Business Glossary

rating assigned to insurance companies by A.M. Best Co. A Best's Rating is important to buyers of insurance or annuities because it provides an opinion of a company's ability to meet its obligations to policyholders. Best's Ratings are also important to investors in insurance stocks. The top rating is A++. Other companies providing ratings of insurance companies include fitch ratings in New York and London, moody's investors services in New York, standard & poor's in New York, and Weiss Research in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

rating of financial soundness given to insurance companies by Best's Rating Service. The top rating is A+. A Best's rating is important to buyers of insurance or annuities because it informs them whether a company is financially sound. Best's ratings are also important to investors in insurance stocks.