A.M. Best Ratings Explained
A comprehensive guide to understanding the importance of A.M. Best ratings explained for insurance consumers and making informed coverage decisions. Learn how A.M. Best, a leading rating agency, evaluates the financial strength and creditworthiness of insurance companies. Discover the meaning behind each rating and how it can impact your insurance choices.
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Professor & Published Author
D. Gilson is a writer and author of essays, poetry, and scholarship that explore the relationship between popular culture, literature, sexuality, and memoir. His latest book is Jesus Freak, with Will Stockton, part of Bloomsbury’s 33 1/3 Series. His other books include I Will Say This Exactly One Time and Crush. His first chapbook, Catch & Release, won the 2012 Robin Becker Prize from S...
D. Gilson, PhD
Licensed Insurance Agent
Kristine Lee is a licensed insurance agent and one of The Zebra’s in-house content strategists. With a background in copywriting, she covers the ins and outs of the home and car insurance industries. She has been a contributor to numerous publications focused on the nuances of insurance, including on The Points Guy.
Kristine Lee
Updated January 2025
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on A.M. Best Ratings Explained, where we delve into the intricacies of insurance company ratings.
Understanding the significance of A.M. Best ratings is crucial when making informed insurance decisions. In this article, we cover key topics such as how A.M. Best evaluates financial strength, the meaning behind different ratings, and why ratings can change over time.
We also address what to do if a company lacks a rating and provide a persuasive call-to-action for users to enter their zip code and compare rates from top insurance providers. By accessing our free quote tool, you can ensure you’re choosing the best insurance coverage tailored to your needs. Let’s dive into the world of A.M. Best ratings and empower yourself to make confident insurance choices.
Understanding A.M. Best Ratings: A Comprehensive Guide
The A.M. Best rating system evaluates the financial strength and creditworthiness of insurance companies, providing essential information for consumers and stakeholders. Utilizing the A.M. Best rating guide and A.M. Best rating scale, these ratings, such as A.M. Best insurer ratings and A.M. Best insurance ratings reviews, offer a comprehensive assessment, aiding in an insurance company ratings comparison.
The A.M. Best ratings for insurance companies are crucial for understanding a company’s stability, with specific assessments like A.M. Best life insurance ratings and A.M. Best credit ratings. The A.M. Best ratings chart visually represents these evaluations, making it easier for users to grasp the distinctions and reliability of different insurers.
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A.M. Best Reporting: Navigating the Landscape
What do A.M. Best’s Letter Gradations mean?
| A++ and A+ | Superior | Companies with either of these ratings are among the top-rated in the industry. |
| A and A- | Excellent | These companies show a high degree of stability and a positive long-term outlook. |
| B++ and B+ | Good | These companies are stable but have room for improvement. The long-term outlook may be unsure. |
| B and B- | Fair | While currently stable, these companies have a lot of room for financial improvement. Companies rated below a B+ may not be the best choices for long-term insurance policies but may be suitable for short-term policies such as car insurance. |
| C++ and C+ | Marginal | Indicates that the company is going through some sort of financial turmoil. Consumer investment should only be made with extreme caution. Investors may be more interested in this rating because it shows the potential for future gains. |
| C and C- | Weak | Indicates a company that is going through financial problems of one sort or another. Not a good choice for purchasing an insurance policy. |
| D | Poor | This company has suffered some sort of major financial stress and is currently on shaky financial ground. Companies with a rating of D may not be suitable for insurance purchases or long-term investments. |
| E | Under regulatory supervision | Indicates a company that is being investigated or administrated by an outside agency. |
| F | In liquidation | Indicates a company that is being liquidated to pay debts. An F-rated company is probably not allowed to sell insurance products, and would not be a wise investment. |
| S | Suspended | This company, for whatever reason, is no longer accepting new customers or investments. |
What does it mean if an insurance carrier doesn’t have a rating?
Just because you cannot find a rating for any particular company from this rating agency, do not assume that the company is insolvent or even in poor financial health. There are many reasons why a rating may not be available, including the company is a subsidiary of a larger firm, lack of current information during the rating update, or company changes in name or ownership.
Other major rating agencies may have insight into the performance of a specific company; you can also turn to the BBB Business Profile of a particular insurance provider. This could be a good indicator of whether a provider will have the ability and financial strength to sustain its ongoing insurance operations, provide insurance coverage, and fulfilling its insurance obligations. You can look for signs of poor operating performance or financial performance.
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Why do ratings change often?
Ratings for insurance have to be updated frequently in order to be kept up to date. Companies that have less than perfect ratings but which are known to be going through restructuring, selling portions of the company, or other financial transactions may be slated for a rating upgrade soon. It is not unusual for a rating to drop during a tumultuous economic season, and such temporary downgrades seldom last more than one or two rating periods.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How are insurance companies rated?
Insurance companies are rated based on their financial strength and creditworthiness.
How does A.M. Best rating work?
A.M. Best ratings assess an insurance company’s financial strength and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders.
How often are A.M. Best ratings updated?
A.M. Best ratings are typically updated annually, but they can be revised more frequently if there are significant changes in a company’s financial condition.
How to find insurance company ratings?
Insurance company ratings can be found on the websites of rating agencies like A.M. Best, Moody’s, and Standard & Poor’s.
What are the A.M. Best ratings?
A.M. Best ratings are evaluations of insurance companies’ financial strength and creditworthiness.
What are the A.M. Best ratings scale?
The A.M. Best ratings scale ranges from “A++” (Superior) to “F” (In Liquidation).
What does A.M. Best rating mean?
An A.M. Best rating indicates an insurance company’s financial strength and its ability to fulfill its financial obligations to policyholders.
What is A.M. Best insurance rating?
A.M. Best insurance ratings assess the financial stability and creditworthiness of insurance companies.
What is an insurance company’s A.M. Best rating based on?
An insurance company’s A.M. Best rating is based on its financial performance, business profile, and risk management practices.
Which of the following A.M. Best insurance ratings is cause for concern?
An A.M. Best rating of “B” or lower may be cause for concern as it suggests a lower level of financial stability.
What is the foremost A.M. Best rating?
How to read A.M. Best rating?
What is the highest rating on A.M. Best?
Who are the competitors of A.M. Best?
What is the A.M. Best rating for Bamboo insurance?
Is B ++ a good A.M. Best rating?
What is the lowest A.M. Best rating?
What is the primary purpose of A.M. Best rating?
Who is the owner of A.M. Best?
What is the A.M. Best rating for farmers insurance companies?
How is A.M. Best rating calculated?
What is the A.M. Best rating for AAA?
Is an A.M. Best rating of a good?
What is a rating criteria?
What is National General A.M. Best rating?
What is selective A.M. Best rating?
Who are the competitors of A.M. General?
What is the A.M. Best level?
What is the risk point A.M. Best rating?
How are A.M. Best ratings determined?
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