P&C Companies News

A.M. Best Upgrades Wisconsin’s 1st Auto & Casualty Insurance Co.

A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to B++ (Good) from B+ (Good) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to “bbb” from “bbb-” of 1st Auto & Casualty Insurance Company (1st Auto). These rating actions are based on …

Insurer Group Says Louisiana Property Market Shows Signs of Strength

The number of Louisiana property insurance consumers who benefit from the lower rates offered by private insurers is growing as the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s (Citizens) depopulation program continues to be a success, according to the Property Casualty Insurers …

A.M. Best Downgrades Ratings of Kansas-based Upland Mutual Insurance

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B+ (Good) from B++ (Good) and issuer credit rating to “bbb-” from “bbb” of Upland Mutual Insurance Inc. (Upland) (Junction City, KS). The outlook for both ratings is stable. Best …

Washington Regulator Wants to Review Health Insurer Surpluses

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is asking state lawmakers to preserve his authority to scrutinize health insurance rates, boost transparency, and to let him — for the first time — consider some insurers’ surpluses when reviewing rates. “Some non-profit insurers …

Catastrophes Cost World $222 Billion in 2010: Swiss Re

According to initial estimates from Swiss Re’s sigma research team, worldwide economic losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters totaled $222 billion in 2010; more than triple the 2009 figure of $63 billion. The cost to the global insurance industry …

DIMA Clarifies S&P Ratings Bulletin on Ireland Debt, Re/insurers

Dublin International Insurance & Management Association (DIMA), the representative body for the international re/insurance industry in Ireland, announced that it has “been in contact with rating agency Standard & Poor’s to clarify the position regarding the Irish sovereign rating and …

Insurer Wants Ex-Judge Off Mississippi Lawyer Case

An insurance company wants former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Oliver Diaz kicked off a lawsuit involving imprisoned former attorney Paul Minor. Minor, meanwhile, also thinks the federal judge in the case should step down because he’s the same judge who …

Best Assigns ‘A’ Ratings to Aspen American Insurance Company

A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a” to Dallas-based Aspen American Insurance Company (AAIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of its ultimate parent, Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited. The outlook …

Best Affirms ‘A’ Ratings of NIPPONKOA Insurance Company

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a+” of Japan’s NIPPONKOA Insurance Company Ltd, both with stable outlooks. “The ratings reflect Nipponkoa’s strong capitalization and strengthening of its business profile,” …

Ireland, EU Conclude $113 Billion Bailout

Negotiators for the Irish government and the European Union put the finishing touches on an €85 billion [$113 billion] bailout for the beleaguered country over the weekend. The agreement follows Ireland’s somewhat reluctant acceptance that the situation with its banks …