Latest AM Best Headlines
All the headlines from our AM Best Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Catastrophe Frequency, Tornadoes Test Insurers in U.S.: A.M. Best
Mar 15 2012 // According to A.M. Best Co., the frequency of catastrophe weather events represents the “new normal” for the insurance industry. “The insurance industry continues to be tested as catastrophic weather...
Ratings Recap: CIS (Panama), Guild, Eurasia, Halyk-Kazakhinstrakh
Mar 5 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” of Panama’s Compania Internacional de Seguros S.A. (CIS), both with stable...
Iowa-Based Petroleum Marketers Management Insurance Upgraded
Feb 28 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to A- (Excellent) from B++ (Good) and issuer credit rating to “a-” from “bbb+” of Petroleum Marketers Management Insurance Company (PMMIC) of...
A.M. Best to Open Branch in Dubai for Middle East, Africa, Asia
Feb 21 2012 // Rating agency A.M. Best’s London office said it has obtained the necessary approvals to establish a branch operation in the Dubai International Financial Center in Dubai, UAE. The new office will serve Middle...
Ratings: Concord Group, Mountain States, Atradius Trade Credit, Young America
Feb 14 2012 // 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 Concord Group Insurance Pool and its...
P/C Insurers’ Combined Ratio for 2011 Estimated at 107.5%
Feb 6 2012 // The U.S. property/casualty (P/C) industry reported its largest underwriting loss since 2006 and saw its operating performance deteriorate sharply in 2011, as catastrophe-related losses throughout the year wreaked...
A.M. Best Downgrades Florida’s FFVA Mutual to A-
Feb 1 2012 // A.M. best has downgraded the financial ratings of FFVA Mutual Insurance Co. due to underwriting losses on its workers’ compensation line of business, especially in states where it expanded outside of Florida. A.M....
A.M. Best Downgrades Peachtree Casualty Due to Florida Auto Results
Jan 30 2012 // A.M. Best has downgraded the financial ratings of Peachtree Casualty Insurance Co., citing the insurer’s poor underwriting results due in part to rising costs associated with Florida’s troubled no-fault...
Ratings Roundup: Montpelier US, Medico, First Sealord, Pathfinder
Jan 24 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘A+’ (Superior) from ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to “aa-” from “a-” of Montpelier US...
A Tale of Two P/C Insurance Segments From A.M. Best
Jan 23 2012 // A.M. Best Co. issued a stable 2012 outlook for P/C personal lines segment. That implies that the majority of 2012 rating actions for this segment are likely to be affirmations, with a fairly balanced distribution of...
2012 Commercial Lines Ratings Outlook Negative: A.M. Best
Jan 9 2012 // The rating outlook for U.S. commercial property/casualty insurance remains negative, while the outlook for personal lines is stable, according to a briefing from A.M. Best Co. The ratings firm said it continues to maintain...
Ratings of Dallas-Based Gramercy Insurance Co. Downgraded
Dec 29 2011 // The ratings of Dallas-based commercial property/casualty insurance company Gramercy Insurance Co. (GIC) have been downgraded by A.M. Best Co. The company’s financial strength rating was lowered to B (Fair) from B+...
Ratings Recap: Evergreen Re, Asian Re, Toa Re, Meritz
Dec 27 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a” of Bermuda-based Evergreen Reinsurance Company, Ltd. (ERCL), both with stable outlooks....
Ratings: Transsib Re, Tokio Marine Pacific, MAPFRE Panama, Union Nationale, Sovereign (NZ), Labuan Re, Tugu, ARIG
Dec 22 2011 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has upgraded the issuer credit rating to “bb+” from “bb” and affirmed the financial strength rating of B (Fair) of Russia’s OJSC Transsiberian...
A.M. Best Downgrades Ratings of Austin Mutual Insurance
Dec 20 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B++ (Good) from A- (Excellent) and issuer credit rating to “bbb” from “a-” of Austin Mutual Insurance Company (AM) in Maple Grove, Minn....
Best Puts Fireman’s Fund Companies on Review/Negative; Affirms Ratings
Dec 20 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has placed under review with negative implications and has also affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a+” of...
Ratings Roundup: BEST Re, BCRe, TUCI
Dec 13 2011 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” of Malaysia’s BEST RE (L) Limited, both with stable...
Ratings: Bahrain Kuwait, Twin Bridges/Majestic, GTA Assur, Bahamas First, swisspartners (SPV & SPC)
Nov 28 2011 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” to Bahrain Kuwait Insurance Company B. S. C. (BKIC), both...
Ratings Recap: Standard Casualty, Grinnell, Erie & Niagara, Northwest GF Mutual
Nov 23 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to ‘A-‘ (Excellent) from ‘B++’ (Good) and issuer credit rating to “a-” from “bbb” of Texas-based Standard Casualty...
Ratings Recap: BEST RE, Garant, ZEP-RE, East Africa Re, Custodian
Nov 23 2011 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A- ‘(Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” of Malaysia-based BEST RE Family (L) Limited, both with...
