EX-4.4 8 ex4-4.txt EXHIBIT 4.4 1 EXHIBIT 4.4 ----------- UNITED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT ------------------------------------ This United Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement"), dated as of July 26, 2000, is between CERES GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and UNITED INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, an Illinois insurance corporation ("United"). R E C I T A L S --------------- United has agreed to purchase Convertible Voting Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the "Preferred Shares") which is convertible into shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the "Common Shares") pursuant to that certain Certificate of Amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and that certain Subscription Agreement of even date herewith provided that the parties hereto enter into this Agreement. The Company deems it desirable to enter into this Agreement in order to induce United to purchase the Preferred Shares pursuant to the Subscription Agreement. AGREEMENTS ---------- In consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows: 1. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement. "Certificate of Amendment" means the Certificate of Amendment of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, dated July 25, 2000. "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission. "Common Shares" means the Common Stock, par value $0.001, of the Company. "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. "Other Registrable Shares" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1. 2 "Person" means a natural person, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or other entity, or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof. "Preferred Shares" means the convertible voting preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, which is convertible into Common Shares of the Company as described in the Certificate of Amendment. "Public Offering" means any offering by the Company of its equity securities to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or any comparable statement under any comparable federal statute then in effect. "Registration Rights Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and the persons and entities set forth on the signature pages thereto, as amended from time to time. "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. "Stock Purchase Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 30, 1998, by and among the Company, Strategic Acquisition Partners, L.L.C., Insurance Partners, L.P. and Insurance Partners Offshore (Bermuda), L.P. "Subscription Agreement" means the Subscription Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2000, by and among the Company and United. "United Registrable Shares" means at any time (i) any Common Shares then outstanding which were issuable upon the conversion of the Preferred Shares; (ii) any Common Shares then outstanding which were issued as, or were issued directly or indirectly upon the conversion or exercise of other securities issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect or in replacement of any shares referred to in (i); and (iii) any Common Shares then issuable directly or indirectly upon the conversion or exercise of other securities which were issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to or in replacement of any shares referred to in (i); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that United Registrable Shares shall not include any shares which have been registered pursuant to the Securities Act or which have been sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 of the Commission under the Securities Act. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person will be deemed to be a holder of United Registrable Shares whenever such Person has the then-existing right to acquire such United Registrable Shares, whether or not such acquisition actually has been effected. -2- 3 2. DEMAND REGISTRATION. 2.1 REQUESTS FOR REGISTRATION. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, beginning three years from the date of this Agreement, the holders of all, but not less than all, the Common Shares then outstanding which were issued upon the conversion of the Preferred Shares, may request registration under the Securities Act of all, but not less than all, the Common Shares then outstanding which were issued upon the conversion of the Preferred Shares on Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration ("Long-Form Registrations") or, if available, then at the option of the Company, on Form S-2 or S-3 or any similar short-form registration ("Short-Form Registrations"). Within ten (10) days after receipt of any request pursuant to this Section 2.1, the Company will give written notice of such request to all other holders of securities registrable under the Registration Rights Agreement ("Other Registrable Shares"), subject to Section 2.4, and will include in such registration all Other Registrable Shares with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion within thirty (30) days after delivery of the Company's notice. All registrations requested pursuant to this Section 2 are referred to herein as "Demand Registrations." 2.2 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES FOR DEMAND REGISTRATIONS. The Company will pay all Registration Expenses (as defined in Section 6 below) for one Demand Registration initiated by the holders of all, but not less than all, the Common Shares then outstanding which were issued upon the conversion of the Preferred Shares (including those under Section 2.3) (whether a Long-Form Registration or a Short-Form Registration). A registration will not count as one of the Company- paid Demand Registrations until it has become effective and the holders of all, but not less than all, the Common Shares then outstanding which were issued upon the conversion of the Preferred Shares are able to register and sell at least 90% of such Common Shares requested to be included in such registration (or in the case of a shelf registration, it remains effective for not less than 180 days); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in any event the Company will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any registration initiated as a Demand Registration even though such registration shall not count as a Company-paid Demand Registration. In a Demand Registration other than the Demand Registration referred to in the first sentence of this Section (including those under Section 2.3), the Registration Expenses of such registration shall be borne by the holders of United Registrable Shares and Other Registrable Shares to be registered thereunder PRO RATA based on the number of United Registrable Shares and Other Registrable Shares and other securities requested or permitted to be included in such registration pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. 