A rating of the ability of the insurance company sponsoring the variable policy to pay its claims. Because a policy's subaccounts are invested in a separate account from that of the general insurance company, a low rating does not necessarily imply that investors are likely to lose money if the company is unable to pay its claims. In most cases, however, money invested in a policy's fixed account goes into the general account of the insurance company and may consequently be withheld from the investor. Refer to the For the Pros section for details on Best�s Ratings.
Best�s Ratings are under continuous review and subject to change and/or affirmation. For the latest Best�s Ratings and Best�s Company Reports (which include Best�s Ratings), visit the A.M. Best Web site at www.ambest.com. See Guide to Best�s Ratings for explanation of use and charges. Best�s Ratings reproduced herein appear under license from A.M. Best and do not constitute, either expressly or impliedly, an endorsement of Morningstar or its recommendations, formulas, criteria or comparisons to any other ratings, rating scales or rating organizations which are published or referenced herein. A.M. Best is not responsible for transcription errors made in presenting Best�s Ratings. Best�s Ratings are proprietary and may not be reproduced or distributed without the express written permission of A.M. Best Company.
|
A++ (1), A+ |
Superior |
|
A, A- |
Excellent |
|
B++, B+ (1) |
Very Good |
|
B, B- |
Fair |
|
C++ (1), C+(10) |
Marginal |
|
C, C- (11) |
Weak |
|
D (5,12) |
Poor |
|
E (6) |
Under Regulatory Supervision |
|
F (6) |
In Liquidation |
|
S |
Rating Suspended |
|
g |
Group Rating |
|
r |
Reinsured Rating |
|
p |
Pooled |
|
u |
Under Review |
|
. |
Qualified |
|
c (3) |
Contingent Rating |
|
e (4) |
Parent Rating |
|
s (4) |
Consolidated Rating |
|
w (4) |
Watch List |
|
x (13) |
Revised Rating |
|
. (13) |
Qualified Rating |
4Rating "Not Assigned" Categories
|
NR-1 (14) |
Insufficient Data |
|
NR-2 |
Insufficient Size and/or Operating Experience |
|
NR-3 |
Rating Procedure Inapplicable |
|
NR-4 |
Company Request |
|
NR-5 (15) |
Not Formally Followed |
|
NA-1 |
Limited Data Filing |
|
NA-2 |
Less Than Minimum Size |
|
NA-3 |
Insufficient Operating Experience |
|
NA-4 |
Rating Procedure Inapplicable |
|
NA-5 |
Significant Change |
|
NA-6 |
Reinsured by Unrated Reinsurer |
|
NA-7 (3) |
Below Minimum Standards |
|
NA-8 |
Incomplete Financial Information |
|
NA-9 |
Company Request |
|
NA-10 (3) |
Under State Supervision |
|
NA-11 (1) |
Rating Suspended |
Assigned to companies with Rating "Not Assigned" Categories of NA-2 and NA-3. The FPR measures the financial strength of small or new companies and is based on the following numerical scale:
|
9 (16) |
Very Strong |
|
8 (16), 7 (17) |
Strong |
|
6 (17), 5(18) |
Good |
|
4 (18) |
Fair |
|
3 (19) |
Marginal |
|
2 (19) |
Weak |
|
1 (20) |
Poor |
|
(1) |
Introduced in 1992 |
|
(2) |
Introduced in 1994 |
|
(3) |
Discontinued in 1992 |
|
(4) |
Discontinued in 1993 |
|
(5) |
Below Min. Std. prior to 1994 |
|
(6) |
NA-10 prior to 1992 |
|
(7) |
Termed "Good" prior to 1994 |
|
(8) |
Termed "FPI" prior to 1994 |
|
(9) |
Termed "Adequate" prior to 1998 |
|
(10) |
Termed "Fair" prior to 1998 |
|
(11) |
Termed "Marginal" prior to 1998 |
|
(12) |
Termed "Poor" prior to 1998 |
|
(13) |
Discontinued in 1998 |
|
(14) |
Termed "Limited Data" prior to 1998 |
|
(15) |
Named "N/F" prior to 1998 |
|
(16) |
Termed "Strong" prior to 1998 |
|
(17) |
Termed "Above Average" prior to 1998 |
|
(18) |
Termed "Average" prior to 1998 |
|
(19) |
Termed "Below Average" prior to 1998 |
|
(20) |
Termed "Not Assigned" prior to 1998 |
(In $000,000 of reported policyholders' surplus plus conditional reserve funds)
|
Class I |
Up to 1 |
|
Class II |
1 to 2 |
|
Class III |
2 to 5 |
|
Class IV |
5 to 10 |
|
Class V |
10 to 25 |
|
Class VI |
25 to 50 |
|
Class VII |
50 to 100 |
|
Class VIII |
100 to 250 |
|
Class IX |
250 to 500 |
|
Class X |
500 to 750 |
|
Class XI |
750 to 1,000 |
|
Class XII |
000 to 1,250 |
|
Class XIII |
250 to 1,500 |
|
Class XIV |
500 to 2,000 |
|
Class XV |
000 or more |