Strongest and Weakest Business Insurers		Back

A weak business insurance company represents a potential for financial loss to its policyholders, as well as a number of headaches and hassles. In addition to the loss of their premium dollars, the policyholders with a failed insurer are forced to scramble to purchase replacement coverage from other carriers, often at higher rates. And those who were unfortunate enough to have a claim outstanding with the failed company can end up footing the bill themselves.

That's why it is important to check the financial security offered by an insurer prior to purchasing a policy and then periodically monitor the company's condition going forward. Low-rated companies should be avoided in favor of highly rated companies.

The following U.S. business insurance underwriters received the highest ratings from Weiss Ratings.

Strongest Business Insurers Data as of 09/04/2008 Company Name State Weiss Safety Rating HASTINGS MUTUAL INS CO  MI  A+  AUTO-OWNERS INS CO  MI  A  SENTRY INS A MUTUAL CO  WI  A  COUNTRY MUTUAL INS CO  IL  A  KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU MUTUAL INS CO  KY  A  HOME-OWNERS INS CO  MI  A  CHURCH MUTUAL INS CO  WI  A  FRANKENMUTH MUTUAL INS CO  MI  A  ALFA INS CORP  AL  A  PIONEER STATE MUTUAL INS CO  MI  A  ALLSTATE INS CO  IL  A-  CINCINNATI INS CO  OH  A-  OWNERS INS CO  OH  A-  MERCURY CASUALTY CO  CA  A-  TENNESSEE FARMERS MUTUAL INS CO  TN  A-  GRANGE MUTUAL CAS CO  OH  A-  NORTH CAROLINA FARM BU MUTUAL INS CO  NC  A-  FARM BUREAU MUTUAL INS CO  IA  A-  WEST BEND MUTUAL INS CO  WI  A-  ALFA MUTUAL INS CO  AL  A-

The following U.S. business insurance underwriters received the lowest ratings from Weiss Ratings.

Weakest Business Insurers Data as of 09/04/2008 Company Name State Weiss Safety Rating AGRINATIONAL INS CO  VT  E  COLONIAL COOPERATIVE INS CO  NY  E  NUCLEAR ELECTRIC INS LTD  DE  E+  UNDERWRITERS AT LLOYDS LONDON  IL  E+  UNITED PROPERTY & CASUALTY INS CO  FL  E+  AMERICAN COASTAL INS CO  FL  E+  GLOBAL LIBERTY INS CO OF NY  NY  E+  WASHINGTON COUNTY CO-OPERATIVE INS  NY  E+  GIBRALTAR NATIONAL INS CO  AR  E+  UNION MUTUAL INS CO  OK  E+  AMERICAN CAPITAL ASR CORP  FL  D-  QBE SPECIALTY INS CO  ND  D-  FIRST JERSEY CASUALTY INS CO INC  NJ  D-  OPTIMA INS CO  PR  D-  CALIFORNIA MUTUAL INS CO  CA  D-  KENSINGTON INS CO  NY  D-  GENESEE PATRONS COOP INS  NY  D-  MANITOWOC MUTUAL INS CO  WI  D-  LITTLE BLACK MUTUAL INS CO  WI  D-  TIG INS CO  TX  D

Just because a particular insurer does not appear on this list of lowest rated business insurance companies, it does not necessarily mean that the company is safe or highly rated.  To check the rating of a specific company, Weiss Ratings offers several online options and publications covering property and casualty insurers.

A =  Excellent B =  Good C =  Fair D =  Weak E =  Very Weak

For more information about Weiss Ratings and our products, contact our Customer Hotline at 1-800-289-9222.