2.3 SHORT-FORM REGISTRATIONS. Demand Registrations will be Short-Form Registrations whenever the Company is permitted to use any applicable short form. The Company will use its best efforts to make Short-Form Registrations available for the sale of United Registrable Shares. If a Short-Form Registration is to be an underwritten public offering, and if the underwriters for marketing or other reasons request the inclusion in the registration statement of information which is not required under the Securities Act to be included in a registration statement on the applicable form for the Short-Form Registration, the Company will provide such information as may be reasonably requested for inclusion by the underwriters in the Short-Form Registration. -3- 4 2.4 PRIORITY. If a Demand Registration is an underwritten public offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the inclusion of the number of United Registrable Shares and other securities requested to be included (by the Company or others) creates a substantial risk that the price per Common Share will be reduced, the Company will include in such registration, prior to the inclusion of any securities which are not United or Other Registrable Shares, the number of United Registrable Shares or Other Registrable Shares requested to be included which in the opinion of such underwriters can be sold without creating such a risk, PRO RATA among the respective holders of United Registrable Shares and Other Registrable Shares on the basis of the number of United Registrable Shares or Other Registrable Shares owned by such holders, with further successive PRO RATA allocations among the holders of United Registrable Shares or Other Registrable Shares if any such holder of United Registrable Shares or Other Registrable Shares has requested the registration of less than all such United Registrable Shares or Other Registrable Shares it is entitled to register. 2.5 RESTRICTIONS. The Company will not be obligated to effect any Demand Registration within 180 days after the effective date of a previous "Demand Registration" made pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. The Company may postpone for up to ninety (90) days the filing or the effectiveness (but not the preparation) of a registration statement for a Demand Registration if the Board of Directors of the Company reasonably and in good faith determines that such filing would require a disclosure of a material fact that would have a material adverse effect on the Company or any plan by the Company to engage in any acquisition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business) or any merger, consolidation, tender offer or other significant transaction. In order to postpone the filing of a registration statement pursuant to this Section 2.5, the Company shall promptly (but in any event within ten (10) days), upon determining to seek such postponement, deliver to each holder who has requested the registration of all or any part of its United Registrable Shares, a certificate signed by an executive officer of the Company stating that the Company is postponing such filing pursuant to this Section 2.5 and a general statement of the reason for such postponement and an approximation of the anticipated delay. Within twenty (20) days after receiving such certificate, the holders of a majority of the United Registrable Shares held who have requested the registration of all or any part of their respective United Registrable Shares and for which registration was previously requested may withdraw such demand request by giving written notice to the Company; if withdrawn, the demand request shall be deemed not to have been made for all purposes of this Agreement. The Company may postpone the filing of a particular registration statement pursuant to this Section 2.5 only once. 2.6 SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS. The holders of at least a majority of the United Registrable Shares included in a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.1 of this Agreement shall have the right to select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer the offering, subject to the Company's approval which will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and any existing contract rights of Advest, Inc. -4- 5 3. PIGGYBACK REGISTRATION. 3.1 RIGHT TO PIGGYBACK. Beginning one year from the date of this Agreement, whenever the Company proposes to register any of its equity securities under the Securities Act (other than pursuant to a Demand Registration hereunder or on Form S-8 or S-4 or any successor form thereto) and the registration form to be used may be used for the registration of any United Registrable Shares (a "Piggyback Registration"), the Company will give prompt written notice (which shall be given not less than thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of the registration statement) to all holders of the United Registrable Shares of its intention to effect such a registration and will include in such registration all United Registrable Shares (in accordance with the priorities set forth in Sections 3.2 and 3.3 below) with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion within fifteen (15) days after the delivery of the Company's notice. 3.2 PRIORITY ON PRIMARY REGISTRATIONS. If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten primary registration on behalf of the Company and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in the registration creates a substantial risk that the price per Common Share will be reduced, the Company will include in such registration FIRST, the securities that the Company proposes to sell, SECOND, the United Registrable Shares and Other Registrable Shares requested to be included in such registration, PRO RATA among the holders of such United Registrable Shares and Other Registrable Shares on the basis of the number of shares which are owned by such holders, and THIRD, other securities requested to be included in such registration. 3.3 PRIORITY ON SECONDARY REGISTRATIONS. If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of holders of the Company's securities and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in the registration creates a substantial risk that the price per Common Share will be reduced, the Company will include in such registration FIRST, the securities requested to be included therein by the holders requesting such registration and the United Registrable Shares and Other Registrable Shares requested to be included in such registration, PRO RATA among the holders of such securities on the basis of the number of Common Shares or United Registrable Shares and Other Registrable Shares which are owned by such holders, and SECOND, other securities requested to be included in such registration. 