ISBA Mutual Insurance Co., the sponsored professional liability insurance company of the state bar association, recently distributed 10 percent dividends to its policyholders for 2006.

At the company's annual meeting, President Jon W. DeMoss reported on ISBA Mutual's results for 2006 - a very good year that enabled it to pay the 10 percent dividend to policyholders for the second year in a row.

The number of lawyers insured with ISBA Mutual increased to an all-time high, and gross written premiums reached $16.5 million, also a record.

The company ended the year with almost $21 million in policyholder surplus, and its admitted assets increased to $56.4 million.

ISBA Mutual held its rates stable during 2006 and maintained a strong reserve position. It also successfully defended a number of claims against its policyholders and maintained its A- (Excellent) rating by A.M. Best.

Founded in 1988, ISBA Mutual reached another milestone in January, when it experienced its first month of more than $2 million in premiums.

ISBA Mutual recently joined with the ISBA as an equal partner in sponsoring free Fastcase online legal research for members.