AM Best: Difference between revisions

A.M. Best Company, Inc.
Company type	Corporation
Industry	Financial services
Founded	1899
Founder	Alfred M. Best
Headquarters	Oldwick, New Jersey, U.S.
Key people	Arthur Snyder III; Chairman & President
Services	Rating agency, financial information publications
Website	www.ambest.com

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AM Best is an American credit rating agency headquartered in Oldwick, New Jersey, that focuses on the insurance industry. Both the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners have designated the company as a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO) in the United States.^[1]^[2]

Business

AM Best issues financial-strength ratings measuring insurance companies' ability to pay claims. It also rates financial instruments issued by insurance companies, such as bonds, notes, and securitization products.^[3]

AM Best publishes a series of printed and online resources of insurance professionals and publications. The oldest and best known is Best's Recommended Insurance Attorneys & Adjusters.^[4] Insurance publications include BestWeek, a weekly newsletter, Best's Review, a monthly digital & print magazine, and an online wire service called BestWire.

History

Founded in 1899 by Alfred M. Best in New York City, the privately held company moved to Morristown, New Jersey, in 1965, and subsequently to Oldwick in 1974.^[5] It also maintains offices in London, Hong Kong, Dubai, Mexico City, Singapore and a news bureau in Washington, D.C.

While the company is best known in the United States, it is becoming increasingly well known in Europe, the Pacific Rim and Latin America. The company's London offices consist of A.M. Best Europe—Rating Services and A.M. Best Europe—Information Services. A.M. Best Asia-Pacific is located in Hong Kong and Singapore.^[6] A.M. Best America Latina is located in Mexico City. AM Best recently opened a branch of A.M. Best Europe in Amsterdam that provides Ratings Services.^[7]

References

^ "Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations ("NRSROs")". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
^ "A.M. Best Becomes Fifth Agency Added to NAIC'S NRSRO List". National Association of Insurance Commissioners Press Release. 6 March 2006. Archived from the original on 31 May 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
^ "Rating Agencies: New NRSRO A.M. Best May Rate Bond Insurers". The Bond Buyer. 8 March 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
^ "Business Briefs - Atchely joins Birmingham, Alabama's Luckie & Co". The Birmingham News. 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
^ "Chronology of Events in A.M Best's History" (PDF). Retrieved 27 October 2018.
^ "A.M. Best Expands Capabilities of its Hong Kong Regional Headquarters". Insurance Journal. 28 February 2003. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
^ "A.M. Best Announces ESMA Registration for New Amsterdam Office". Insurance Journal. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2019.

External links

[1] "Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations ("NRSROs")". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved 25 February 2013.

[2] "A.M. Best Becomes Fifth Agency Added to NAIC'S NRSRO List". National Association of Insurance Commissioners Press Release. 6 March 2006. Archived from the original on 31 May 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.

[3] "Rating Agencies: New NRSRO A.M. Best May Rate Bond Insurers". The Bond Buyer. 8 March 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2013.

[4] "Business Briefs - Atchely joins Birmingham, Alabama's Luckie & Co". The Birmingham News. 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2013.

[5] "Chronology of Events in A.M Best's History" (PDF). Retrieved 27 October 2018.

[6] "A.M. Best Expands Capabilities of its Hong Kong Regional Headquarters". Insurance Journal. 28 February 2003. Retrieved 25 February 2013.

