About Us
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.
AM Best, a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider, will mark its 125th anniversary on December 14, 2024. We’ve come a long way from the one-room office where the company started in 1899 – find out more about our story here. We will continue honoring our commitment to discover new ways to serve the insurance industry in fulfillment of our purpose, mission and vision. A complete chronicle of AM Best’s history can be found in The Company volume of The AM Best Business Trilogy.
Our Offices
Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City.
Find out more about our offices.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to strengthen the financial solvency, stability and sustainability of the insurance industry in support of economic growth and the well-being of all stakeholders.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide accurate, timely and comprehensive information on the creditworthiness of insurance companies and the performance of related parties in the insurance industry.
Our Vision
Our vision is to be the world’s most recognized, accepted and respected full service credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry.
What We Do
AM Best credit rating services assesses the creditworthiness of and/or reports on over 16,000 insurance companies worldwide. Our credit ratings are independent, indicative and interactive, and summarize our opinion on an insurance company’s ability to pay claims, debts and other financial obligations in a timely manner. Our commentary, research and analysis provide additional insight.
AM Best information services integrates credit ratings, commentary, research and analysis with insurance news, financial data and thought leadership to help consumers and professionals make more informed personal and business decisions. Our customers include agents, brokers, investors, regulators, educators and policyholders interested in measuring and managing insurance-related risks.
Our Story
View the company's history to learn more about its role in the global insurance industry. Learn about our corporate logo design.
Regulatory Information
AM Best is registered as a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO) by the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and as a Credit Rating Provider (CRP) by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in the US; registered as a Credit Rating Agency (CRA) by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) in the EU, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, the Dubai Financial Services Authority in the DIFC, UAE, the Hong Kong Securities & Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in Australia, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in Singapore, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) in New Zealand, the Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores (CNBV) in Mexico and the Stock Market Superintendency of Panama (SMV) in Panama; recognized as a credit rating agency by the Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM) in Brazil, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) in Switzerland, the Capital Market Authority (CMA) in Kenya, and Superintendence of Banks (SIB) in Guatemala; and licensed as a Representative Office by the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).