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Best's rating changes.


This edition of Best's Rating Best's rating

A rating A.M. Best Co. assigns to insurance companies based on the company's ability to meet its obligations to its policyholders.
 Changes reflects all rating changes--assignments, changes or placed under review--that occurred for life, health and property/casualty insurers domiciled dom·i·cile  
n.
1. A residence; a home.

2. One's legal residence.

v. dom·i·ciled, dom·i·cil·ing, dom·i·ciles

v.tr.
1.
 in North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. , as well as international insurance companies, since this section last appeared in the June June: see month.  2006 edition of Best's Review.

See page 20 for the current Guide to Best's Financial Strength Ratings or visit the A.M. Best Co. Web site at www.ambest.com/ratings/guide.html for detailed rating definitions. The A.M. Best rating of any company and basic company information also are available free of charge at www.ambest.com/ratings/access.html.
Ratings Changed

Rating                                               Current   Previous
Action   Company Name & Domicile             AMB#    Rating      Rating

Life/Health

-        American Underwriters Life
           Insurance Co                      08795   B-               B
         US: Arizona
New      Club Insurance Company              12356   B++           NR-5
         US: Ohio
New      Community Health Plan Insurance
           Company                           09101   B             NR-2
         US: Missouri
         First National Life Ins Co of the
           U.S.A.                            07679   NR-4            B+
         US: Nebraska
-        HIP Insurance Company of New York   08034   B+           B++ u
         US: New York
-        Humana Insurance of Puerto Rico
           Inc                               08265   B+             B++
         US: Puerto Rico
         Life and Health Insurance Co of
           America                           08070   NR-5             F
         US: Pennsylvania
New      MVP Health Insurance Company        60369   B+            NR-5
         US: New York
         Old Standard Life Insurance
           Company                           68103   NR-5             E
         US: Idaho
         Paragon Life Insurance Company      09079   NR-5            A+
         US: Missouri
New      Premier Health Insurance Company
           Inc                               60384   B++           NR-3
         US: Missouri
         ULLICO Life Insurance Company       06316   NR-3             B
         US: Texas
+        Union Labor Life Insurance
           Company                           07152   B+               B
         US: Maryland
+        USAble Corporation                  50925   A               A-
         US: Arkansas
         Vytra Health Services Inc           64599   NR-5          B+ u
         US: New York

HMO

         AmCare Health Plans of Texas Inc    68561   NR-5             E
         US: Texas
New      CarePlus Health Plans Inc           68925   B++           NR-3
         US: Florida
+        CHA HMO Inc                         64403   B++           B+ u
         US: Kentucky
         Coordinated Care Solutions of
           Texas Inc                         64746   NR-5             E
         US: Texas
-        Health Insurance Pln of Greater
           NY                                68985   B+           B++ u
         US: New York
+        HMO Partners Inc                    68964   A               A-
         US: Arkansas
-        Humana Health Plans of Puerto
           Rico Inc                          60162   B+             B++
         US: Puerto Rico
+        IU Health Plan Inc                  64386   C+ pd         C pd
         US: Indiana
New      MVP Health Plan                     68567   B+            B pd
         US: New York
         PHP Insurance Plan Inc              64123   NR-5          C pd
         US: Wisconsin
New      Rochester Area Health Maintenance
           Org                               64296   B+           B+ pd
         US: New York
-        Unison Health Plan of
           Pennsylvania Inc                  64104   C+ pd       C++ pd
         US: Pennsylvania
         Vytra Health Plans Long Island
           Inc                               68957   NR-5          B+ u
         US: New York

