A.M. Best assigns three types of obligor ratings. Best's Financial Strength Ratings are recognized worldwide as the benchmark for assessing insurers' financial strength and their ability to honor obligations to the policyholders. Best's Bank Deposit Ratings assess the ability of a bank to honor obligations to depositors and Issuer Credit Ratings assess the ability of an entity to honor its senior most unsecured financial obligations. The analytical components of these ratings involve both quantitative and qualitative factors grouped into three categories of evaluation:

• Balance Sheet Strength
• Operating Performance
• Business Profile

A.M. Best also assigns debt ratings to securities issued by these organizations as well as insurance-linked transactions.

A Best's Rating is a strategic tool that can promote consumer confidence in an organization's stability, as well as its attractiveness to investors.

What do I need to know to have my company or securities rated by A.M. Best?

For more information about how A.M. Best rates various types of companies and securities, review our extensive list of Rating Methodologies. 

1. Rating process Overview
2. Data items required for a typical evaluation:
   • Banks
   • Health Companies
   • Hospital and Captive Companies
   • Property/Casualty and Life Companies
   • Hospitals & Health Care Systems
3. Sample agendas:
   • Health Companies
   • Life Companies
   • Property/Casualty Companies
   • Hospitals & Health Care Systems

For more information, or to begin the rating process, please use the following contact list based on region and industry type. Or, find out how to Contact a Rating Analyst.