ISO said the agreement includes ISO's Commercial Umbrella program and Public Protection Classifications used to measure communities' fire suppression capabilities.

Participating Lloyd's underwriters would also be able to use loss estimates from ISO's Property Claim Services unit as a trigger for Insured Loss Warranties covering catastrophic losses from extreme events, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and terrorism. Under such warranties, ISO said, a reinsurer is liable for payment if insured losses for the catastrophic event exceed a specified amount.

Frank J. Coyne, ISO chairman, president and chief executive officer, and Robert Childs, chairman of Lloyd's Market association and director at Hiscox PLC, said in a statement that the agreement broadens and strengthens the relationship between the U.S. and London markets.

"This agreement with ISO is further evidence of Lloyd's commitment to the U.S. market, "which is the largest single source of business to Lloyd's, worth more than $8.2 billion a year," said, Julian James, director of Worldwide Markets at Lloyd's, in a statement.

Christopher L. Guidette, assistant vice president, corporate communications, explained that Lloyd's has had the capability of underwriting in the U.S. in the past, but by renewing and broadening the ISO agreement Lloyd's can more accurately and profitably underwrite business here in the U.S.

"Our service is advisory," said Mr. Guidette. "No company needs our information to do business here, but to have our information helps them to do so more profitably."

In other news related to Lloyd's, Lloyd's Syndicate 1400, managed by Danish Re Syndicates Ltd., requested that Oldwick, N.J.-based insurance rating service A.M. Best Co. remove its "A-minus" (Excellent) rating. It was assigned a new rating of NR-4 (Company Request).

Miles Trotter, an analyst for Best in London, said the company decided it would be more advantageous to remove its rating after business setbacks that lead to the closing of some overseas operations. When the rating was issued in 2001, Danish Re was seeking to expand globally, but the setbacks and lack of capital investment in the company forced it to change strategy.

The company remains a syndicate within Lloyd's and has aligned itself with Lloyd's rating of "A minus" (excellent).