Hva betyr ratingklassene?
De store internasjonale ratingselskapene (Standard & Poor's, A.M. Best, Fitch Ratings og Moody's) har litt forskjellige klassifiseringer. Hovedregelen er allikevel at A er bedre enn B og at ratingen er tryggere desto flere A-er garantistilleren har;
Nedenfor finner du en oversikt over hvert ratingbyrås klassifiseringer. Det er verd å merke seg at AA- betyr at man ligger i nedre sjikt av hovedklassen AA, men fremdeles over klassen under (A / A+).
Tilsvarende kan oppgis neg. / pos. outlook. Dette indikerer at ratingbyrået har gitt en bestemt rating på ratingtidspunktet, men forventer en negativ / positiv utvilkling frem mot neste rating.
Ratingen BBB regnes av oss som nullpunktet – vi anbefaler som hovedregel ikke å bruke et selskap som er ratet BBB, og vi fraråder sterkt å bruke selskaper som har lavere rating.
Standard & Poor's (S&P):
AAA
An insurer rated 'AAA' has EXTREMELY STRONG financial security characteristics. 'AAA' is the highest Insurer Financial Strength Rating assigned by Standard & Poor's.
AA
An insurer rated 'AA' has VERY STRONG financial security characteristics, differing only slightly from those rated higher.
A
An insurer rated 'A' has STRONG financial security characteristics, but is somewhat more likely to be affected by adverse business conditions than are insurers with higher ratings.
BBB
An insurer rated 'BBB' has GOOD financial security characteristics, but is more likely to be affected by adverse business conditions than are higher rated insurers. An insurer rated 'BB' or lower is regarded as having vulnerable characteristics that may outweigh its strengths. 'BB' indicates the least degree of vulnerability within the range; 'CC' the highest.
BB
An insurer rated 'BB' has MARGINAL financial security characteristics. Positive attributes exist, but adverse business conditions could lead to insufficient ability to meet financial commitments.
B
An insurer rated 'B' has WEAK financial security characteristics. Adverse business conditions will likely impair its ability to meet financial commitments.
Am Best
A++, A+
Assigned to insurance companies that have, in our opinion, a superior ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations.
A, A-
Assigned to insurance companies that have, in our opinion, an excellent ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations.
B++, B+
Assigned to insurance companies that have, in our opinion, a good ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations.
B, B-
Assigned to insurance companies that have, in our opinion, a fair ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations. Financial strength is vulnerable to adverse changes in underwriting and economic conditions.
C++, C+
Assigned to insurance companies that have, in our opinion, a marginal ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations. Financial strength is vulnerable to adverse changes in underwriting and economic conditions.
C, C-
Assigned to insurance companies that have, in our opinion, a weak ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations. Financial strength is very vulnerable to adverse changes in underwriting and economic conditions.
Fitch Ratings
AAA
AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA
AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A
A’ ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB
BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
BB
BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists that supports the servicing of financial commitments.
B
B’ ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.
Moody’s:
Aaa
Insurance companies rated Aaa offer exceptional financial security. While the credit pro- file of these companies is likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair their fundamentally strong position.
Aa
Insurance companies rated Aa offer excellent financial security. Together with the Aaa group, they constitute what are generally known as high-grade companies. They are rated lower than Aaa companies because long-term risks appear somewhat larger.
A
Insurance companies rated A offer good financial security. However, elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa
Insurance companies rated Baa offer adequate financial security. However, certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time.
Ba
Insurance companies rated Ba offer questionable financial security. Often the ability of these companies to meet policyholder obligations may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded in the future.
B
Insurance companies rated B offer poor financial security. Assurance of punctual payment of policyholder obligations over any long period of time is small.