3.4 OTHER REGISTRATIONS. If the Company has previously filed a registration statement with respect to United Registrable Shares pursuant to Section 2 or pursuant to this Section 3, and if such previous registration has not been withdrawn or abandoned, the Company will not file or cause to be effected any other registration of any of its equity securities or securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for its equity securities under the Securities Act (except on Form S-8 or any successor form), whether on its own behalf or at the request of any holder or holders of such securities, until a period of at least 180 days has elapsed from the effective date of such previous registration. -5- 6 3.5 SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS. In connection with any Piggyback Registration, the holders of at least a majority of the United Registrable Shares and Other Registrable Shares requested to be registered shall have the right to select the managing underwriters (subject to the approval of the Company which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) to administer any offering of the Company's securities in which the Company does not participate, and the Company will have such right in any offering in which it participates. 4. HOLDBACK AGREEMENTS. 4.1 HOLDERS' AGREEMENTS. Each holder of United Registrable Shares agrees not to effect any public sale or distribution of equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities or make any demand for registration under Sections 2 or 3 hereof, during the seven (7) days prior to, and during the ninety (90) days following, the effective date of any underwritten Demand Registration or any underwritten Piggyback Registration in which United Registrable Shares are included (except as part of such underwritten registration), unless the underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree. Nothing herein shall prevent a holder of United Registrable Shares that is a partnership from making a distribution of United Registrable Shares to its partners, a holder of United Registrable Shares that is a trust from making a distribution of United Registrable Shares to its beneficiaries or a holder of United Registrable Shares that is a corporation from making a distribution of United Registrable Shares to its stockholders, provided that the transferees of such United Registrable Shares agree to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement to the extent the transferor would be so bound. 4.2 COMPANY'S AGREEMENTS. The Company agrees (i) not to effect any public sale or distribution of its equity securities, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during the seven (7) days prior to, and during the ninety (90) days following, the effective date of any underwritten Demand Registration or any underwritten Piggyback Registration (except as part of such underwritten registration or pursuant to registrations on Form S-8 or any successor form), unless the underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree, (ii) to use all reasonable efforts to cause each holder of at least five percent (5%) (on a fully diluted basis) of its equity securities, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities to agree not to effect any public sale or distribution of any such securities during such period (except as part of such underwritten registration, if otherwise permitted), unless the underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree, subject to the registration obligations of the Company under the Common Share Purchase Warrants (as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement), and (iii) if requested by the underwriters managing the registered public offering, to use all reasonable efforts to cause each other holder of its equity securities, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, purchased from the Company at any time (other than in a registered public offering) to agree not to effect any public sale or distribution of any such securities during such period (except as part of such underwritten registration, if otherwise permitted), unless the underwriters managing the registered -6- 7 public offering otherwise agree, subject to the registration obligations of the Company under the Common Share Purchase Warrants (as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement). 5. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES. Whenever the holders of United Registrable Shares have requested that any United Registrable Shares be registered pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will use its best efforts to effect the registration and sale of such United Registrable Shares in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and, pursuant thereto, the Company will as expeditiously as possible: (a) prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement with respect to such United Registrable Shares and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective (provided that before filing a registration statement or prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company will furnish copies of all such documents proposed to be filed to the counsel or counsels for the sellers of the United Registrable Shares covered by such registration statement); (b) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus(es) used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for a period of not less than nine months and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement; (c) furnish to each seller of United Registrable Shares and the underwriters such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus(es) included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as such seller or underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the United Registrable Shares; (d) use its best efforts to register or qualify such United Registrable Shares under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any seller or underwriter reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller or underwriter to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the United Registrable Shares (provided that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this subparagraph or (ii) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction); (e) promptly notify each seller of such United Registrable Shares, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, at the request of any such seller, the Company will prepare a supplement -7- 8 or amendment to such prospectus or registration statement so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such United Registrable Shares, such prospectus or registration statement will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (f) cause all such United Registrable Shares to be (i) listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed, (ii) authorized to be quoted and/or listed (to the extent applicable) on the NASD Automated Quotation System or The Nasdaq National Market if the United Registrable Shares so qualify, or (iii) if no similar securities issued by the Company are then listed on a securities exchange, a securities exchange selected by the holders of at least a majority of the United Registrable