Latest AM Best Headlines

All the headlines from our AM Best Topic Page, ordered by recency.

A.M. Best Upgrades Issuer Credit Ratings of Vermont Mutual Insurance

Jan 21 2013 // A. M. Best Co. said it has upgraded the issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a+” from “a” and affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) of Vermont Mutual Insurance Company and its two fully...

Ratings: Southern General/GreenStar, Fairfield, Community Mutual, Wisconsin County

Jan 18 2013 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘B’ (Fair) from ‘B++’ (Good) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “bb+” from “bbb” of Southern General...

A.M. Best Withdraws Ratings of Community Mutual Insurance Co. in N.Y.

Jan 17 2013 // Insurance ratings agency A.M. Best Co. said it has downgraded the financial strength rating to C (Weak) from C+ (Marginal) and the issuer credit rating to “ccc” from “b-” of Community Mutual...

Ratings Roundup: NEWGT Re, Ability Re, RoyalStar (RSA)

Jan 16 2013 // A.M. Best Asia-Pacific Limited has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘A’- (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” to Bermuda-based NEWGT Reinsurance Company, Ltd. Best said the ratings...

Ratings Recap: ASSA/Lion Re, Local Tapiola, Liffey Re, Del Istmo, QBE Del Istmo

Jan 11 2013 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” of Panama City-based ASSA Compania de Seguros, S.A. (ASSA), as well as the FSR...

A.M. Best Upgrades Ratings of Minnesota’s Austin Mutual Insurance

Jan 10 2013 // A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to A (Excellent) from B (Fair) and the issuer credit rating to “a+” from “bb+” of Austin Mutual Insurance Co. (Austin) in Maple Grove, Minn....

Ratings: Aviva (Subs), Flagstone Re Africa, Arig, Salama, Bahrain Nat’l., BEST RE

Dec 20 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a+” of several European insurance subsidiaries of...

Asbestos Loss Estimate Now at $85 Billion: A.M. Best

Dec 19 2012 // Insurance rating firm A.M. Best this week raised to $85 billion its estimate for losses that U.S. property and casualty insurers can ultimately expect from lawsuits brought by victims of asbestos exposure.Best, the major...

Ratings Recap: Jordan Plc, Builders Re S.A., Sava Re, Allianz (Notes)

Dec 17 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B++’ (Good) and the issuer credit rating of “bbb+” of Jordan Insurance Company Plc (JIC), both with stable...

Ratings Recap: Transsib Re, First General, Arab Re, TUCI

Dec 13 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B’ (Fair) and issuer credit rating of “bb+” of Russia’s OJSC Transsiberian Reinsurance Corporation...

Ratings Recap: Zurich America, Prism, FAIRCO, American Standard

Nov 30 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa-” of Illinois-based Zurich American Insurance Company (Zurich US) and its...

Ratings Recap: Mansard, Custodian & Allied, Ability Re, TATIL

Nov 30 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B’ (Fair) and issuer credit rating of “bb+” of Nigeria’s Mansard Insurance Plc, both with stable...

Ratings Recap: Standard Casualty, Principal Financial, NAICO

Nov 16 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer crediting rating “a-” of Texas-based Standard Casualty Company, both with stable outlooks. Best explained that...

Ratings Recap: Talanx Re, Nissan Global, Harmony, JEVCO

Nov 16 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a” to Talanx Reinsurance (Ireland) Ltd., both with stable...

A.M. Best: Outlook Positive for Oklahoma’s National American Insurance Co.

Nov 14 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to positive from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating of B++ (Good) and issuer credit rating of “bbb+” of National American Insurance Co. (NAICO) in Chandler,...

Pricing Improved in 2011 But Workers’ Compensation Still Challenged: A.M. Best

Nov 13 2012 // The troubled workers’ compensation line of business got a break in 2011 as employment and payrolls stabilized and overall net premiums written increased by 10 percent, according to an A.M. Best report.However, A.M....

P/C Insurers Can Handle Sandy Losses: A.M. Best

Nov 5 2012 // Ratings analysts at A.M. Best Co. said it is likely that the brunt of Hurricane Sandy’s financial impact will fall on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is responsible for almost all flood coverage in...

A.M. Best Places Ratings of Meadowbrook Insurance Group Under Review

Oct 25 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has placed under review with negative implications the financial strength rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of the subsidiaries of Meadowbrook Insurance Group...

A.M. Best Downgrades Texas-Based Columbia Lloyds, MDOW Insurance

Oct 24 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B++ (Good) from A- (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings to “bbb” from “a-” of Columbia Lloyds Insurance Co. (Columbia Lloyds) and its...

Lower Catastrophe Losses, Better Rate Environment Increase P/C Net Income: A.M. Best

Oct 22 2012 // The U.S. property/casualty industry’s underwriting and operating performance improved substantially in the first half of 2012 according to a special report by A.M. Best Co.Catastrophe losses, while remaining elevated...