Am best insurance rating criteria

A Best's Credit Rating (BCR) is a forward-looking, independent, and objective opinion regarding an insurer's, issuer's, or financial obligation's relative creditworthiness. The opinion represents a comprehensive analysis consisting of a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of balance sheet strength, operating performance, and business profile or, where appropriate, the specific nature and details of a security.

Please read the Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings for an in-depth explanation. A BCR is developed considering relevant aspects of Best's Rating Methodologies (BRMs). AM Best assigns various Credit Rating opinions, which are collectively referred to as "Best's Credit Ratings" and include:

In addition, AM Best provides the following rating-related services and information:

For more information regarding what a BCR is, how a BCR is developed, or other information related to the production of opinions please reference AM Best's guide, Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings or select a topic below.

Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings (quick links)

AM Best's methodologies for rating insurance companies and insurance-linked securities and structures are powered by strong analytical expertise, research, data, and insight. They help the financial industry and consumers understand how AM Best forms opinions of financial strength, creditworthiness, and the ability to meet policyholder or security holder obligations worldwide.

Best's Credit Rating Methodology (BCRM) is a comprehensive overview of the credit rating process, which consists of quantitative and qualitative evaluations of balance sheet strength, operating performance, business profile, and enterprise risk management.

Best's Insurance-Linked Securities & Structures Methodology (BILSM) outlines the process for rating insurance-linked securities and insurance-linked structures (ILS), and offers insight into the information requirements, key rating considerations, risk modeling and surveillance activities that are generally applied by AM Best.

Any methodologies marked as "Draft" below are currently in a public comment period. Market participants and other interested parties are invited to provide formal comments regarding these drafts. Formal comments may be submitted at any time on the existing (i.e. published in-use) methodologies, and should be e-mailed to .

Please indicate in the comment submission if the comments provided should be kept anonymous. All comments received through the methodology mailbox that do not indicate a request for anonymous treatment will be published in the results of consultation section of this website (results of consultation). Comments that do request anonymous treatment may be paraphrased in a summary of comments without reference to the author/sender.