Shares included in such registration; (g) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such United Registrable Shares not later than the effective date of such registration statement; (h) enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting agreements in customary form) and take all such other actions as the holders of at least a majority of the United Registrable Shares being sold or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such United Registrable Shares (including, but not limited to, effecting a stock split or a combination of shares); (i) make available for inspection by any seller of United Registrable Shares, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the Company's officers, directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement; (j) advise each seller of such United Registrable Shares, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission or any state securities or other regulatory authority suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use all best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued; (k) at least two business days prior to the filing of any registration statement or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement to such registration statement or prospectus, furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such United Registrable Shares and refrain from filing any such registration statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement to which counsel selected by the holders of at least a majority of the United Registrable Shares being registered shall -8- 9 have reasonably objected on the grounds that such document does not comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder, unless, in the case of an amendment or supplement, in the opinion of counsel for the Company the filing of such amendment or supplement is reasonably necessary to protect the Company from any liabilities under any applicable federal or state law and such filing will not violate applicable laws; (l) at the request of any seller of such United Registrable Shares in connection with an underwritten offering, furnish on the date or dates provided for in the underwriting agreement: (i) an opinion of counsel, addressed to the underwriters and the sellers of United Registrable Shares, covering such matters as such underwriters and sellers may reasonably request, including such matters as are customarily furnished in connection with an underwritten offering and (ii) a letter or letters from the independent certified public accountants of the Company addressed to the underwriters and the sellers of United Registrable Shares, covering such matters as such underwriters and sellers may reasonably request, in which letter(s) such accountants shall state, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, that they are independent certified public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and that in their opinion the financial statements and other financial data of the Company included in the registration statement, the prospectus(es), or any amendment or supplement thereto, comply in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act; (m) make generally available to the Company's securityholders an earnings statement satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act no later than thirty (30) days after the end of the twelve (12) month period beginning with the first day of the Company's first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of a registration statement, which earnings statement shall cover such twelve (12) month period, and which requirement will be deemed to be satisfied if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Forms 10-Q, 10-K, and 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act; (n) if requested by the managing underwriter or any seller promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter or any seller reasonably requests to be included therein, including, without limitation, with respect to the United Registrable Shares being sold by such seller, the purchase price being paid therefor by the underwriters and with respect to any other terms of the underwritten offering of the United Registrable Shares to be sold in such offering, and promptly make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; (o) cooperate with each seller and each underwriter participating in the disposition of such United Registrable Shares and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the NASD; (p) during the period when the prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, promptly file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and -9- 10 (q) notify each seller of United Registrable Shares promptly of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of such registration statement or prospectus or for additional information. 6. REGISTRATION EXPENSES. 6.1 COMPANY'S EXPENSES. Except as provided in Section 2.2 hereof, all expenses incident to the Company's performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including, but not limited to, all registration and filing fees, fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws, printing expenses, messenger and delivery expenses, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and all independent certified public accountants, underwriters (excluding discounts and commissions) and other Persons retained by the Company (all such expenses being herein called "Registration Expenses"), will be borne by the Company. In addition, the Company will pay its internal expenses (including, but not limited to, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit or quarterly review, the expense of any liability insurance obtained by the Company; the expenses and fees for listing the securities to be registered on each securities exchange, expenses incurred in obtaining any comfort letters, and all fees and expenses associated with filings required to be made with the NASD. 6.2 HOLDER'S EXPENSES. Except as provided in Section 2.2 hereof, in connection with any registration statement in which United Registrable Shares are included, the Company will reimburse the holders of United Registrable Shares covered by such registration for the reasonable cost and expenses incurred by such holders in connection with such registration, including, but not limited to, reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by the holders of at least a majority of such United Registrable Shares. 7. INDEMNIFICATION. 