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 November November: see month. 2005 edition of Best's Review. See page 27 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
New ACA Assurance 60037 B+ NR-5
US: New Hampshire
Advance Insurance Company 09567 NR-3 B++
US: Arizona
+ Advance Insurance Company 60404 A A-
of Kansas
US: Kansas
+ American Founders Life Insurance 06057 B++ B u
Company
US: Texas
+ AXA Corporate Solutions Life 09083 B++ B+
Reinsurance
US: Delaware
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of 60080 B++ pd A- pd
Alabama
US: Alabama
+ Blue Cross BS of KS Inc 60070 A A-
US: Kansas
+ Christian Fidelity Life 06217 B+ B
Insurance Co
US: Texas
- Delta Dental Plan of Kentucky Inc 64485 B+ pd B++ pd
US: Kentucky
- Delta Dental Plan of Missouri 65732 B+ pd B++ ad
US: Missouri
- Delta Dental Plan of New 60194 A- pd A pd
Jersey Inc
US: New Jersey
- Delta Dental Plan of Ohio Inc 64502 B- pd B pd
US: Ohio
- Louisiana Health Service & 68440 B+ pd B++ pd
Indemnity Co
US: Louisiana
+ Maine Dental Service Corporation 64639 B++ pd B+ pd
US: Maine
+ North American Insurance Company 60015 B+ B
US: Wisconsin
+ Oxford Life Insurance Company 07890 B+ B
US: Arizona
Transamerica Life Insurance and 07129 NR-5 A+
Ann Co
US: North Carolina
HMO
- Dental Choice Inc 65726 B- pd B pd
US: Kentucky
+ FirstChoice HealthPlans of 60116 C+ pd C pd
Connecticut
US: Connecticut
- Group Health Plan Inc 68667 B- pd B pd
US: Minnesota
- Horizon Healthcare Dental Inc 64696 B pd B++ pd
US: New Jersey
- Inland Empire Health Plan 64578 C+ pd C++ pd
US: California
- Molina Healthcare of Michigan Inc 64685 C+ pd B- pd
US: Michigan
- Molina Healthcare of 68949 B- pd B pd
Washington Inc
US: Washington
+ OPTIMA Health Plan 68821 B+ pd B pd
US: Virginia
Physicians Health Pin Mid-MI 64740 C++ pd NR-5
Family Care
US: Michigan
+ Premier Health Inc 64072 A A-
US: Kansas
RegenceCare 68633 NR-3 A-
US: Washington
- Total Health Choice Inc 68742 C+ pd C++ pd
US: Florida
+ WellCare of New York Inc 68750 C++ pd C+ pd
US: New York
Willamette Dental of Idaho Inc 64402 C+ pd NR-5
US: Idaho
Willamette Dental of 64529 C++ pd NR-5
Washington Inc
US: Washington
Property/Casualty
New American Agri-Business Insurance 12624 B++ NR-2
Company
US: Texas
American Bonding Company 00119 NR-5 F
US: Arizona
+ AXA Corporate Solutions 03811 B++ B+
Reinsurance Co
US: Delaware
12047 A- NR-2
New Business Alliance Insurance
Company
US: California
11438 A+
New Drive New Jersey Insurance
Company
US: Ohio
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company 02617 NR-5 A
of WI
US: Wisconsin
+ General Agents Group 02969 B B-
US: Oklahoma
+ General Agents Ins Co of 03835 B B-
America, Inc
US: Oklahoma
+ Lackawanna American Insurance 12528 A- B++
Company
US: Pennsylvania
+ Lackawanna Casualty Company 00550 A- B++
US: Pennsylvania
+ Lackawanna Insurance Group 18593 A- B++
US: Pennsylvania
New Lackawanna National Insurance 11484 A-
Company
US: Pennsylvania
+ MGA Insurance Company Inc 02854 B B-
US: Texas
- Midrox Insurance Company 10875 B B+
US: New York
- Mississippi Farm Bureau Mutual 00645 A- u A+ u
Ins Co
US: Mississippi
- Mutual Savings Fire Insurance 03655 C++ u B- u
Company
US: Alabama
New NFU Group 18658 A-
US: Colorado
New Progressive Freedom Insurance Co 11441 A+
US: Ohio
New Progressive Garden State 13021 A+
Insurance Co
US: Ohio
- Southern FB Property Ins Co 11666 A- u A
US: Mississippi
New Tower National Insurance Company 11487 A-
US: Massachusetts
Washington Casualty Company 11243 E NR-5
US: Washington
International
- AXA Insurance UK plc 86845 A- pd A pd
United Kingdom
- AXA PPP Healthcare Limited 87530 A- pd A pd
United Kingdom
+ AXA Sun Life plc 87249 A- pd B++ pd
United Kingdom
+ Canada Life Limited 87449 B+ pd B pd
United Kingdom
Chester Street Employers 87408 E NR-5
Association Ltd
United Kingdom
Co-operative Insurance Society 87801 B+ pd NR-5
Limited
United Kingdom
- DAS Legal Expenses Insurance 87310 B++ pd A- pd
Co Ltd
United Kingdom
- Doctors Benefit Insurance 77100 F D
Company Ltd.
