Best's rating changes.This edition of Best's Rating Changes reflects all rating changes--assignments, changes or placed under review--that occurred for life, health and property/casualty insurers domiciled in North America, as well as international insurance companies, since this section last appeared in the July 2006 edition of Best's Review. See page 23 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
Action Company Name & Domicile AMB# Rating
Life/Health
New ACE Life Insurance Company 06047 A
US: Connecticut
+ AGC Life Insurance Company 09199 A++
US: Missouri
+ AIG Annuity Insurance Company 07235 A++
US: Texas
+ AIG Assurance Canada 66828 A++
Canada: Ontario
+ AIG Life Insurance Company 06809 A++
US: Delaware
+ AIG Life Insurance Company of Canada 66835 A++
Canada: Ontario
+ AIG Life Insurance Company of PR 06073 A++
US: Puerto Rico
+ AIG SunAmerica Life Assurance Co 06115 A++
US: Arizona
- Amedex Insurance Company 08449 A-
US: Florida
+ American Capitol Insurance Company 06043 B+
US: Texas
+ American General Assurance Company 06989 A++
US: Illinois
+ American General Life and Acc Ins Co 06788 A++
US: Tennessee
+ American General Life Insurance Company 06058 A++
US: Texas
+ American International Life Assurance NY 06072 A++
US: New York
+ American Life Insurance Company 06081 A++
US: Delaware
+ Cherokee National Life Insurance Company 06214 A
US: Georgia
+ Continental Life Ins Co of Brentwood TN 09502 A-
US: Tennessee
+ Delaware American Life Insurance Company 06305 A++
US: Delaware
Dixie National Life Insurance Company 06730 NR-3
US: Indiana
- Family Life Insurance Company 06360 B
US: Texas
- First Sec Benefit Lf & Ann Co of NY 60104 A
US: New York
+ First SunAmerica Life Insurance Co 09023 A++
US: New York
+ Funeral Directors Life Insurance Co 09492 A-
US: Texas
Home Owners Life Insurance Company 06530 NR-3
US: Illinois
- Investors Life Insurance Co of NA 06412 B-
US: Texas
+ Lafayette Life Insurance Company 06617 A++
US: Indiana
New LifeWise Health Plan of Arizona Inc 68458 B+
US: Washington
Medco Containment Insurance Co of NJ 60105 NR-3
US: New Jersey
MS Diversified Life Insurance Company 68245 NR-3
US: Mississippi
- Security Benefit Life Insurance Company 07025 A
US: Kansas
New Southwest Life & Health Insurance Co 06719 B
US: Texas
States General Life Insurance Company 07090 NR-5
US: Texas
+ SunAmerica Life Insurance Company 07102 A++
US: Arizona
+ Texas Imperial Life Insurance Company 68290 B+
US: Texas
- United Investors Life Insurance Company 07175 A
US: Missouri
+ United States Life Ins in the City of NY 07192 A++
US: New York
Universal Life Insurance Company 07201 NR-1
US: Alabama
+ Variable Annuity Life Insurance Co 07208 A++
US: Texas
HMO
Atrium Health Plan Inc 68611 NR-5
US: Wisconsin
+ AvMed Inc 64074 B+
US: Florida
Family Health Care Plus Inc 64132 NR-5
US: Mississippi
- Gateway Health Plan Inc 60129 B-
US: Pennsylvania
GreatWestHealthcare of Georgia Inc 64025 NR-2
US: Georgia
+ Group Health Cooperative 64044 B+ pd
US: Washington
+ Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire 68654 B- pd
US: Wisconsin
- Health First Health Plans 64115 B+
US: Florida
+ Health Plan of the Upper Ohio Valley 64201 B- pd
US: West Virginia
+ HMO of Northeastern Pennsylvania 68780 B pd
US: Pennsylvania
New Metropolitan Health Plan 68558 B
US: Minnesota
Metrowest Health Plan Inc 64459 NR-5
US: Texas
