            Trinity Universal Insurance Company 
Milwaukee Insurance Group, Inc.                    Wisconsin              100%            Trinity Universal Insurance Company 
Alpha Property & Casualty Insurance Company        Wisconsin              100%            Milwaukee Insurance Group, Inc.     
                                                                                                                      
Milwaukee Guardian Insurance, Inc.                 Wisconsin              100%            Milwaukee Insurance Group, Inc.     
Milwaukee Safeguard Insurance Company              Wisconsin              100%            Milwaukee Insurance Group, Inc.     
Milwaukee Mutual Insurance Company                 Wisconsin           See Note 2                                             
Security National Insurance Company                  Texas                100%            Trinity Universal Insurance Company 
Southern States General Agency, Inc.               Louisiana              100%            Trinity Universal Insurance Company 
Southern States Finance Corporation                Louisiana              100%            Southern States General Agency, Inc.
Trinity Lloyd's Corporation                          Texas                100%            Trinity Universal Insurance Company 
Trinity Universal Insurance Company of Kansas,      Kansas                100%            Trinity Universal Insurance Company 
 Inc.                                                                                                                 
Trinity Lloyd's Insurance Company                    Texas             See Note 1                                             
</TABLE> 

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
<S>                                              <C>                      <C>             <C> 
Fireside Mortgage Loans                          California               100%            Fireside Securities Corporation
Fireside Thrift Co.                              California               100%            Fireside Securities Corporation 
Commonwealth Mutual Fire Insurance Company        Virginia             See Note 3
</TABLE> 

Note 1: United Lloyd's Insurance Company and Trinity Lloyd's Insurance Company
            are operated under the Lloyd's Plan. Control of each Lloyd's
            insurance company is maintained through trust agreements with the
            individual underwriters of the Lloyd's companies.

Note 2: Milwaukee Mutual Insurance Company is affiliated with Trinity Universal
            Insurance Company by virtue of a reinsurance agreement.

Note 3: Commonwealth Mutual Fire Insurance Company is affiliated with United
            Casualty Insurance Company of America by virtue of a reinsurance
            agreement.

<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT B

                   FORM OF REVOLVING CREDIT PROMISSORY NOTE

$_____________                                          As of September 17, 1997


     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, UNITRIN, INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "Borrower"), promises to pay to the order of
_______________________________ (hereinafter, together with its successors and
assigns, called the "Lender"), in immediately available funds, at such place as
is designated in or pursuant to the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined),
the principal sum of ____________________ AND _____/100 DOLLARS ($___________)
of United States funds, or, if less, so much thereof as may from time to time be
advanced by the Lender to the Borrower as Revolving Credit Advances and is
outstanding hereunder, plus interest as hereinafter provided.  Such Advances may
be endorsed from time to time on the grid attached hereto, but the failure to
make such notations (or any error in such notation) shall not affect the
obligation of the Borrower to repay unpaid principal and interest hereunder.

     Except as otherwise defined or limited herein, capitalized terms used
herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in that certain Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement (as amended from time to time, the "Credit Agreement")
of even date herewith among the Borrower, the Lender, the other financial
institutions which are from time to time party thereto, and NationsBank of
Texas, N.A., as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent").

     The principal amount of this Revolving Credit Note shall be paid in such
amounts and at such times as are set forth in Sections 2.6, 2.7 and 2.9 of the
Credit Agreement.  A final payment of all principal amounts and other
Obligations in respect of Revolving Credit Advances then outstanding hereunder
shall be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date.

     The Borrower shall be entitled to borrow, repay and reborrow hereunder
pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement.  Prepayment of the
principal amount hereof may be made only as provided in the Credit Agreement.
The principal amount of each Revolving Credit Advance shall be repaid or
converted on its Payment Date.

     The Borrower hereby promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount
of the Loans outstanding hereunder as provided in the Credit Agreement.
Interest under this Revolving Credit Note shall also be due and payable when
this Revolving Credit Note shall become due (whether at maturity, by reason of
acceleration or otherwise).  Overdue principal and, to the extent permitted by
Applicable Law, overdue interest, shall bear interest at the Default Rate as
provided in the Credit Agreement.

