Articles from AM Best

AM Best has assigned Preliminary Credit Assessments (PCA) to MIEC Mutual Risk Retention Group (MIEC Mutual RRG) (Washington, DC), a new insurance vehicle managed by Medical Insurance Exchange of California (MIEC), with a Financial Strength Assessment of A- pca (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Assessment of “a-” pca (Excellent). The assigned outlook to the PCAs is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior), the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “aa-” (Superior) and the Mexico National Scale Rating of “aaa.MX” (Exceptional) of Compañía de Seguros Generales Everest Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Everest Mexico) (Mexico City, Mexico). The outlook for these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa-” (Superior) of the operating subsidiaries of Everest Group, Ltd. (Bermuda) (collectively referred to as Everest). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICRs of “a-” (Excellent) of Everest Group, Ltd. and Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc. (Delaware). Additionally, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR) of Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed listing of the companies and ratings.)

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a” (Excellent) of the property/casualty (P/C) and life/health (L/H) members of Horace Mann Educators Corporation (HMEC) (headquartered in Springfield, IL) [NYSE: HMN]. Additionally, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “bbb” (Good) of HMEC and the associated Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IRs). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed list of the subsidiaries and Long-Term IRs.)

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A++ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of “aa+” (Superior) of Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian Life) (New York, NY) and its core subsidiaries, The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. (Wilmington, DE) and Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America (Pittsfield, MA) (together referred to as Guardian). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR) of “aa-” (Superior) of Guardian Life’s surplus notes, and the Long-Term IRs of “aa+” (Superior) of Guardian Life Global Funding’s medium-term notes, which are backed by funding agreements issued by Guardian Life. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed listing of the Long-Term IRs.)

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a-” (Excellent) of Accredited Specialty Insurance Company (Phoenix, AZ), Accredited Surety and Casualty Company, Inc. (Orlando, FL) and Accredited Insurance (Europe) Limited (Malta), collectively known as Accredited. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. Concurrently, AM Best has assigned an FSR of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term ICR of “a-” (Excellent) to Accredited Insurance (UK) Limited (United Kingdom). The outlook assigned to these ratings is stable.

AM Best has removed from under review with developing implications and upgraded the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to “bbb+” (Good) from “bbb” (Good) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) of Gulf Guaranty Life Insurance Company (Gulf Guaranty Life) (Flowood, MS). The outlooks assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) of Cathay Century Insurance Company Limited (Cathay Century) (Taiwan). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) of COSCO SHIPPING Captive Insurance Co., Ltd. (COSCO SHIPPING Captive) (China). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of China BOCOM Insurance Company Limited (CBIC) (Hong Kong). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A- (Excellent) from B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “a-” (Excellent) from “bbb+” (Good) of Hotai Insurance Co., Ltd. (Hotai Insurance) (Taiwan). Concurrently, AM Best has revised the outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) to stable from positive.

AM Best is a sponsor at the Managing General Agents’ Association’s (MGAA) Capacity Exchange event, which will take place 17 September 2025 at Banking Hall in London.

AM Best will participate in the Pacific Insurance Conference, which will take place 23-25 September 2025 in Seoul.

AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating to B (Fair) from B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “bb” (Fair) from “bbb-” (Good) of Mountain Life Insurance Company (Mountain Life) (headquartered in Lexington, KY). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has revised the outlooks to negative from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) of The Harford Mutual Insurance Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries: Firstline Insurance Company; 1842 Insurance Company; and Clearpath Insurance Company. All companies are domiciled in Bel Air, MD, and collectively referred to as Harford Mutual Insurance Group (HMIG) or the group.

AM Best has placed under review with developing implications the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb+” (Good) of CL Life and Annuity Insurance Company (CL Life) (Fort Worth, Texas).

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of Trinidad & Tobago Insurance Limited (TATIL) (Trinidad and Tobago). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

Video playback is now available for a complimentary webinar, titled, “Inside Today’s Surplus Lines Market,” hosted by AM Best and sponsored by the WSIA Education Foundation. Access it here.

AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “bbb” (Good) of Palomar Holdings, Inc. (Palomar) (Delaware) [NASDAQ: PLMR], the ultimate parent and insurance holding company of Palomar Specialty Insurance Company (PSIC) (Portland, OR), Palomar Excess and Surplus Insurance Company (PESIC) (Phoenix, AZ) and Palomar Specialty Reinsurance Company Bermuda Ltd. (Palomar Re) (Bermuda). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a” (Excellent) of PSIC, PESIC and Palomar Re. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. At the same time, AM Best has revised the outlook to positive from stable and affirmed the FSR of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a-” (Excellent) of First Indemnity of America Insurance Company (FIA) (Morris Plains, NJ), a wholly owned subsidiary of Palomar as of January 2025.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good), the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” (Good), and the Vietnam National Scale Rating (NSR) of aaa.VN (Exceptional) of Petrolimex Insurance Corporation (PJICO) (Vietnam). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bb” (Fair) of Fidelidade Moçambique – Companhia de Seguros, S.A. (Fid Moz) (Mozambique). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) of Jupiter Insurance Limited (Jupiter) (Guernsey), a captive insurer of BP p.l.c. (bp) [NYSE: BP], an integrated global energy company. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb+” (Good) of Autosure Insurance Limited (Autosure) (formerly known as DPL Insurance Limited) (New Zealand). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The U.S. property/casualty (P/C) industry recorded $11.2 billion in net underwriting income in the first half of 2025, a significant improvement from the $2.9 billion posted in the same prior-year period, according to a new AM Best report.

AM Best has assigned a Long-Term Issue Credit Rating of “bbb+” (Good) to Elevance Health Inc.’s (Elevance Health) (headquartered in Indianapolis, IN) newly issued senior unsecured notes of $750 million, 4.0% senior unsecured notes, due 2028; $750 million, 4.6% senior unsecured notes, due 2032; $1 billion, 5.0% senior unsecured notes, due 2036; and $500 million, 5.7% senior unsecured notes, due 2055. The outlook assigned to this Credit Rating is stable.

AM Best has maintained the under review with developing implications status for the Financial Strength of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb+” (Good) of First Insurance Company (SFIC) (Jordan).

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a” (Excellent) of the members of Liberty Mutual Holding Company Inc. (LMHC) (Boston, MA). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICRs of “bbb” (Good) of LMHC and its wholly owned subsidiary, Liberty Mutual Group Inc. (LMGI) (Boston, MA), as well as the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR) of LMHC. The members of LMHC are collectively referred to as Liberty Mutual. Additionally, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a” (Excellent) of Nationale Borg Reinsurance N.V. (NB Re) (Willemstad, Curacao.) The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See link below for a detailed listing of the companies and ratings.)

AM Best has maintained the under review with developing implications status for the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb+” (Good) of Solidarity Bahrain B.S.C. (Solidarity Bahrain) (Bahrain).

AM Best will host its first-ever market briefing in São Paulo to discuss its outlook on Brazil’s reinsurance segment, as well as present on the credit rating agency’s recently launched National Scale Ratings for Brazil. The event is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, from 3:00–6:00p.m. (BRT) at The Renaissance São Paulo in Brazil.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A++ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICRs) of “aa+” (Superior) of Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (TMNF) (Japan) and its subsidiaries. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed listing of the U.S. subsidiaries.)

AM Best has maintained the under review with developing implications status for the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb+” (Good) of Bahrain National Insurance Company B.S.C. (c) (BNI) (Bahrain).

AM Best has revised the outlooks to stable from negative for the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term ICRs of “bbb+” (Good) of New London County Mutual Insurance Company, Hingham Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Thames Insurance Company, Inc. and Danbury Insurance Company, which operate under an intercompany pooling agreement and are collectively referred to as NLC Insurance Companies Pool (NLC) (Norwich, CT). The outlook of the FSR is stable.

Total U.S. surplus lines direct premiums written (DPW) reached another record level at nearly $130 billion with a year-over-year increase of 12.3%, notching the seventh straight year of double-digit premium growth for non-admitted insurers, according to a new AM Best report.

AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb+” (Good) to RAM Mutual Insurance Company (RAM) (Esko, MN). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

A composite of top global reinsurers appears headed toward meeting their cost of capital in 2025, unless the market experiences an additional $16 billion in net reinsurance losses between now and year end, according to a new AM Best report.

Second paragraph, first sentence of release dated August 29, 2025, should read: "...via a wholly owned subsidiary, has entered..." (instead of "...a wholly owned subsidiary, has entered...").

Although insurance penetration in Latin America remains low, the demand for reinsurance capacity is strengthening owing to a wide variety of natural perils.

AM Best will sponsor and exhibit at NAMIC’s 130th Annual Convention at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, CA, Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, 2025. Conference attendees can visit booth 401 to receive information about AM Best, its role in the insurance industry and the resources it offers to insurance professionals, including Best’s Credit Ratings and products such as:

AM Best analysts will present the credit rating agency’s 2026 outlook on the global delegated underwriting authority enterprises (DUAEs) segment, as well as host a panel discussion with industry experts on key developments and trends in the DUAE market. The briefing is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 2:30–6:00p.m. EST at Convene 530 Fifth Avenue in New York.