Michigan Health Maintenance Org Plans 68917 NR-5
US: Michigan
- New West Health Services 64398 C- pd
US: Montana
+ Preferred Plus of Kansas Inc 68937 B- pd
US: Kansas
+ Select Health of South Carolina Inc 64003 C++ pd
US: South Carolina
New SHA LLC 60114 B
US: Texas
+ Sharp Health Plan 64064 B- pd
US: California
New UDC Ohio Inc 65707 A-
US: Ohio
Property/Casualty
+ Alberta Motor Association Insurance 86135 A- pd
Canada: Alberta
+ Allied Eastern Indemnity Company 12527 A-
US: Pennsylvania
+ Allstate Insurance Company of Canada 85704 A- pd
Canada: Ontario
+ Alpha Assurance Company 84241 A- pd
Canada: Quebec
+ American Physicians Assurance Corp 03670 B++
US: Michigan
+ American Physicians Group 18645 B++
US: Michigan
- American Resources Insurance Co, Inc 02856 B u
US: Alabama
New Amica Property & Casualty Insurance Co 11610 A++
US: Rhode Island
- Argus Fire & Casualty Insurance Co 11757 C-
US: Florida
- Atlantic Preferred Insurance Co 12202 F
US: Florida
- Bar Plan Group 18493 A-
US: Missouri
- Bar Plan Mutual Insurance Company 00144 A-
US: Missouri
+ Center Mutual Insurance Company 03712 B++
US: North Dakota
+ Certas Direct Insurance Company 87026 B+ pd
Canada: Quebec
Citadel General Assurance Company 85726 NR-3
Canada: Ontario
- Claremont Liability Insurance Company 10653 B++
US: California
+ CNL/Insurance America Inc 00183 A-
US: Georgia
Colorado Western Insurance Company 11073 NR-5
US: Colorado
New Columbian National Title Insurance Co 12143 A
US: Kansas
Commercial Mutual Insurance Company 11627 NR-5
US: Georgia
- Compania de Fianzas de Puerto Rico 11446 C
US: Puerto Rico
+ Cooperative Mutual Insurance Company 04364 B++
US: Nebraska
+ Courtesy Insurance Company 10863 A
US: Florida
Cumberland Casualty & Surety Company 10601 NR-1
US: Florida
- Discovery Insurance Company 11631 C++
US: North Carolina
+ Eastern Alliance Insurance Company 12115 A-
US: Pennsylvania
+ Eastern Alliance Insurance Grp 18592 A-
US: Pennsylvania
Echelon General Insurance Company 87031 B++ pd
Canada: Ontario
+ Economical Mutual Insurance Company 85741 B++ pd
Canada: Ontario
- Farm Bureau County Mutual Ins Co of TX 12107 A+
US: Texas
Farmers Home Group 03925 NR-5
US: Minnesota
+ Farmers Home Mutual Insurance Co 00368 A-
US: Minnesota
+ Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co (Lindsay) 86594 B++ pd
Canada: Ontario
+ Financial Pacific Insurance Company 00143 A
US: California
+ Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company 10751 A
US: Florida
Florida Preferred Property Ins Co 12575 F
US: Florida
- Folksamerica Reinsurance Company 02642 A- u
US: New York
+ Gore Mutual Insurance Company 85752 B++ pd
Canada: Ontario
+ Gulf States Insurance Company 10838 A-
US: Oklahoma
New Hallmark Insurance Group 18605 A-
US: Texas
- Industrial Alliance General Insurance Co 87053 C++ pd
Canada: Quebec
New InnovAssur, assurances generales inc 84225 A-
Canada: Quebec
- Litchfield Mutual Fire Insurance Company 10551 B++
US: Connecticut
- Louisiana Farm Bureau Casualty Ins Co 02844 A+
US: Louisiana
+ MAPFRE Insurance Company of Florida 10805 A-
US: Florida
- Michigan Insurance Company 12137 A
US: Michigan
MIIX Insurance Company 03737 NR-5
US: New Jersey
- Mississippi Farm Bureau Mutual Ins Co 00645 C+
US: Mississippi
+ Mutual Protection Trust 55015 A+
US: California
Narragansett Bay Insurance Company 01750 NR-1
US: Rhode Island