Property/Casualty

+        ACA Insurance Company               12211   A+               A
         US: Alaska
New      Accident Fund General Insurance
           Co                                13044   A
         US: Michigan
New      Accident Fund Group                 18680   A
         US: Michigan
New      Accident Fund National Insurance
           Co                                13043   A
         US: Michigan
New      Amer Modern Surplus Lines
           Insurance Co                      13062   A+
         US: Ohio
+        American Compensation Insurance
           Company                           11419   B++             B+
         US: Minnesota
New      American Modern Ins Co of
           Florida, Inc.                     13020   A+
         US: Florida
+        Ameritrust Insurance Corporation    12011   B++             B+
         US: Florida
         Atlantic Preferred Insurance Co     12202   E             NR-4
         US: Florida
New      Bloomington Compensation
           Insurance Co                      13035   B++
         US: Minnesota
+        Bristol West Casualty Insurance
           Company                           12404   A-             B++
         US: Ohio
+        Bristol West Insurance Company      12461   A-             B++
         US: Pennsylvania
+        Bristol West Insurance Group        18131   A-             B++
         US: Florida
+        California State Auto Assn Inter-
           Ins Bur                           00228   A+               A
         US: California
+        California State Auto Group         18460   A+               A
         US: California
-        Catholic Relief Ins Co of America   03035   B++             A-
         US: Nebraska
         China America Insurance Company
           Limited                           10587   NR-5          A+ u
         US: Delaware
+        Coast National Insurance Company    00177   A-             B++
         US: California
         Crestbrook Insurance Company        01987   NR-3          A- u
         US: Ohio
+        Dallas National Insurance Company   01790   A-             B++
         US: Texas
         Desjardins Assurances Generales
           Inc                               86005   NR-5        B++ pd
         Canada: Quebec
New      Echelon Prop & Cas Insurance
           Company                           12679   B             NR-2
         US: Illinois
-        Farm Bureau Insurance of N.C. Inc   11659   A               A+
         US: North Carolina
-        Farmers Mutual Fire Ins Co of
           Salem Cty                         03376   B+             B++
         US: New Jersey
+        Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Co
           (ND)                              03141   A               A-
         US: North Dakota
-        First Floridian Auto and Home Ins
           Co                                11872   A-               A
         US: Florida
+        Forestry Mutual Insurance Company   12251   C+               C
         US: North Carolina
+        HSBC Insurance Company of
           Delaware                          04698   A+             B++
         US: Delaware
         Indemnity National Insurance Co     11565   NR-5             A
         US: Mississippi
New      Lancer Casualty Company             10093   A-
         US: New Jersey
+        Louisiana Retailers Mutual
           Insurance Co                      12200   A-             B++
         US: Louisiana
-        Nationwide Indemnity Company        11664   B+            A- u
         US: Ohio
-        North Carolina FB Insurance Grp     18279   A               A+
         US: North Carolina
-        North Carolina FB Mutual Ins Co     00708   A               A+
         US: North Carolina
-        Palmetto Casualty Insurance
           Company                           11240   A-               A
         US: South Carolina
New      Personal Express Insurance
           Company                           13069   A-
         US: California
         Personal General Insurance Inc.     86006   NR-5         B+ pd
         Canada: Quebec
New      RTW Group                           18685   B++
         US: Minnesota
+        Security National Insurance
           Company                           10796   A-             B++
         US: Florida
+        Seminole Casualty Insurance
           Company                           11075   B               B-
         US: Florida
New      Sequoia Indemnity Company           13076   A-
         US: Nevada
-        South Carolina Farm Bureau Group    18268   A-               A
         US: South Carolina
-        South Carolina FB Mutual Ins Co     00838   A-               A
         US: South Carolina
         Southeastern Mutual Insurance
           Company                           87736   NR-5        B++ pd
         Canada: New Brunswick
-        States Self-Insrs RRG , Inc         10795   B+             B++
         US: Vermont
+        Sterling Insurance Company          00872   A               A-
         US: New York
New      Twin Lights Insurance Company       13061   B++
         US: New Jersey
+        Ulico Casualty Company              02623   B               B-
         US: Delaware
New      United Specialty Insurance
           Company                           13105   A
         US: Delaware
+        United Wisconsin Insurance
           Company                           01932   A              B++
         US: Wisconsin
+        Utica First Insurance Company       00944   A-             B++
         US: New York
+        Washington Mutual Fire and Storm
           Ins Co                            04626   B++             B+
         US: Pennsylvania
-        Wesco Insurance Company             02468   A- u            A+
         US: Delaware
+        Western United Insurance Company    11042   A+               A
         US: California

International

         Aanvullende
           Pensioenverzekeringskas           89515   F             NR-5
         Belgium
New      CastlePoint Reinsurance Company
           Limited                           78308   A-
         Bermuda
         HSBC Medical Insurance Limited      84721   NR-3            A+
         Hong Kong
New      Life of Jamaica Limited             86086   A             NR-5
         Jamaica
New      Oriental Insurance Company
           Limited                           86044   B++           NR-5
         India
+        Through Transport Mut Ins Asc
           (EurAsia)                         84975   A-             B++
         United Kingdom
+        Through Transport Mutual Ins
           Assoc Ltd                         87148   A-             B++
         Bermuda
-        West of England Ship Owners Mut
           Ins Asn                           84144   A- u             A
         Luxembourg

Rating Action: (+) or (-) Rating upgraded or downgraded; (New) Assigned
initial rating; (u) Rating under review

Ratings Under Review

Rating                                               Current   Previous
Action   Company Name & Domicile             AMB#    Rating      Rating

Life/Health

         Central Reserve Life Insurance
           Company                           06203   B+ u            B+
         US: Ohio
         Continental General Insurance
           Company                           07360   B+ u            B+
         US: Nebraska
         Southern Pioneer Life Insurance
           Company                           07521   B+ u            B+
         US: Arkansas

Rating Action: (+) or (-) Rating upgraded or downgraded; (New) Assigned
initial rating; (u) Rating under review

GUIDE TO BEST'S FINANCIAL STRENGTH RATINGS

A Best's Rating is an independent opinion, based on a comprehensive
quantitative and qualitative evaluation, of a company's balance sheet
strength, operating performance and business profile. Best's Financial
Strength Ratings are not a warranty of a company's financial strength
and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders.

Financial Strength Ratings

A Best's Financial Strength Rating (FSR) is an opinion as to an
insurer's financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing
obligations to policyholders.