The September issue of Best’s Review examines mutual insurers:

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa” (Superior) of Aflac Life Insurance Japan, Ltd. (Japan) (Aflac Japan), American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Omaha, NE), American Family Life Assurance Company of New York (Albany, NY) and Continental American Insurance Company (Omaha, NE). These companies represent the life/health insurance subsidiaries of Aflac Incorporated (Aflac) (Columbus, GA) [NYSE: AFL] and are collectively referred to as Aflac Incorporated Group. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “a” (Excellent) and all existing Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IRs) of Aflac. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed listing of the Long-Term IRs and shelf registration.)

AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to A (Excellent) from A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) to “a+” (Excellent) from “aa-” (Superior) of the property/casualty (P/C) members of Erie Insurance Group (Erie). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) has been revised to stable from negative. Additionally, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a” (Excellent) of Erie Family Life Insurance Company (EFL). The outlook of these ratings is stable. All companies are domiciled in Erie, PA, unless otherwise specified.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) of MSIG Europe SE (MSIG Europe) (Belgium). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

Aging populations and increased health care needs across developed and emerging markets have contributed to the growth of global health reinsurance in recent years, according to a new AM Best report. However, the increased usage of health reinsurance has been driven by greater claim costs, including more high-dollar claims in the United States, combined with increased utilization.

AM Best has released newly updated tables of net capital charges associated with a representative sample of transactions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s credit risk transfer (CRT) programs—Freddie Mac’s Agency Credit Insurance Structure (ACIS) and Fannie Mae’s Credit Insurance Risk Transfer (CIRT). These tables also highlight some of the key components of the factor-based method used to calculate net capital charges in the Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR) model.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa-” (Superior) of the U.S. property/casualty (P/C) subsidiaries of Assurant, Inc. (Assurant) (headquartered in Atlanta, GA) [NYSE: AIZ]. These companies are collectively referred to as Assurant P&C Group (Assurant P&C). At the same time, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “a-” (Excellent), all associated Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR), indicative Long-Term IRs and the Short-Term IR of Assurant. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a” (Excellent) of Assurant’s credit and life/health subsidiaries: American Bankers Life Assurance Company of Florida (Miami, FL) and Caribbean American Life Assurance Company (San Juan, PR), collectively known as Assurant Lifestyle L&H. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed list of the companies and Long- and Short-Term IRs.)

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of Seguros Suramericana S.A. (Sura) (Panama). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “a” (Excellent) of Active Capital Reinsurance, Ltd. (Active Re) (Barbados). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a+” (Excellent) of Chubb Perú S.A. Compañía de Seguros y Reaseguros (Chubb Perú) (Lima, Peru). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of La Colonial, S.A. – Compañía de Seguros (La Colonial) (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) of Toyota Motor Insurance Company (TMIC) (Chandler, AZ). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa-” (Superior) of the primary life insurance subsidiaries of Protective Life Corporation (headquartered in Birmingham, AL), collectively known as Protective Life. Additionally, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “a-” (Excellent) and the existing Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IRs) of Protective Life Corporation. At the same time, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a” (Excellent) of Protective Property & Casualty Insurance Company (Protective P&C) (St. Louis, MO) The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed list of these subsidiaries and ratings.)

AM Best has commented that the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a” (Excellent) of Great Midwest Insurance Company (GMIC), Houston Specialty Insurance Company (HSIC), Oklahoma Specialty Insurance Company (OSIC) and Imperium Insurance Company (IIC) are unchanged following the September 2, 2025, announcement that Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. (Skyward Group) has entered into a definitive agreement with the majority sellers to acquire 100% of Apollo Group Holdings Limited (Apollo) for a total consideration of $555 million from Alchemy, management, employees and other strategic investors.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of Genesis Global Re Limited (Genesis) (Nassau, Bahamas). The outlook of these Credit Rating (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has assigned a Long-Term Issue Credit Rating (Long-Term IRs) of “bbb+” (Good) to The Cigna Group’s (Cigna) (headquartered in Bloomfield, CT) [NYSE: CI] new senior unsecured notes. In addition, AM Best has assigned indicative Long-Term IRs on the recently filed shelf registration of Cigna. The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (Please see below for a detailed list of the Long-Term IRs.)