Barbados
New East Africa Reinsurance Company 77803 B NR-5
Limited
Kenya
English & American Insurance 85511 E NR-5
Company Ltd
United Kingdom
esure Insurance Limited 84803 B+ pd NR-5
United Kingdom
- Europ Assistance Insurance 87338 B pd B+ pd
Limited
United Kingdom
Financial Insurance Company 85812 NR-5 B- pd
Limited
United Kingdom
GE Keynes Holdings Limited 85832 NR-3 B pd
United Kingdom
Groupama Insurance Company Ltd 87434 B+ pd NR-5
United Kingdom
- Hamilton Insurance Company 86142 B pd B+ pd
Limited
United Kingdom
Highway Insurance Company Limited 84154 B+ pd NR-5
United Kingdom
HSBC Insurance (UK) Limited 87872 B pd NR-5
United Kingdom
+ HSBC Life (UK) Limited 87461 B++ pd B+ pd
United Kingdom
+ JP Morgan Life Limited 87411 B+ pd B pd
United Kingdom
Kingscroft Insurance Company 85353 E NR-5
Limited
United Kingdom
Landmark Insurance Company 87416 B- pd NR-5
Limited
United Kingdom
Legal & General Insurance Limited 87423 A- pd NR-5
United Kingdom
Liberty Mutual Ins Europe Ltd 87425 B+ pd NR-5
United Kingdom
Lime Street Insurance Company 85357 E NR-5
Limited
United Kingdom
+ Liverpool Victoria Insurance 87864 B+ pd B- pd
Company Ltd
United Kingdom
London and Edinburgh Insurance 85643 B++ pd NR-5
Co Ltd
United Kingdom
Ludgate Insurance Company Ltd 85354 E NR-5
United Kingdom
+ Merchant Investors Assurance 87456 B pd B- pd
Company Ltd
United Kingdom
+ Metlife Insurance Limited 87308 B++ pd B+ pd
United Kingdom
+ MMA Insurance plc 86488 B+ pd B pd
United Kingdom
- Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd. 84809 A- u A u
Bermuda
Municipal General Insurance 87467 E NR-5
Limited
United Kingdom
National Farmers Union Mutual 85012 B++ pd NR-5
Ins Soc
United Kingdom
OIC Run-Off Limited 85514 E NR-5
United Kingdom
Reliance National Insurance 86674 NR-3 F
Co (Europe)
United Kingdom
- Rosemont Reinsurance Ltd. 84802 B A- u
Bermuda
+ Royal London Mutual Insurance 87567 B+ pd B pd
Soc Ltd
United Kingdom
+ Royal Scottish Assurance Plc 87569 B++ pd B+ pd
United Kingdom
+ Scottish Equitable plc 86884 B++ pd B+ pd
United Kingdom
+ Sompo Japan Insurance Company 86495 B pd B- pd
of Europe
United Kingdom
Sovereign Insurance (UK) Limited 87599 E NR-5
United Kingdom
- St Andrews Insurance plc 87601 B+ pd A- pd
United Kingdom
Tanker Insurance Company Limited 87624 E NR-5
United Kingdom
Trinity Insurance Company Limited 86490 E NR-5
United Kingdom
Walbrook Insurance Company 85355 E NR-5
Limited
United Kingdom
- Wesleyan Assurance Society 87665 B+ B++ pd
United Kingdom
+ Westminster Motor Insurance 87672 B+ pd B pd
Association
United Kingdom
Zurich International (UK) Limited 86273 B++ pd NR-5
United Kingdom
Ratings Under Review
Rating Current Previous
Action Company Name & Domicile AMB# Rating Rating
Life/Health
U Jefferson Pilot Financial 07211 A++ u A++
Insurance Co
US: Nebraska
U Jefferson Pilot LifeAmerica 06239 A++ u A++
Insurance Co
US: New Jersey
U Jefferson-Pilot Life Insurance 06928 A++ u A++
Company
US: North Carolina
U American Agricultural Insurance 03133 A u A
Company
US: Indiana
U CIM Insurance Corporation 02197 A- u A-
US: Michigan
U GMAC Direct Insurance Company 12415 A- u A-
US: Missouri
