AM Best News

AM Best Revises Outlook to Stable for Topa in California

AM Best has revised the outlooks to stable from negative and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of “a-” (Excellent) of Topa Insurance Co. in Calabasas, Calif. and its subsidiary, Dorchester Insurance …

Outlooks Revised to Positive for Workers’ Comp Insurer Stonetrust

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 Ratings of “bbb+” (Good) of Stonetrust Commercial Insurance Co. and its reinsured subsidiary, Stonetrust Premier Casualty …

Medical Professional Liability Market Facing Difficult Times

Despite a slight improvement in net income in 2020, U.S. medical professional liability (MPL) insurers saw their sixth consecutive year of underwriting losses, according to a new AM Best report. According to the new Best’s Special Report, “Continued Uncertainty Clouds …

Carriers Struggle To Transform Innovation Efforts Into Results: AM Best

Although COVID-19 forced many insurers to seek out innovative solutions, most companies still have room for improvement, according to rating agency AM Best. In a recent analysis of innovation assessment scores, which the rating agency first introduced into the rating …

AM Best Upgrades Union Mutual Rating to Excellent with Stable Outlook

AM Best has upgraded the financial strength rating to A (excellent) from A- (excellent) and the long-term issuer credit ratings to “a” from “a-” of Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company, the lead property/casualty company and its wholly owned subsidiary, New …

P/C Insurers Need to Hike Key Commercial Rates Even More: A.M. Best

The environment for many of the U.S. property/casualty (P/C) insurers lines remains competitive despite the need for rate increases for key commercial lines of coverage such as property catastrophe, commercial automobile, general and professional liability, and medical professional liability. For …

Auto Insurers Lead 2020 U.S. Property/Casualty Impairments: AM Best

Seven insurance company impairments were identified in the U.S. property/casualty industry in 2020, with five of the seven involving auto insurers, according to an AM Best special report. Last year’s number was an improvement over 2019 when 13 impairments were …

AM Best Maintains Negative Outlook on UK Non-Life Insurance Market

AM Best is maintaining a negative market segment outlook on the United Kingdom non-life insurance segment, citing economic uncertainty as a key headwind for UK non-life insurers. In addition, COVID-19-related lockdown measures coincided with the country’s exit from the European …

London Market Insurers’ 2020 Profits Canceled by COVID-19 but Rates Are Rising

Pandemic-related losses in 2020 were substantial for London market insurers and offset most underwriting and investment returns, according to a report published by Fitch Ratings. The main drivers of losses were event cancellations and business interruption policies, with the impact …

Australia’s Floods to Hit Insurers’ Earnings, Put Upward Pressure on Reinsurance Rates

Insured losses from Australia’s March floods are expected to hit general (or property/casualty) insurers’ underwriting margins and earnings in 2021, while putting more upward pressure on reinsurance rates, according to a report from AM Best. The floods, expected to be …