CONTACTS:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OLDWICK, N.J. - JULY 11, 2005 12:00 AM (EDT)
A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings of 36 Canadian insurers, downgraded the ratings of four, upgraded the ratings of nine and assigned ratings to three Canadian property/casualty insurers. These ratings are based solely upon public information and present the most informed view A.M. Best can offer, short of an insurer participating in the full interactive rating process.
A.M. Best's public data (pd) ratings are assigned to insurers in select markets that do not subscribe to A.M. Best's interactive rating process. A.M. Best uses the same rating scale and definitions as it does for its long-term financial strength interactive ratings but applies a pd rating modifier to ensure the user is aware of the more limited information basis for the rating.
An interactive A.M. Best rating is produced at the request of the insurer. The rating process includes detailed interviews of senior management and access to non-public data and other information. Information on issues that is typically limited in the public domain plays a significant part in the interactive rating analysis. A.M. Best interactively rates a majority of insurers in Canada.
A.M. Best has affirmed the ratings of the following Canadian property/casualty companies:
Alberta Motor Association Insurance Company B++
Antigonish Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance B+
Aviva Insurance Company of Canada A-
CAA Insurance Company (Ontario) B
Canadian Direct Insurance Inc. B+
Canadian Northern Shield Insurance Company B
Certas Direct Insurance Company B
CUMIS General Insurance Company B
Desjardins Assurances Generales Inc B++
Economical Mutual Insurance Company B+
Elite Insurance Company B++
Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company (Lindsay) B+
Federation Insurance Company of Canada B+
Gore Mutual Insurance Company B+
Grain Insurance and Guarantee Company B++
La Capitale, Compagnie d'Assurance Generale A-
Legacy General Insurance Company A-
London and Midland General Insurance Company A-
North Waterloo Farmers Mutual Insurance Company B++
Pacific Coast Fishermens Mutual Marine Insurance Company B++
Perth Insurance Company B+
Pictou County Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company B+
Pool Insurance Company B+
Prince Edward Island Mutual Insurance Company B++
RBC General Insurance Company B+
RBC Travel Insurance Company B+
Red River Valley Mutual Insurance Company B++
Security National Insurance Company B++
The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company A-
The Glengarry Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company B++
The Missisquoi Insurance Company B++
The Mutual Fire Insurance Company of B.C. B++
The Personal Insurance Company B
The Portage La Prairie Mutual Insurance Company B+
Waterloo Insurance Company B+
Western Surety Company B++
A.M. Best has downgraded the ratings of the following Canadian property/casualty companies:
Personal General Insurance Inc B+
Primmum Insurance Company B
TD General Insurance Company B
Traders General Insurance Company B
A.M. Best has upgraded the ratings of the following Canadian property/casualty companies:
Algoma Mutual Insurance Company B+
Allstate Insurance Company of Canada B++
Clare Mutual Insurance Company B+
Industrial-Alliance General Insurance Company B
Pembridge Insurance Company B+
Promutuel Reassurance B++
Saskatchewan Motor Club Insurance Company Limited B++
Saskatchewan Mutual Insurance Company A-
Southeastern Mutual Insurance Company B++
A.M. Best has assigned ratings to the following Canadian property/casualty companies:
Alpha Assurance Company B++
The Kings Mutual Insurance Company B+
L'Unique Compagnie d'Assurances Generales B++
For Best's Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit Best's Rating Center.
A.M. Best Co., established in 1899, is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.