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 October 2005 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

- Allianz Life Insurance Co of NA 06830 A A+
 US: Minnesota
- Allianz Life Insurance Co of New
 York 09417 A A+
 US: New York
New Atlantic Coast Life Insurance
 Company 06132 B+ NR-5
 US: South Carolina

HMO

- AMERIGROUP Maryland a Managed
 Care Org 64612 C+ pd C++ pd
 US: District Of Columbia
- AMERIGROUP New Jersey Inc 64209 C+ pd C++ pd
 US: New Jersey
+ Care 1st Health Plan Inc 64143 B- pd C++ pd
 US: California
- Cariten Health Plan Inc 64425 B- pd B pd
 US: Tennessee
- Colorado Access 64310 C pd C+ pd
 US: Colorado
- Community Health Group 64145 C pd C++ pd
 US: California
- Cox Health System HMO 64421 C pd C+ pd
 US: Missouri
 Dedicated Dental Systems Inc 64720 B- pd NR-5
 US: California
 Elder Health Maryland HMO Inc 64697 C pd NR-5
 US: Maryland
 Elder Health Pennsylvania HMO Inc 64743 C pd NR-5
 US: Pennsylvania
 Elderplan Inc 64286 C+ pd NR-5
 US: New York
+ Good Health HMO Inc 68956 B+ pd B pd
 US: Missouri
 Grand Valley Health Plan Inc 68632 C++ pd NR-5
 US: Michigan
- Health Plan of Michigan 64615 B- pd B pd
 US: Michigan
 Health Plus of Louisiana Inc 64279 B- pd NR-5
 US: Louisiana
- Health Right Inc 64611 B- pd B pd
 US: District Of Columbia
 Healthplan of Texas Inc 64455 NR-5 C++ pd
 US: Texas
 Hometown Health Plan 64235 NR-5 C++ pd
 US: Nevada
+ Kaiser Fdn Hlth PI Mid-Atlantic
 States 68551 B++ pd B+ pd
 US: Maryland
+ Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc 64585 B++ pd B+ pd
 US: California
+ Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of
 CO 68516 B++ pd B+ pd
 US: Colorado
+ Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of
 Georgia 68528 B++ pd B+ pd
 US: Georgia
+ Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of
 NW 68585 B++ pd B+ pd
 US: Oregon
+ Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of
 Ohio 68577 B++ pd B+ pd
 US: Ohio
 Lovelace Sandia Health Systems
 Inc 68562 C+ pd NR-5
 US: New Mexico
- M-Care Inc 68783 B- pd B pd
 US: Michigan
- McLaren Health Plan Inc 64616 B- pd B pd
 US: Michigan
- Medica Health Plans 68559 B+ pd B++ pd
 US: Minnesota
 MMM Healthcare Inc 64707 C pd NR-5
 US: Puerto Rico
- NevadaCare Inc 64194 C pd C+ pd
 US: Nevada
 Partners National Health Plans of
 IN 68836 NR-5 C+ pd
 US: Indiana
+ PrimeCare Medical Network Inc 64659 C++ pd C+ pd
 US: California
 Saint Mary's HealthFirst 64237 NR-5 C+ pd
 US: Nevada
+ Scan Health Plan 60187 B- pd C++ pd
 US: California
+ Seton Health Plan Inc 64252 C++ pd C pd
 US: Texas
+ Sioux Valley Health Plan 64393 C+ pd C pd
 US: South Dakota
+ Texas Children's Health Plan Inc 64244 B- pd C++ pd
 US: Texas
 Touchpoint Health Plan Inc 68802 NR-5 C++ pd
 US: Wisconsin
 University Health Care Inc 64408 NR-5 C++ pd
 US: Kentucky
+ University Health Plans Inc 60157 C+ pd C pd
 US: New Jersey
- ValueOptions of California Inc 64653 C pd B- pd
 US: California
 WINhealth Partners 64021 B pd NR-5
 US: Wyoming

Property/Casualty

- Alea Group--U.S. 18590 B++ A- u
 US: New York
- Alea North America Insurance 12467 B++ A- u
 Company
 US: New York
- Alea North America Specialty Ins
 Co 11432 B++ A- u
 US: Delaware
 BCAA Insurance Corporation * 87017 NR-4 B++
 Canada: British Columbia
New Eastern Dentists Insurance Co
 (A RRG) 11397 B+ NR-4
 US: Vermont
New Granite Re, Inc 11379 A- NR-2
 US: Oklahoma
 IGF Insurance Company 03543 NR-5 F
 US: Indiana
New Progressive Commercial Auto Group 18673 A+
 US: Ohio
- PXRE Reinsurance Company 02797 A- u A u
 US: Connecticut
+ Regis Insurance Company 02676 B+ B
 US: Pennsylvania
New Travelers Auto Ins Co of New
 Jersey 12031 A NR-3
 US: New Jersey

