Latest AM Best Headlines
All the headlines from our AM Best Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Transatlantic, Allied World Agree to Merger
Jun 13 2011 // Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. and Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings, AG on Sunday signed a merger agreement that will create a leading, global specialty insurance and reinsurance company. The combined entity will have...
Ratings Roundup: Park, Farmers of Salem, Auto-Owners, DTRIC
Jun 10 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to ‘C++’ (Marginal) from ‘B-‘ (Fair) and issuer credit rating to “b” from “bb-” of New York’s Park Insurance...
A.M. Best Downgrades Ratings of State Auto Insurance Companies
Jun 2 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to A (Excellent) from A+ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “a+” from “aa-” of Columbus, Ohio-based State Auto Insurance...
Ratings: Doctors Co., Gateway, Kingstone, Farm Credit, Associated Mutual
Jun 2 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has commented that the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings of “a-” of Doctors Company Insurance Group (TDC) and its members, led by The Doctors...
Ratings: Benchmark, Repwest, Sooner, Park Assurance, Mariah Re, ACMAT, Kingsway Amigo
May 31 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to negative from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” for Minnesota-based Benchmark Insurance...
Ratings: Tunis Re, Endurance (shares), LAPP, Electro Re/First Beacon, National General
May 27 2011 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has removed from under review with negative implications and affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B+’ (Good) and issuer credit rating of “bbb-” of...
Late April Tornadoes Likely to Affect P/C Insurers’ Earnings, Not Capital
May 23 2011 // The deadly outbreak of tornadoes in late April, which generated insured losses estimated at as much as $6 billion, is unlikely to have an immediate impact on property/casualty insurers’ Best’s ratings. The...
A.M. Best: Outlook Negative for Badger Mutual, A-Rating Affirmed
May 17 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to negative from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a” of Badger Mutual Insurance Company (Badger) of...
A.M. Best Upgrades Ratings of Amerisafe and Subsidiaries
May 17 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “a” from “a-” of DeRidder, La.-based Amerisafe Insurance Group...
Best’s Analysis Concludes Solvency II Will Transform EU Captive Insurers
May 13 2011 // Although it has been coming for more than 10 years, the European Union’s Solvency II regulations covering the community’s insurance industry is now virtually around the corner. Over the years there has been a...
A.M. Best Revises Outlook, Affirms Financial Rating of Andover Cos.
May 12 2011 // Ratings firm A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to negative from stable and affirmed the issuer credit ratings of “aa” of the Andover, Mass.-based Andover Companies Pool and its members. The members are...
Ratings Recap: Keystone, Forestry Mutual, Residential Re, National Unity, Dakota
May 12 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘A+’ (Superior) from’ B++’ (Good) and the issuer credit ratings (ICRs) to “aa-” from “bbb” of Keystone...
A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Central States Indemnity Co. of Omaha
May 10 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A+ (Superior) and issuer credit rating of “aa-” of Central States Indemnity Co. of Omaha (CSI) in Omaha, Neb. The outlook for both ratings is...
P/C Insurers Cautious About Adopting New RMS Hurricane Model
May 10 2011 // Property/casualty insurers appear to be in no rush to adopt a controversial revised catastrophe model that dramatically raises certain estimates of potential hurricane losses in the country. California-based modeling firm...
P/C Insurer Failures in 2010 Unrelated to Catastrophes: A.M Best
May 10 2011 // The majority of the 11 financially impaired property/casualty companies in 2010 got into trouble primarily due to deficient loss reserves and inadequate pricing. None of the 2010 impairments were directly attributable to...
Ratings Roundup: Aviva/Delta Lloyd, Montana Re (cat bonds), Montpelier Re (notes), Arab Orient
May 9 2011 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has commented that the ratings for the UK’s Aviva plc and its subsidiary companies remain unchanged as a result of Aviva’s announcement to sell a portion of its...
Global Reinsurers at ‘Critical’ Point, Says Best’s Report
Apr 26 2011 // A new special report, compiled by A.M. Best, concludes that the string of major catastrophes, a persistent soft market and the near exhaustion of excess reserves have placed global reinsurers at a “critical”...
Ratings: Wilton Re, London General, Cattolica, Arab Re
Apr 22 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘A’ (Excellent) from ‘A- ‘(Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “a” from “a-” for Wilton...
Ratings: Syndicate 1225 (Aegis), Pacific Int’l., Int’l. Energy, Flagstone Re (Africa)
Apr 19 2011 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a+” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 1225, which is managed by AEGIS...
Best Affirms Flagstone Re’s Ratings; Outlook Revised to Negative
Apr 18 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a-” of Flagstone Reassurance Suisse S.A. and Flagstone Alliance Insurance and...