U GMAC Insurance Company Online Inc 12403 A- u A-
US: Missouri
U GMAC Insurance Group 18431 A- u A-
US: Michigan
U Integon Casualty Insurance 11301 A- u A-
Company
US: North Carolina
U Integon General Insurance 02459 A- u A-
Corporation
US: North Carolina
U Integon Indemnity Corporation 02458 A- u A-
US: North Carolina
U Integon National Insurance 02387 A- u A-
Company
US: North Carolina
U Integon Preferred Insurance 11650 A- u A-
Company
US: North Carolina
U Integon Specialty Insurance 11034 A- u A-
Company
US: North Carolina
U MIC General Insurance Corporation 02669 A- u A-
US: Michigan
Property/Casualty
U MIC Property and Casualty 02652 A- u A-
Insurance Corp
US: Michigan
U Motors Insurance Corporation 00654 A- u A-
US: Michigan
U National General Assurance 01822 A- u A-
Company
US: Missouri
U National General Insurance 03366 A- u A-
Company
US: Missouri
U Nationwide Insurance Company 12238 B u B
of Florida
US: Ohio
U New South Insurance Company 00698 A- u A-
US: North Carolina
U Quanta Indemnity Company 12644 A- u A-
US: Colorado
U Quanta Reinsurance U.S. Ltd. 76086 A- u A-
Bermuda
U Quanta Specialty Lines 12546 A- u A-
Insurance Co
US: Indiana
U Quanta U.S. Companies 19245 A- u A-
US: New York
International
U Aspen Insurance Limited 83210 A- u A-
Bermuda
U Quanta Europe Ltd 89855 A- u A-
Ireland
U Quanta Insurance Group 89073 A- u A-
Bermuda
U Quanta Reinsurance Ltd. 89003 A- u A-
Bermuda
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 Financial
Strength Ratings are not a warranty of a company's financial strength
and ability to meet its ongoing 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 policyholders.
B++, B+ Very Good Assigned to companies that have, in our
opinion, a good ability to meet their
ongoing obligation to policyholders.
Vulnerable
B, B- Fair Assigned to companies that have, in our
opinion, a fair ability to meet their
ongoing obligation 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
ongoing obligations to policyholders and 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
ongoing obligations to policyholders and
are financially very vulnerable to adverse
changes in underwriting and economic
conditions.
D Poor Assigned to companies that have, in our
opinion, a poor ability to meet their
ongoing obligations to policyholders and are
financially extremely vulnerable to adverse
changes in underwriting and economic
conditions.
E Under Assigned to companies (and possibly their
Regulatory subsidiaries/affiliates) that have been
Supervision 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 Liquidation Assigned to companies that have been placed
under an order of liquidation by a court of
law of 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 whereby the 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.
Modifier Descriptor Definition
Rating Modifiers
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
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 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 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] 2005 by A.M. Best Company, Inc.
Version 093005
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