New Natl Independent Truckers Ins Co, RRG 75492 B
US: South Carolina
+ North American Fire & Casualty Ins Co 11685 C++
US: Louisiana
+ Ohio Indemnity Company 04813 A-
US: Ohio
- Omega Insurance Company 02727 B
US: Florida
New Pacific Northwest Title Insurance Co Inc 11936 A
US: Washington
Pafco General Insurance Company 00262 NR-5
US: Indiana
- Patrons Fire Insurance Co of RI 10368 B++
US: Connecticut
Patrons Insurance Company 10818 NR-5
US: Kansas
- Patrons Mutual Group of Connecticut 05695 B++
US: Connecticut
- Patrons Mutual Insurance Company of CT 00753 B++
US: Connecticut
Pawtucket Mutual Insurance Company 00755 NR-1
US: Rhode Island
+ Personal Insurance Company 85776 B+ pd
Canada: Quebec
+ Phoenix Indemnity Insurance Company 10612 A-
US: Arizona
PIC WISCONSIN Group 18454 NR-5
US: Wisconsin
+ Pictou County Farmers Mutual Fire Ins Co 87079 B++ pd
Canada: Nova Scotia
+ Pioneer Insurance Company (MN) 02847 A-
US: Minnesota
Protective National Ins Co of Omaha 02083 NR-5
US: Nebraska
Quanta Indemnity Company 12644 NR-4
US: Colorado
Quanta Reinsurance U.S. Ltd 76086 NR-4
Bermuda
Quanta Specialty Lines Insurance Co 12546 NR-4
US: Indiana
Quanta U.S. Companies 19245 NR-5
US: New York
Reciprocal of America 03776 NR-5
US: Virginia
+ Republic Western Insurance Company 03597 C++
US: Arizona
+ Republic Western Insurance Group 18443 C++
US: Arizona
New Securian Casualty Company 11605 A-
US: Minnesota
- Southern Family Insurance Company Inc 11916 F
US: Florida
- Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Group 04237 A+
US: Mississippi
- Southern FB Casualty Ins Co 00844 A+
US: Mississippi
- Southern FB Property Ins Co 11666 B++
US: Mississippi
- Southern Michigan Insurance Company 04874 B+
US: Michigan
+ Springfield Insurance Company 10813 B-
US: California
+ State Farm Indemnity Company 11224 A-
US: Illinois
New State Farm Indemnity Group 18688 A-
US: Illinois
Statesman Insurance Company 02489 NR-5
US: Indiana
Superior American Insurance Company 11704 NR-1
US: Florida
Superior Guaranty Insurance Company 11705 NR-1
US: Florida
Superior Insurance Company 00874 NR-1
US: Florida
New T A Title Insurance Company 11907 A
US: Pennsylvania
+ TD General Insurance Company 87028 B+ pd
Canada: Ontario
- Tower Hill Preferred Insurance Company 10600 B
US: Florida
- Tower Hill Prime Insurance Company 12359 B
US: Florida
+ Traders General Insurance Company 85795 B+ pd
Canada: Ontario
+ TRANSGUARD INSURANCE COMPANY 00327 A-
US: Illinois
+ United Automobile Insurance Company 10781 B-
US: Florida
+ United Automobile Insurance Group 18415 B-
US: Florida
New United General Title Insurance Company 12378 A
US: Colorado
+ Universal Insurance Company (NC) 03680 B+
US: North Carolina
+ Waterloo Insurance Company 85801 B++ pd
Canada: Ontario
+ Western Home Insurance Company 03561 A-
US: Minnesota
International
New Arab Orient Insurance Company 78183 B+
Jordan
New FMG Insurance Limited 78332 A-
New Zealand
New Guild Insurance Limited 77834 A-
Australia
New Newline Insurance Company Limited 78187 A
United Kingdom
New Novae Insurance Company Limited 78301 A-
United Kingdom
New Pacific International Insurance Limited 78302 B+
New Zealand
Quanta Insurance Group 89073 NR-5
Bermuda
Quanta Europe Ltd 89855 NR-4
Ireland
Quanta Reinsurance Ltd. 89003 NR-4
Bermuda
New Starr Excess Liab Insurance Intl Ltd 87105 A+
Ireland
- Tasman Pacific Insurance Limited 89041 B- u
