Founded in 1899, AM Best is the world’s first credit rating agency. It all began with the founder working out of a one-room office in New York City and grew to become what is now the largest credit rating agency in the world specializing in the insurance industry.
Financial Strength Rating (FSR) Scale
| Rating Categories |
Rating Symbols |
Rating Notches |
Category Definitions |
Superior
|
A+ |
A++ |
Superior ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations |
Excellent
|
A |
A- |
Excellent ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations |
Good
|
B+ |
B++ |
Good ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations |
Fair
|
B |
B- |
Fair ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations. Financial strength vulnerable to adverse changes in underwriting and economic conditions. |
Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) Scale
| Rating Categories |
Rating Symbols |
Rating Notches |
Category Definitions |
| Exceptional |
aaa |
- |
Exceptional ability to meet ongoing senior financial obligations
|
Superior
|
aa |
aa+/aa- |
Superior ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations |
Excellent
|
a |
a+/a- |
Excellent ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations |
Good
|
bbb |
bbb+/bbb- |
Good ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations |
Fair
|
bb |
bb+/bb- |
Fair ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations. Financial strength vulnerable to adverse changes in underwriting and economic conditions. |