Latest AM Best Headlines
All the headlines from our AM Best Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Asbestos Loss Estimate Now at $85 Billion: A.M. Best
Dec 19 2012 // Insurance rating firm A.M. Best this week raised to $85 billion its estimate for losses that U.S. property and casualty insurers can ultimately expect from lawsuits brought by victims of asbestos exposure. Best, the major...
Ratings Recap: Jordan Plc, Builders Re S.A., Sava Re, Allianz (Notes)
Dec 17 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B++’ (Good) and the issuer credit rating of “bbb+” of Jordan Insurance Company Plc (JIC), both with stable...
Ratings Recap: Transsib Re, First General, Arab Re, TUCI
Dec 13 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B’ (Fair) and issuer credit rating of “bb+” of Russia’s OJSC Transsiberian Reinsurance Corporation...
Ratings Recap: Zurich America, Prism, FAIRCO, American Standard
Nov 30 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa-” of Illinois-based Zurich American Insurance Company (Zurich US) and its...
Ratings Recap: Mansard, Custodian & Allied, Ability Re, TATIL
Nov 30 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B’ (Fair) and issuer credit rating of “bb+” of Nigeria’s Mansard Insurance Plc, both with stable...
Ratings Recap: Standard Casualty, Principal Financial, NAICO
Nov 16 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer crediting rating “a-” of Texas-based Standard Casualty Company, both with stable outlooks. Best explained that...
Ratings Recap: Talanx Re, Nissan Global, Harmony, JEVCO
Nov 16 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a” to Talanx Reinsurance (Ireland) Ltd., both with stable...
A.M. Best: Outlook Positive for Oklahoma’s National American Insurance Co.
Nov 14 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to positive from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating of B++ (Good) and issuer credit rating of “bbb+” of National American Insurance Co. (NAICO) in Chandler,...
Pricing Improved in 2011 But Workers’ Compensation Still Challenged: A.M. Best
Nov 13 2012 // The troubled workers’ compensation line of business got a break in 2011 as employment and payrolls stabilized and overall net premiums written increased by 10 percent, according to an A.M. Best report. However, A.M....
P/C Insurers Can Handle Sandy Losses: A.M. Best
Nov 5 2012 // Ratings analysts at A.M. Best Co. said it is likely that the brunt of Hurricane Sandy’s financial impact will fall on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is responsible for almost all flood coverage in...
A.M. Best Places Ratings of Meadowbrook Insurance Group Under Review
Oct 25 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has placed under review with negative implications the financial strength rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of the subsidiaries of Meadowbrook Insurance Group...
A.M. Best Downgrades Texas-Based Columbia Lloyds, MDOW Insurance
Oct 24 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B++ (Good) from A- (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings to “bbb” from “a-” of Columbia Lloyds Insurance Co. (Columbia Lloyds) and its...
Lower Catastrophe Losses, Better Rate Environment Increase P/C Net Income: A.M. Best
Oct 22 2012 // The U.S. property/casualty industry’s underwriting and operating performance improved substantially in the first half of 2012 according to a special report by A.M. Best Co. Catastrophe losses, while remaining...
Rebounding Economy Spurs Growth in Cargo, Supply Chain Risks
Oct 22 2012 // A slow trend toward economic recovery in the U.S. may mean good news/bad news for insurance agents and brokers who handle commercial accounts with cargo and supply chain vulnerabilities. The good news is growth in sales...
A.M. Best Downgrades Oklahoma’s Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance
Oct 17 2012 // A.M. Best Co. announced it has downgraded the financial strength rating to B+ (Good) from B++ (Good) and issuer credit rating to “bbb-” from “bbb” of Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Co. (Farmers) in...
European Insurers Still Facing Economic Uncertainty: A.M. Best
Oct 16 2012 // The Eurozone financial crisis continues to be among the most significant challenges facing insurers, although capital is strong for the European primary insurance market, according to A.M. Best Co. In a new report,...
Texas Mutual Receives Top Ratings from A.M. Best
Oct 10 2012 // Texas Mutual Insurance Co. announced it has received a financial strength rating of “A” (excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a” from A.M. Best Co. A.M. Best also assigned the outlook of...
Best’s Report on Spanish Non-Life Sector Finds Profits, Future Challenges
Oct 10 2012 // “The Spanish non-life insurance sector remained profitable in 2011, but growth remains challenging, as it continues to face one of the bleakest economic environments since the 1930s,” according to a new report...
Slow and Steady: Optimism Good for Surplus Lines Market in 2012
Oct 9 2012 // Despite catastrophic events in 2011, low investment yields and competitive pressures, surplus lines specialists — especially market leaders — generated healthy operating profits and returns on both revenue and...
Ratings Recap: Sirius (US), HDI-Gerling (US), Permanent General, Lexon/Bond Safeguard, Selective(NJ)
Oct 8 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a” of new York-based Sirius America Insurance Company, both with stable outlooks. Sirius...
