Ratings News

Best Affirms ACE Limited and Subsidiaries ‘A+’ Ratings

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa-” of Bermuda-based ACE Bermuda Insurance Ltd. and ACE Tempest Reinsurance Ltd. Best also affirmed the FSRs of ‘A+’ (Superior) and …

Ratings Recap: ACE Europe, Unipol

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “aa-” of the UK-based ACE European Group Limited (AEGL) with stable outlooks. Best said that it expects “AEGL to maintain strong risk-adjusted …

Ratings Roundup: American Family, Battle Creek, Central Co-op

A.M. Best Co. has revised its outlook to negative from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” for American Family Insurance Group (AMFAM), which includes American Family Mutual Insurance …

Ratings Recap: Everest Re (Notes), Int’l. Hannover, China Int’l., Transmonde

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said that its ratings on Bermuda-based Everest Re Group Ltd. and its U.S.-based intermediary holding company, Everest Reinsurance Holdings Inc. (both rated ‘BBB+’ with a stable outlook), as well as the ratings on the company’s …

A.M. Best: Negative Outlook for Nebraska’s Battle Creek Mutual

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of B+ (Good) and issuer credit rating of “bbb-” of Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Co. in Nebraska. The outlook for both ratings has been revised to negative from stable. A.M. Best …

Best Affirms Montpelier Re and Subsidiaries Ratings

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of Bermuda-based Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd. and Montpelier US Insurance Company (MUSIC), which is based in Oklahoma City. Best also affirmed …

Ratings Recap: Everest Re, NIPPONKOA, Sompo, Evergreen Re, Endurance

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has lowered its counterparty credit ratings on Bermuda-based Everest Re Group Ltd. and its U.S.-based intermediary holding company, Everest Reinsurance Holdings Inc., to ‘BBB+’ from ‘A-‘. S&P also lowered its counterparty credit and financial strength …

Ratings Roundup: Zenith, State Farm, Restoration RRG

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Zenith National Insurance Corp.’s ratings as follows: Zenith –Issuer Default Rating (IDR) ‘BBB+’. Zenith National Insurance Capital Trust I –$58.5 million 8.55 percent trust preferred securities due Aug. 1, 2028 at ‘BBB-‘. Zenith’s insurance subsidiaries: Zenith …

S&P Raises SCOR and Subs Ratings to ‘A’ On ‘Positive Trend’

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has raised its long-term counterparty credit and insurer financial strength ratings on French-based reinsurer SCOR SE and its core guaranteed subsidiaries (collectively SCOR or the group) to ‘A’ from ‘A-‘. The outlook on all of …

Fitch Lowers Berkshire Hathaway’s ‘AAA’ Rating to ‘AA+’

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway was stripped of its ‘AAA’ credit rating by Fitch Ratings, barely hours after S&P cut General Electric Co’s top-tier rating, as the global financial crisis pummels America’s corporate titans. Citing concerns about Berkshire’s equity and derivatives …