A.M. Best Downgrades Zurich Specialties; Removes Rating From Under Review; Assigns Issuer Credit Rating and Negative Outlook

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B++ (Very Good) from A (Excellent) of Zurich Specialties London Limited (ZSL) (United Kingdom). The rating has been removed from under review with negative implications. At the same time, A.M. Best has assigned an issuer credit rating (ICR) of “bbb” to ZSL. A negative outlook… Continue reading A.M. Best Downgrades Zurich Specialties; Removes Rating From Under Review; Assigns Issuer Credit Rating and Negative Outlook

A.M. BEST DOWNGRADES RATING OF MUTUAL PROTECTIVE AND MEDICO LIFE, REVISES OUTLOOK TO STABLE

OLDWICK, N.J. (BestWire) – A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to C++ (Marginal) from B- (Fair) of Mutual Protective Insurance Co. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Medico Life Insurance Co. (both headquartered in Omaha, Neb.), and revised the outlook to stable from negative. The downgrade of the rating primarily reflects Mutual Protective’s… Continue reading A.M. BEST DOWNGRADES RATING OF MUTUAL PROTECTIVE AND MEDICO LIFE, REVISES OUTLOOK TO STABLE

Best Downgrades, Withdraws Ratings for Commercial Risk Partners; Outlook Negative

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength ratings to B- (Fair) from B (Fair) and the issuer credit ratings to “bb-” from “bb” of Commercial Risk Reinsurance Company Limited (Hamilton, Bermuda) and its U.S. subsidiary, Commercial Risk Re-Insurance Company (Burlington, Vt.), together known as Commercial Risk Partners. The rating outlook for both companies has… Continue reading Best Downgrades, Withdraws Ratings for Commercial Risk Partners; Outlook Negative

Appeals Panel Holds Broker Marsh’s Noncompete Agreement Unenforceable

ATLANTA April 11 (BestWire) — A federal appeals court in Atlanta has upheld the right of a former managing director of Marsh & McLennan Cos. to get out of a noncompete agreement he signed while employed by the giant broker, ruling the agreement unenforceable. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision is “significant” because… Continue reading Appeals Panel Holds Broker Marsh’s Noncompete Agreement Unenforceable

A.M. Best Downgrades and Withdraws Ratings of Inter-Ocean and Its Subsidiaries

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B++ (Very Good) from A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating to “bbb” from “a-” for the reinsurance subsidiaries of Inter-Ocean Holdings Limited (Inter-Ocean) (Bermuda). Additionally, A.M. Best has downgraded the issuer credit rating to “bb” from “bbb-” of Inter-Ocean. Subsequently, Inter-Ocean and its reinsurance… Continue reading A.M. Best Downgrades and Withdraws Ratings of Inter-Ocean and Its Subsidiaries

S&P Lowers GE Insurance Solutions Ratings; Off CreditWatch; CEO Comments

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services announced that it has lowered its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on Employers Reinsurance Corp. and affiliated insurance/reinsurance entities (collectively referred to as GE Insurance Solutions) to “A” from “A+” and removed them from CreditWatch.     S&P also said that it has lowered its counterparty credit rating on… Continue reading S&P Lowers GE Insurance Solutions Ratings; Off CreditWatch; CEO Comments

Downgrade of Calif. Auto Company Results from Reinsurance Broker Error

Effective immediately, AM Best has downgraded Workmen’s Auto Insurance Company from a B++ to a B(u), citing the company’s drop in surplus as the main reason for the downgrade. The company has filed a lawsuit against Guy Carpenter alleging failure to exercise reasonable care in performance of its duties; failure to effect appropriate documentation; breach… Continue reading Downgrade of Calif. Auto Company Results from Reinsurance Broker Error

A.M. Best Downgrades Ratings of Employers Reassurance Corporation; Removes From Under Review

OLDWICK, N.J. March 31 (BestWire) — A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B++ (Very Good) from A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating to “bbb” from “a-” of Employers Reassurance Corp. (ERAC) (Overland Park, KS). The ratings have been removed from under review and assigned a stable outlook. These rating actions… Continue reading A.M. Best Downgrades Ratings of Employers Reassurance Corporation; Removes From Under Review

S.C. Regulators Declare Two Insurance Cos. Insolvent

South Carolina Insurance Co., part of the Columbia-based Seibels Bruce family, has been declared insolvent by state insurance regulators and will be liquidated. The company and its subsidiary, Consolidated American Insurance Co., will be closed by a court-appointed receiver called in to settle remaining claims and other obligations. The Department of Insurance has filed a… Continue reading S.C. Regulators Declare Two Insurance Cos. Insolvent

AIG Chief Greenberg to Step Down This Week

Maurice Greenberg is planning to step down as chief executive of American International Group Inc. amid board concern over a rising number of regulatory inquiries into the insurance company, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. At a board meeting on Sunday in New York, AIG’s directors worked to hammer out terms of 79-year-old Greenberg’s… Continue reading AIG Chief Greenberg to Step Down This Week