Latest AM Best Headlines

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

A.M. Best Upgrades Rating for The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Co., Subs

Feb 1 2005 // A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to A++ (Superior) from A+ (Superior) of Connecticut-based The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company (HSB) and its three group rated...

A.M. Best Affirms Ratings for Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Group; Outlook Stable

Jan 27 2005 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings of A++ (Superior) of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Group (SFB) (Ridgeland, Miss.). The rating outlook has been revised to stable from negative. Concurrently, A.M....

Best Assigns Rating for Lloyd’s Syndicate 1225

Jan 27 2005 // A.M. Best Co. has assigned a Best’s Syndicate Rating of A (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” to Lloyd’s Syndicate 1225 (United Kingdom), which is managed by AEGIS Managing Agency...

Best, S&P Announce Rating Actions on ACE Ltd. and Subs after Reserve Increase

Jan 7 2005 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services came down a bit harder on ACE Limited’s ratings than A.M. Best following the announcement that the company would increase its reserves for asbestos and environmental...

Best Downgrades Rating for Cayman General Insurance

Dec 30 2004 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B- (Fair) from A- (Excellent) of Cayman General Insurance Company Limited (Cayman General) (Cayman Islands). The rating remains under review with negative...

A.M. Best Affirms HSB (UK) ‘A+’ Rating

Dec 23 2004 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed the financial strength rating of “A+” (Excellent) of U.K. based HSB Engineering Insurance Limited (HSBEIL) with a stable outlook. Best said it “regards HSBEIL...

A.M. Best Special Report Says Canadian Group Accident and Sickness Writers Get Bigger

Dec 20 2004 // The consolidation within the group accident and sickness market has created integration challenges for the surviving group accident and sickness writers, according to a special report by the A.M. Best Co. The Canadian life...

Best Affirms Lloyd’s Syndicates 623 and 2623 Ratings; Beazley Group Ratings

Dec 17 2004 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed its Syndicate Rating of “A “(Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a+” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 623 and Lloyd’s Syndicate 2623, which...

Best Affirms Lloyd’s Syndicate 958 ‘A’ Rating

Dec 17 2004 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed its Syndicate Rating of “A” (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of “a+” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 958, which is managed by Omega Underwriting...

Best Downgrades Rating for Groupama S.A.

Dec 16 2004 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to A (Excellent) from A+ (Superior) of Groupama S.A. (Groupama) (France). At the same time, A.M. Best has assigned an issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a”...

A.M. Best Places The Proformance Insurance Co. Under Review with Negative Implications

Dec 14 2004 // A.M. Best Co. has placed the financial strength rating of B (Fair) of The Proformance Insurance Company (Proformance) (Freehold, N.J.) under review with negative implications. This action reflects the deterioration of...

A.M. Best Affirms Rating for Compania Internacional de Seguros S.A.; Outlook is Stable

Dec 10 2004 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of B++ (Very Good) of Compania Internacional de Seguros S.A. (IS) (Panama). The rating outlook is stable. This rating reflects IS’ solid capitalization,...

A.M. Best Finds Improved Earnings Boost P/C Industry’s Surplus Position

Dec 6 2004 // The capital surplus for U.S. property casualty insurers increased by 21.8 percent in 2003, fueled by “vastly improved operating earnings” and a big boost in unrealized capital gains, according to A. M. Best...

Best Study Finds P/C Industry “Well Capitalized;” 21.8% Increase in Surplus

Dec 6 2004 // A special report released by A.M. Best Co. cites “vastly improved operating earnings” recorded in 2003 and a considerable boost from unrealized capital gains, as fueling a 21.8 percent increase in the U.S....

States Reach $120 Million Claims Agreement with UnumProvident

Dec 6 2004 // A multi-state settlement with UnumProvident Corp. over its disputed handling of disability claims would cost the firm more than $120 million to comply and require it to review more than seven years of claims. It also calls...

Best Affirms Lloyd’s Syndicate 570 ‘A’ Ratings

Dec 1 2004 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed the Best’s Syndicate Rating of “A” (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 570, which is managed by Atrium...

Best Affirms Lloyd’s Syndicate 609 ‘A’ Ratings

Dec 1 2004 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed the Syndicate Rating of “A” (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of “a+” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 609, which is managed by Atrium Underwriters...

Best Affirms Lloyd’s Syndicate 2001 ‘A’ Ratings

Nov 24 2004 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed its “A” (Excellent) Syndicate Rating and the issuer credit rating of “a+” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 2001, which is managed by Amlin Underwriting Limited...

Best Assigns FSR to Wellington Specialty

Nov 24 2004 // A.M. Best Co. has assigned an initial financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a-” to Wellington Specialty Insurance Company (Scottsdale, Ariz.) (Wellington Specialty), a...

Best Affirms Ratings of Lloyd’s Syndicate 510

Nov 19 2004 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed its Syndicate Rating of “A” (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a+” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 510, which is managed by the U.K.-based R J...