A.M. Best Launches New Online Consumer Insurance Information Center.

OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has launched Best's Consumer Insurance Information Center, an online resource designed to inform consumers about the various insurance options available to them, and to demonstrate the importance of an insurer's Best's Financial Strength Rating in determining how likely the company is to fulfill its financial obligations to policyholders.

Overview information on life insurance and annuities, health and accident insurance, and auto, home and personal property insurance is currently available in this Center. Visitors can also expect to find answers to basic questions that may arise when deciding on the line of coverage that would best suit their needs, such as: "What does it protect against?" "Who needs it?" and "When should I buy it?"

This Center features a convenient tool that lets users search for an insurer and view its Best's Rating, basic contact information and its top five lines and states of business (by direct premiums written). A user-friendly glossary defining basic insurance terms is available to help consumers more fully understand the terms and conditions of their insurance policies. Additionally, visitors can access contact and background information on their commissioners and link directly to their state's Department of Insurance Web page.

The valuable information featured in Best's Consumer Insurance Information Center is currently available to all A.M. Best Web site visitors free of charge at www.ambest.com/consumers.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial services industries, including the banking and insurance sectors. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.