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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 August 2006 edition of Best's Review.

See page 26 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

         Academy Life Insurance Company      06003   NR-5            A-
         US: Missouri
+        Allmerica Financial Life Ins &
           Ann Co                            08491   A-            B+ u
         US: Massachusetts
-        Great American Life Assur Co of
           PR                                07631   B++             A-
         US: Puerto Rico
         Liberty Life Insurance Company      06628   NR-5             A
         US: South Carolina
-        North Carolina Mutual Life
           Insurance Co                      06835   B               B+
         US: North Carolina
-        Orkney Re Inc                       60559   B++ u           A-
         US: South Carolina
-        Scottish Re (U.S.) Inc              08785   B++ u           A-
         US: Delaware
-        Scottish Re Life Corporation        08928   B++ u           A-
         US: Delaware
         Seguros de Vida Triple-S Inc        68131   NR-5          A- u
         US: Puerto Rico
         Settlers Life Insurance Company     68040   NR-5           B++
         US: Virginia
-        Triple-S Inc                        68130   B++           A- u
         US: Puerto Rico

HMO

-        Athens Area Health Plan Select
           Inc                               64556   C pd         C+ pd
         US: Georgia
+        Cape Health Plan Inc                64490   C++ pd       C+ pd
         US: Michigan
-        Central Oregon Independent Health
           Servcs                            64496   C++ pd       B- pd
         US: Oregon
+        Community Health Choice Inc         64454   C++ pd       C+ pd
         US: Texas
-        CommunityCare HMO Inc               64165   C++ pd       B- pd
         US: Oklahoma
+        DC Chartered Health Plan Inc        64625   B- pd       C++ pd
         US: District Of Columbia
         Denver Health Medical Plan Inc      64420   C+ pd         NR-5
         US: Colorado
-        Educators Health Care               68603   B- pd         B pd
         US: Utah
         Family Health Plan Inc              68665   NR-5          D pd
         US: Ohio
+        Geisinger Health Plan               68588   B- pd       C++ pd
         US: Pennsylvania
+        HealthPlus of Michigan Inc          68555   B- pd        C+ pd
         US: Michigan
+        Hometown Health Plan                68576   B pd        C++ pd
         US: Ohio
+        Managed Health Inc                  64346   C++ pd       C+ pd
         US: New York
+        Medical Associates Health Plan
           Inc                               68542   B- pd       C++ pd
         US: Iowa
+        Medical Health Insuring Corp of
           Ohio                              64217   B+ pd         B pd
         US: Ohio
+        Mount Carmel Health Plan Inc        64112   B pd         B- pd
         US: Ohio
+        Neighborhood Health Plans of RI
           Inc                               64293   C++ pd       C+ pd
         US: Rhode Island
         Optima Health Group Inc             68940   NR-5         B+ pd
         US: Virginia
+        Parkland Community Health Plan
           Inc                               64461   C+ pd        C- pd
         US: Texas
+        Preferred Health                    64053   B- pd        C+ pd
         US: Puerto Rico
+        Seton Health Plan Inc               64252   B- pd       C++ pd
         US: Texas
         Superior Dental Care Inc            65724   B- pd         NR-5
         US: Ohio
+        Tufts Associated Health Maint Org
           Inc                               68684   B pd         B- pd
         US: Massachusetts
         UNICARE Health Plan of Virginia
           Inc                               64725   NR-5            A-
         US: Virginia
+        Virginia Premier Health Plan        64251   C++ pd       C+ pd
         US: Virginia
         Willamette Dental of Idaho Inc      64402   NR-5         C+ pd
         US: Idaho
         Willamette Dental of Washington
           Inc                               64529   NR-5        C++ pd
         US: Washington

