Best's Credit Ratings

A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating agency dedicated to serving the insurance industry. It began assigning credit ratings in 1906, making it the first of today's rating agencies to use symbols to differentiate the relative creditworthiness of companies.

Best's Credit Ratings are independent opinions regarding the creditworthiness of an issuer or debt obligation. Best's Credit Ratings are based on a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a company's balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile, or, where appropriate, the specific nature and details of a debt security. The complete Best's Credit Rating Methodology is available.

A.M. Best assigns the following types of ratings:

• Best's Financial Strength Rating - an independent opinion of an insurer's financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations. This rating is assigned to insurance companies.
• Best's Issuer Credit Rating - an independent opinion of an issuer/entity's ability to meet its ongoing senior financial obligations. This rating is assigned to insurance companies and related holding companies and other legal entities authorized to issue financial obligations.
• Best's Debt Rating - an independent opinion of an issuer's ability to meet its ongoing financial obligations to security holders when due. This rating is assigned to the debt securities and insurance-linked securities transactions of the entities rated by A.M. Best.

For more detailed information regarding each of these types of ratings, read our guides for Financial Strength, Issuer Credit, or Debt Ratings.

Best's Credit Ratings are not a warranty, nor are they a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities, insurance policies, contracts or any other financial obligations, nor do they address the suitability of any particular financial obligation for a specific purpose or purchaser. For complete details, read this Important Notice.

Usage of Best's Ratings

Best's Credit Ratings are proprietary and may not be reproduced without permission from A.M. Best. A company assigned a Best's Credit Rating should review the Guide to Proper Use, which outlines the acceptable parameters of the use of these ratings.
All queries regarding the use of proprietary information or to obtain a licensing agreement or a letter of consent should be directed to:

A.M. Best Company, Office of Intellectual Property, Ambest Road, Oldwick, New Jersey 08858
Phone: 908-439-2200, extension 5644 or e-mail James.Peavy@ambest.com.

View our Legal and Licensing information for details on the use of A.M. Best trademarks, logos and service marks.

Rating Activity, Research and News

The following sections outline the most recent coverage of Best's Ratings, related News articles, Special Reports & Statistical Studies. For complete news coverage, visit our NewsRoom.

Rating Activity & Announcements Use our Advanced Search for more options. A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Jupiter Insurance Limited: Date: May 18, 2012     A.M. Best Downgrades Ratings of Gramercy Insurance Company: Date: May 18, 2012     A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Ardellis Insurance Ltd.: Date: May 18, 2012     A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Premera Blue Cross and Its Subsidiaries : Date: May 18, 2012     A.M. Best Affirms FSR & Downgrades ICRs of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company & Its Operating Subsidiaries: Date: May 18, 2012     A.M. Best Downgrades and Places Ratings of Cooperativa de Seguros de Vida de Puerto Rico Under Review With Negative Implications: Date: May 18, 2012     A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Flagstone Reassurance Suisse S.A.: Date: May 18, 2012     A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Consumer Insurance Services Limited: Date: May 18, 2012     A.M. Best Revises Outlook to Stable for Ratings of Builders Insurance (A Mutual Captive Company) and Its Subsidiaries : Date: May 18, 2012     A.M. Best Revises Outlook of Issuer Credit Rating to Positive for Trans-Oceanic Life Insurance Company : Date: May 18, 2012     » View more

Industry Research Use our Advanced Search for more options. 2012 Special Report: Brazil Non-Life – Market Review. Brazil’s Economy Fuels Pace for Growing Insurance Market: Date: May 21, 2012     2012 Special Report: U.S. Life – Issue Review. Universal Life Secondary Guarantees Generate Increasing Risk Profile: Date: May 14, 2012     2012 Best’s Briefing: London Market. London Market Insurers Tested Ruthlessly in 2011: Date: May 11, 2012     2012 Special Report: U.S. Medical Professional Liability – Segment Review. Medical Professional Liability Outperforms, But Is This Sustainable?: Date: May 1, 2012     2012 Special Report: Global Reinsurance – Financial Review. Reinsurers Resilient Against Waves of Catastrophes, Economic Uncertainty: Date: April 23, 2012     » View more News Use our Advanced Search for more options. A.M. Best Downgrades Ratings of Gramercy Insurance Company: Date: May 18, 2012     A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Premera Blue Cross and Its Subsidiaries: Date: May 18, 2012     A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Ardellis Insurance Ltd.: Date: May 18, 2012     A.M. Best Downgrades and Places Ratings of Cooperativa de Seguros de Vida de Puerto Rico Under Review With Negative Implications: Date: May 18, 2012     A.M. Best Affirms FSR & Downgrades ICRs of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company & Its Operating Subsidiaries: Date: May 18, 2012     » View more