     No provision of the Credit Agreement or this Revolving Credit Note shall
require the payment or permit the collection of interest in excess of that
permitted by Applicable Law. If any excess amount of interest in such respect is
provided for, or shall be adjudicated to be so
<PAGE>
 
provided for, in connection with the Loans outstanding hereunder, the provisions
of this paragraph shall govern and prevail, and neither the Borrower nor any
sureties, guarantors, successors or assigns of the Borrower shall be obligated
to pay the excess amount of such interest or any other excess sum paid for the
use, forbearance, or detention of sums loaned pursuant hereto. In the event the
Borrower ever pays, or the Lender ever receives, collects or applies as interest
any such sum, such amount which would be in excess of the maximum amount
permitted by Applicable Law shall be applied as a payment in the reduction of
the principal, unless the Borrower shall notify the Lender in writing that it
elects to have such excess returned forthwith; and, if the principal has been
paid in full, any remaining excess shall forthwith be returned to the Borrower.
Because of the variable nature of the rates of interest applicable to the Loans
evidenced by this Revolving Credit Note, the total interest that will accrue
hereon cannot be determined in advance. Neither the Borrower nor the Lender
intends for the Lender to contract for, charge or receive usurious interest and,
to prevent such an occurrence, any agreements which may now or hereafter be in
effect between the Borrower and the Lender regarding the payment of fees to the
Lender are hereby limited by the provisions of this paragraph. To the extent not
prohibited by Applicable Law, determination of the legal maximum amount of
interest shall at all times be made by amortizing, prorating or allocating all
interest at any time contracted for, charged or received from the Borrower in
connection with the portion of the Loans outstanding hereunder until the
Maturity Date, so that the actual rate of interest on account of the Loans
outstanding hereunder does not exceed the maximum amount permitted under
Applicable Law.

     All parties now or hereafter liable with respect to this Revolving Credit
Note, whether the Borrower, any guarantor, endorser or any other person or
entities, hereby waive presentment for payment, demand, notice of nonpayment or
dishonor, protest and notice of protest.

     No delay or omission on the part of the Lender or any holder hereof in
exercising its rights under this Revolving Credit Note, or delay or omission on
the part of the Lender, the Administrative Agent, or the Lenders collectively,
in exercising its or their rights under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan
Documents, or course of conduct relating thereto, shall operate as a waiver of
such right or any other right of the Lender or any holder hereof, nor shall any
waiver by the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders collectively, or
any holder hereof, of any such right or rights on any one occasion be deemed a
bar to, or waiver of, the same right or rights on any future occasion.

     The Borrower promises to pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket
costs of Lender of collection of this Revolving Credit Note, including
attorneys' fees, should this Revolving Credit Note be collected by or through an
attorney-at-law or under advice therefrom.

     Time is of the essence of this Revolving Credit Note.

     This Revolving Credit Note evidences the Lender's portion of the Revolving
Credit Advances under, and is entitled to the benefits and subject to the terms
of, the Credit Agreement which contains provisions with respect to the
acceleration of the maturity of this Revolving Credit

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
Note upon the happening of certain stated events and provisions for prepayment.

     This Revolving Credit Note shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the internal laws of the State of Texas applicable to contracts made
and to be performed in the State of Texas and the United States of America.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has executed this Revolving Credit Note as
of the day and year first above written.

                                    UNITRIN, INC.



                                    By:  _______________________________________
                                         Name:__________________________________
                                         Title:_________________________________

[CORPORATE SEAL]
                                    Attest:   __________________________________
                                              Name:_____________________________
                                              Title:____________________________

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   ADVANCES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================
     Date         Amount of Advance       Amount of Principal    Notation Made
                                           Paid or Prepaid              By   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>               <C>                     <C>                    <C>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

================================================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT F

                       FORM OF BID RATE PROMISSORY NOTE

                                                        As of September 17, 1997


     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, UNITRIN, INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "Borrower"), promises to pay to the order of _____________________________
(hereinafter, together with its successors and assigns, called the "Lender"), in
immediately available funds, at such place as is designated in or pursuant to
the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the aggregate unpaid principal
amount of all Bid Rate Advances made by the Lender to the Borrower pursuant to
the Credit Agreement, plus interest as hereinafter provided. Such Advances may
be endorsed from time to time on the grid attached hereto, but the failure to
make such notations (or any error in such notation) shall not affect the
obligation of the Borrower to repay unpaid principal and interest hereunder.