Property/Casualty

-        AIMCO Mutual Insurance Co           12543   B++           A- u
         US: North Carolina
New      AXIS Insurance Company              13034   A
         US: Illinois
         Compania de Fianzas de Puerto
           Rico                              11446   NR-4             C
         US: Puerto Rico
New      CORE Insurance Company              13131   A-
         US: Vermont
+        Doctors Company An Interinsurance
           Exch                              03686   A-             B++
         US: California
+        Doctors Company Insurance Group     18083   A-             B++
         US: California
-        Florida Select Insurance Company    11869   E            C++ u
         US: Florida
         Galway Insurance Company            11765   NR-5            B+
         US: California
-        Hawaiian Insurance & Guar Co, Ltd   11581   E            C++ u
         US: Hawaii
New      Northwest Physicians Insurance
           Company                           10352   A-            NR-5
         US: Oregon
New      Park Assurance Company              76069   A-
         US: Vermont
+        Prime Insurance Syndicate Inc.      11306   B+               B
         US: Illinois
+        Professional Underwriters Liab
           Ins Co                            10763   A-             B++
         US: Utah
-        Shelby Casualty Insurance Company   02277   E            C++ u
         US: Texas
-        Shelby Insurance Company            00832   E            C++ u
         US: Texas
New      Texas Heritage Insurance Company    13135   B++
         US: Texas
-        Texas Select Lloyds Insurance
           Company                           11082   E            C++ u
         US: Texas
+        Underwriter for the Professions
           Ins Co                            11091   A-             B++
         US: Colorado
-        Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation    04407   E            C++ u
         US: Texas
-        Vesta Insurance Corporation         01813   E            C++ u
         US: Texas
         Vesta Insurance Group               05681   NR-5         C++ u
         US: Alabama

International

+        Infrassure Ltd                      83983   A-             B++
         Switzerland
         Koelnische Rueckversicherungs       85390   NR-5           A++
         Austria
New      Lloyd's Syndicate 2020              48341   A s
         United Kingdom
New      SCOR Global P & C                   78344   B++ u
         France
-        Scottish Annuity & Life Ins Co
           (Cayman)                          86896   B++ u           A-
         Cayman Islands
-        Scottish Re Limited                 87677   B++ u           A-
         United Kingdom
         Western General Insurance Ltd       85932   NR-4            B+
         Bermuda

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

         American Independent Network Ins
           of NY                             60292   B u              B
         US: New York
         American Investors Life Insurance
           Co                                06075   A u              A
         US: Kansas
         American Network Insurance
           Company                           07362   B u              B
         US: Pennsylvania
         AmerUs Life Insurance Company       06199   A u              A
         US: Iowa
         Bankers Life Insurance Co of NY     06467   A u              A
         US: New York
         Indianapolis Life Insurance
           Company                           06552   A u              A
         US: Indiana
         Penn Treaty Network America
           Insurance Co                      06385   B u              B
         US: Pennsylvania
         Revios Reinsurance US Inc           60212   A- u            A-
         US: California
         SCOR Life Insurance Company         06996   B++ u          B++
         US: Texas
         SCOR Life U.S. Re Insurance
           Company                           06555   B++ u          B++
         US: Texas

Property/Casualty

         General Security Indemnity Co of
           Arizona                           02837   B++ u          B++
         US: Arizona
         General Security National
           Insurance Co                      02665   B++ u          B++
         US: New York
         Health Care Indemnity Inc           03701   A- u            A-
         US: Colorado
         Miami Mutual Insurance Company      04694   A- u            A-
         US: Ohio
         Omni Indemnity Company              10831   A- u            A-
         US: Illinois
         Omni Insurance Company              10642   A- u            A-
         US: Illinois
         Omni Insurance Group, Inc           18106   A- u            A-
         US: Georgia
         SCOR Canada Reinsurance Company     85445   B++ u          B++
         Canada: Ontario
         SCOR Reinsurance Company            03599   B++ u          B++
         US: New York

International

         Revios Rueckversicherung AG         89004   A- u            A-
         Germany
         Revios Rueckversicherung AG         77336   A- u            A-
         Germany
         SCOR                                85027   B++ u          B++
         France
         SCOR DEUTSCHLAND
           Rueckversicherungs                85312   B++ u          B++
         Germany
         SCOR Group                          86155   B++ u          B++
         France
         Scor Italia Riassicurazioni
           S.p.A.                            85232   B++ u          B++
         Italy
         SCOR Reinsurance Asia-Pacific Pte
           Ltd                               86117   B++ u          B++
         Singapore
         SCOR UK Company Ltd                 85448   B++ u          B++
         United Kingdom
         SCOR Vie                            77365   B++ u          B++
         France
         Wuertt und Badische
           Versicherungs-AG                  84678   B++ u          B++
         Germany

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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Title Annotation:Ratings, Insurance companies
Publication:Best's Review
Geographic Code:100NA
Date:Sep 1, 2006
Words:1991
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