Rating     Descriptor                        Definition

Secure

A++, A+    Superior          Assigned to companies that have, in our
                             opinion, a superior ability to meet their
                             ongoing obligations to policyholders.
A, A-      Excellent         Assigned to companies that have, in our
                             opinion, an excellent ability to meet
                             their ongoing obligations to policy-
                             holders.
B++, B+    Very Good         Assigned to companies that have, in our
                             opinion, a good ability to meet their on-
                             going obligations to policyholders.

Vulnerable

B, B-      Fair              Assigned to companies that have, in our
                             opinion, a fair ability to meet their on-
                             going obligations to policyholders and
                             are financially vulnerable to adverse
                             changes in underwriting and economic
                             conditions.
C++, C+    Marginal          Assigned to companies that have, in our
                             opinion, a marginal ability to meet their
                             ongoing obligations to policyholders and
                             are financially vulnerable to adverse
                             changes in underwriting and economic con-
                             ditions.
C, C-      Weak              Assigned to companies that have, in our
                             opinion, a weak ability to meet their
                             current obligations to policyholders, but
                             are financially very vulnerable to
                             adverse changes in underwriting and
                             economic conditions.
D          Poor              Assigned to companies that have, in our
                             opinion, a poorly ability to meet
                             their ongoing obligations to policy-
                             holders and are financially extremely
                             vulnerable to adverse changes in under-
                             writing and economic conditions.
E          Under             Assigned to companies (and possibly their
           Regulatory        subsidiaries/affiliates) that have been
           Supervision       placed by an insurance regulatory authori-
                             ty under a significant form of supervi-
                             sion, control or restraint whereby they
                             are no longer allowed to conduct normal
                             ongoing insurance operations. This would
                             include conservatorship or rehabilitation,
                             but does not include liquidation. It may
                             also be assigned to companies issued cease
                             and desist orders by regulators outside
                             their home state or country.
F          In Liquidation    Assigned to companies that have been
                             placed under an order of liquidation by a
                             court of law or whose owners have volunta-
                             rily agreed to liquidate the company.
                             Note: Companies that voluntarily liquidate
                             or dissolve their charters are generally
                             not insolvent.
S          Suspended         Assigned to companies that have expe-
                             rienced sudden and significant events
                             affecting their balance sheet strength or
                             operating performance and whose rating
                             implications cannot be evaluated due to a
                             lack of timely or adequate information.

Rating Modifiers and Affiliation Codes

A rating modifier can be assigned to indicate that a Best's Rating may
be subject to near-term change (under review), that a company did not
subscribe to Best's interactive rating process (public data) or that
the rating is assigned to a syndicate operating at Lloyd's. Affiliation
codes (g, p, and r) are added to Best's Ratings to identify companies
whose assigned ratings are based on group, pooling or reinsurance
affiliation with other insurers.

Ratings
Modifiers

Modifier    Descriptor                      Definition

u           Under Review    A modifier that generally is event-driven
                            (positive, negative or developing) and is
                            assigned to a company whose Best's Rating
                            opinion is under review and may be subject
                            to change in the near-term, generally
                            defined as six months.
pd          Public Data     Assigned to insurers that do not subscribe
                            to Best's interactive rating process.
                            Best's "pd" Ratings reflect qualitative and
                            quantitative analyses using public data and
                            information.
s           Syndicate       Assigned to syndicates operating at
                            Lloyd's.

   Affiliation Codes        g    Group    p    Pooled    r    Reinsured

Not Rated Categories (NR)

Assigned to companies reported on by A.M. Best, but not assigned a
Best's Rating. The five categories are:

NR-1: Insufficient       NR-2: Insufficient      NR-3: Rating Procedure
  Data.                    Size and/or Opera-      Inapplicable.
                           ting Experience.
NR-4: Company            NR-5: Not Formally
  Request.                 Followed.

Rating Outlook

Best's Ratings (A++ to D) are assigned a Rating Outlook that indicates
the potential direction of a company's rating for an intermediate
period, generally defined as the next 12 to 36 months. Public Data
Ratings are not assigned an Outlook. Rating Outlooks, which appear in
the rating rationale section of the company's Best's Company Report,
are as follows:

Positive    Indicates a company's financial/market trends are
            favorable, relative to its current rating level and, if
            continued, the company has a good possibility of having
            its rating upgraded.
Negative    Indicates a company is experiencing unfavorable financial/
            market trends, relative to its current rating level and if
            continued, the company has a good possibility of having
            its rating downgraded.
Stable      Indicates a company is experiencing stable financial/
            market trends and there is a low likelihood that its
            rating change in the near term.

Best's Ratings are distributed via press release and/or the A.M. Best
Web site at www.ambest.com, and are published in the Rating Monitor
section of BestWeek[R]. Best's Ratings are proprietary and may not be
reproduced without permission. Copyright [C] 2006 by A.M. Best Company,
Inc.

Version 031606
COPYRIGHT 2006 A.M. Best Company, Inc.
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2006, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Article Details
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Title Annotation:Ratings
Publication:Best's Review
Article Type:Company rankings
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:Jul 1, 2006
Words:1964
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