New Zealand
Rating Previous
Action Company Name & Domicile Rating
Life/Health
New ACE Life Insurance Company NR-3
US: Connecticut
+ AGC Life Insurance Company A+ u
US: Missouri
+ AIG Annuity Insurance Company A+ u
US: Texas
+ AIG Assurance Canada A+ u
Canada: Ontario
+ AIG Life Insurance Company A+ u
US: Delaware
+ AIG Life Insurance Company of Canada A+ u
Canada: Ontario
+ AIG Life Insurance Company of PR A+ u
US: Puerto Rico
+ AIG SunAmerica Life Assurance Co A+ u
US: Arizona
- Amedex Insurance Company A
US: Florida
+ American Capitol Insurance Company B
US: Texas
+ American General Assurance Company A+ u
US: Illinois
+ American General Life and Acc Ins Co A+ u
US: Tennessee
+ American General Life Insurance Company A+ u
US: Texas
+ American International Life Assurance NY A+ u
US: New York
+ American Life Insurance Company A+ u
US: Delaware
+ Cherokee National Life Insurance Company A- u
US: Georgia
+ Continental Life Ins Co of Brentwood TN B++ u
US: Tennessee
+ Delaware American Life Insurance Company A+ u
US: Delaware
Dixie National Life Insurance Company B
US: Indiana
- Family Life Insurance Company B+
US: Texas
- First Sec Benefit Lf & Ann Co of NY A+
US: New York
+ First SunAmerica Life Insurance Co A+ u
US: New York
+ Funeral Directors Life Insurance Co B++
US: Texas
Home Owners Life Insurance Company A-
US: Illinois
- Investors Life Insurance Co of NA B
US: Texas
+ Lafayette Life Insurance Company A+
US: Indiana
New LifeWise Health Plan of Arizona Inc NR-3
US: Washington
Medco Containment Insurance Co of NJ A-
US: New Jersey
MS Diversified Life Insurance Company A-
US: Mississippi
- Security Benefit Life Insurance Company A+
US: Kansas
New Southwest Life & Health Insurance Co NR-5
US: Texas
States General Life Insurance Company E
US: Texas
+ SunAmerica Life Insurance Company A+ u
US: Arizona
+ Texas Imperial Life Insurance Company B
US: Texas
- United Investors Life Insurance Company A+
US: Missouri
+ United States Life Ins in the City of NY A+ u
US: New York
Universal Life Insurance Company D
US: Alabama
+ Variable Annuity Life Insurance Co A+ u
US: Texas
HMO
Atrium Health Plan Inc A-
US: Wisconsin
+ AvMed Inc B
US: Florida
Family Health Care Plus Inc F
US: Mississippi
- Gateway Health Plan Inc B
US: Pennsylvania
GreatWestHealthcare of Georgia Inc A
US: Georgia
+ Group Health Cooperative B pd
US: Washington
+ Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire C+ pd
US: Wisconsin
- Health First Health Plans B++
US: Florida
+ Health Plan of the Upper Ohio Valley C++ pd
US: West Virginia
+ HMO of Northeastern Pennsylvania B- pd
US: Pennsylvania
New Metropolitan Health Plan NR-5
US: Minnesota
Metrowest Health Plan Inc E
US: Texas
Michigan Health Maintenance Org Plans F
US: Michigan
- New West Health Services C+ pd
US: Montana
+ Preferred Plus of Kansas Inc C++ pd
US: Kansas
+ Select Health of South Carolina Inc C pd
US: South Carolina
New SHA LLC C+ pd
US: Texas
+ Sharp Health Plan C pd
US: California
New UDC Ohio Inc NR-3
US: Ohio
Property/Casualty
+ Alberta Motor Association Insurance B++ pd
Canada: Alberta
+ Allied Eastern Indemnity Company B++
US: Pennsylvania
+ Allstate Insurance Company of Canada B++ pd
Canada: Ontario
+ Alpha Assurance Company B++ pd
Canada: Quebec
+ American Physicians Assurance Corp B+
US: Michigan
+ American Physicians Group B+
US: Michigan
- American Resources Insurance Co, Inc A-