     Except as otherwise defined or limited herein, capitalized terms used
herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in that certain Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement (as amended from time to time, the "Credit Agreement")
of even date herewith among the Borrower, the Lender, the other financial
institutions which are from time to time party thereto, and NationsBank of
Texas, N.A., as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent").

     The principal amount of this Bid Rate Note shall be paid in such amounts
and at such times as are set forth in Sections 2.6, 2.7 and 2.9 of the Credit
Agreement.  A final payment of all principal amounts and other Obligations in
respect of Bid Rate Advances then outstanding hereunder shall be due and payable
in full on the Maturity Date.

     The Borrower shall be entitled to borrow, repay and reborrow hereunder
pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement.  Prepayment of the
principal amount hereof shall not be permitted except as otherwise provided in
Section 2.6 of the Credit Agreement.  The principal amount of each Bid Rate
Advance shall be repaid on its Payment Date.

     The Borrower hereby promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount
of the Loans outstanding hereunder as provided in the Credit Agreement.
Interest under this Bid Rate Note shall also be due and payable when this Bid
Rate Note shall become due (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or
otherwise).  Overdue principal and, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law,
overdue interest, shall bear interest at the Default Rate as provided in the
Credit Agreement.

     No provision of the Credit Agreement or this Bid Rate Note shall require
the payment or permit the collection of interest in excess of that permitted by
Applicable Law.  If any excess amount of interest in such respect is provided
for, or shall be adjudicated to be so provided for, in connection with the Loans
outstanding hereunder, the provisions of this paragraph shall govern and
prevail, and neither the Borrower nor any sureties, guarantors, successors or
assigns of the
<PAGE>
 
Borrower shall be obligated to pay the excess amount of such interest or any
other excess sum paid for the use, forbearance, or detention of sums loaned
pursuant hereto. In the event the Borrower ever pays, or the Lender ever
receives, collects or applies as interest any such sum, such amount which would
be in excess of the maximum amount permitted by Applicable Law shall be applied
as a payment in the reduction of the principal, unless the Borrower shall notify
the Lender in writing that it elects to have such excess returned forthwith;
and, if the principal has been paid in full, any remaining excess shall
forthwith be returned to the Borrower. Because of the variable nature of the
rates of interest applicable to the Loans evidenced by this Bid Rate Note, the
total interest that will accrue hereon cannot be determined in advance. Neither
the Borrower nor the Lender intends for the Lender to contract for, charge or
receive usurious interest and, to prevent such an occurrence, any agreements
which may now or hereafter be in effect between the Borrower and the Lender
regarding the payment of fees to the Lender are hereby limited by the provisions
of this paragraph. To the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law, determination
of the legal maximum amount of interest shall at all times be made by
amortizing, prorating or allocating all interest at any time contracted for,
charged or received from the Borrower in connection with the portion of the
Loans outstanding hereunder until the Maturity Date, so that the actual rate of
interest on account of the Loans outstanding hereunder does not exceed the
maximum amount permitted under Applicable Law.

     All parties now or hereafter liable with respect to this Bid Rate Note,
whether the Borrower, any guarantor, endorser or any other person or entities,
hereby waive presentment for payment, demand, notice of nonpayment or dishonor,
protest and notice of protest.

     No delay or omission on the part of the Lender or any holder hereof in
exercising its rights under this Bid Rate Note, or delay or omission on the part
of the Lender, the Administrative Agent, or the Lenders collectively, in
exercising its or their rights under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan
Documents, or course of conduct relating thereto, shall operate as a waiver of
such right or any other right of the Lender or any holder hereof, nor shall any
waiver by the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders collectively, or
any holder hereof, of any such right or rights on any one occasion be deemed a
bar to, or waiver of, the same right or rights on any future occasion.

     The Borrower promises to pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket
costs of Lender of collection of this Bid Rate Note, including attorneys' fees,
should this Bid Rate Note be collected by or through an attorney-at-law or under
advice therefrom.

