Latest AM Best Headlines

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

Rebounding Economy Spurs Growth in Cargo, Supply Chain Risks

Oct 22 2012 // A slow trend toward economic recovery in the U.S. may mean good news/bad news for insurance agents and brokers who handle commercial accounts with cargo and supply chain vulnerabilities.The good news is growth in sales and...

A.M. Best Downgrades Oklahoma’s Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance

Oct 17 2012 // A.M. Best Co. announced it has downgraded the financial strength rating to B+ (Good) from B++ (Good) and issuer credit rating to “bbb-” from “bbb” of Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Co. (Farmers) in...

European Insurers Still Facing Economic Uncertainty: A.M. Best

Oct 16 2012 // The Eurozone financial crisis continues to be among the most significant challenges facing insurers, although capital is strong for the European primary insurance market, according to A.M. Best Co.In a new report,...

Texas Mutual Receives Top Ratings from A.M. Best

Oct 10 2012 // Texas Mutual Insurance Co. announced it has received a financial strength rating of “A” (excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a” from A.M. Best Co.A.M. Best also assigned the outlook of stable...

Best’s Report on Spanish Non-Life Sector Finds Profits, Future Challenges

Oct 10 2012 // “The Spanish non-life insurance sector remained profitable in 2011, but growth remains challenging, as it continues to face one of the bleakest economic environments since the 1930s,” according to a new report...

Slow and Steady: Optimism Good for Surplus Lines Market in 2012

Oct 9 2012 // Despite catastrophic events in 2011, low investment yields and competitive pressures, surplus lines specialists — especially market leaders — generated healthy operating profits and returns on both revenue and...

Ratings Recap: Sirius (US), HDI-Gerling (US), Permanent General, Lexon/Bond Safeguard, Selective(NJ)

Oct 8 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a” of new York-based Sirius America Insurance Company, both with stable outlooks. Sirius...

Slow and Steady: Surplus Lines Industry Reverses Downward Trend; Optimism Good for 2012

Oct 8 2012 // Despite catastrophic events in 2011, low investment yields and competitive pressures, surplus lines specialists — especially market leaders — generated healthy operating profits and returns on both revenue and...

Ratings Recap: Nacional Re, Barents Re, PMG, MS Frontier Re

Oct 4 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 Spain’s Nacional de Reaseguros, S.A., both with...

Ratings Recap: Casiopea Re, FM (UK), Jamaica Int’l., Salama, BEST RE

Sep 24 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of “a-” of Luxembourg-based Casiopea Re S.A., the reinsurance...

Best Affirms Factory Mutual and Subs ‘A+’ Ratings; Outlook Stable

Sep 21 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of ‘”aa” of Factory Mutual Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, Appalachian...

Ratings Recap: Emirates, Sorford, BF&M, Unity Re

Sep 20 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” of Emirates Insurance Company P.S.C. (EIC), which is...

Ratings Recap: AmerInst, Trust Re, Flagstone Re Africa, Univé Stormher

Sep 14 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” of Bermuda-based AmerInst Insurance Company Ltd., as well as the ICR of...

A.M. Best Downgrades, Withdraws Ratings of San Antonio Indemnity Co.

Aug 27 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has removed from under review with negative implications and downgraded the financial strength rating to D (Poor) from B (Fair) and issuer credit rating to “c” from “bb” of San Antonio...

Ratings Recap: Oman Insurance, Abu Dhabi National, NLGIC, MEICO

Aug 24 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has revised the outlook to stable from negative and affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of “a” of...

Ratings Recap: Omega Insurance, Al Ittihad, Alliance

Aug 22 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has removed from under review with negative implications and affirmed the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “bbb” of Bermuda-based Omega Insurance Holdings Limited, an...

Ratings Recap: Great Plains, ProAssurance, Community, German Mutual

Aug 16 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘B++’ (Good) and an issuer credit rating of “bbb” to Iowa-based Great Plains Casualty, Inc., both with stable outlooks. The ratings reflect...

Ratings Recap: Electrical Contractors’, Scotia, Société Centrale, Adamjee

Aug 10 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” of UK-based Electrical Contractors’ Insurance...

Captives Feeling the Squeeze As Global Pressures Intrude: A.M. Best

Aug 6 2012 // Captive insurance firms in the United States are feeling the squeeze of an ongoing soft insurance market, low investment yields and a bleak global financial picture, a new report revealed.A composite of 209 U.S. captive...

Liberty Mutual: Much More Rate Hikes Needed to Correct Underpricing

Jul 26 2012 // The upward pricing trends are continuing in the U.S commercial lines, but much more rate increases are still needed to correct the chronic underpricing in the industry, Liberty Mutual CEO David Long remarked.“In U.S....