Moody’s Lowers and Will Withdraw Ratings on Acceptance Insurance Companies

New York, May 18, 2004 — Moody’s Investors Service has lowered and will withdraw its ratings on Acceptance Insurance Companies Inc. and related subsidiaries. During the fourth quarter of 2002, the company suspended the dividend payments on its trust preferred securities (rated C prior to withdrawal). The company’s two insurance operating subsidiaries are under regulatory… Continue reading Moody’s Lowers and Will Withdraw Ratings on Acceptance Insurance Companies

Fitch Dwngrs Harleysville’s Sr Notes to ‘BBB-‘; IFS to ‘A-‘

Fitch Ratings-Chicago-May 4, 2004: Fitch Ratings has downgraded its senior debt rating on Harleysville Group Inc. (HGIC) to ‘BBB-‘ from ‘BBB.’ In addition, Fitch has downgraded its insurer financial strength (IFS) rating on the Harleysville inter-company pool (Harleysville) to ‘A-‘ from ‘A’. The Rating Outlook is Stable. Fitch’s rating actions reflect HGIC’s recent underwriting performance… Continue reading Fitch Dwngrs Harleysville’s Sr Notes to ‘BBB-‘; IFS to ‘A-‘

Fitch Affirms Atlantic Mutual’s ‘BBB-‘ IFS Rtgs, Downgrades Notes

Fitch Ratings-Chicago-May 3, 2004: Fitch Ratings today affirmed the ‘BBB-‘ insurer financial strength (IFS) ratings of the Atlantic Mutual Companies (AMC) and downgraded Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company’s surplus note rating to ‘B+’ from ‘BB-‘. In addition, all ratings have been removed from Rating Watch Negative. A complete list of companies and ratings appears below. The… Continue reading Fitch Affirms Atlantic Mutual’s ‘BBB-‘ IFS Rtgs, Downgrades Notes

S&P Downgrades Atlantic Mutual; Cites Need for Continued Support from Agents

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has lowered its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on Atlantic Mutual Insurance Co., Centennial Insurance Co., and Atlantic Lloyds Insurance Co. of Texas (collectively referred to as Atlantic Mutual) to ‘BB+’ from ‘BBB’. Standard & Poor’s also lowered its surplus note rating on Atlantic Mutual Insurance Co. to ‘B+’… Continue reading S&P Downgrades Atlantic Mutual; Cites Need for Continued Support from Agents

Moody’s Downgrades Harleysville

NU Online News Service, April 7, 3:17 p.m. EDT—Moody’s Investors Service announced today it has downgraded various ratings of Harleysville, Pa.-based Harleysville Group Inc. because of the insurer’s poor 2003 financial results. The ratings affected by Moody’s action include insurance financial strength ratings of Harleysville Group’s intercompany pool members, which were dropped to “A3” from… Continue reading Moody’s Downgrades Harleysville

Fitch Ratings Downgrades CIGNA’s Ratings; Removes Rtg Watch Negative

Fitch Ratings-Chicago-April 1, 2004: As signaled last year, Fitch Ratings today downgraded and removed from Rating Watch Negative its ratings on CIGNA Corporation (CIGNA) and its lead operating subsidiary, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CG Life). At the same time, Fitch has affirmed CIGNA’s ‘F2’ commercial paper rating. The rating action affects approximately $1.5 billion… Continue reading Fitch Ratings Downgrades CIGNA’s Ratings; Removes Rtg Watch Negative

Moody’s Lowers Travelers P/C Debt Ratings

Moody’s Investors Service announced that is has lowered the debt ratings of Travelers Property Casualty Corp., and those of its subsidiary Travelers Insurance Group Holdings Inc., by one notch. Senior debt was lowered to “A3” from “A2” and junior subordinated debt to “Baa1” from “A3.” “This action concludes a review for downgrade of the company’s… Continue reading Moody’s Lowers Travelers P/C Debt Ratings

A.M. Best Downgrades Providence Washington

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B+ (Very Good) from A- (Excellent) of Providence Washington Insurance Companies (Providence, RI) and placed the rating under review with negative implications. The rating applies to the four inter-company pool members led by Providence Washington Insurance Company. The rating reflects the group’s weak capitalization and… Continue reading A.M. Best Downgrades Providence Washington

Best Downgrades Winterthur’s U.S. Subs to ‘A-

A.M. Best Co. announced that it has downgraded the financial strength ratings to “A-” (Excellent) from “A” (Excellent) of the U.S. based property/casualty insurance subsidiaries of Winterthur Swiss Insurance Company (WSIC). Best noted that it had taken the same action on the ratings of Winterthur’s Swiss companies (See companion article in International section). The rating… Continue reading Best Downgrades Winterthur’s U.S. Subs to ‘A-

A.M. Best Places Ratings of Vesta Insurance Group Under Review with Negative Implications

OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 15, 2004–A.M. Best Co. has placed the B (Fair) financial strength rating of the property/casualty affiliates of Vesta Insurance Group (NYSE: VTA) (Birmingham, AL) under review with negative implications. Concurrently, A.M. Best has placed the “b-” senior debt and “ccc” deferrable capital securities ratings of Vesta Insurance Group Inc., under review with… Continue reading A.M. Best Places Ratings of Vesta Insurance Group Under Review with Negative Implications