US: Alabama
New Amica Property & Casualty Insurance Co
US: Rhode Island
- Argus Fire & Casualty Insurance Co C+
US: Florida
- Atlantic Preferred Insurance Co E
US: Florida
- Bar Plan Group A
US: Missouri
- Bar Plan Mutual Insurance Company A
US: Missouri
+ Center Mutual Insurance Company B+
US: North Dakota
+ Certas Direct Insurance Company B pd
Canada: Quebec
Citadel General Assurance Company B++ u
Canada: Ontario
- Claremont Liability Insurance Company A-
US: California
+ CNL/Insurance America Inc B u
US: Georgia
Colorado Western Insurance Company F
US: Colorado
New Columbian National Title Insurance Co
US: Kansas
Commercial Mutual Insurance Company E
US: Georgia
- Compania de Fianzas de Puerto Rico B
US: Puerto Rico
+ Cooperative Mutual Insurance Company B+
US: Nebraska
+ Courtesy Insurance Company A-
US: Florida
Cumberland Casualty & Surety Company E
US: Florida
- Discovery Insurance Company B-
US: North Carolina
+ Eastern Alliance Insurance Company B++
US: Pennsylvania
+ Eastern Alliance Insurance Grp B++
US: Pennsylvania
Echelon General Insurance Company NR-2
Canada: Ontario
+ Economical Mutual Insurance Company B+ pd
Canada: Ontario
- Farm Bureau County Mutual Ins Co of TX A++
US: Texas
Farmers Home Group B+ u
US: Minnesota
+ Farmers Home Mutual Insurance Co B+ u
US: Minnesota
+ Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co (Lindsay) B+ pd
Canada: Ontario
+ Financial Pacific Insurance Company A-
US: California
+ Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company A-
US: Florida
Florida Preferred Property Ins Co NR-4
US: Florida
- Folksamerica Reinsurance Company A
US: New York
+ Gore Mutual Insurance Company B+ pd
Canada: Ontario
+ Gulf States Insurance Company B+ u
US: Oklahoma
New Hallmark Insurance Group
US: Texas
- Industrial Alliance General Insurance Co B pd
Canada: Quebec
New InnovAssur, assurances generales inc NR-2
Canada: Quebec
- Litchfield Mutual Fire Insurance Company A-
US: Connecticut
- Louisiana Farm Bureau Casualty Ins Co A++
US: Louisiana
+ MAPFRE Insurance Company of Florida B++
US: Florida
- Michigan Insurance Company A+
US: Michigan
MIIX Insurance Company E
US: New Jersey
- Mississippi Farm Bureau Mutual Ins Co B u
US: Mississippi
+ Mutual Protection Trust A
US: California
Narragansett Bay Insurance Company E
US: Rhode Island
New Natl Independent Truckers Ins Co, RRG NR-1
US: South Carolina
+ North American Fire & Casualty Ins Co C
US: Louisiana
+ Ohio Indemnity Company B++
US: Ohio
- Omega Insurance Company B++ u
US: Florida
New Pacific Northwest Title Insurance Co Inc
US: Washington
Pafco General Insurance Company E
US: Indiana
- Patrons Fire Insurance Co of RI A-
US: Connecticut
Patrons Insurance Company A-
US: Kansas
- Patrons Mutual Group of Connecticut A-
US: Connecticut
- Patrons Mutual Insurance Company of CT A-
US: Connecticut
Pawtucket Mutual Insurance Company E
US: Rhode Island
+ Personal Insurance Company B pd
Canada: Quebec
+ Phoenix Indemnity Insurance Company B+
US: Arizona
PIC WISCONSIN Group A-
US: Wisconsin
+ Pictou County Farmers Mutual Fire Ins Co B+ pd
Canada: Nova Scotia
+ Pioneer Insurance Company (MN) B+ u
US: Minnesota
Protective National Ins Co of Omaha F
US: Nebraska
Quanta Indemnity Company B
US: Colorado
Quanta Reinsurance U.S. Ltd B
Bermuda
Quanta Specialty Lines Insurance Co B
US: Indiana
Quanta U.S. Companies B
US: New York