     Time is of the essence of this Bid Rate Note.

     This Bid Rate Note evidences the Lender's Bid Rate Advances under, and is
entitled to the benefits and subject to the terms of, the Credit Agreement which
contains provisions with respect to the acceleration of the maturity of this Bid
Rate Note upon the happening of certain stated events and provisions for
prepayment.

     This Bid Rate Note shall be construed in accordance with and governed by
the internal 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
laws of the State of Texas applicable to contracts made and to be performed in
the State of Texas and the United States of America.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has executed this Bid Rate Note as of the
day and year first above written.

                                    UNITRIN, INC.



                                    By:  _______________________________________
                                         Name:__________________________________
                                         Title:_________________________________

[CORPORATE SEAL]
                                    Attest:   __________________________________
                                              Name:_____________________________
                                              Title:____________________________

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   ADVANCES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================
     Date    Amount of Advance       Amount of Principal        Notation Made
                                      Paid or Prepaid                By
<S>          <C>                     <C>                        <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

================================================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT G

                      FORM OF SWING LINE PROMISSORY NOTE

$10,000,000.00                                         As of September 17, 1997


     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, UNITRIN, INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "Borrower"), promises to pay to the order of NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.
(hereinafter, together with its successors and assigns, called the "Lender"), in
immediately available funds, at such place as is designated in or pursuant to
the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal sum of TEN MILLION
AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00) of United States funds, or, if less, so much
thereof as may from time to time be advanced by the Lender to the Borrower as
Swing Line Advances and is outstanding hereunder, plus interest as hereinafter
provided.  Such Advances may be endorsed from time to time on the grid attached
hereto, but the failure to make such notations (or any error in such notation)
shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay unpaid principal and
interest hereunder.

     Except as otherwise defined or limited herein, capitalized terms used
herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in that certain Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement (as amended from time to time, the "Credit Agreement")
of even date herewith among the Borrower, the Lender, the other financial
institutions which are from time to time party thereto, and NationsBank of
Texas, N.A., as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent").

     The principal amount of this Swing Line Note shall be paid in such amounts
and at such times as are set forth in Sections 2.6, 2.7 and 2.9 of the Credit
Agreement.  A final payment of all principal amounts and other Obligations in
respect of Swing Line Advances then outstanding hereunder shall be due and
payable in full on the Maturity Date.

     The Borrower shall be entitled to borrow, repay and reborrow hereunder
pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement.  Prepayment of the
principal amount hereof may be made only as provided in the Credit Agreement.
The principal amount of each Swing Line Advance shall be repaid on its Payment
Date.

     The Borrower hereby promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount
of the Loans outstanding hereunder as provided in the Credit Agreement.
Interest under this Swing Line Note shall also be due and payable when this
Swing Line Note shall become due (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration
or otherwise).  Overdue principal and, to the extent permitted by Applicable
Law, overdue interest, shall bear interest at the Default Rate as provided in
the Credit Agreement.

     No provision of the Credit Agreement or this Swing Line Note shall require
the payment or permit the collection of interest in excess of that permitted by
Applicable Law. If any excess amount of interest in such respect is provided
for, or shall be adjudicated to be so provided for, in connection with the Loans
outstanding hereunder, the provisions of this paragraph shall govern
<PAGE>
 
and prevail, and neither the Borrower nor any sureties, guarantors, successors
or assigns of the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the excess amount of such
interest or any other excess sum paid for the use, forbearance, or detention of
sums loaned pursuant hereto. In the event the Borrower ever pays, or the Lender
ever receives, collects or applies as interest any such sum, such amount which
would be in excess of the maximum amount permitted by Applicable Law shall be
applied as a payment in the reduction of the principal, unless the Borrower
shall notify the Lender in writing that it elects to have such excess returned
forthwith; and, if the principal has been paid in full, any remaining excess
shall forthwith be returned to the Borrower. Because of the variable nature of
the rates of interest applicable to the Loans evidenced by this Swing Line Note,
the total interest that will accrue hereon cannot be determined in advance.
Neither the Borrower nor the Lender intends for the Lender to contract for,
charge or receive usurious interest and, to prevent such an occurrence, any
agreements which may now or hereafter be in effect between the Borrower and the
Lender regarding the payment of fees to the Lender are hereby limited by the
provisions of this paragraph. To the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law,
determination of the legal maximum amount of interest shall at all times be made
by amortizing, prorating or allocating all interest at any time contracted for,
charged or received from the Borrower in connection with the portion of the
Loans outstanding hereunder until the Maturity Date, so that the actual rate of
interest on account of the Loans outstanding hereunder does not exceed the
maximum amount permitted under Applicable Law.

