AM Best News

AM Best: Ukraine Invasion to Likely Have ‘Substantial Impact’ on Insurance Industry

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could add to inflationary pressures and will likely have a substantial impact on the global insurance industry, said AM Best. The rating agency Friday said efforts by the global central banks and the U.S. Federal Reserve …

U.S. P/C Industry Grew Surplus Despite Underwriting Loss in 2021

Insurance rating agency AM Best said it expects the U.S. property/casualty insurance industry to record an increase in surplus in 2021 thanks to investment income and capital gains improvements despite booking an underwriting loss of $15.7 billion. Best’s Market Segment …

Rating Upgrades Increase for U.S. P/C Insurers in 2021

Ratings for the U.S. property/casualty industry returned to pre-pandemic levels with some companies strengthening balance sheets and improving operating results, said financial strength rating agency AM Best. In 2021 the number of rating upgrades increased to 54, up from 38 …

Loss Costs Outpace Increase in Premiums for U.S. P/C Industry Through Q3

Direct-premium production for the U.S. P/C industry through the third quarter 2021 improved as insurers increased rates, but adverse trends in loss costs for many lines of business continue to dampen profitability. Through the first nine months of 2021, the …

AM Best Says Demand Surge and Inflation to Amplify Colorado Wildfire Losses

AM Best expects demand surge and rising inflationary pressures on building costs to add to overall loss estimates in the recent wildfires in Colorado. In a commentary AM Best notes that early industry estimates place losses in the late-December wildfires …

AM Best Revised Outlooks to Positive for Aspire General in California

AM Best has revised the outlooks to positive from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb-” (Good) of Aspire General Insurance Co. in Rancho Cucamonga, California. The ratings reflect …

A.M. Best Affirms Ratings for The Concord Group Insurance Companies

A.M. Best has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A+ (superior) and the long-term issuer credit ratings (long-term ICR) of “aa-” for the members of The Concord Group Insurance Companies. The rating actions reflect Concord Group’s balance sheet strength, …

AM Best Sees Tornado Losses as Manageable for Insurers

Analysts at ratings firm AM Best said they expect the insured losses from the tornadoes that devastated central and southern U.S. last weekend will dampen underwriting results for insurers but that insurers will be able to absorb them, even though …

Rising Reinsurance Prices and Demand Help to Create Stable Sector Outlook: AM Best

AM Best is maintaining a stable market segment outlook for the global reinsurance segment, citing in part the ongoing positive pricing momentum driven by rising loss cost inflation, enhanced underwriting discipline, including tighter terms and conditions, and a growing demand …

As COVID Spread, European P/C Insurers Took Hits but Remained Resilient: AM Best

European property/casualty insurers faced a dip in total average gross written premium and after-tax profit in 2020, but their regulatory solvency ratios remained strong. Pandemic factors generally played a role in both elements, according to a new AM Best market …