AM Best News

A.M. Best: Outlook Positive for Wolverine Mutual Insurance

A.M. Best has revised the outlook to positive from stable for the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term ICR of “bbb” of Wolverine Mutual Insurance Co. (Wolverine), …

Brexit Cost Implications to Weigh on UK Re/Insurers: A.M. Best Report

The cost implications of the loss of passporting rights after the UK exits the European Union will weigh on re/insurers, as will any resultant economic downturn. However, A.M. Best does not anticipate taking any rating actions as a result of …

Ratings Outlook for GuideOne Insurance Revised to Negative: A.M. Best

A.M. Best has revised the outlooks to negative from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “a” of the members of the GuideOne Insurance Companies (GuideOne). The …

Is Soft Market Bottoming? A.M. Best Points to Some Promising Signs

Some observers believe the bottom of the reinsurance market may be in sight because brokers are having greater difficulty filling out underpriced programs and further concessions in terms are difficult to obtain, according to a report published by A.M. Best. …

Chinese M&A to Continue Despite Regulatory, Policy Hurdles: A.M. Best

While Chinese companies have been increasing their overseas merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in recent years, there are signs that growth could slow in the coming year, as a result of uncertain economic outlook and evolving government policies in China …

A.M. Best Downgrades Golden Insurance, RPG in Nevada

A.M. Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating to B- (Fair) from B (Fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “bb-” from “bb” of Nevada-domiciled Golden Insurance Company, A Risk Retention Group. Concurrently, A.M. Best has placed the Credit …

Re/Insurers’ Fundamentals Begin to Erode in Challenge-Filled Market: A.M. Best

The ongoing pressures of diminishing investment returns, dwindling loss reserves and intense competition are beginning to erode industry fundamentals, cautioned A.M. Best in a special report titled “Insurers Hunt for Diminishing Opportunities in a Market Laden with Challenges.” “There is …

Reinsurance Prices May Be Bottoming but Outlook Remains Negative: A.M. Best

The outlook for the reinsurance sector is being held at negative by A.M. Best, which cited continuing market challenges that will hinder the potential for positive rating actions and may eventually bring negative rating pressures. The strain on profitability is …

New Zealand EQ Insured Losses Could Top $3B: AIR Worldwide

Catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide released its initial estimates of industry insured losses from the earthquake that struck New Zealand’s South Island early this week, putting a range of $762 million to $3.5 billion out for the event (NZD1.15 billion …

Greenlight Capital Re Hit With A.M. Best Ratings Downgrade

Greenlight Reinsurance Ltd. has been seeking to improve underwriting results after months of losses. But it apparently hasn’t moved fast enough for A.M. Best, which slapped it with credit ratings downgrades. A.M. Best said it downgraded the financial strength rating …