ST. LOUIS, MO--(Marketwire - Jan 3, 2013) - RGA Reinsurance Company, a subsidiary of Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (NYSE: [ RGA ]), a leader in the life reinsurance industry, has been recognized for innovation by A. M. Best for the second consecutive year.

RGA has been recognized in the Innovation Showcase, published in the January 2013 edition of Best's Review magazine, for evidence-based research that confirmed the value that driving behavior holds as a factor in underwriting life insurance. RGA researched the correlation between motor vehicle records and mortality rate, the results of which have led to a more-nuanced approach for using those records for life insurance underwriting, including risk stratifications by age and gender, number of violations, and the type and severity of violations.

The MVR study analyzed the all-cause mortality experience of a large cohort of applicants linked to the number and severity of their recent driving infractions, and verified that significant excess mortality risk exists for applicants with a recent history of either major or frequent driving violations.

Innovation Showcase is a forum for recognizing forward thinking among insurance organizations. A panel of insurance industry experts assessed the relative merits of the submissions. In reviewing the RGA submission, Bill Jenkins, Managing Partner, Agile Insurance Technologies, said, "This organization is using data, internal and external, for innovative information insight. This innovative use of data (motor vehicle records to mortality tables) is providing insurers the ability to accomplish more granular risk segmentation, customer segmentation and find correlations between data and risks/customers. They seem to be the leading cusp in the use of data in the life industry."

"One of RGA's core strengths is our ability to share new ideas, insights and solutions with our clients and the industry. We have demonstrated innovation in many ways throughout our history, and I am very pleased to see the innovative work of our associates recognized by industry experts in Best's Review," said Greig Woodring, President and Chief Executive Officer, Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated.

To read about this innovation, visit: [ http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/getpublication.asp?issueid=9c3baaf9&pageid=18 ] 

The full MVR study can be viewed at:
[ http://www.rgare.com/media-center/Documents/Motor%20Vehicle%20Records%20and%20All-Cause%20Mortality.pdf ]

RGA continues to drive innovation in the life insurance industry, recently sponsoring an Innovation Series of presentations at the 2012 Society of Actuaries Annual Meeting, and launching a nationwide Market Innovation Challenge designed to increase awareness among young Americans of the value of life insurance. More information on RGA innovation initiatives can be viewed at: [ http://www.rgare.com/knowledgecenter ]; and information on the Market Innovation Challenge is available at: [ www.rgare.com/rgainnovation ].

About Best's Review

Best's Review is published by the A.M. Best Co. for insurance professionals, including home office executives, agents and brokers. Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Co. is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.

About RGA
Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (NYSE: [ RGA ]) is among the largest global providers of life reinsurance, with operations in Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. As of September 30, 2012, the company had approximately $2.9 trillion of life reinsurance in force and assets of $39.9 billion.