Ratings News

Best Affirms Horace Mann and Subsidiaries ‘A-‘ Ratings; Outlook Stable

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of the P/C group, Horace Mann Insurance Group, its members and the life/health insurance company, Horace Mann Life Insurance Company. …

Ratings Roundup: Wentworth, Gulf Re

A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a-” to Barbados-based Wentworth Insurance Company Limited, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, and has assigned a stable …

Ratings Recap: Builders Group, FMH Group, MAG Mutual, Nationwide (Fla.)

A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to negative from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings of “a-” of Builders Insurance Group and its three pooled members: Builders Insurance (A Mutual Captive …

Rating Agencies React to BP’s Oil Spill; Best Revises Jupiter Outlook

The mounting financial costs for British Petroleum from the multiple impacts of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have placed its formerly strong ratings in peril. Financial rating agencies Fitch and Moody’s have both lowered their ratings on …

Best Affirms Fairfax, U.S. Members Ratings; Upgrades Seneca’s ICR

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “bbb” and the unsecured debt and preferred equity ratings of Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited. Best also affirmed the ICR of “bbb” and unsecured debt rating of Crum & …

S&P Lowers State Auto Group’s Ratings to ‘A-‘; Outlook Stable

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has lowered its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on the operating insurance companies of State Auto Group to ‘A-‘ from ‘A’. S&P also lowered its counterparty credit rating on State Auto Financial Corp. to …

Best Affirms RLI Group’s ‘A+’ Ratings; Outlook Stable

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa-” of RLI Group and its members. Best also affirmed the ICR of “a-” and debt rating of “a-” on $100 …

Ratings Recap: Cooperativa, Patria Re

A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to negative from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of Puerto Rico based Cooperativa Seguros Group and its operating member, Cooperativa …

Ratings Recap: Frankenmuth, Oregon Dental, Sooner, Commercial Casualty

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to ‘A’ (Excellent) from’ A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings to “a+” from “aa-” of Frankenmuth Insurance and its member companies, and has revised its outlook on the rating to stable …

Judge Rejects Fraud Charge, Says Rating Agencies Not Underwriters

A Manhattan federal judge said on Tuesday that it was unfair to hold Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s liable as “underwriters” on securities offerings needing their ratings, as he rejected fraud claims by investors on the safety of …