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The ratings that the major rating agencies assign to insurance companies are listed below:
Name of the Insurance Rating Service |
| |
| Quality Level |
A.M. Best |
Standard & Poor's |
Duff & Phelps |
Moody's |
Weiss |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Superior |
A+, A++ |
AAA |
AAA |
AAA |
|
| Excellent |
A |
AA+ |
AA+ |
AA1 |
A |
| |
A- |
AA |
AA |
AA2 |
|
| |
|
AA- |
AA- |
AA3 |
|
| Good |
B++ |
A+ |
A+ |
A1 |
B |
| |
B+ |
A |
A |
A2 |
|
| |
|
A- |
A- |
A3 |
|
| Adequate |
B |
BBB+ |
BBB+ |
BAA1 |
C |
| |
B- |
BBB |
BBB |
BAA2 |
|
| |
|
BBB- |
BBB- |
BAA3 |
|
| Below Average |
C++ |
BB+ |
BB+ |
BA1 |
D |
| |
C+ |
BB |
BB |
BA2 |
|
| |
|
BB- |
BB- |
BA3 |
|
| Financially Weak |
C |
B+ |
B- |
B1 |
E |
| |
C- |
B |
B |
B2 |
|
| |
|
B- |
B- |
B3 |
|
| Nonviable |
D, E, DL |
CCC |
CCC |
CAA |
F |
| |
F, D/E |
CC.D |
CC.D |
CA.C |
|
| |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
|
| Unrated |
|
|
|
|
U |
Each rating service uses its own criteria. Private ratings are therefore only opinions and carry no guarantee of accuracy. However, such ratings can provide you with some information about how private analysts view the financial condition of particular insurance companies.
You can obtain those ratings by phone, mail or via the Internet. Two of the services charge for the information. Many local libraries also subscribe to Best's Insurance Reports. When checking with a rating agency, be sure to ask for an explanation of its criteria so that you can fully understand the rating assigned to a particular company. You might also want to compare prior year ratings for that company. Listed below are five rating services which can provide rating information on insurance companies.
A.M. Best
A.M. Best provides free ratings for up to three companies per call at (908) 439-2200 ext. 5742. Unlimited ratings can be accessed via their web address at www.ambest.com/bestline. A.M. Best also provides information for the following fees: printed copy of the rating for $4.95; and full report of the company for $35.00.
Fitch
Fitch provides free ratings for up to five companies per call at (800) 893-4824. Ratings are also available via their website at www.fitchratings.com.
Moody's
Moody's provides free ratings for up to five companies per call at (212) 553-0377. Unlimited ratings can be accessed via their web address at www.moodys.com.
Standard & Poor's
Standard & Poor's provides free ratings for up to five companies per call at (212) 438-2400, or ten companies per e-mail at ratingsrequest@standardandpoors.com. Website: www2.standardandpoors.com.
Weiss Research
Weiss provides some of their ratings on their website at www.weissratings.com. Weiss also provides information for the following fees: phone report on a single company $15; a one-page written report for $25; an in-depth report for $45. They can be reached at (800) 289-9222.
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