Articles from AM Best

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).

AM Best has placed under review with positive implications the Financial Strength Ratings of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a” (Excellent) of Aspen Insurance UK Limited (AIUK) (United Kingdom), Aspen Bermuda Limited (ABL) (Bermuda), Aspen American Insurance Company (AAIC) (Austin, TX) and Aspen Specialty Insurance Company (ASIC) (Bismarck, ND). Concurrently, AM Best has placed under review with positive implications the Long-Term ICR of “bbb” (Good) of Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited (Aspen) (Bermuda), a non-operating holding company, along with the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR) on the preference shares of Aspen and the indicative Long-Term IRs under the company’s universal shelf registration. (Please see below for a detailed listing of the Long-Term IRs.)

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.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICRs) of “a+” (Excellent) of Highmark Inc. (Highmark) (headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA) and its life/health (L/H) subsidiaries, collectively known as Highmark Inc. Group. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a+” (Excellent) of Highmark’s dental subsidiaries, which operate under the United Concordia brand name. Lastly, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term Issue Credit Rating (Long-Term IR) of “a” (Excellent) of Highmark’s existing senior unsecured notes. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed listing of the companies and the Long-Term IR.)

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a+” (Excellent) of the operating subsidiaries of AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (Pembroke, Bermuda), collectively referred to as AXIS. Additionally, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “bbb+” (Good) and the indicative Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR) of AXIS Capital Holdings Limited. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed listing of subsidiaries and indicative Long-Term IRs.)

AM Best has assigned a Long-Term Issue Credit Rating of “bbb+” (Good) to the recently issued USD 500 million, 5.5% senior unsecured notes due 2035, issued by The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (The Hanover) (headquartered in Worcester, MA) [NYSE: THG]. The outlook assigned to this Credit Rating (rating) is stable.

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

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “aa-” (Superior) of Lloyd’s Syndicate 33 (Syndicate 33) (United Kingdom), which is managed by Hiscox Syndicates Ltd. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to A+ (Superior) from A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICRs) to “aa-” (Superior) from “a+” (Excellent) of the members of Crum & Forster Insurance Group (C&F). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a+” (Excellent) of Monitor Life Insurance Company of New York (Monitor Life) (New York, NY). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed listing of the companies.)

AM Best has released its revised criteria procedure “Rating Captives and Other Alternative Risk Transfer Entities,” (formerly known as “Alternative Risk Transfer”) which is effective immediately.

Flourishing annuity sales, using reinsurance as a capital management strategy and rising competition from new market entrants continue to drive activity in the global life/annuity reinsurance segment, according to a new AM Best report.

AM Best has removed from under review with developing implications and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” (Good) of Gleaner Life Insurance Society (Gleaner) (Adrian, MI). The outlooks assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best will deliver a presentation at the Reinsurance Association of America’s (RAA) “Re Underwriting 2025: The Art and Science of Reinsurance Underwriting – Fundamentals and Current Issues,” event, which will take place Sept. 4-5, 2025, in New York, NY, at The Westin Grand Central Hotel.

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

AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” (Good) to PASHA Insurance OJSC (PASHA Insurance) (Azerbaijan). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. PASHA Insurance is wholly owned by PASHA Holding LLC (PASHA group), a diversified investment holding group in Azerbaijan.

After four years of failing to meet their cost of capital, global reinsurers have now achieved that benchmark for the second straight year, driven in part by strong market performance, according to a new AM Best report.

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) subsidiaries of United Fire Group, Inc. (UFG) [NASDAQ: UFCS] (collectively known as United Fire & Casualty Group), which operate under an intercompany pooling agreement led by United Fire & Casualty Company. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “bbb-” (Good) of UFG and the Long-Term Issue Credit Rating of “bbb-” (Good) on UFG’s $100 million, 9% senior unsecured notes due 2039. The outlook for these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. All companies are headquartered in Cedar Rapids, IA. (See below for a detailed listing of the companies and ratings.)

The August issue of Best’s Review includes the following exclusive rankings:

AM Best has revised its outlook on the U.S. health insurance segment to negative from stable due to increased utilization and higher medical costs across the industry and other significant segment challenges.