7.1 BY THE COMPANY. The Company agrees to indemnify and reimburse, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each holder of United Registrable Shares, its officers and directors and each Person who controls such holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including, but not limited to, attorney's fees) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact, required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are directly caused by statements or omissions made in reliance on and in strict conformity with the information furnished in writing to the Company by such holder regarding such holder expressly for use therein or by such holder's failure to deliver a copy of the prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such holder with a sufficient number of copies of the same. In connection with an underwritten offering, the Company will indemnify such underwriters, their -10- 11 officers and directors and each Person who controls such underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the extent customary. The payments required by this Section 7.1 will be made periodically during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or expenses incurred, subject to an obligation of repayment in the event such indemnity is determined not to be owed. 7.2 BY EACH HOLDER. In connection with any registration statement in which a holder of United Registrable Shares is participating, each such holder will furnish to the Company in writing such information regarding such holder as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such registration statement, preliminary prospectus or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto and, to the extent permitted by law, will indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information so furnished in writing by such holder specifically for inclusion in the registration statement or prospectus; provided, that the obligation to indemnify will be several, and not joint and several, among such sellers of United Registrable Shares, and the liability of each such seller of United Registrable Shares will be limited to, the net amount received by such seller from the sale of United Registrable Shares pursuant to such registration statement; further provided, however, that such seller of United Registrable Shares shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that prior to the filing of any such registration statement or prospectus or amendment thereof or supplement thereto, such seller has furnished in writing to the Company information expressly for use in such registration statement or prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto that corrected or made not misleading information previously furnished to the Company. 7.3 PROCEDURE. Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder will (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying Person of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give such notice shall not limit the rights of such Person except to the extent such failure to provide notice materially prejudices the indemnifying Person) and (ii) unless in such indemnified Person's reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying Person to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified Person; provided, however, that any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in the defense of such claim, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Person unless (x) the indemnifying party has agreed to pay such fees or expenses, or (y) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such claim and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Person. If such defense is not assumed by the indemnifying party as permitted hereunder, the indemnifying party will not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without -11- 12 its consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably delayed or withheld). If such defense is assumed by the indemnifying party pursuant to the provisions hereof, such indemnifying party shall not settle or otherwise compromise the applicable claim unless (i) such settlement or compromise contains a full and unconditional release of the indemnified party or (ii) the indemnified party otherwise consents in writing. An indemnifying Person who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying Person with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified Person a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified Person and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim in which event the costs of such additional counsel shall be borne by the indemnifying Person. 7.4 Each party hereto agrees that, if for any reason the indemnification provisions contemplated by Section 7.1 or 7.2 are unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages, or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages, or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in connection with the actions which resulted in the losses, liabilities, claims, damages, or expenses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7.4 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the holders or any underwriters or all of them were treated as one Person for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 7.4, The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, liabilities, claims, damages, or expenses (or actions in respect thereof referred to above) shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or, except as provided in Section 7.3, defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7.4, no holder shall be required to contribute an amount greater than the dollar amount by which the net proceeds received by such holder with respect to the sale of any United Registrable Shares exceeds the amount of damages which such holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any and all untrue or alleged untrue statements of material fact or omissions or alleged omissions of material fact made in any registration statement, prospectus, or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, related to such sale of United Registrable Shares. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The holders' obligations in this Section 7.4 to contribute shall be several in proportion to the amount of United Registrable Shares registered by them and not joint. If indemnification is available under this Section 7, the indemnifying parties shall indemnify each indemnified party to the full extent -12- 13 provided in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 without regard to the relative fault of such indemnifying party or indemnified party or any other equitable consideration provided for in this Section 7.4 subject, in the case of the holders, to the limited dollar amounts get forth in Section 7.2. 7.5 SURVIVAL. The indemnification provided for under this Agreement will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified Person or any officer, director or controlling Person of such indemnified Person and will survive the transfer of securities. The Company also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified Person for contribution to such Person in the event the Company's indemnification is unavailable for any reason. 8. COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144 AND RULE 144A. At the request of any holder of United Registrable Shares who proposes to sell securities in compliance with Rule 144 of the Commission, the Company will (i) forthwith furnish to such holder a written statement of compliance with the filing requirements of the Commission as set forth in Rule 144, as such rule may be amended from time to time and (ii) make available to the public and such holders such information as will enable the holders of United Registrable Shares to make sales pursuant to Rule 144. Unless the Company is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will provide to the holder of United Registrable Shares and to any prospective purchaser of United Registrable Shares under Rule 144A of the Commission, the information described in Rule 144A(d)(4) of the Commission. 9. PARTICIPATION IN UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS. No Person may participate in any registration hereunder which is underwritten unless such Person (a) agrees to sell its securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by such Person or Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, custody agreements, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements; provided, that no holder of United Registrable Shares shall be required to make any representations or warranties in connection with any registration other than as to (i) such holder's ownership of his or its United Registrable Shares to be sold or transferred free and clear of all liens, claims, and encumbrances, (ii) such holder's power and authority to effect such transfer, and (iii) such matters pertaining to the compliance with securities laws as may be reasonably requested; provided, further, that the obligation of such holder to indemnify pursuant to any such underwriting arrangements shall be several, not joint and several, among such holders selling United Registrable Shares, and the liability of each such holder will be in proportion to, and provided further that such liability will be limited to, the net amount received by such holder from the sale of his or its United Registrable Shares pursuant to such registration. 10. MISCELLANEOUS. 10.1 NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Company will not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of United Registrable Shares in this Agreement. -13- 14 10.2 OTHER REGISTRATION RIGHTS. Except as provided in this Agreement, the Company will not hereafter grant to any Person or Persons any right to request the Company to register any equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for such securities, which are senior to or preferential to the registration rights granted herein, without the prior written consent of the holders of at least a majority of the United Registrable Shares. In addition, the Company represents that all consents necessary to enable the Company to enter into this Agreement have been obtained and the Company has all requisite power and authority to execute and carry out this Agreement. 10.3 REMEDIES. Any Person having rights under any provision of this Agreement will be entitled to enforce such rights specifically, to recover damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law, in equity, or otherwise. 10.4 AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived at any time only by the written agreement of the Company and the holders of at least a majority of the United Registrable Shares; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the provisions of this Agreement may not be amended or waived without the consent of the holders of all the United Registrable Shares adversely affected by such amendment or waiver if such amendment or waiver adversely affects a portion of the United Registrable Shares but does not so adversely affect all of the United Registrable Shares. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any such holders of any provision or condition of this Agreement must be made in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in writing. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this paragraph shall be binding upon each holder of United Registrable Shares and the Company. 10.5 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto will bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto, whether so expressed or not. In addition, and whether or not any express assignment has been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit of the parties to this Agreement or holders of United Registrable Shares are also for the benefit of, and enforceable by, any subsequent holders of such United Registrable Shares. 10.6 SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement. -14- 15 10.7 DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and do not constitute a part of and shall not be utilized in interpreting this Agreement. 10.8 NOTICES. Any notices required or permitted to be sent hereunder shall be delivered personally or mailed, certified mail, return receipt requested, or delivered by overnight courier service to the following addresses, or such other address as any Person designates by written notice to the Company, and shall be deemed to have been given upon delivery, if delivered personally, three days after mailing, if mailed, or one business day after delivery to the courier, if delivered by overnight courier service: If to the Company, to: Ceres Group, Inc. 17800 Royalton Road Strongsville, Ohio 44136 with a copy to: Kohrman Jackson & Krantz P.L.L. 1375 E. Ninth Street, 20th Floor One Cleveland Center Cleveland, Ohio 44114 Attention: Marc C. Krantz If to United: c/o Unitrin, Inc. One East Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60601 Attn: General Counsel If to holders of the Registrable Shares other United, to the addresses set forth on the stock record books of the Company. -15- 16 10.9 GOVERNING LAW. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement, and the performance of the obligations imposed by this Agreement, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio applicable to contracts made and wholly to be performed in that state. 10.10 FINAL AGREEMENT. This Agreement, together with the Subscription Agreement and all other agreements entered into by the parties hereto pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, constitutes the complete and final agreement of the parties concerning the matters referred to herein, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings. 10.11 EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and such counterparts together shall constitute one instrument. 10.12 NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be used against any Person. [Remainder of page intentionally left blank. Signature pages follow.] -16- 17 The parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date first above written. CERES GROUP, INC. /s/ Larry E. Wharton ------------------------------------------- By: Larry E. Wharton Its: Vice President and Treasurer UNITED INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA /s/ Scott Renwick ------------------------------------------- By: Scott Renwick Its: Vice President and Assistant Secretary -17-