Author: Farkas Laura

A.M. Best Co. announced that it has downgraded the financial strength rating to “D” (Poor) from “C+” (Marginal) of Doctors Benefit Insurance Company Ltd., which is located in St. Michaels, Barbados. The rating outlook is stable. “This rating action reflects recent findings that are likely to have a negative impact on Doctors Benefit’s operations and,… Continue reading Best Downgrades Doctors Benefit to ‘D’

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services affirmed its “AA-” counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on Cincinnati Insurance Co., Cincinnati Casualty Co. and Cincinnati Indemnity Co. (CIC). At the same time, Standard & Poor’s affirmed its “A” counterparty credit and senior unsecured debt ratings on Cincinnati Financial Corp. The outlook remains negative. S&P said the ratings… Continue reading S&P Affirms Cincinnati Insurance and Subsidiaries, But Retains Negative Outlook

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 15, 2004–On Sept. 15, 2004, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services placed all its ratings on PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. (NYSE:PHS; PacifiCare) on CreditWatch with negative implications. The CreditWatch follows today’s joint announcement by PacifiCare and American Medical Security Group Inc. (NYSE: AMZ; not rated) that they have signed a definitive agreement whereby… Continue reading S&P Announces: PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. Ratings Placed On CreditWatch Negative

NEW YORK (Standard & Poor’s) Sept. 15, 2004–Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said today that it lowered its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on Physicians Mutual Insurance Co. (PMIC) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Physicians Life Insurance Co. (PLIC), to ‘AA-‘ from ‘AA’. Standard & Poor’s also said that the outlook on these companies… Continue reading S&P: Physicians Mutual Insurance Co. and Subsidiary Ratings Lowered to ‘AA-‘; Outlook Stable

LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 10, 2004–Fitch Ratings, the international rating agency, has today downgraded QBE Insurance Group Limited’s (‘QBE’) Long-term rating to ‘A’ from ‘A+’. At the same time, the agency has assigned its proposed GPB150 million senior unsecured sterling issue due 2009 an expected ‘A’. The Outlook on the ratings is Stable. The downgrade reflects QBE’s… Continue reading Fitch Downgrades QBE Insurance Group to Long-term ‘A’; Assigns Expected ‘A’ to GPB150MM Debt

LONDON, September 8, Standard & Poor’s – Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said today it revised its outlook on Zurich-based global reinsurer Swiss Reinsurance Co. and related entities of the Swiss Re group (Swiss Re) to negative from stable. At the same time, Standard & Poor’s affirmed all ratings on the group, including its ‘AA’… Continue reading S&P: Swiss Re Insurance Group Outlook Revised to Negative; ‘AA’ Ratings Affirmed

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services announced that it has affirmed its ‘A-‘ counterparty credit rating on Aon Corp., but the outlook remains negative.    “The ratings on Aon are supported by its very strong competitive position in the insurance brokerage industry and its strong competitive positions in its individual supplemental accident, health, and disability insurance… Continue reading S&P Affirms Aon’s ‘A-‘ Ratings; Outlook Negative

NEW YORK, August 31, Business Wire – Fitch Ratings has placed the ratings of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax) and its rated subsidiaries and affiliates on Ratings Watch Negative. See complete list below. The ratings previously had a Negative Outlook. This action largely reflects Fitch’s concerns as to increasing liquidity pressures at Fairfax, as well… Continue reading Fitch: Fairfax’s Ratings Placed on Negative Rating Watch

Moody’s Investors Service on Tuesday cut Converium’s (CHRN.S) debt ratings to junk status, and cut the company’s financial strength rating to three notches above junk status, after the reinsurer said it had to raise more cash than previously announced to replenish its reserves. Converium said it planned to raise $420 million, above its previous estimates… Continue reading Moody’s Lowers Converium Ratings, Some Cut to Junk

NEW YORK, August 18, Business Wire and Standard & Poor’s – On August 18, 2004, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services lowered its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on American Family Mutual Insurance Co. (AFMIC) and other units of its property/casualty group (collectively, American Family; see ratings list) to ‘A+’ from ‘AA-‘. The outlook is… Continue reading S&P Announces: American Family Mutual, Units Ratings Lowered; Outlook Stable