International

 AA Mutual International Insurance
 Co Ltd 87200 E NR-5
 United Kingdom
 AG RE Cie de Reasr Gen en
 Liquidation 78020 F
 Switzerland
- Alea (Bermuda) Ltd 86991 B++ A- u
 Bermuda
- Alea Europe Limited 85734 B++ A- u
 Switzerland
- Alea Global Risk Limited 72216 B++ A- u
 Jersey
- Alea Group 51009 B++ A- u
 Bermuda
- Alea Jersey Limited 72178 B++ A- u
 Jersey
- Alea London Limited 85333 B++ A- u
 United Kingdom
 Andrew Weir Insurance Company
 Limited 87221 E NR-5
 United Kingdom
 Anglo American Insurance Company
 Limited 85546 E NR-5
 United Kingdom
 Aviation & General Insurance
 Company Ltd 86479 E NR-5
 United Kingdom
 BAI (Run-off) Limited 87226 E NR-5
 United Kingdom
 Bryanston Insurance Company
 Limited 85564 E NR-5
 United Kingdom
New Caring Communities Insurance
 Company 75478 B+
 Cayman Islands
 Charter Reinsurance Company
 Limited 85504 E NR-5
 United Kingdom
+ Drake Insurance plc 87322 E F
 United Kingdom
 El Paso Insurance Company Limited 85083 E NR-5
 United Kingdom
 Guarantee Re AG in Liquidation 75410 F
 Switzerland
 Karlshamns Re AG in Liquidation 75589 F
 Switzerland
- Olympus Reinsurance Company Ltd. 83019 B+ u A-
 Bermuda
- PXRE Group 84807 A- u A u
 Bermuda
- PXRE Reinsurance Ltd. 84141 A- u A u
 Bermuda
 SCG Rueckversicherung AG
 Liquidation 76504 F
 Switzerland
 Sesapro S.A. en liquidation 73454 F
 Switzerland
 Sovereign Marine & General Ins Co
 Ltd 85003 E NR-5
 United Kingdom

* Rating was affirmed B++ on Sept. 21. Current rating effective
Sept. 22.

Rating Action: (+) or (-) Rating upgraded or downgraded; (New) Assigned
initlal rating; (u) Rating placed under review

Rating Under Review

Rating Current Previous
Action Company Name & Domicile AMB# Rating Rating

Life/Haatth

u HIP Insurance Company of New York 08034 B++ u B++
 US: New York
u Mutual Savings Life Insurance
 Company 06753 B- u B-
 US: Alabama
u Vytra Health Services Inc 64599 B+ u B+
 US: New York
 XL Life Insurance and Annuity
 Company 60395 A+ u A+
 US: Illinois
HMO

u ConnectiCare Inc 68517 B+ u B+
 US: Connecticut
u Health Insurance Pin of Greater
 NY 68985 B++ u B++
 US: New York
u Vytra Health Plans Long Island
 Inc 68957 B+ u B+
 US: New York

Property/Casualty

u Allied World Assurance (US) Inc. 12525 A+ u A+
 US: Delaware
u Allmerica Financial Alliance Ins
 Co 11746 A- u A-
 US: New Hampshire
u Allmerica Financial Benefit
 Insurance Co 11212 A- u A-
 US: Michigan
u Allmerica Fin'l Property &
 Casualty Cos 04861 A- u A-
 US: Massachusetts
u Balboa Insurance Company 00195 A u A
 US: California
u Balboa Insurance Group 04062 A u A
 US: California
u Citizens Insurance Company of
 America 00264 A- u A-
 US: Michigan
u Citizens Insurance Company of
 Illinois 12023 A- u A-
 US: Illinois
u Citizens Insurance Company of
 MidW 11747 A- u A-
 US: Indiana
u Citizens Insurance Company of
 Ohio 11679 A- u A-
 US: Ohio
u Clearwater Insurance Company 03083 A u A
 US: Delaware
u Endurance Reinsurance Corp of
 America 12559 A u A
 US: New York
u Florists Insurance Company 03711 A- u A-
 US: Illinois
u Florists Mutual Group 03977 A- u A-
 US: Illinois
u Florists Mutual Insurance Company 03142 A- u A-
 US: Illinois
u Greenwich Insurance Company 11095 A+ u A+
 US: Delaware
u Hanover American Insurance
 Company 10784 A- u A-
 US: New Hampshire
u Hanover Insurance Company 02225 A- u A-
 US: New Hampshire
u Hanover Lloyds Insurance Company 01734 A- u A-
 US: Texas
u Hanover New Jersey Insurance
 Company 12626 A- u A-
 US: New Hampshire
u Hudson Insurance Company 03081 A u A
 US: Delaware
u Hudson Specialty Insurance
 Company 12631 A u A
 US: New York
u Indian Harbor Insurance Company 11340 A+ u A+
 US: North Dakota
u Louisiana Farm Bureau Mutual Ins
 Co 00561 A- u A-
 US: Louisiana
u Massachusetts Bay Insurance
 Company 02226 A- u A-
 US: New Hampshire
u Meritplan Insurance Company 02260 A u A
 US: California
u Mississippi Farm Bureau Mutual
 Ins Co 00645 A+ u A+
 US: Mississippi
u Newmarket Underwriters Insurance
 Company 12526 A+ u A+
 US: New Hampshire
u Newport Insurance Company 02068 A u A
 US: Arizona
u NLC Mutual Insurance Company 11291 B+ u B+
 US: Vermont
u Odyssey America Reinsurance
 Corporation 00539 A u A
 US: Connecticut
u Odyssey Reinsurance Group 18514 A u A
 US: Delaware
u Partner Reinsurance Company of
 the U.S. 02671 A+ u A+
 US: New York
u PartnerRe Insurance Company of
 New York 03025 A+ u A+
 US: New York
u PartnerRe US Group 18470 A+ u A+
 US: Connecticut
u Stonington Insurance Company 00175 A u A
 US: Texas
u Stonington Lloyds Insurance
 Company 12577 A u A
 US: Texas
u XL America Group 18130 A+ u A+
 US: Delaware
u XL Insurance America, Inc. 02423 A+ u A+
 US: Delaware
u XL Insurance Company of New York,
 Inc. 12182 A+ u A+
 US: New York
u XL Lloyds Insurance Company 12708 A+ u A+
 US: Texas
u XL Reinsurance America Inc. 02104 A+ u A+
 US: New York
u XL Select Insurance Company 02424 A+ u A+
 US: Oklahoma
u XL Specialty Insurance Company 00779 A+ u A+
 US: Delaware

International

u Allied World Assurance Co
 (Europe) Ltd 83090 A+ u A+
 Ireland
u Allied World Assurance Co (Re)
 Ltd 89238 A+ u A+
 Ireland
u Allied World Assurance Company
 Ltd 84808 A+ u A+
 Bermuda
u Consumer Insurance Services
 Limited 84340 A- u A-
 New Zealand
u DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd 84749 A u A
 Bermuda
u Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd 84835 A u A
 Bermuda
u Endurance Worldwide Insurance
 Limited 83234 A u A
 United Kingdom
u Glencoe Group 89072 A u A
 Bermuda
u Glencoe Insurance Ltd 86548 A u A
 Bermuda
u Imagine Insurance Company Limited 84750 A- u A-
 Barbados
u IPCRe Europe Limited 87117 A+ u A+
 Ireland
u IPCRe Group 83062 A+ u A+
 Bermuda
u IPCRe Limited 86221 A+ u A+
 Bermuda
u Lantana Insurance Ltd 75594 A u A
 Bermuda
u Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd. 84809 A u A
 Bermuda
u Overseas Partners Cat Limited 55023 A u A
 Bermuda
u Partner Reinsurance Company Ltd 84424 A+ u A+
 Bermuda
u PartnerRe Group 86411 A+ u A+
 Bermuda
u PartnerRe SA 85248 A+ u A+
 France
u Renaissance Reinsurance Ltd 86357 A+ u A+
 Bermuda
u Renaissance Reinsurance of Europe 87847 A+ u A+
 Ireland
u Rosemont Reinsurance Ltd. 84802 A- u A-
 Bermuda
u Western General Insurance Ltd 85932 A u A
 Bermuda
u XL Capital Group 86079 A+ u A+
 Cayman Islands
u XL Europe Limited 86202 A+ u A+
 Ireland
u XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd 85633 A+ u A+
 Bermuda
u XL Insurance Company Limited 87674 A+ u A+
 United Kingdom
u XL Life Ltd 73313 A+ u A+
 Bermuda
u XL Re Latin America Ltd 86824 A+ u A+
 Switzerland
u XL Re Ltd 86106 A+ u A+
 Bermuda

Rating Action: (+) or (-) Rating upgraded or downgraded; (New) Assigned
initial rating; (u) Rating placed under review Rating was affirmed B++
on Sept. 21. Current rating effective Sept. 22.

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 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) 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.

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] 2003 by A.M. Best Company,
Inc. Version 093005

Article Details

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Title Annotation:	Ratings
Publication:	Best's Review
Article Type:	Illustration
Geographic Code:	1USA
Date:	Nov 1, 2005
Words:	2754
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