Reciprocal of America F
US: Virginia
+ Republic Western Insurance Company C
US: Arizona
+ Republic Western Insurance Group C
US: Arizona
New Securian Casualty Company NR-2
US: Minnesota
- Southern Family Insurance Company Inc E
US: Florida
- Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Group A++
US: Mississippi
- Southern FB Casualty Ins Co A++
US: Mississippi
- Southern FB Property Ins Co A- u
US: Mississippi
- Southern Michigan Insurance Company B++
US: Michigan
+ Springfield Insurance Company C++
US: California
+ State Farm Indemnity Company B++
US: Illinois
New State Farm Indemnity Group
US: Illinois
Statesman Insurance Company E
US: Indiana
Superior American Insurance Company E
US: Florida
Superior Guaranty Insurance Company E
US: Florida
Superior Insurance Company E
US: Florida
New T A Title Insurance Company
US: Pennsylvania
+ TD General Insurance Company B pd
Canada: Ontario
- Tower Hill Preferred Insurance Company A-
US: Florida
- Tower Hill Prime Insurance Company A-
US: Florida
+ Traders General Insurance Company B pd
Canada: Ontario
+ TRANSGUARD INSURANCE COMPANY B u
US: Illinois
+ United Automobile Insurance Company C++
US: Florida
+ United Automobile Insurance Group C++
US: Florida
New United General Title Insurance Company
US: Colorado
+ Universal Insurance Company (NC) B
US: North Carolina
+ Waterloo Insurance Company B+ pd
Canada: Ontario
+ Western Home Insurance Company B+ u
US: Minnesota
International
New Arab Orient Insurance Company
Jordan
New FMG Insurance Limited
New Zealand
New Guild Insurance Limited
Australia
New Newline Insurance Company Limited
United Kingdom
New Novae Insurance Company Limited
United Kingdom
New Pacific International Insurance Limited
New Zealand
Quanta Insurance Group B
Bermuda
Quanta Europe Ltd B
Ireland
Quanta Reinsurance Ltd. B
Bermuda
New Starr Excess Liab Insurance Intl Ltd NR-5
Ireland
- Tasman Pacific Insurance Limited B+ u
New Zealand
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
Property/Casualty
AIMCO Mutual Insurance Co 12543 A- u A-
US: North Carolina
Physicians Insurance Company 10595 A- u A-
of WI, Inc
US: Wisconsin
International
Glacier Reinsurance AG 77461 A- u A-
Switzerland
Primary Insurance Company Ltd 77341 B++ u B++
Ireland
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 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 obligations to policyholders.
Vulnerable
B, B- Fair Assigned to companies that have, in our
opinion, a fair ability to meet their
ongoing 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 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
Regulatory their subsidiaries/affiliates) that
Supervision 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 been
Liquidation 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
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 A modifier that generally is event-x
Review company whose Best's Rating opinion is
under review and may be subject to
change driven (positive, negative or
developing) and is assigned to a 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 Size and/ NR-3: Rating
Data. or Operating Experience. Procedure
Inapplicable
NR-4: Company NR-5: Not Formally Followed.
Request.
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 wwwambest.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
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