Best's Rating Changes.This summary 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 fists life/health, property/casualty and international insurers as well as health maintenance organizations that had ratings assigned as·sign tr.v. as·signed, as·sign·ing, as·signs 1. To set apart for a particular purpose; designate: assigned a day for the inspection. 2. , changed or placed under review since this section last appeared in the January January: see month. 2000 edition of Best's Review. Best's Rating Changes is an abbreviated version of Best's Rating Monitor. Previously a stand-alone (jargon) stand-alone - Capable of operating without other programs, libraries, computers, hardware, networks, etc. Exactly what is absent is presumed to be obvious from context. "We only run Windows on stand-alone PCs because it's too dangerous to run it on networked ones." publication, Best's Rating Monitor is now a featured section in Best's Viewpoint, a new publication available as a supplement to Best Week, A.M. Best Co.'s weekly news report. Best's Rating Monitor contains a compilation Compiling a program. See compiler. of all recent rating releases plus supporting rationales for the industry's largest insurance groups and for insurers whose ratings were changed or placed under review. For comprehensive ratings and company information free of charge, visit www.ambest.com/ratings/access.html. For more information on how to obtain A.M. Best Co. products and publications, including Best's Ratings and Best's Company Reports for individual companies, see page 167. See page 29 for the Current Guide to Best's Ratings and the August 1999 edition of Best's Review for the Detailed Rating Definitions page.
LIFE/HEALTH
Rating Current Effective Prior
Action Company AMB# Rating Date Rating
New Group Life & Health Ins Co TX 06500 A 12/06/99 FPR 5
HMOs
Rating Current Effective Prior
Action Company AMB# Rating Date Rating
New BCI HMO, Inc. IL 68658 A 12/06/99 FPR 8
New Blue Advantage HMO Program IL 60144 A 12/06/99 NR-5
New Mid-Con Health Plans, L.C. TX 64253 A- 12/06/99 NR-5
New Rio Grande HMO, Inc. TX 68659 A- 12/06/99 NR-5
New West Texas Health Plans, L.C. TX 64417 A- 12/06/99 NR-5
PROPERTY/CASUALTY
Rating Current Effective Prior
Action Company AMB# Rating Date Rating
+ Associated Mut Ins Cooperative NT 04829 B++ 12/09/99 B+
U California Compensation Ins Co CA 00224 B++ pu 12/01/99 B++ p
U Combined Benefits Ins Co CA 11772 B++ pu 12/01/99 B++ p
U Commercial Compensation Ins Co NY 12065 B++ pu 12/01/99 B++ p
U Commercial Underwriters Ins Co CA 11316 A+ ru 12/06/99 A+ r
U Midwest Casualty Ins Co ND 11223 B+ u 12/08/99 B+
- U National Guaranty Ins Co VT 56001 B+ u 12/08/99 A- u
U Newmarket Underwriters Ins Co NH 11990 A+ ru 12/06/99 A+ r
New Overseas Partners Cat Ltd BM 55023 A+ 12/09/99 NR-5
- The Personal Service Ins Co OH 03304 A- r 12/09/99 A
U Superior National Ins Co CA 02635 B++ pu 12/01/99 B++ p
U Superior National Ins Group CA 18414 B++ u 12/01/99 B++
U Superior Pacific Casualty Co CA 00321 B++ pu 12/01/99 B++ p
U Underwriters Insurance Co NE 11671 A+ ru 12/06/99 A+ r
U Underwriters Reinsurance Co NH 00219 A+ gu 12/06/99 A+ g
U Underwriters Reins Group NH 18206 A+ u 12/06/99 A+
+ Worldwide Casualty Ins Co KY 02828 A p 12/09/99 B++ ru
+ Worldwide Direct Auto Ins Co KY 03045 A p 12/09/99 B++ ru
+ Worldwide Insurance Company MO 00609 A p 12/09/99 B++ gu
INTERNATIONAL
Rating Current Effective
Action Company AMB# Country Rating Date
- U Adamjee Insurance Company Limited 85699 Pakistan B++ u 11/12/99
New AGF Group 85129 France A++ g 10/18/99
New AGF IART 85174 France A++ g 10/18/99
New AGF M.A.T. 86992 France A++ g 10/18/99
New AGF Vie 85109 France A++ g 10/18/99
New Allianz AG Consolidated 85014 Germany A++ 10/18/99
+ Allianz Aktiengesellschaft 85449 Germany A++ g 10/18/99
Rating Prior
Action Rating
- U A-u
New NR-5
New NR-5
