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 includes life, health-care 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 insurers 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 ha the October October: see month. 2003 edition of Best's Review. Best's Rating Changes is an abbreviated version of Best's Rating Monitor, which is published in BestWeek, our weekly insurance industry newsletter. See page 23 for the 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 are also available free of charge at the Web site.
Rating Changed
Rating Current Previous
Action Company Name & Domicile AMB# Rating Rating
Life/Health
Anthem Health & Life Insurance 68598 NR-5 A-
of NY
US: New York
BCBSD Inc 68578 B++ pd NR-5
US: Delaware
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode 64570 B+ pd NR-5
Island
US: Rhode Island
Capital Blue Cross 64554 B++ pd NR-5
US: Pennsylvania
CareFirst of Maryland Inc 64470 B++ pd NR-5
US: Maryland
Conseco Medical Insurance Company 06516 NR-5 B u
US: Illinois
Delta Dental Plan of Arkansas Inc 64699 A- pd NR-5
US: Arkansas
Delta Dental Plan of Indiana Inc 64694 B+ pd NR-5
US: Indiana
Delta Dental Plan of Kansas Inc 64538 B++ pd NR-5
US: Kansas
Delta Dental Plan of Kentucky Inc 64485 B++ pd NR-5
US: Kentucky
+ Delta Dental Plan of Massachusetts 60193 A pd A- pd
US: Massachusetts
- Delta Dental Plan of New Hampshire 64524 B++ pd A- pd
US: New Hampshire
Delta Dental Plan of Ohio Inc 64502 B+ pd NR-5
US: Ohio
Delta Dental Plan of Vermont Inc 64542 B++ pd NR-5
US: Vermont
New Generali USA Life Reassurance 09189 A NR-3
Company
US: Michigan
+ Gerling Global Life Insurance 06460 A- B++ u
Company
Canada: Ontario
+ Gerling Global Life Reinsurance 60212 A- B++ u
Company
US: California
Group Hospitalization and Medical 64471 B++ pd NR-5
Svcs
US: District Of Columbia
Hawaii Medical Service Association 64035 B++ pd NR-5
US: Hawaii
HealthNow NY Inc 64602 B+ pd NR-5
US: New York
+ Healthy Alliance Life Insurance 08217 A A-
Company
US: Missouri
+ Horizon Healthcare Services Inc 64022 A- pd B++ pd
US: New Jersey
Independence Blue Cross 64553 B++ pd NR-5
US: Pennsylvania
- Investors Insurance Corporation 06583 B++ u A-
US: Delaware
Louisiana Health Service & 68440 B++ pd NR-5
Indemnity Co
US: Louisiana
Maine Dental Service Corporation 64639 B++ pd NR-5
US: Maine
Pioneer Life Insurance Company 06984 NR-5 B u
US: Illinois
- SCOR Life Insurance Company 06996 B++ u A-
US: Texas
- SCOR Life U.S. Re Insurance 06555 B++ u A-
Company
US: Texas
New Unimerica Life Insurance Company 60392 A
of NY
US: New York
HMO
AFT Health Care Plan of California 68768 NR-5 A-
Inc
US: California
+ Altius Health Plans 68616 B+ C pd
US: Utah
Atlantis Health Plan 64705 NR-5 E
US: New York
BJC Dental Plan Inc 65733 NR-5 C++ pd
US: Missouri
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of NC 64065 B++ pd NR-5
(HMO)
US: North Carolina
- Christiana Care Health Plans Inc 64156 B+ u B++
US: Delaware
+ Coordinated Health Partners Inc 68592 B pd B- pd
US: Rhode Island
+ Delmarva Health Plan Inc. 68756 B+ pd C++ pd
US: Maryland
+ Empire HealthChoice Inc (HMO) 64368 B+ pd C++ pd
US: New York
HMO Blue 68989 NR-5 B+ pd
US: Massachusetts
+ HMO Louisiana Inc 68990 B pd C++ pd
US: Louisiana
+ HMO Missouri Inc 68790 A A-
US: Missouri
Horizon Healthcare Dental Inc 64696 B+ pd NR-5
US: New Jersey
+ Keystone Health Plan Central Inc 64051 B+ pd B- pd
US: Pennsylvania
+ Keystone Health Plan East Inc 68924 B+ pd B pd
US: Pennsylvania
+ PARTNERS National Health Plans 68822 B+ pd B- pd
of NC
US: North Carolina
Property/Casualty
- American and Foreign Insurance 02430 B+ a A- u
Company
US: Delaware
New American Express Group 04009 A
US: Wisconsin
- Atlantic Indemnity Company 11038 B+ u A- u
