A.M. Best
A.M. Best website
| A++/A+ |
Superior. Very strong ability to meet obligations. |
| A/A- |
Excellent. Strong ability to meet obligations. |
| B++/B+ |
Very good. Strong ability to meet obligations. |
| B/B- |
Good. Adequate ability to meet obligations. |
| C++/C+ |
Fair. Reasonable ability to meet obligation. |
| C/C- |
Marginal. Currently has the ability to meet obligations. |
| D |
Below minimum standards. |
| E |
Under state supervision. |
| F |
In liquidation. |
Fitch
Fitch Ratings website
| AAA |
Highest claims paying ability. Negligible risk. |
| AA+/AA/AA- |
Very high claims paying ability. Modest risk. |
| A+/A/A- |
High claims paying ability. Variable risk over time. |
| BBB+/BBB/BBB- |
Below average claims paying ability. Considerable variability in risk over time. |
| BB+/BB/BB- |
Uncertain claims paying ability. Protective factors are subject to change with adverse economy. |
| B+/B/B- |
Substantial risk regarding claims paying ability. Likely to be placed under state insurance department supervision. |
| CCC+/CCC/CCC- |
Under liquidation. |
| D |
Company has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business. |
Moody’s
Moody’s website
| Aaa |
Exceptional security. Unlikely to be affected by change. |
| Aa 1-3 |
Excellent security. Lower than Aaa because long-term risks appear somewhat larger. |
| A 1-3 |
Good security. Possibly susceptible to future impairment. |
| Baa 1-3 |
Adequate security. Certain protective elements may be lacking. |
| Ba 1-3 |
Questionable security. Ability to meet obligations may be moderate. |
| B 1-3 |
Poor security. Assurance of punctual payment of obligations is small over the long-run. |
| Caa |
Very poor security. There may be elements of danger regarding the payment of obligations. |
| Ca |
Extremely poor security. Companies are often in default. |
| C |
Lowest security. Extremely poor prospects of offering financial security. |
Standard & Poor’s
Standard & Poor’s website
| AAA |
Superior financial security. Highest safety. |
| AA+/AA/AA- |
Excellent financial security. Highly safe. |
| A+/A/A- |
Good financial security. More susceptible to economic change than highly rated companies. |
| BBB+/BBB/BBB- |
Adequate financial security. More vulnerable to economic changes than highly rated companies. |
| BB+/BB/BB- |
Adequate financial secuity. Ability to meet obligations may not be adequate for long-term policies. |
| B+/B/B- |
Currently able to meet obligations. Highly vulnerable to adverse economic conditions. |
| CCC |
Questionable ability to meet obligations due to high vulnerability to adverse economic conditions. |
| R |
Regulatory action. Under supervision of insurance negotiators. |
Weiss Research Inc.
Weiss Research website
| A+/A/A- |
Excellent financial security. Strong ability to deal with economic adversity.
|
| B+/B/B- |
Good financial security. Severe economic conditions may affect this company.
|
| C+/C/C- |
Fair financial security. Susceptible to downturns in the economy.
|
| D+/D/D- |
Weak financial security. Could impact policy holders.
|
| E+/E |
Very weak financial security. Significant risk even in a stable economy.
|
| F |
Failed. Under supervision of state insurance commissioners.
|
| + |
Indication of a possible upgrade.
|
| – |
Indication of a possible downgrade.
|
Disclaimer: Jeremy Starr Consulting, LLC does not endorse any of the organizations listed above, nor their products or services. We do not offer an opinion as to their financial stability, strength, ratings, or soundness. This list is to be used solely as a link to these organizations’ websites. The listing of rating agencies’ definitions is provided for informational purposes only.
