What are the Best Life Insurance Company Ratings

Recent economic conditions have underscored the importance of knowing your life insurance provider’s financial rating. While some companies have slipped, many remain strong. Use this list of top 50 life insurance company ratings to find a solid provider. All scores come from A.M. Best, Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch — the four top financial rating institutions.

The best life insurance companies of 2009 according to A.M. Best are:

  • New York Life: A++, stable outlook
  • Mass Mutual: A++, stable outlook
  • State Farm: A++, stable outlook
  • Geico: A++, stable outlook

Stable A+ companies include: MetlifeJohn HancockMutual of Omaha, and Jackson National.

Company: A.M. Best: Moody’s: S&P: Fitch:
21st Century A A A+
AIG Life A A1 A+ A-
Allstate A+ A1 AA- A
Allianz A A2 AA AA
Amica A+
American General A A1 A+ A-
Banner Life A+ AA-
American National A AA-
Aviva A A1 AA- A+
Axa Equitable A Aa3 AA AA-
Colonial Penn B Ba2 BB- BB+
Empire General A
EquiTrust B+
Farmers A
Fidelity A+ A+ AA
Genworth Life A A2 A A-
Geico A++ Aa3 AAA AA+
Hartford Life A A3 A A-
ING A A1 A+ AA-
Integrity Life A+ Aa3 AA+ AA
Kansas City Life A A
Jackson National A+ A1 AA
Jefferson National B-
John Hancock A+ Aa3 AA+ AA
Liberty Mutual A Baa1 A- A-
Lincoln National A+ A2 AA- A+
Mass Mutual A++ Aa1 AAA
MetLife A+ Aa2 AA- AA
Midland National A+ A+ A
Monumental Life A A1 AA- AA
Mutual of Omaha A+ Aa3
Nationwide Life A+ A1 A+ A
New York Life A++ Aaa AAA AAA
North American A+ A+ A
Ohio National A+
Old Mutual A A1 BBB-
Pacific Life A+ A1 AA- AA-
Penn Mutual A+ Aa3
Presidential B+
Protective A+ A2 AA- A+
Prudential A+ A2 AA- A+
ReliaStar A A1 A+ AA-
Riversource A+ AA- AA-
Standard Life A A A+
State Farm A++ Aa1 AA+
SunAmerica A A1 A+ A-
The Travelers A A2 AA- AA
Transamerica A A1 AA- AA
West Coast Life A+ A2 AA- A+
Zurich American A AA- A+

*Company ratings as of 07/24/2009. Subject to change without notice. ** A dash (-) indicates that the company wasn’t rated or ratings were out-of-date.

A.M. Best Rating Explanations

Rating: Description: Definition:
A++, A+ Superior Able to meet insurance obligations.
A, A- Excellent Able to meet insurance obligations.
B++, B+ Good Able to meet insurance obligations.
B, B- Fair Vulnerable to unfavourable economic conditions.
C++, C+ Marginal Vulnerable to unfavourable economic conditions.
C, C- Weak Very vulnerable to unfavourable economic conditions.
D Poor Extremely vulnerable to unfavourable economic conditions.
E Under Supervision Company is under regulation, preventing normal business operations.
F In Liquidation Company is ongoing voluntary liquidation.
S Suspended Unevaluated due to inadequate information or lack of cooperation.

Moody’s Rating Explanations

Rating: Description: Definition:
AAA Extremely Strong Market conditions are unlikely to affect a fundamentally strong position.
AA Very Strong High-grade company with marginally larger long-term risks.
A Strong Financially secure, but signs of possible long-term susceptibility.
Baa Adequate Lacking in certain protective elements over the long term.
Ba Questionable Ability to meet obligations is questionable.
B Poor Long-term ability to meet obligations on time is small.
Caa Very Poor May be in default of financial obligations already.
Ca Extremely Poor In default of financial obligations.
C Extremely Poor Very poorly positioned to offer financial security.

S&P Rating Explanations

Rating: Description: Definition:
AAA Extremely Strong Very unlikely to be affected by adverse economic conditions.
AA Very Strong Unlikely to be affected by adverse economic conditions.
A Strong Marginally more likely to be affected by adverse economic conditions.
BBB Good May be affected by adverse business conditions.
BB Marginal Adverse business conditions may lead to inability to meet obligations.
B Weak Adverse business conditions are likely to affect ability to meet obligations.
CCC Very Weak Depends on favourable business conditions to meet obligations.
CC Extremely Likely to not meet all financial obligations.
R Regulatory Action Subject to regulation due to insolvency.
NR Not Rated No opinion.

Fitch Rating Explanations

Rating: Description: Definition:
AAA Exceptionally Strong Very unlikely to be affected by adverse economic conditions.
AA Very Strong Not significantly vulnerable to adverse economic conditions.
A Strong Low expectation for interruption of payments.
BBB Good May be affected by adverse economic conditions.
BB Moderately Weak Contractual obligations are now vulnerable.
B Weak Significant risk for interruption of payments.
CCC Very Weak Strong likelihood for interruption of payments.
CC Extremely Weak Interruption of payments is probable.
C Distressed Interruption of payments is imminent.