New NR-5
New NR-5
New NR-5
+ A+ g
New Allianz Elementar Group 88162
New Allianz Elementar Lebensversicherungs-AG 86995
New Allianz Elementar Versicherungs-AG 86994
New Allianz Germany Property/Casualty Group 88163
+ Allianz Insurance Company of Canada 86187
+ Allianz Insurance Group 03887
+ Allianz Leben Insurance Company 85015
+ Allianz Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft 85473
New American Safety Reinsurance, Ltd. 86835
New Aseguradora Mundial, S.A. 86149
New ASSA Compania de Seguros, S.A. 86937
New Bahamas First General Insurance Co Ltd 86960
New Bahamas First Holdings Limited 87007
New Bayerische Versicherungsbank AG 86590
New China International Reinsurance Co Ltd 85029
New Comhill Insurance PLC 86373
New Corporacion MAPFRE Cia Intl Reaseg-Cons 85419
New The Egyptian Reinsurance Co. 85379
New ELVIA Swiss Insurance Company-Consol. 85053
New ELVIA Swiss Insurance Company - Parent 86462
New ELVIA Swiss Life Insurance Company 86461
+ Fireman's Fund Insurance Cos. 00034
+ First American Title Insurance Co. (CNB) 86813
+ First American Title Insurance Co. (UK) plc 86695
New First American Title Insurance Co. of Australia 86993
New Frankfurter Verischerungs-AG 86591
New General Insurance Corporation of India 86041
New The Guarantee Company of North America 85021
New Gulf Insurance Limited 87112
New Hang Sang Insurance Company Limited 85377
New Hermes Konzern 86996
New Hermes Kreditversicherungs-AG 86531
New HSB Engineering Insurance Limited 86999
New IPCRe Europe Limited 87117
New JEVCO Insurance Company 86618
New Kingsway Financial Services Inc. 86822
+ Lloyd Adriatico S.p.A. 85681
New Lombard Canada Ltd. 87123
New Mapfre Mutualidad de Seguros y Reaseguros - Cons 86157
New MISR Insurance Company 85257
New Mitsui Marine and Fire Insurance Co, Ltd 85145
U Reliance National Insurance Co (Europe) 86674
New Rhine Re Group 86872
New Rhine Reinsurance Company (Bermuda) Ltd. 86991
New Rhine Reinsurance Company Ltd 85734
New Riunione Adriatica di Sicurta - Consol. 85307
+ Riunione Adriatica di Sicurta -Composite 85309
New Seguros Tepeyac, S.A. 86287
+ Trafalgar Insurance Company of Canada 86189
+ Tryg-Baltica International (UK) Limited 85543
New The Underwriter Insurance Company Ltd 87115
New United Insurance Company 85099
New Vereinte Krankenversicherung AG 85942
New Vereinte Lebensversicherung AG 85944
New Vereinte Versicherung AG 85843
New Zenith Insurance Company 87124
New Zurich Financial Services Group 86976
New Austria A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
New Austria A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
New Austria A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
New Germany A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
+ Canada A++ g 10/18/99 A
+ United States A++ g 10/18/99 A+
+ Germany A++ g 10/18/99 A+
+ Germany A++ g 10/18/99 A+
New Bermuda Ag 11/08/99 NR-5
New Panama B++ 10/18/99 NR-5
New Panama B++ 10/18/99 NR-5
New Bahamas A- g 11/08/99 NR-5
New Bahamas A- g 11/08/99 NR-5
New Germany A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
New Hong Kong A- 11/22/99 NR-5
New United Kingdom A++ 9 10/18/99 NR-5
New Spain A+ g 09/10/99 NR-5
New Egypt B++ 10/14/99 NR-5
New Switzerland A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
New Switzerland A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
New Switzerland A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
+ United States A++ g 10/18/99 A+
+ Canada A+r 11/15/99 A
+ United Kingdom A+r 11/15/99 A
New Australia A+r 11/15/99 NR-5
New Germany A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
New India A 10/20/99 NR-5
New Canada A 11/01/99 NR-5
New Trinidad and Tobago A- 11/08/99 NR-5
New Hong Kong A+ 12/08/99 NR-5
New Germany A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
New Germany A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