     All parties now or hereafter liable with respect to this Swing Line Note,
whether the Borrower, any guarantor, endorser or any other person or entities,
hereby waive presentment for payment, demand, notice of nonpayment or dishonor,
protest and notice of protest.

     No delay or omission on the part of the Lender or any holder hereof in
exercising its rights under this Swing Line Note, or delay or omission on the
part of the Lender, the Administrative Agent, or the Lenders collectively, in
exercising its or their rights under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan
Documents, or course of conduct relating thereto, shall operate as a waiver of
such right or any other right of the Lender or any holder hereof, nor shall any
waiver by the Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders collectively, or
any holder hereof, of any such right or rights on any one occasion be deemed a
bar to, or waiver of, the same right or rights on any future occasion.

     The Borrower promises to pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket
costs of Lender of collection of this Swing Line Note, including attorneys'
fees, should this Swing Line Note be collected by or through an attorney-at-law
or under advice therefrom.

     Time is of the essence of this Swing Line Note.

     This Swing Line Note evidences the Lender's portion of the Swing Line
Advances under, and is entitled to the benefits and subject to the terms of, the
Credit Agreement which contains provisions with respect to the acceleration of
the maturity of this Swing Line Note upon the happening of certain stated events
and provisions for prepayment.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     This Swing Line Note shall be construed in accordance with and governed by
the internal laws of the State of Texas applicable to contracts made and to be
performed in the State of Texas and the United States of America.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has executed this Swing Line Note as of
the day and year first above written.

                                   UNITRIN, INC.



                                   By:  _____________________________________
                                        Name:________________________________
                                        Title:_______________________________

[CORPORATE SEAL]
                                   Attest: __________________________________
                                           Name:_____________________________
                                           Title:____________________________

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   ADVANCES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================
     Date      Amount of Advance      Amount of Principal      Notation Made
                                        Paid or Prepaid             By
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>                    <C>                      <C>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

================================================================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.9

                DESCRIPTION OF BONUS PLAN FOR SENIOR EXECUTIVES

     Effective August 6, 1997, the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of Unitrin, Inc. adopted a bonus plan for certain senior executives of
Unitrin and its subsidiaries (the "Bonus Plan"). The Bonus Plan covers executive
officers of Unitrin, Inc., the President of the Property and Casualty Insurance
Group, the President of the Life and Health Insurance Group, the President of
the Home Service Division of United Insurance Company of America and the
President of Fireside Thrift Co. The Bonus Plan is not set forth in a formal
document.

     Under the Bonus Plan, participants are eligible for annual bonuses of up to
50% of their base salaries (or 68.3%, in the case of the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer), consisting of a formula component and a discretionary
component. Formula components for participants with "line" responsibilities
reward such participants based on growth in operating earnings of the business
units they oversee (and additionally, based on bad debt experience in the case
of Fireside Thrift's President). Formula components for participants with
"staff" responsibilities reward such participants based on growth in earnings
per share from operations. The formula components for the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer take all of the foregoing factors into account. Discretionary
components, if any, will be based on the Compensation Committee's subjective
evaluation of the individual's overall job performance.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         2,311,500
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     250,000
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               3,441,100
<CASH>                                          17,700
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,958,700
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,034,800
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 94,300
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,800
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,494,900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,958,700
                                     924,200
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            132,600
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               3,200
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  95,200
<BENEFITS>                                     600,200
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           461,800<F1>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 93,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                    31,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             71,900<F2>
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    71,900
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES CONSUMER FINANCE EXPENSES OF $89.9 MILLION AND OTHER EXPENSES OF $9.3
MILLION.
<F2>INCLUDES EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF INVESTEES OF $10.5 MILLION
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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