Reinsurance pricing at the midyear 2025 renewals was the most favorable pricing for cedents in recent years, indicating that competition among capacity providers has intensified, according to a new AM Best report. In addition, record-breaking issuance of 144A property catastrophe bonds has expanded avenues by which investors can participate, facilitating growth in capacity.

AM Best has revised the outlook to negative from stable for the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term ICR of “bbb+” (Good) of The American Home Life Insurance Company (AHL) (Topeka, KS). The outlook of the FSR is stable.

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 Auto Club MAPFRE Insurance Company (ACMIC) (Columbus, OH).

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A++ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of “aa+” (Superior) of United States Liability Insurance Company (USLI) and its subsidiaries: Mount Vernon Fire Insurance Company; U.S. Underwriters Insurance Company (Bismarck, ND); Mount Vernon Specialty Insurance Company; and Radnor Specialty Insurance Company. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. All companies are domiciled in Omaha, NE, unless otherwise specified.

AM Best’s Jason Hopper appears as a guest in an episode of the “That Annuity Show” podcast to discuss the drivers behind the rapidly evolving annuity market.

AM Best has revised the outlooks to stable from negative and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a” (Excellent) of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, Colorado Farm Bureau Insurance Company (Colorado Farm Bureau) (both of Ridgeland, MS), Louisiana Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company (Baton Rouge, LA) and Mississippi Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company (Jackson, MS). In addition, AM Best has removed from under review with positive implications and upgraded the FSR to A (Excellent) from B (Fair) and the Long-Term ICR to “a” (Excellent) from “bb” (Fair) of Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance Company (Ridgeland, MS), formerly Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc. The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. These companies are collectively referred to as Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Group (Southern Farm Bureau).

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of National Grid Insurance Company (Isle of Man) Limited (NGICL or the captive), a captive insurer of National Grid plc (NG). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has removed from under review with developing implications and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of Leaders Life Insurance Company (Leader Life) (Tulsa, OK). 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 Ardellis Insurance Ltd. (Ardellis) (Bermuda). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best has revised the outlook to negative from stable for the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a+” (Excellent) of Terra Insurance Company (A Risk Retention Group) (Terra) (Williston, VT). The outlook of the FSR is stable.

Video playback is now available for a complimentary webinar, titled, “The Effective Expert Witness,” hosted by AM Best and sponsored by Nuzzo & Roberts, L.L.C. Access it here.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of Bridgehaven Specialty UK Ltd (Bridgehaven Specialty) (United Kingdom). The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgehaven Europe Holdings Ltd (Bridgehaven), the non-operating company of the Bridgehaven group. 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 (FSR) of B++ (Good), Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” (Good) and Philippines National Scale Rating (NSR) of aa+.PH (Superior) of Malayan Insurance Co., Inc. (Malayan) (Philippines).

Europe’s four largest reinsurers—Swiss Re, Munich Re, Hannover Re and SCOR—reported strong results in 2024, benefitting from good rate adequacy and continued underwriting discipline on policy terms and attachment points. According to a new AM Best report, they are also maintaining their ambitious profit targets for 2025, despite the material impact of the California wildfires in first-quarter 2025 and signs of rate softening.

Asia’s reinsurers are actively expanding to mature overseas markets as part of a move to diversity and be more agile with underwriting cycle management, according to a new report from AM Best.

AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) to Somerset Life Reinsurance Ltd. (Somerset Life 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 Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a+” (Excellent) of American Interstate Insurance Company (Omaha, NE), Silver Oak Casualty, Inc. (Omaha, NE) and American Interstate Insurance Company of Texas (Austin, TX) (collectively referred to as AMERISAFE Insurance Group). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “bbb+” (Good) of AMERISAFE, Inc. (headquartered in DeRidder, LA) [NASDAQ: AMSF], the ultimate parent of the group members. 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 Saudi Arabian Insurance Company B.S.C. (c) (Damana) (Bahrain). 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 Mutua de Riesgo Maritimo, Sociedad de Seguros a Prima Fija (Murimar) (Spain). 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 Emirates Insurance Company P.J.S.C. (EIC) (United Arab Emirates) [UAE]. 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) to Malaysian Life Reinsurance Group Berhad (Malaysian Life Re) (Malaysia). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

AM Best’s 2026 Student Challenge, which gives undergraduate and graduate-level students the opportunity to develop and showcase innovative solutions for risk management and insurance, has added a prize component.