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. A complete list of Best's Credit Rating Methodologies 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 Assigns Ratings to Gateway Rivers Insurance Company: Date: February 3, 2012     A.M. Best Requests Comment on Draft Criteria Reports: Rating Protected Cell Companies & Life Settlement Securitization: Date: February 3, 2012     A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries: Date: February 3, 2012     A.M. Best Withdraws Ratings of Mhealth Insurance Company : Date: February 2, 2012     A.M. Best Revises Outlook to Stable for Universal Insurance Company: Date: February 2, 2012     A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of La Colonial, S.A. Compania de Seguros: Date: February 1, 2012     A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of The Progressive Corporation and Its Subsidiaries: Date: February 1, 2012     A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of InterGlobal Insurance Company Limited: Date: February 1, 2012     A.M. Best Revises Outlook to Negative for COUNTRY Financial Group and Its Members: Date: February 1, 2012     A.M. Best Upgrades Ratings of FBL Financial Group, Inc.; Removes Ratings From Under Review: Date: February 1, 2012     » View more

Industry Research Use our Advanced Search for more options. 2012 Special Report: U.S. Health – Issue Review. Tracking Health Insurers Across a Shifting Landscape: Date: January 23, 2012     2012 Special Report: U.S. Property/Casualty & Life/Health – Impairment Review. P/C Impairments Continue Climb; L/H Rate Remains Low, For Now: Date: January 23, 2012     2012 Statistical Study: U.S. Property/Casualty – 9-Month Total Assets – 2011: Date: January 16, 2012     2012 Statistical Study: U.S. Life/Health – 9-Month Capital & Surplus – 2011: Date: January 16, 2012     2012 Statistical Study: U.S. Life/Health – 9-Month Admitted Assets – 2011: Date: January 16, 2012     » View more News Use our Advanced Search for more options. A.M. Best Assigns Ratings to Gateway Rivers Insurance Company: Date: February 3, 2012     A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries: Date: February 3, 2012     A.M. Best: Underpricing a Prime Cause of Impairment: Date: February 2, 2012     A.M. Best Withdraws Ratings of Mhealth Insurance Company: Date: February 2, 2012     A.M. Best Revises Outlook to Stable for Universal Insurance Company: Date: February 2, 2012     » View more