US: North Carolina
- Atlantic Security Insurance Company 11330 B+ u A- u
US: North Carolina
- Carolina American Insurance Company 02043 B+ u A- u
US: South Carolina
- Connecticut Indemnity Company 02454 B+ u A- u
US: Connecticut
- Danielson Insurance Company 11350 C++ B
US: California
- Danielson National Insurance 11351 C++ B
Company
US: California
- DHC Group 18227 C++ B
US: California
- F & C Insurance Company of CT 02455 B+ u A- u
US: Connecticut
New Farmers Mutual Insurance Company 10185 B+ NR-5
(MI)
US: Michigan
New Fremont Employers Insurance Co 12554 A- NR-2
US: California
- General Security Indemnity Co 02837 B++ u A-
of Arizona
US: Arizona
- General Security Indemnity Company 03845 B++ u A-
US: New York
- General Security National 02665 B++ u A-
Insurance Co
US: New York
- Globe Indemnity Company 02432 B+ u A- u
US: Delaware
- Guaranty National Insurance Company 00443 B+ u A- u
US: Colorado
- Guaranty National Insurance 11658 B+ u A- u
Company CT
US: Connecticut
New Landmark American Insurance Company 12619 A
US: Oklahoma
Landmark American Insurance Company 03688 NR-5 A- u
US: Oklahoma
- National American Insurance Co 03105 C++ B
of CA
US: California
Optimum P & C Ins Co 01989 NR-3 C++
US: Texas
New Oswego County Mutual Insurance 11194 B++ NR-5
Company
US: New York
- Peak P & C Ins Corp 11414 B+ u A- u
US: Colorado
- Phoenix Assurance Company 02400 B+ u A- u
of New York
US: New Hampshire
- Royal & SunAlliance USA Insurance 18566 B+ u A- u
Pool
US: North Carolina
- Royal Indemnity Company 02438 B+ u A- u
US: Delaware
- Royal Insurance Company of America 02437 B+ u A- u
US: Illinois
- Royal Lloyds of Texas 02702 B+ u A- u
US: Texas
- Royal Surplus Lines Insurance 01745 B+ u A- u
Company
US: Connecticut
New RSUI Group 18621 A
US: New Hampshire
- Safeguard Insurance Company 02440 B+ u A- u
US: Connecticut
- SCOR Canada Reinsurance Company 85445 B++ u A-
Canada: Ontario
- SCOR Reinsurance Company 03599 B++ u A-
US: New York
- SCOR U S Group 03873 B++ u A-
US: New York
- Sea Insurance Company of America 02094 B+ u A- u
US: New York
- Security Insurance Company 02457 B+ u A- u
of Hartford
US: Connecticut
New Specialty Lloyds Insurance Company 11071 A NR-3
US: Texas
- Superior American Insurance Company 11704 E C-
US: Florida
- Superior Guaranty Insurance Company 11705 E C-
Us: Florida
- Superior Insurance Company 00874 E C-
US: Florida
Superior Insurance Group 18308 NR-5 C-
US: Florida
- Unisun Insurance Company 02042 B+ u A- u
US: South Carolina
+ United States Surety Company 12009 A- B++
US: Maryland
- Viking County Mutual Insurance 03626 B+ u A- u
Company
US: Texas
- Viking Insurance Company 04410 B+ u A- u
of Wisconsin
US: Colorado
Voyageurs Group 18487 NR-5 A
US: Minnesota
International
+ ASSA Compania de Seguros, S.A. 86937 A A-
Panama
Brit Insurance (UK) Limited 84954 NR-3 A- u
United Kingdom
New Elwood Insurance Limited 86659 A-
Bermuda
New GERLING Life Reinsurance GmbH 89004 A-
Germany
Hannover International Ins 87866 NR-4 A
nederland NV
Netherlands
New Quanta Insurance Group 89073 A-
Bermuda
New Quanta Reinsurance Ltd. 89003 A-
Bermuda
New Quanta Reinsurance U.S. Ltd. 76086 A-
Bermuda
Scandinavian Reinsurance Company 85598 NR-3 B
Limited
Bermuda
- SCOR 85027 B++ u A-
France
- SCOR DEUTSCHLAND Rueckversicherungs 85312 B++ A-
Germany
- SCOR Group 86155 B++ A-
France
- Scor Italia Riassicurazioni S.p.A. 85232 B++ A-
Italy
- SCOR Reinsurance Asia-Pacific Pte 86117 B++ A-
Ltd
Singapore
- SCOR UK Company Ltd 85448 B++ A-
United Kingdom
New Transmarine Insurance Company Ltd 83994 B++
Liechtenstein
Tryg-Baltica International (UK) 85543 NR-3 A-
Limited
United Kingdom
- Unum Japan Accident Insurance 86890 B++ A- u
Co Ltd
Japan
Zurich Internatl (Bermuda) Ltd 86134 NR-4 A u
