Terms of Use

Last Reviewed September 22, 2008

Use of A.M. Best Web sites (the "Web Site") is subject to the following Terms of Use ("Terms"). By using or accessing the Web Site, you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms.

A.M. Best reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time and without prior notice. You should review the most current version of these Terms at http://www.ambest.com/homepage.asp using the link labeled "Terms of Use". You should periodically refer to the contents of this document for any changes.

Please contact webmaster@ambest.com for questions on our Terms. Permission to use A.M. Best content is granted on a case-by-case basis. Visit our Permissions page to submit a request .

USE OF THE WEB SITE

All information provided by A.M. Best on the Web Site, including but not limited to text, data, ratings, reports, images, photos, graphics, charts (the "Content") is owned by or licensed to A.M. Best Company and/or its subsidiaries (collectively "A.M. Best"). By accessing and using any of the Web Site you represent that you are 13 years or older and understand that through such access and usage you are legally bound by these Terms.

A.M. Best and its licensors retain all proprietary rights to the content. All unauthorized use of published information (including e-mail addresses) is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from A.M. Best.

A.M. Best does, however, authorize you to copy documents published on the Web Site or transmitted via e-mail for noncommercial use within your organization. This does not apply to fee-based or subscription information that is licensed specifically to individual customers. In consideration of this authorization, you agree that any copy of these documents that you make shall retain all copyright and other proprietary notices contained therein.

Each individual document published by A.M. Best on the Web Site or transmitted via e-mail may contain other proprietary notices and copyright information relating to that individual document. Likewise, any product, process, or technology, contained in individual documents on the Web Site may be the subject of other intellectual property rights reserved by A.M. Best, and may not be licensed hereunder.

All trade names, trademarks, service marks, images and logos on materials, including electronic facsimilies, published by A.M. Best are proprietary to their respective owners and are protected by applicable trademark and copyright laws. Any unauthorized use of A.M. Best owned marks or graphics is strictly prohibited.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

The information available on the Web Site and/or transmitted via e-mail is provided "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusion may not apply to you.

Content may include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes may be periodically made to the Content and these changes will be incorporated in new editions of the Content. A.M. Best may make improvements and/or changes in the products and/or services described in the Content at any time without notice.

You may not, nor may you allow others to, directly or indirectly, attempt or actually disrupt, impair or interfere with, alter or modify the Web Site, or Content. Likewise, you may not, nor may you allow others to, directly, or indirectly, collect or attempt to collect any information about our Customers, including passwords, account or other data.

BEST'S CREDIT RATINGS

A Best's Financial Strength Rating is an independent opinion of an insurer's financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations. It is based on a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a company's balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile.

The Financial Strength Rating opinion addresses the relative ability of an insurer to meet its ongoing insurance obligations. The ratings are not assigned to specific insurance policies or contracts and do not address any other risk, including, but not limited to, an insurer's claims-payment policies or procedures; the ability of the insurer to dispute or deny claims payment on grounds of misrepresentation or fraud; or any specific liability contractually borne by the policy or contract holder. A Financial Strength Rating is not a recommendation to purchase, hold or terminate any insurance policy, contract or any other financial obligation issued by an insurer, nor do they address the suitability of any particular policy or contract for a specific purpose or purchaser

A Best's Debt/Issuer Credit Rating is an opinion regarding the relative future credit risk of an entity, a credit commitment or a debt or debt-like security. Credit risk is the risk that an entity may not meet its contractual, financial obligations as they come due. These credit ratings do not address any other risk, including but not limited to liquidity risk, market value risk or price volatility of rated securities. The rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities, insurance policies, contracts or any other financial obligations, nor do they address the suitability of any particular financial obligation for a specific purpose or purchaser.

A Best's Bank Deposit Rating is an opinion of the relative ability of a bank to meet its ongoing financial obligations to depositors. The ratings are not assigned to specific deposit accounts or contracts and do not address the ability of the bank to repay any other financial obligation issued by the bank. A Bank Deposit Rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold financial obligations of a bank, nor do they address the suitability of any particular financial obligation for a specific purpose or purchaser.

In arriving at a rating decision, A.M. Best relies on third-party audited financial data and/or other information provided to it. While this information is believed to be reliable, A.M. Best does not independently verify the accuracy or reliability of the information. Any and all ratings, opinions and information contained herein are provided "as is," without any express or implied warranty. A rating may be changed, suspended or withdrawn at any time for any reason at the sole discretion of A.M. Best.

A.M. Best does not sell securities nor provide investment advice. A.M. Best is compensated for its interactive rating services. These rating fees can vary from US$ 5,000 to US$ 500,000. In addition, A.M. Best may receive compensation from rated entities for non-rating related services or products offered.

TIMELINESS OF CONTENT

The Content, including, but not limited to, ratings, reports, studies and other commentary is current as of the date published or indicated on the Content and is subject to change without notice. In addition, you are responsible for setting the cache settings on your browser to ensure you are receiving the most recent Content.

CHANGES TO THE WEB SITE

Unless otherwise agreed, A.M. Best may discontinue or modify the Web Site or Content at any time and without prior notice. Continued usage of the Web Site implies acceptance of those modifications.

LINKING AND FRAMING POLICY

The Web Site is protected by applicable copyright laws. Accordingly, you may not copy, distribute, modify, post or frame-in the Web Site or the Content posted on the Web Site without prior written permission from A.M. Best.

Unless outlined by a specific agreement between you and A.M. Best, any link created from another web site to the Web Site must resolve to the top-level homepage of an A.M. Best domain (e.g., www.ambest.com, www.bestweek.com, www.bestreview.com, etc.).

LINKS TO OTHER WEB SITES

Users may through hypertext or other computer links gain access to other sites on the Internet which are not part of the Web Site. A.M. Best assumes no responsibility for any material outside of the Web Site that may be accessed through any such "link".

Additionally, a link from any of the Web Site to another web site does not imply or mean that A.M. Best endorses the content on that web site or the or operations of that site.

TERMINATION

A.M. Best reserves the right to terminate your access to the Web Site for any reason and without prior notice.