New United Kingdom A+ g 11/04/99 NR-5
New Ireland A+ r 11/08/99 NR-5
New Canada A g 10/26/99 NR-5
New Canada A 10/26/99 NR-5
+ Italy A++ g 10/18/99 A-
New Canada A- 11/08/99 NR-5
New Spain A+ 09/10/99 NR-5
New Egypt A 11/04/99 NR-5
New Japan A++ 11/18/99 NR-5
U United Kingdom A- u 10/21/99 A-
New Switzerland A- 09/03/99 NR-5
New Bermuda A- g 09/03/99 NR-5
New Switzerland A- g 09/03/99 NR-5
New Italy A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
+ Italy A++ g 10/18/99 A+
New Mexico A- 10/22/99 NR-5
+ Canada A++ g 10/18/99 A
+ United Kingdom A- g 10/21/99 B++ u
New United Kingdom A- 10/25/99 NR-5
New Cayman Islands A 09/17/99 NR-5
New Germany A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
New Germany A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
New Germany A++ g 10/18/99 NR-5
New Canada A- g 11/08/99 NR-5
New Switzerland A+ 11/15/99 NR-5
Rating Action: (+) or (-) Rating upgraded or downgraded: (New) Assigned
initial rating; (U) Rating placed under review.
Effective Date: Represents effective of Rating Action.
CURRENT GUIDE TO BEST'S RATINGS For a complete explanation of Best's Ratings, please refer to the Preface pref·ace n. 1. a. A preliminary statement or essay introducing a book that explains its scope, intention, or background and is usually written by the author. b. An introductory section, as of a speech. 2. of Best's Insurance Reports(R) or Best's Key Rating Guide(R). Best's Ratings reflect our independent opinion, but are not a warranty An assurance, promise, or guaranty by one party that a particular statement of fact is true and may be relied upon by the other party. Warranties are used in a variety of commercial situations. In many instances a business may voluntarily make a warranty. of a company's financial strength and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders. BEST'S RATINGS, FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE RATINGS See benchmark. (FPR FPR Ford Performance Racing FPR Front Patriotique Rwandais (Rwanda Patriotic Front) FPR Floating-Point Register (CPU architecture) FPR Fuel Pressure Regulator (automotive) ) AND QUALIFIED RATINGS A.M. Best assigns Individuals to whom property is, will, or may be transferred by conveyance, will, Descent and Distribution, or statute; assignees. The term assigns is often found in deeds; for example, "heirs, administrators, and assigns to denote the assignable nature of to insurance companies one of three types of rating opinions, a Best's Rating (A++ to F), a Financial Performance Rating (9 to 1), or a Qualified Rating (A++ to F denoted with a "q" subscript (1) In word processing and scientific notation, a digit or symbol that appears below the line; for example, H2O, the symbol for water. Contrast with superscript. (2) In programming, a method for referencing data in a table. ). The Best's Rating represents an opinion based on a comprehensive quantitative quantitative /quan·ti·ta·tive/ (kwahn´ti-ta?tiv) 1. denoting or expressing a quantity. 2. relating to the proportionate quantities or to the amount of the constituents of a compound. and qualitative qualitative /qual·i·ta·tive/ (kwahl´i-ta?tiv) pertaining to quality. Cf. quantitative. qualitative pertaining to observations of a categorical nature, e.g. breed, sex. evaluation of a company's financial strength, operating performance and market profile. The FPR represents an opinion based primarily on a quantitative evaluation of a company's financial strength and operating performance for companies that do not meet A.M. Best's minimum requirements in size and/or and/or conj. Used to indicate that either or both of the items connected by it are involved. Usage Note: And/or is widely used in legal and business writing. operating experience. Qualified Ratings are assigned to Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and U.K. insurers that meet our