RATING INSURANCE CARRIERS

Insurance carriers are rated according to their financial strength, i.e., their ability to pay out a claim. For example, the A.M. Best rating is expressed as a letter grade from A++ (the highest) to D. The Standard & Poor's ratings range from AAA (the highest) to CC. Following are the websites of companies that independently rate insurance carriers:

• A.M. Best: www.ambest.com
• Standard and Poors: www.standardandpoors.com
• Moody's Investor Services: www.moodys.com
• Fitch: www.fitchratings.com
• Weiss Reports: www.weissratings.com

Updated 8/9/2008