[7] "A.M. Best Announces ESMA Registration for New Amsterdam Office". Insurance Journal. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2019.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|American credit rating service}}
+{{redirect-distinguish|am best|I Am the Best|Ai Am Best{{!}}''Ai Am Best''|Best (disambiguation){{!}}Best}}
+{{redirect|A.M. Best|the persons|Alfred M. Best|and|Best (surname)}}
 {{Infobox company
 | name             = A.M. Best Company, Inc.
@@ Line 4: / Line 7: @@
 | type             = [[Corporation]]
 | foundation       = 1899
-| founder          = Alfred M. Best
+| founder          = [[Alfred M. Best]]
 | location_city    = [[Oldwick, New Jersey]]
-| location_country = [[United States]]
+| location_country = U.S.
 | key_people       =  Arthur Snyder&nbsp;III<br />Chairman & President
 | area_served      =
@@ Line 19: / Line 22: @@
 }}
-'''A.M. Best''' is a U.S.-based [[rating agency]] headquartered in [[Oldwick, New Jersey|Oldwick]], [[New Jersey]], that focuses on the [[insurance]] industry. Both the [[United States Securities and Exchange Commission|U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] and the [[National Association of Insurance Commissioners]] have designated the company as a [[Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization]] (NRSRO) in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations ("NRSROs")|url=https://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/ratingagency.htm|publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|accessdate=25 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=A.M. Best Becomes Fifth Agency Added to NAIC'S NRSRO List |url=http://www.naic.org/Releases/2006_docs/AM_Best_NRSRO.htm |accessdate=25 February 2013 |newspaper=National Association of Insurance Commissioners Press Release |date=6 March 2006 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531162804/http://www.naic.org/Releases/2006_docs/AM_Best_NRSRO.htm |archivedate=31 May 2013 |df= }}</ref>
+'''AM Best''' is an American [[credit rating agency]] headquartered in [[Oldwick, New Jersey|Oldwick]], [[New Jersey]], that focuses  on the [[insurance]] industry. Both the [[United States Securities and Exchange Commission|U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] and the [[National Association of Insurance Commissioners]] have designated the company as a [[Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization]] (NRSRO) in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations ("NRSROs")|url=https://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/ratingagency.htm|publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|access-date=25 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=A.M. Best Becomes Fifth Agency Added to NAIC'S NRSRO List |url=http://www.naic.org/Releases/2006_docs/AM_Best_NRSRO.htm |access-date=25 February 2013 |newspaper=National Association of Insurance Commissioners Press Release |date=6 March 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531162804/http://www.naic.org/Releases/2006_docs/AM_Best_NRSRO.htm |archive-date=31 May 2013 }}</ref>
+==Business==
-Unlike other NRSROs, A.M. Best focuses solely on the insurance marketplace. A.M. Best issues financial strength ratings measuring insurance companies' ability to pay claims. It also rates [[financial instrument]]s issued by insurance companies, such as bonds, notes, and [[securitization]] products.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rating Agencies: New NRSRO A.M. Best May Rate Bond Insurers|url=http://www.bondbuyer.com/news/-218413-1.html|accessdate=25 February 2013|newspaper=The Bond Buyer|date=8 March 2005}}</ref>
+AM Best issues financial-strength ratings measuring insurance companies' ability to pay claims. It also rates [[financial instrument]]s issued by insurance companies, such as bonds, notes, and [[securitization]] products.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rating Agencies: New NRSRO A.M. Best May Rate Bond Insurers|url=http://www.bondbuyer.com/news/-218413-1.html|access-date=25 February 2013|newspaper=The Bond Buyer|date=8 March 2005}}</ref>
-A.M. Best is also a source of insurance data and market intelligence, covering thousands of companies worldwide through analytical resources and news coverage. Best's Insurance Reports provides in-depth commentary on insurers and reinsurers in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and worldwide. A.M. Best's Financial Suite offers quality, detailed data, insurer ratings and analytical tools for top-tier research. Best's Review magazine provides original news reporting by A.M. Best journalists and industry leaders on insurance industry issues and trends. Best's Insurance News & Analysis service provides access to the full spectrum of research, analysis, and news published by A.M. Best. Visit www.ambest.com/sales to see the company's complete product line.
