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Frequently Asked Questions: Best's State/Line (Life Lines) - Life/Health - United States
What is Best's State/Line (Life Lines)?
What are some of the features and benefits of Best's State/Line products?
What functions can I perform with this product?
What is the source of this information, and how is it presented?
How is the data collected and validated for the financial products?
How long after the filing date is the product available?
What is BestLink for Excel?
What network options are available?
Is this product available in any other format?
How can I order Best's State/Line databases?
If I don't need the entire database, can I choose a more targeted selection of information?
Is product training available?
Can I get notification of rating changes and other developments affecting companies that interest me?
What is Best's State/Line (Life Lines)?
Best's State/Line (Life Lines) is a database that includes up to six years of state-by-state results grouped by line of business for insurance companies writing life business in the United States. Taken from Page 25 of the NAIC Annual Statement, this information gives a detailed view of the competitive environment in the states and lines of business that are important to you.
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What are some of the features and benefits of Best's State/Line products?
· Group data presented on an "as is" basis, letting users track the historical performance of the currently existing group
· Consolidated data, vital for performing market trend and peer group analysis
· Access to the data directly from the software or through BestLink for Excel
· Top 50 Reports (Property/Casualty Lines product only), which are standard, commonly requested reports in an easy-to-use format
· Searchable company profiles, as well as criteria searches on specific data fields
· Lines of business can be combined and added to create custom lines of business for all data fields available
·11-year market share trend studies online (Property/Casualty Lines product only)
· Access to updated Best's Ratings, company reports, news, product support and more via Internet links embedded in the CD-ROM (other product subscriptions may be required to access these features)
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What functions can I perform with this product?
The Windows-based software makes it easy for you to:
· Quickly generate a top 50 companies report (P/C edition only) based on Direct Premiums Written by selecting:
-- One-Year Premium and Loss Study
-- Five-Year Trend Study
-- Five-Years Premiums and Adjusted Loss Ratio Study
· View the top lines and states for any company
· Calculate summations for state and/or line groupings
· View and print data in Statement Page format.
· Access updated Best's Ratings, company reports, news and more via Internet links embedded in the CD-ROM (additional product subscriptions required)
· Create reports customized to your specifications
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What is the source of this information, and how is it presented?
Best's State/Line (Property/Casualty Lines) includes information on 42 standard lines of business, obtained from Page 20 (Statutory Page 14) of the P/C Annual NAIC Statement, as well as 20 popular line combinations, along with A.M. Best-calculated ratios, ranking information and market share. The line combinations are created by adding together two or more standard lines.
Best's State/Line (Life Lines) and Best's State/Line (A&H Lines) include information obtained from Page 25 of the L/H Annual NAIC Statement, A.M. Best-calculated ratios, ranking information and market share.
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How is the data collected and validated for the financial products?
A.M. Best collects annual and quarterly statement data from thousands of companies (property/casualty and life/health companies, HMOs, alternative-market entities and others). The data is prepared and submitted on software programs (such as BestESP Services) in the manner defined by the requirements of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data, we perform an exhaustive series of inter- and intra-page and current- to prior-year cross-checks. Major errors or inconsistencies that cannot be rectified by A.M. Best are reviewed with the insurer for further clarification when possible. We lead the industry in cross-checking calculations, devoting vast resources to the data-validation effort.
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How long after the filing date is the product available?
Best's State/Line products are first available in the second quarter, with updates throughout the year. These updates contain value-added group records and calculations of A.M. Best ratios.
A.M. Best performs an exhaustive series of cross-checks, even more extensive than those required by the NAIC, to ensure the most accurate data available.
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What is BestLink for Excel?
BestLink for Excel allows users of several products in A.M. Best's Insurance Industry Financial Suite to integrate the latest rating and financial data directly into their Excel-based research projects from the Web. This new offering is the first to use our new Web Services architecture, powered by A.M. Best's online Global Insurance & Banking Database.
BestLink for Excel features a series of Wizards and Quick Reports that let users download professional data presentations covering such items as Best's Company Profile Reports, Best's Ratings Profile Reports, Best's Executive Summary Reports, Best's Market Share Reports, Best's Insurance Expense Exhibit Studies and Statement Pages, depending on the product purchased. Users can also create Custom Reports, selecting the companies, data fields, years (up to 11) and, in some cases, the states and lines of business required for their research.
BestLink for Excel is available to purchasers of Best's Statement File (Property/Casualty, Life/Health and Health, including Separate Accounts), Best's Statement File - Canada (Property/Casualty and Life/Health), Best's Statement Fil e- Global, Best's State/Line (Property/Casualty Lines, Life Lines, A&H Lines and Health Lines), Best's Insurance Expense Exhibit, Best's Schedule D, Best's Schedule F, Best's Schedule P and Best's Schedule S.
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What network options are available?
Our financial data products are available in stand-alone or network versions.
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Is this product available in any other format?
Yes, it is also available in a print version, Best's State/Line Reports. These reports present year-end performance figures for leading companies by line of business in each state or jurisdiction, letting you evaluate a competitor's position, or your own, on a by-state, by-line or by-company basis. You can also compare data for any state or for the entire P/C or L/H industry.
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How can I order Best's State/Line databases?
Please contact your local sales representative or our Sales Department at (908) 439-2200, ext. 5311, for pricing, including single-seat and multi-user options. Or e-mail your inquiries to sales@ambest.com.
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If I don't need the entire database, can I choose a more targeted selection of information?
Yes. If you prefer to select specific information, A.M. Best can design a custom database just for you. Choose any combination of states, lines, years and data elements for exactly the data you want. You can receive your files on CD-ROM or diskette, in print or via e-mail.
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Is product training available?
Yes. A.M. Best offers a variety of training workshops for our online and CD-ROM-based products. You'll become familiar with product features, learn to navigate through the various screens and discover time-saving tips and shortcuts. To register for training or to arrange a session at your site, please call (908) 439-2200, ext. 5115. Or e-mail training@ambest.com.
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Can I get notification of rating changes and other developments affecting companies that interest me?
Yes. Purchase of this product includes access to the BestAlert Service, which notifies you of changes in ratings and other developments for the companies you need to know about, at no additional cost.
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