Latest AM Best Headlines

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

New Markets

Jul 20 2009 // The following markets were selected from the MyNewMarkets database of 25,000 coverages and programs. To find additional markets, or to submit markets, go to www.MyNewMarkets.com.Nursing Homes/Assisted Living...

Employers Direct Stops Writing Workers’ Comp Insurance in California

Jul 20 2009 // Citing the strain of escalating medical costs on the workers’ compensation system, increasingly intense price competition, and the uncertainty over the sustainability of the 2003-2004 legislative reforms due to...

Property/Casualty Industry’s Earnings Down 87% in Q1

Jul 20 2009 // The U.S. property/casualty industry’s net income fell 87 percent to $1.2 billion in the first three months of 2009, according to A.M. Best.“The year-over-year decline in earnings was due primarily to the severe...

Ratings: Ocaso, HSB Engineering, Accident & General, Consumer Services, Royal Bank of Canada

Jul 16 2009 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A+’ (Superior) and the issuer credit rating of “aa-” of Spain’s Ocaso, S.A. Seguros y Reaseguros, both with stable outlooks....

Best Affirms Lloyd’s ‘A’ Ratings

Jul 14 2009 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a+” of Lloyd’s of London and Lloyd’s Reinsurance Company (China)...

A.M. Best: P/C Industry’s Earnings Down 87% in Q1

Jul 9 2009 // The U.S. property/casualty industry’s net income fell 87 percent to $1.2 billion in the first three months of 2009 according to A.M. Best.“The year-over-year decline in earnings was due primarily to the severe...

Ratings Recap: Argus, Leadway, Scandinavia

Jul 8 2009 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘A-‘ (Excellent) from ‘A’ (Excellent) and assigned issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” to Argus Group Holdings Limited...

New Markets

Jul 6 2009 // The following markets were selected from the MyNewMarkets database of 25,000 coverages and programs. To find additional markets, or to submit markets, go to www.MyNewMarkets.com.Fire & Water Restoration...

Employers Direct Stops Writing Workers’ Comp Insurance in California

Jul 1 2009 // Citing the strain of escalating medical costs on the workers’ compensation system, increasingly intense price competition, and the uncertainty over the sustainability of the 2003-2004 legislative reforms due to...

Ratings Roundup: CastlePoint, Doctors, Meadowbrook

Jun 29 2009 // A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” to CastlePoint Florida Insurance Company with stable outlooks. “CFIC is a newly...

Ratings: Argo Re, Heddington, La Colonial, Trinidad & Tobago, Lancashire, Brit

Jun 25 2009 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of Bermuda-based Argo Re Ltd. and its U.S. subsidiaries. Best also affirmed the ICR...

Ratings Roundup: Plymouth Rock, American Sterling, Mercer, Iron Horse, Agrinational, Intrepid

Jun 25 2009 // 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 Plymouth Rock Assurance Group...

Ratings Recap: Continental Re, Best Meridian, Al Fajer, Caisse Centrale Re

Jun 22 2009 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B’ (Fair) and issuer credit rating of “bb+” of Nigeria’s Continental Reinsurance Plc, both with stable outlooks. “The ratings...

Ratings Recap: Argus, Universal No. Am., DTRIC, Knights of Columbus

Jun 22 2009 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to ‘D’ (Poor) from ‘C-‘ (Weak) and issuer credit rating to “c” from “ccc-” of Florida-based Argus Fire &...

A.M. Best Lower Outlook for Boston’s Plymouth Rock Assurance Corp.

Jun 19 2009 // A.M. Best has revised the outlook to negative for Boston-based insurer Plymouth Rock Assurance Group.Despite the outlook downgrade, A.M. Best Co. affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit...

A.M. Best Downgrades State Farm Florida; Outlook Negative

Jun 18 2009 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B (Fair) from B+ (Good) and issuer credit rating to “bb” from “bbb-” of State Farm Florida Insurance Co.The rating agency’s...

Ratings: Everest Re (Ireland), Bosna Re, Peace Hills, Farmers (NZ), Swiss Re (debt), Optimum

Jun 18 2009 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has assigned its ‘A+’ counterparty credit and financial strength ratings to Everest Reinsurance Co. (Ireland) Ltd. S&P also said the outlook on Everest Re...

Florida’s Argus Insurance Downgraded by A.M. Best

Jun 18 2009 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to D (Poor) from C- (Weak) and issuer credit rating to “c” from “ccc-” of Argus Fire & Casualty Insurance Co. of North Miami Beach,...

New Markets

Jun 15 2009 // The following markets were selected from the MyNewMarkets database of 25,000 coverages and programs. To find additional markets, or to submit markets, go to www.MyNewMarkets.com.Contractors General Liability Market Detail:...

Ratings Recap: AXA Art, National Interstate, ProMutual, Clearwater

Jun 10 2009 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a+” of AXA Art Insurance Corporation, which is based in New York City. The outlook for both...