+AM Best publishes a series of printed and online resources of insurance professionals and publications. The oldest and best known is ''Best's  Recommended Insurance Attorneys & Adjusters''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Business Briefs - Atchely joins Birmingham, Alabama's Luckie & Co.|url=http://www.al.com/business/birminghamnews/hr.ssf?/base/business/1243584951257040.xml|access-date=25 February 2013|newspaper=The Birmingham News|date=29 May 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519065100/http://www.al.com/business/birminghamnews/hr.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fbusiness%2F1243584951257040.xml|archive-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> Insurance publications include ''BestWeek'', a weekly newsletter, ''Best's Review'', a monthly digital & print magazine, and an online [[wire service]] called ''BestWire''.
 ==History==
-Founded in 1899 by [[Alfred M. Best]] in [[New York City]], the [[privately held]] company moved to [[Morristown, New Jersey|Morristown]], New Jersey, in 1965, and subsequently to [[Oldwick, New Jersey|Oldwick]] in 1974.<ref>[http://www.ambest.com/about/events.html Chronology of Events in A.M Best's History] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928141034/http://www.ambest.com/about/events.html |date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref> It also maintains offices in [[London]], [[Hong Kong]], Dubai, Mexico City, Singapore and a news bureau in [[Washington, D.C.]]
+Founded in 1899 by [[Alfred M. Best]] in [[New York City]], the [[privately held]] company moved to [[Morristown, New Jersey|Morristown]], New Jersey, in 1965, and subsequently to [[Oldwick, New Jersey|Oldwick]] in 1974.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chronology of Events in A.M Best's History|url=http://www.ambest.com/about/ambchronology.pdf|access-date=27 October 2018 }}</ref> It also maintains offices in [[London]], [[Hong Kong]], Dubai, Mexico City, Singapore and a news bureau in [[Washington, D.C.]]
+While the company is best known in the United States, it is becoming increasingly well known in Europe, the Pacific Rim and Latin America. The company's London offices consist of A.M. Best Europe—Rating Services and A.M. Best Europe—Information Services. A.M. Best Asia-Pacific is located in Hong Kong and Singapore.<ref>{{cite news|title=A.M. Best Expands Capabilities of its Hong Kong Regional Headquarters|url=http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2003/02/28/26657.htm|access-date=25 February 2013|newspaper=Insurance Journal|date=28 February 2003}}</ref> A.M. Best America Latina is located in Mexico City. AM Best recently opened a branch of A.M. Best Europe in Amsterdam that provides Ratings Services.<ref>{{cite news|title=A.M. Best Announces ESMA Registration for New Amsterdam Office|url=http://news.ambest.com/presscontent.aspx?refnum=27385&altsrc=48|access-date=26 January 2019|newspaper=Insurance Journal|date=3 December 2018}}</ref>
-== Financial Strength, Issuer Credit and Issue Credit Ratings ==
-The Financial Strength Rating (FSR) is an independent opinion of an insurer's financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations. The Issuer Credit Rating (ICR) is an independent opinion of an entity's ability to meet its ongoing financial obligations that can be issued on either a long- or short-term basis. The Issue Credit Rating (IR) is an independent opinion of credit quality assigned to issues that gauges the ability to meet the terms of the obligation on a long- or short-term basis. When assigned to a specific issue, and IR is an opinion of the ability of the issuer/obligor to meet the ongoing financial obligations to security holders when due.
-<gallery>
-File:Best’s Credit Rating Scale.jpg|alt=Best's Credit Rating Scale
-</gallery>
 ==See also==
@@ Line 40: / Line 37: @@
 ==References==
-{{Reflist|30em}}
+{{Reflist}}
 == External links ==
 * {{Official website|www.ambest.com}}
-*[http://www.ambest.com/ratings/index.html Guide to Best's Financial Strength Ratings]
+* [https://www.ambest.com/ratings/guide.pdf Guide to Best's Financial Strength Ratings]
 {{NRSRO}}
+{{Authority control}}
 [[Category:Companies based in Hunterdon County, New Jersey]]
 [[Category:Credit rating agencies]]
 [[Category:Financial services companies based in New Jersey]]
 [[Category:Insurance industry organizations]]
+[[Category:Tewksbury Township, New Jersey]]
+[[Category:Financial services companies established in 1899]]

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