minimum size and operating experience requirements but do not subscribe to Verb 1. subscribe to - receive or obtain regularly; "We take the Times every day" subscribe, take buy, purchase - obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction; "The family purchased a new car"; "The conglomerate acquired a new company"; our interactive rating process. The Qualified Rating is therefore based on the quantitative analysis Quantitative Analysis A security analysis that uses financial information derived from company annual reports and income statements to evaluate an investment decision. Notes: of the companies financial strength, operating performance and market profile. Secure Best's Ratings A++ and A+ Superior A and A- Excellent B++ and B+ Very Good Vulnerable Best's Ratings B and B- Fair C++ and C+ Marginal C and C- Weak D Poor E Under Regulatory Supervision F In Liquidation S Rating Suspended Secure FPR Ratings FPR 9 Very Strong FPR 8 and 7 Strong FPR 6 and 5 Good Vulnerable FPR Ratings FPR 4 Fair FPR 3 Marginal FPR 2 Weak FPR 1 Poor RATING MODIFIERS and AFFILIATION affiliation (  fil´ēā´sh CODESRating Modifiers are assigned to Best's Ratings and Financial Performance Ratings to identify companies whose rating opinions are Under Review (u) and may be subject to near-term near-term adj. Of, for, or involving a short period of time in the near future. change; or Qualified (q) which may be assigned to HMOs and U.K. insurers whose ratings are based solely on quantitative analysis. Affiliation Codes are based on a Group (g), Pooling (p) or Reinsurance The contract made between an insurance company and a third party to protect the insurance company from losses. The contract provides for the third party to pay for the loss sustained by the insurance company when the company makes a payment on the original contract. (r) affiliation with other insurers. Rating Modifiers u - Under Review q - Qualified Affiliation Codes g - Group p - Pooled r - Reinsured NOT RATED CATEGORIES (NR) Companies not assigned a Bests Rating or FPR are assigned to one of five NR categories which identifies the primary reason a rating opinion was not assigned to the company. For additional information, refer to the Preface.
NR-1 Insufficient Data
NR-2 Insufficient Size and/or
Operating Experience
NR-3 Rating Procedure Inapplicable
NR-4 Company Request
NR-5 Not Formally Followed
FINANCIAL SIZE CATEGORIES (FSC)
Assigned to all companies and reflects their size based on their capital,
surplus and conditional reserve funds in millions of U.S. dollars,
using the scale below. For additional information, refer to the Preface.
FSC I less than 1
FSC II 1 to 2
FSC III 2 to 5
FSC IV 5 to 10
FSC V 10 to 25
FSC VI 25 to 50
FSC VII 50 to 100
FSC VIII 100 to 250
FSC IX 250 to 500
FSC X 500 to 750
FSC XI 750 to 1,000
FSC XII 1,000 to 1,250
FSC XIII 1,250 to 1,500
FSC XIV 1,500 to 2,000
FSC XV greater than 2,000
How to obtain the latest Best's Ratings * For the latest Best's Ratings and Bests Company Reports (which include Best's Ratings) visit the A.M. Best web site at www.ambest.com. You may also obtain Best's Company Reports by calling our Customer Service Department at 908-439-2200, ext. 5742. To expedite ex·pe·dite tr.v. ex·pe·dit·ed, ex·pe·dit·ing, ex·pe·dites 1. To speed up the progress of; accelerate. 2. your request, please provide the company's identification number (AMB AMB Ambient AMB Ambassador AMB Amber AMB Ambulance AMB Associação Médica Brasileira (Brazil) AMB Ambulatory AMB Advanced Memory Buffer (FBDIMM control unit on DRAM) #). * All rating actions are published in Best's Rating Monitor (our most timely and complete release of ratings in print). Selected rating changes and new ratings are published in BestWeek(R) and Best's Review(R) (our monthly magazine). Version 120199 |
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