AM Best has revised the outlooks to positive from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb+” (Good) of Eurasia Insurance Company JSC (Eurasia) (Kazakhstan).

AM Best has removed from under review with positive implications and upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A+ (Superior) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “aa” (Superior) from “a-” (Excellent) of Next Insurance US Company (Next US) (headquartered in Palo Alto, CA). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

Lloyd’s reinsurance business has grown strongly in recent years, with a five-year compound average growth rate of 9%. Specialty reinsurance was the fastest growing line with a five-year compound average growth rate of 11%. In 2024, the market’s reinsurance premiums grew by 8%, driven by material growth in property and specialty lines, and benefitting from a positive risk-adjusted rate change along with low-single digit economic inflation. However, a minor contraction was noted for casualty reinsurance in 2024 despite pricing improvements, largely driven by performance pressures for this line, according to a new AM Best report.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of IRB-Brasil Resseguros S.A. (IRB) (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Concurrently, AM Best has assigned the Brazil National Scale Rating (NSR) of “aaa.BR” (Exceptional) to IRB. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) of Delvag Versicherungs-AG (Delvag) (Germany). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

U.S. private mortgage insurers continue to cede a meaningful portion of their premium to reinsurance, with the usage of unaffiliated reinsurance expanding considerably, according to a new AM Best report.

A composite of AM Best-rated U.S. and Bermuda reinsurers continued its trend of favorable underwriting results in 2024 while generating its fourth consecutive year of underwriting profitability, according to a new AM Best report.

AM Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “a” (Excellent) from “a-” (Excellent) of Ping An Health Insurance Company of China, Ltd. (Ping An Health) (China). Concurrently, AM Best has revised the outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) to stable from positive.

As reinsurance industry leaders prepare to gather in Monte Carlo for the annual Rendez-Vous de Septembre, AM Best’s latest research on the global industry highlights the segment’s strong technical results and disciplined underwriting amid a market recalibration since the January 2023 renewal period.

AM Best has placed under review with positive implications the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior), the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “aa-” (Superior) and the Mexico National Scale Rating of “aaa.MX” (Exceptional) of Sompo Seguros Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Sompo Mexico) (Mexico City, Mexico).

AM Best has placed under review with positive implications the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa-” (Superior) of Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. (SJ) (Japan) and its subsidiaries. Concurrently, AM Best has placed under review with positive implications the Long-Term ICR of “a-” (Excellent) of Sompo International Holdings Ltd. (SIH) (Pembroke, Bermuda). In addition, AM Best has placed under review with positive implications the Long-Term Issue Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) on $335 million 7% senior unsecured notes due by 2034, which is guaranteed by SIH.

AM Best has placed under review with negative implications the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ‘a-’ (Excellent) of SanlamAllianz Re Ltd (SAZ Re) (Mauritius).

In the past 30 days, Best’s Review readers have been most interested in the following insurance news coverage:

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) of INPEX Insurance, Ltd. (IIL) (Bermuda). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of Premia Reinsurance Ltd. (Premia Re) (Bermuda). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of Macau Insurance Company Limited (MIC) (Macau). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of “a+” (Excellent) of The Toa Reinsurance Company, Limited (Toa Re) (Japan) and its subsidiaries, The Toa Reinsurance Company of America (TRA) (Wilmington, Delaware, USA) and The Toa 21st Century Reinsurance Company, Ltd. (TRE) (Switzerland). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa-” (Superior) of the members of Allstate Insurance Group (Allstate) [NYSE: ALL]. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a-” (Excellent) of the ASMI Auto Group members. AM Best also has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a” (Excellent) of First Colonial Insurance Company (FCIC) (Jacksonville, FL).

AM Best has downgraded the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) to “a-” (Excellent) from “a” (Excellent) and the Long and Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR; Short-Term IR) of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UnitedHealth Group) (Minnetonka, MN) [NYSE: UNH]. Concurrently AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to A (Excellent) from A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICRs to “a+” (Excellent) from “aa-” (Superior) of the health and dental insurance subsidiaries of UnitedHealth Group, collectively referred to as UnitedHealthcare. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) has been revised to stable from negative. (See link below for a detailed listing of the companies and ratings.)

AM Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A- (Excellent) from B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings to “a-” (Excellent) from “bbb+” (Good) of Reaseguradora Delta, S.A. (Delta Panama) (Panama City, Panama) and Reaseguradora Delta, C.A. (Delta Venezuela) (Caracas, Venezuela). The outlooks of these Credit Ratings (ratings) have been revised to stable from positive.