Bermuda
Zurich Life Assurance Company 86272 NR-3 A
Limited
United Kingdom
Ratings Under Review
Rating Current Previous
Action Company Name & Domicile AMB# Rating Rating
Life/Health
U American States Life Insurance 06105 A u A
Company
US: Indiana
U First Safeco National Life Ins 68147 A u A
Co of NY
US: New York
U Maritime Life Assurance Company 06689 A+ u A+
Canada: Nova Scotia
U MONY Life Insurance Company 06751 A u A
US: New York
U MONY Life Insurance Company 08091 A u A
of America
US: Arizona
U North Carolina Mutual Life 06835 B+ u B+
Insurance Co
US: North Carolina
U Safeco Life Insurance Company 07017 A u A
US: Washington
U U.S. Financial Life Insurance 08492 A u A
Company
US: Ohio
Property/Casualty
U Kemper Employers Insurance Company 11755 D u D
US: Illinois
U Globe Insurance Company Limited 81366 A- u A-
United Kingdom
U GoshawK Reinsurance Limited 84802 A- u A-
Bermuda
U London Assurance 85106 A- u A-
United Kingdom
U London Assurance JPB 87814 A- u A-
Japan
U Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance 85662 A- u A-
Group plc
United Kingdom
U Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc 86257 A- u A-
United Kingdom
U Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc 87815 A- u A-
JPB
Japan
U Royal & Sun Alliance Reinsurance 85187 A- u A-
Limited
United Kingdom
U Sun Alliance and London Insurance 86222 A- u A-
plc
United Kingdom
U Sun Insurance Office Limited 85108 A- u A-
United Kingdom
U Tryg-Baltica Insurance, Internatl 86161 A- u A-
Ins Co
Denmark
Rating Action: (+) or (-) Rating upgraded or downgraded;
(New) Assigned initial rating; (u) Rating placed 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
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 of an
insurer's ability to meet its 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 policyholders.
B++, B+ Very Good Assigned to companies that
have, in our opinion, a good
ability to meet their ongoing
obligations to policyholders.
Vulnerable B, B- Fair Assigned to companies that
have, in our opinion, a fair
ability to meet their current
obligations to policyholders,
but 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 current
obligations to policyholders,
but are financially vulnerable
to adverse changes in
underwriting and economic
conditions.
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, in
our opinion, may not have an
ability to meet their current
obligations to policyholders
and are financially extremely
vulnerable to adverse changes
in underwriting and economic
conditions.
E Under Assigned to companies (and
Regulatory possibly their subsidiaries/
Supervision affiliates) that have been
placed by an insurance
regulatory authority under a
significant form of supervision,
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 Assigned to companies that have
Liquidation been placed under an order of
liquidation by a court of law or
whose owners have voluntarily
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 experienced 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)
and 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.
Modifier Descriptor Definition
Rating u Under Review A modifier that generally is
Modifiers 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 Data.
NR-2: Insufficient Size and/or Operating Experience.
NR-3: Rating Procedure Inapplicable.
NR-4: Company Request.
NR-5: Not Formally Followed.
Rating Outlook
Best's interactive 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.
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 will
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] 2003 by A.M. Best Company, Inc.
Version 071503
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion