Latest AM Best Headlines

All the headlines from our AM Best Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Best Report: European Insurers See Improvements; Challenges Remain

Oct 15 2013 // European non-life and life insurers “are benefitting from a more stable economic environment, although they continue to adjust product offerings and adapt reinsurance purchasing in response to the low-yield...

Ratings Recap: Sirius, Sunderland Marine, Flagstone Re, Atradius, AmerInst

Oct 9 2013 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of Sweden’s Sirius International...

Surplus Lines Took Hit from Sandy in 2012 But Appears Back on Track in 2013

Sep 23 2013 // Surplus lines insurers in 2012 posted one of their worst years overall as their underwriting performance fell below that of the total property/casualty (P/C) industry for the first time in more than a decade. Much of the...

Good Times in Surplus Lines

Sep 23 2013 // Wholesalers Thrive Amid Change The surplus lines industry is letting the good times roll. Well, not exactly. But times are good and getting better for wholesalers and insurers doing business in the specialty insurance...

Ratings Recap: Emirates, BMO Re, United, Oman Insurance, China Taiping (NZ)

Sep 18 2013 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” of United Arab Emirates-based Emirates Insurance Company...

Property Losses Rose for U.S. Captives in 2012: A.M. Best

Aug 12 2013 // Captive insurance companies tightened margins and used capital more efficiently in 2012, according to research by ratings firm A.M. Best Co. Among A.M. Best’s captive composite, the loss and loss adjustment expense...

Meadowbrook Insurance Looking for ‘A-Rated’ Partner After Downgrade

Aug 5 2013 // Following a downgrade of its financial strength ratings (FSR) to “B++” from “A-” by A.M. Best Co. on Friday, Meadowbrook Insurance Group announced that it will seek to make arrangements with an...

Ratings Roundup: ACE Seguros, SOVAG, Polish Re, CCR (Algeria)

Jul 19 2013 // A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a” to ACE Seguros S.A., which is based in Panama. Its ultimate parent is ACE Limited, now...

Ratings Roundup: Al Fajer, Tunis Re, Eastern Re

Jul 16 2013 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has revised the outlook to stable from negative and affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B++’ (Good) and issuer credit rating of “bbb+” of...

Ratings Roundup: AEGIS, SOGAZ, African Re, Delvag

Jun 26 2013 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” of Bermuda-based Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services Limited (AEGIS), and...

A.M. Best: P/C Insurer Impairments Down in 2012

Jun 25 2013 // Financial impairments in the property/casualty insurance industry fell more in line with recent trends and historical levels in 2012, following a sharp spike in 2011. There were 21 P/C impairments in 2012, a sizable...

Ratings Recap: American European, Liberty Mutual (Notes), Pacific Comp., IFA

Jun 20 2013 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to ‘B’ (Fair) from ‘B+’ (Good) and issuer credit rating to “bb+” from “bbb-” for American European Insurance...

A.M. Best: Outlook Negative for Imperial Fire and Casualty Insurance

Jun 18 2013 // A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to negative from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating of B+ (Good) and issuer credit rating of “bbb-” of Opelousas, La.-based Imperial Fire and Casualty...

Best Revises Outlook to Positive for ACE Ltd., Most Subs; Affirms Ratings

Jun 17 2013 // A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to positive from stable and affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa” of the North America...

Ratings: Heddington, Bosna Re, Arden Re, Syndicate 609, Asia Capital Re (notes)

Jun 13 2013 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a+” of Bermuda-based Heddington Insurance Limited, both with stable outlooks. The ratings...

Best Affirms RenaissanceRe; Top Layer Re Ratings; Outlooks Stable

Jun 13 2013 // RenRe and Affiliates A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa-” of Renaissance Reinsurance Ltd. (RenRe) and...

Ratings Recap: Iron Horse, Dallas National, Armed Forces, Sooner, Harford Mutual, Philadelphia Contributionship

Jun 3 2013 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a+” of Vermont-based Iron Horse Insurance Company, both with stable outlooks. Best said the...

A.M. Best Revises Ohio’s Buckeye Outlook to Negative

May 30 2013 // A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to negative from stable of Piqua, Ohio-based Buckeye State Mutual Insurance Co. and its insurance affiliates. The ratings firm also affirmed the financial strength rating of B+ (Good)...

P/C Insurers’ Results Much Better in 2012 Than 2011: A.M. Best

May 28 2013 // Underwriting and operating results for the U.S. property/casualty (P/C) industry improved substantially in 2012 compared with 2011. Net income increased by nearly 52 percent to $39.9 billion from $26.3 billion, reflecting...

Ratings Recap: Dubai Insurance, Jupiter, Ardelis, TT Club

May 23 2013 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has revised the outlook to positive from stable and affirmed the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “bbb” and the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘B++’...